Ethan Merit Quotes

You can run. You can keep running to the ends of the earth. But I won’t be far behind you.” “Ethan—” “No. I will never be far behind you.” He tipped up my chin so that I could do nothing else but look back into his eyes. “Do the things you need to do. Learn to be a vampire, to be a warrior, to be the soldier you are capable of being. But consider the possibility that I made a mistake I regret—and that I’ll continue to regret that mistake and try to convince you to give me another chance until the earth stops turning.

Let’s just remember, Sullivan, that I want you for your smoked meats and your smoked meats only.” He barked out a laugh. “Touché, Sentinel.

I am beginning to remember what it means to need things. Laughter. Companionship. Love. " He leant forward and pressed his forehead to mine. "And I need you, Merit.

Well, I suppose I could follow his advice. Are you hungry?” “Surprisingly enough, not at the moment.” “Will miracles never cease?” “Ha,” I said

I'll have you in my bed again, Sentinel. And at my side. That is a promise.

I looked at Ethan and smiled a little. “I love you,” he mouthed. “I love you, too,” I mouthed back. “And I’m nauseous,” Catcher grumbled. “Let’s get on with this. I am seriously in need of a beer and a Lifetime movie.

You are caught, Sentinel.' His voice was rough.

Do you like being teased?" I whispered. "I enjoy previews," he said, the words confident, but his voice rough with arousal. -Merit and Ethan

Please stop calling me that. You’re still officially the Master.” “Oh, I know,” Malik said. “But much like Merit, I find it amusing to irritate you.” As Malik walked down the hallway and around the corner, Ethan turned his pointed gaze on me. I shrugged innocently. “I can’t help it if I’m a trendsetter.

From a House of vampires to a house of politicians,” he muttered as we walked to the front door. “Said the most political of vampires,” I reminded him, and got a growl in response.

I'm rarely good, Merit. But I'm often spectacular.

Ethan extended his hand. "Mr. Merit. Thank you for your help." My grandfather shook his hand, but he also shook his head. "Thank your Sentinel. She's a fine representative of your House." Ethan looked at me, pride-and love?-in his eyes. "We're in agreement there.

Ethan chuckled. “And are you aware you keep looking over here like you’re nervous I’m going to disappear?” “It’s because you’re devastatingly handsome.” He grinned slyly. “I wasn’t questioning your good taste.

Merit. Have you finally decided to ditch the zero and get with the hero?” Ethan cleared his throat—loudly—while I bit back a smile. I didn’t see anything wrong with reminding Ethan that I had other options. Even if they were slightly goofy options I’d never actually take advantage of.

His(Luc) eyes widened appreciatively as he took in my dress, heels, hair. “You look beautiful.” Ethan beat me to a response. “Thank you. But you should compliment Merit as well. She cleans up nicely.” Luc snorted, glanced at me. “And you don’t look half-bad yourself, Sentinel.” “Thank you, Luc. He’s just jealous. He prefers to be the arm candy.

In case you’ve forgotten, Ethan Sullivan trained me. And in case you didn’t know, Catcher Bell schooled me in sword craft. I was raised on ‘difficult to work with.

Screw them,” Ethan finally said. After a moment of utter shock, I enjoyed my second biggest smile all night. Malik’s wasn’t much smaller. “I’m sorry,” I said, “did you just say ‘screw them’?

And so, on a night in late May, I found myself standing on the lawn of a Hyde Park mansion of vampires, staring up at the stone-framed visage of a boy in Armani, an enemy who’d become an ally. Ironic, I thought, that I’d given up one ally today but gained another.Ethan ran a hand through his hair. “What are you thinking about?” I whispered up, knowing he couldn’t hear me. Where was a boom box when you needed one?

Liege,” I said deferentially. “She’s more obsequious to you than she ever has been to me,” Ethan observed with a tilted eyebrow. “Better leadership skills,” Malik said with a smile,

You know what I need?” I asked. “A chocolate fountain?” Ethan suggested. “A complete paper set of the Encyclopedia Britannica? A lifetime supply of grilled meat?” “I like all those ideas, but I was thinking a magical spray I can use on Mallory to wash the crazy off her.” “Like Lysol for evil?” Paige asked.

Oh, I get it. You’re doing the girlfriend—what’s her name? Megan?” “Merit,” answered the girl at the table. “And it’s a pretty good costume.” I opened my mouth to object, to proclaim that I wasn’t doing Ethan’s girlfriend, I was Ethan’s girlfriend, and I was doing Ethan.

I think Luc was right,” he added when they were out of earshot. “I can hardly take you out anymore.” “I just took out a vamp twice my weight while wearing a cocktail dress and three-inch heels. I think I deserve some credit for that.

I believe I’ve got it covered,” Malik said with an admirably straight face and smooth tone. “But I wouldn’t mind taking a break before getting to the next round. Grabbing a bite to eat.” Ethan glanced at me, questioning eyebrow arched. Have you infected him? You’re hilarious, I said.

Go ahead,” I told him. “Go see your admirers. Sign some autographs. It’s good PR for the House.” He slid me a glance, smiled. “Not concerned one of the fans will try to sweep me away with words of love?” “Oh, they’ll try to sweep,” I said. “But I have no worries you’ll come back to me.” His smile was meltingly handsome. “Because I love you without measure?” “Of course,” I said. Also, I had the car keys.

You’ll be fine, baby girl. I know you—how capable you are and how stubborn—and those are qualities that Ethan will come to appreciate.” “Given time,” Catcher muttered. “Lots and lots and lots of time.” “Eons,” Jeff agreed. “Immortal,” I reminded them, using a finger to point at myself. “We have the time. Besides, I wouldn’t want to make it too easy on him.

Why, Sullivan, I think I just kicked your ass.

He was smiling—a kind of honest, humbled, sweet smile. “Maybe I’m getting better at this?” he asked. “Better at wooing you in the manner in which you should be wooed?

The man was walking power and confidence, and he was all mine. “Seriously,” Lindsey whispered, “well done.” “I know, right?

I nearly bit one of them, and yadda yadda yadda, we learned they had nothing to do with the color change.” “You can’t yadda yadda yadda nearly biting a fairy,” Paige said.

I had a sense of your passion when we met, Merit. When you first stormed into my House with fire in your eyes.” “That wasn’t fire. That was sheer, unmitigated fury.

Next steps?” I asked, turning him back to business once again. “A stiff drink?” “Have I finally driven you to alcohol, Sentinel?

I took a moment before heading inside to share the evening’s most important news in a quick text to Mallory: ETHAN EATS TOAST WITH A FORK. It took a moment before she responded. DARTH SULLIVAN = PRETENTIOUS HOTTIE, she responded.

You’re wearing your medal,” he said. I grazed the gold with my fingertips. “I wasn’t sure if I should, if it was dressy enough?” “You should. Consider it your dog tag.” “In case I get lost?” “In case you’re fried to ash and that sliver of gold is all that’s left of you.” Vampire tact, I thought, left something to be desired.

Ethan sidled next to me, a hand propped on the shelf. “Come here often?” he said. “Excuse me?” “I see you’re here in this”—he gestured at the shelves—“library all alone. You must be a student here?” He traced a fingertip down the hollow of my throat, lifting goose bumps on my arms. Since my mind hardly worked when he did things like that, it took a moment for his words to register. Was he initiating a bout of role-playing … about a library? “Ethan Sullivan,” I marveled. “You have a library fantasy.” He smiled slyly. “I have a doctoral-student-turned-vampire fantasy.

Look. I know why you gave me that speech earlier today. I know you have an obligation to protect your vampires. But irrespective of the way that I was made, I have done everything that you’ve asked of me. I’ve taken training, I gave up my dissertation, I moved into the House, I got you in to see my father, I got you into the Breckenridge house, and I’ve dated the man you asked me to.” I pointed at the house behind us. “And even though I was supposed to get a few hours free from the drama of Cadogan House tonight with said man, I followed you here because you requested it. At some point, Ethan, you might consider giving me a little credit.” I didn’t wait for him to answer, but turned on my heel and went to the car. I opened the back door, climbed inside, and slammed it shut behind me. Catcher caught my gaze in the rearview mirror. “Feel better?” “Is he still standing there with that dumbstruck expression on his face?” There was a pause while he checked, then a chuckle. “Yes, he is.” “Then, yes, I feel better.

And I agree that you should be basking in my glory . . . especially since I took a stake through the heart to save your life.” I couldn’t help but grin. “And it didn’t even take you twenty-four hours to remind me.” “One uses the tools at one’s disposal, Sentinel.

He was an imperialistic, self-righteous pain in the ass. But he was my pain in the ass, you know? And tonight, I won’t be with him. That definitely feels strange.

Death waits for no vampire. —Ethan Sullivan I like bacon. —Merit

Sullivan may have a heart of coal, but I bet he looks really good in orange. And stripes. Rawr,” she said, curling her fingers like a cat.

If you use the word ‘halt,’ I will hit you.” “Not halt,” he breathlessly said. “Upstairs. Now.

Because sometimes women cry when there’s good news. Tears of relief. You know, catharsis.” His expression was utterly blank. “Haven’t you ever cried when you, I don’t know, you get a new batch of that fancy stationery you like with the watermarks on it?” He looked bewildered. “That’s what you think I’d cry tears of relief about?” “You do like your office supplies.

Would you put it past Darth Sullivan to figure out a way to haunt you postmortem? He’s probably holding staff meetings in the afterworld. Offering up performance evaluations. Issuing dictates.

Ethan chuckled. “It hasn’t escaped my attention, Sentinel, that you cringe every time I mention our future.” “I don’t cringe. I only cringe when you pretend-propose.” He had a penchant for going down on bended knee—and straightening a hem or helping me with a shoe. “Nobody finds that amusing.” “I find it excessively amusing. You do realize, don’t you, that the proposal won’t always be fake?

Why the long face?” “Is there anyone who isn’t infatuated with you?” I smiled at him, with teeth. “If not, it’s because you haven’t assigned them to me yet. Mata Hari at your service. Would you like to add him to the list?” “I don’t appreciate your sarcasm.” “I don’t appreciate being handed out like a party favor.

Sullivan, just pick it up.” He glanced at me, spearing a chunk of hot dog with his fork. “My way is more genteel.” I took another gigantic bite, and told him between chews, “Your way is more tight ass.” “Your respect for me, Sentinel, is astounding.” I grinned at him. “I’d respect you more if you took a bite of that dog.

It’s your job to be worried,” I said lightly, squeezing his hand. “That’s why we pay you the big bucks. Which you are apparently going to hand over to the NAC in order to keep that car in the garage.” “Never fear, Sentinel. I will still be able to keep you in bacon.” “Damn right,” I said. “You know your priorities.” Ethan rolled his eyes and slapped me on the butt.

Luc would have put my head on a pike if you’d taken a hit.” “How do you know I didn’t?” I opened my mouth, then closed it again. “Did you?” His eyes went to sultry slits. “Do you want to look and see?” “Not especially.” Liar, liar, pants on fire.

Do you have a room preference?” I asked Ethan. “Whichever you prefer,” he said, “since I’ll be staying with you.” There was no equivocation in his voice. No question, no request for permission. It was a statement, an announcement of something he meant to do. Something he would do. “Of course you will,” I said. “It would be rude to muss two of her bedrooms. We might as well bunk up and save her the trouble.” Ethan rolled his eyes. “That isn’t exactly the reasoning I had in mind.” “Oh, I know,” I said, walking back to the first bedroom. “But if I don’t keep a check on your ego, you’ll become insufferable.” He made a sarcastic, but pleased, grunt.

Opportunities to wear denim to the office don’t come along very often in Cadogan House.” Ethan chuckled, then pushed off the bureau and pulled a black suit coat from a valet stand. “I hear the Master can be such a pain in the ass.” He definitely had his moments.

We need to give you two a couple name,” I said, taking a seat on the opposite side of the table. “Lucsey, perhaps?” Luc didn’t bat an eyelash; he simply turned a page of the newspaper. “Call us what you want, Sentinel. We already have a name for you.” That was alarming. Not that there was a way to avoid it, but I wasn’t sure I wanted them discussing my relationship around the Ops Room table. “No, you don’t.” “Yes, we do.” Lindsey stirred her spoon noisily around the walls of the yogurt cup to get the remaining drops. “You’re Methan.” “We’re what?” “Methan. Merit and Ethan. Methan.

I lightly grasped the edges of my shirt and dropped into a neat curtsy, batting my eyes coquettishly. “Thank you, Liege,” I said, Gratefully Condescending. “You’re still not in Cadogan attire, you know.” I frowned, awash in the disheartening realization that I’d tried again, and failed, at playing Cadogan vampire. Was I ever going to be able to be good enough for Ethan? I doubted it, but faked a smile and cheekily offered, “You should have seen what I was going to wear.” Ethan rolled his eyes.

He has to pay people who have a sense of humor. Since he’s lacking one,” I added, when Ethan didn’t laugh. “I understood the joke, Merit,” he quietly said, sparkling emerald eyes on me as we began to sway. “I didn’t find it funny.” “Yes, well, your sense of humor leaves something to be desired.” Ethan spun me out and away, then pulled me back again. Stuck-up or not, I had to give him props—the boy could move. “My sense of humor is perfectly well developed,” he informed me when our bodies aligned again. “I merely have high standards.” “And yet you deign to dance with me.” “I’m dancing in a stately home with the owner’s daughter, who happens to be a powerful vampire.” Ethan looked down at me, brow cocked. “A man could do worse.” “A man could do worse,” I agreed. “But could a vampire?” “If I find one, I’ll ask him.” The response was corny enough that I laughed aloud, full and heartily, and had the odd, heart-clenching pleasure of watching him smile back, watching his green eyes shine with the delight of it.

Ditto,” Ethan said, a surprising amount of venom in his voice. I bit back a proud smile; he seemed to be adopting a little of my snark.

You didn’t have to adjust under the watchful eye of Gabriel Keene.” “You’re right. I only had to adjust under the watchful eye of Ethan Sullivan. That was an utter cakewalk.

His lips so soft, yet so stern, he pressed his mouth to mine. "I will have both of you," he said. "My Sentinel and my city. And the GP will learn exactly how stubborn we both can be.

You’ll be careful out there?” Ethan asked. A line of worry appeared between his eyes. “I will. But we’re just going for pizza. And Luc knows where I’ll be, just in case of a zombie apocalypse.

Luc is busy protecting our vampires.” “Luc is your bodyguard. He swore an oath to protect you.” An irritated shake of his head. “You’re in this already.” “Luc was there when you explained the raves, helped you plan for my involvement, and I’m sure you’ve brought him up to speed about what we learned so far. He knows everything that I know.” “Luc was busy.” “I was busy.” “Luc isn’t you.

An image of Luc’s face flashed on my screen, his finger waggling. “Time to go outside!” it said. “Time to go outside!” I tried to silence it, reduce the volume, and turn off the phone, but to no avail. Luc had definitely created a reminder for our outdoor guarding duties—and there was no way to turn it off. I grimaced at the phone and showed it to Ethan. “We have a monster on our hands.

Dear God,” I said, dodging a pair of zombie cheerleaders to cross the busy pathway to the “Hunkiest” table, staring down at the assortment of pink, white, and pale blue panties, Ethan’s green eyes staring out from the front triangle.

Ethan groaned. “To business already, Sentinel? So much for, ‘Good morning, Liege. I love you, Liege.’” He managed a remarkably bad imitation of my voice, then feigned sweeping hair over his shoulder. “I don’t do that.” “You do,” he said, grinning. “But my larger point still stands.” I rolled my eyes but sat up, sheet strategically around my breasts, and smiled at him. “Good morning, Liege,” I said in a husky voice. “I love you, Liege.” “That’s more like it,” he said.

You and Ethan had some kind of something?” “You’re fishing. And we didn’t have something or anything. We’re just bummed it’s Valentine’s Day and I’m spending it with you guys.” “Yeah, well, tone down the magic. You’re giving me split ends.

Ethan scrubbed his hands over his face. “I hate it when you’re right.” I bit back a grin that only would have gotten me into trouble, and let my mouth do it for me. “Then you must hate me often.” I disappeared into the bathroom before Ethan could throttle me.

And what about us?” Catcher asked. Gabriel’s eyebrows lifted. “You’re part of the mystery-solving gang, aren’t you?” Catcher muttered something unflattering, and Mallory nudged him. “I presume you want us to stay here tonight?” she asked. “It would make things easier,” Gabe said. “So we’ll sleep on the couch,” Catcher said, “like we’re twelve-year-olds at a slumber party.” “In fairness,” Ethan said, “we don’t all have to sleep on the couch.” “In fairness,” Catcher said, “you can kiss my ass.” “Ladies,” Mallory said. “Let’s put on our big-girl panties. Merit and Ethan are already sleeping in the bedroom, and there’s no point in making them move. Catcher and I can take the couch. The shifters will feel better if we make this work, and it’s no great loss to any of us.

I’d seen Ethan walk through smoke and ash before, emerge through a cloud of magic and fire. We’d been lovers then, when I’d thought him dead. But we hadn’t loved. Not like this. Not like we did now. I’d grieved when he was gone, but this would have killed me. Because now he was my eternity.

I knew there were Web sites devoted to Ethan. I might, in a moment of curious weakness, have visited Ethan SullivanIsMyMaster.net and smiled at the bloggers’ obvious adoration. But underwear? Underwear! “Pretty hot, isn’t he?” asked the clerk. I was bewildered. Of course he was hot. But he was my hot.

He wants you,” Lindsey said. “Physically and otherwise. Maybe you only need to remind him that you can handle yourself.” “How?” “Girl, you’re the Sentinel of this House, and you’ve been trained by Catcher and Luc and Ethan. He’s in the training room right now. Get down there and kick his ass.” I smiled slyly. Now, that was a plan that made sense.

I believe there’s something you’ll need, Sentinel.” Ethan slid from his chair, dropped to one knee on the carpet. My mind had to race to keep up, but my heart pounded madly. Ethan looked up at me, grinned. “That thing, of course, is this.” He held up a small dessert fork. “You dropped your fork, Sentinel.” My blood pounded in my ears. I stood up, swatted his arms with slaps. “You are a jerk.” He roared with laughter. “Ah, Sentinel. The look on your face.” He doubled over with laughter. “Such terror.” I kept swatting. “At the thought of marrying you, you pretentious ass.” He roared again, then picked me up and carried me to the bed. “My pretentions are well earned, Sentinel.” “You have got to stop doing that.” “I can’t. It’s hilarious.” Only a man would think fake proposals were so funny.

Manufacturers agency costs and, 46-50 characteristics of, 3 custom products and, 6, 14, 15, 33 innovation and, 13-15, 121-131, 147-164 dimensions-of-merit product improvements and, 146 expectations of economic benefit by, 2-9, 33, 51-52, 56 free revealing and, 9, 10, 80 government policy and, 2, 107, 108, 117-119 information asymmetries of, 8, 9, 70-72 innovation and, 1-3, 6-9, 14-17, 27, 33, 37, 45, 49-52, 56, 70-76, 107-119, 133, 136, 147-164, 174 lead users and, 4, 5, 27, 127, 133-136, 144-146 national competitive advantage and, 170-172 social welfare and, 7-13 transaction costs and, 55-57 innovate-or-buy decisions and, 6, 7 Marketing research, 15, 16, 37, 133, 134, 167 Marples, D., 63 Martin, J., 150 Marwell, G., 90 Mathews, J., 25 Maurer, S., 115 McAdam, D., 90 McCool, Rob, 101 Mead, L., 152 Means, R., 56 Meckling, W., 6, 46 Merges, Robert, 113, 114 Merton, Robert, 168 Meyer, M., 99 Microsoft, 13, 128, 151 Midgely, David, 23, 179 Mishina, K., 79 MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, 97, 98 Mitchell, R., 40 Molin, M., 129 Mollick, Ethan, 131 Morrison, Pamela, 4, 10, 20, 23-27, 34, 35, 79, 136-143, 179 Mountain biking, 20, 34-37, 72-75, 94 Muniz, A., 174 Nagata, A., 84 Narver, J., 144 National competitive advantage, 170-172. See also Government policy Nelson, R., 68, 84, 113, 114, 170 Niedner, S., 8, 60 Nuvolari, A., 10, 78, 79 Ogawa, S., 8, 71, 72, 108 O’Guinn, T., 174 Oliver, P., 90 Olson, E., 144 Olson, M., 89, 90 Open source software. See also Free software communities and, 172, 174 innovation and, 97-102, 126, 129-132 free revealing and, 9-11, 80, 86, 87 innovation communities and, 11, 93, 96-102, 111, 113, 124, 126, 129-132, 172, 181 intellectual commons and, 115-117 intellectual property rights and, 9, 10, 115-117 knowledge and, 169, 170 Ostrom, E., 90 Outdoor products, 20, 21 Patents. See Intellectual property rights

A towering blond woman in an emerald-green suit with lapels sharp enough to slice cheese stalks toward us, her expression set somewhere between rabid and murderous.  “You have got to be kidding me!” she shrieks as she comes alongside us and casts a tundra-cold glance in my direction.  Immediately, I think she’s talking about my clothing, which, while not precisely appropriate, wouldn’t seem to merit a Teutonic hissy fit. But her eyes bounce away from me again, and she presses her hand to her ear. “If this guy doesn’t work out, I will have no problem jamming an ice pick up your skinny ass, Paolo,” she says, and I finally notice the Bluetooth device tucked up next to a chignon tight enough to give her cat eyes.  She clips away, leaving flowers to shrivel and birds to drop from the sky in her wake.  “Jesus,” Ethan mutters, and I realize I’ve actually grabbed onto his arm in terror. “Here’s hoping she’s not the HR rep.”  I allow myself a moment’s enjoyment before releasing him. “Here’s hoping she doesn’t even work here.”  He smiles. “Here’s hoping she’s leaving on a ten-year cruise.”  “To Antarctica.”  “To reunite with her clan, the snow beasts.” 

Ethan arched an eyebrow and began to lean in.... Then he reached around to pluck something from the table behind me. When he pulled back, folder in hand, I rolled my eyes at my reaction. The man just unbalanced me.

Ethan nodded and fell in line behind Nadia, who trotted back up the stairs, her hair bouncing on her shoulders as she moved. Really— it was like watching a shampoo commercial.

I’m going to change clothes.” Ethan lay down on the bed, one arm behind his head, ankles crossed. “All right,” he said. “I’m ready.” “Dirty. Old. Man.

I’m here,” he said. “Be still.

I will goddamned see you naked under much more auspicious circumstances before the year is up.