The Striker Ana Huang Quotes

To loving every version of yourself, even the ones you want to leave behind.

I’ve been here since day one, darling. I was simply waiting for you to join me.

The past was the past, and the future was unpredictable. But the present? It belonged to us, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Does she know what an idiot she’s dating?” “Yes, sir, and she loves me anyway.

He wasn’t my brother’s nemesis or my trainee—he was the person who’d carried me up three flights of stairs, stayed with me until I regained consciousness, and didn’t make me feel like an object of pity when I told him about my accident. And that’s exactly why he’s dangerous.

Asher laughed. “Scarlett, this is Jules, an old friend of mine.” “And this is Josh, my boyfriend,” Jules added, gesturing at the man beside her.

I looked at her, this beautiful, incredible woman whom I never would’ve expected would turn my world upside down, and marveled that she was mine.

If Scarlett had plagued my thoughts before, the kiss had built her a permanent home there and invited her in for tea.

If her smile was a burglar, her laugh was a fucking thief because I was pretty sure she just stole a piece of my heart from right out under me.

now I found out the girl I couldn’t stop thinking about was related to my biggest rival. The universe had a sick sense of humor.

God definitely had favorites, and Asher was one of them.

If it makes you feel better,' I said. 'I prefer Asher to Asher Donovan.

No matter where we were or how many people surrounded us, she commanded my attention like a lighthouse in a storm.

Amusement slid across his infuriatingly perfect face. “What’s this?” “The flirting. It’s unprofessional.” “I’m afraid flirting is part of my nature, darling.

Her other hand carried a sign that said Kick Holchester’s ass from here to Pluto in huge, bright purple letters. I burst into laughter. God, I loved that woman.

Even if there were seven hundred thousand instead of seventy thousand people here, I would’ve found her just as easily because a part of me would always be connected to a part of her.

The noise around us dulled into an indistinguishable roar. No matter where we were or how many people surrounded us, she commanded my attention like a lighthouse in a storm. Bright. Beautiful. Unwavering.

He’s hot.” My head snapped toward her. “Who? Markovic?” “Yeah. In a scary, I-might-kill-you-after-I-fuck-you sort of way. But it works. What?” she said defensively when I arched my eyebrows. “I have a thing for bad boys.” “Sometimes, you worry me.” “I always do.

We didn’t speak. We didn’t need to. Sometimes, actions were enough.

For someone whose mere presence put me on edge, he had a way of also easing my anxiety—namely by distracting me so much I didn’t have time to think about anything else.

Darling, if you want to call me pet, I won’t stop you.

But at the end of the day, you have to ask yourself what you’d regret more—trying and failing, or not trying at all?

After all, there was nothing wrong with staying in. A book and tea were far superior to battling drunken strangers for breathing room in a sweaty nightclub.

I could handle it if they were just coming after me. I know what I signed up for," Asher said. "But you're getting caught up in this mess, and that's not fucking okay.

Tomorrow would always be there. Tonight, it was just us, and I was going to enjoy every second of it while it lasted.

We all have ugly feelings sometimes. It's a part of human nature. But it's what's do with them that counts.

If the way he said darling was illegal, the velvety intimacy with which he uttered my name was downright sinful.

I couldn’t believe Vincent DuBois, of all people, was giving me a pep talk. A harsh and annoying one, but a pep talk nonetheless.

You won’t because I won’t race anymore. I don’t need it, but I need you.

Her eyes shone bright in the sunlight, and looking up at her, even after all this time, I couldn’t quite believe she was mine.

Please,” Scarlett panted. “No more teasing.” “I thought you liked my teasing.

How hard do you want me to fuck you, Scarlett?

She’s moping around?” “Out of everything I said, that was your takeaway? And yes, she is, unfortunately, moping.

For Scarlett, I could do anything.

If we think we're perfect and there's nothing we can improve on, we'll never grow. If there's no growth, we stagnate. And greatness doesn't come from stagnation; comes from progress.

The point is, your injuries don't define who you are. Maybe you're not the same dancer anymore, but who says you have to be? Growth isn't always linear, and I've seen you in the studio. I think you're still pretty damn incredible.

It wasn’t just about the sex—it was about the fact that she trusted me enough to let go. To hand over the reins of control and let me take us where I wanted because she knew I would never hurt her. Her trust was more intoxicating than any sexual act.

I love you,” he repeated, his words thick with emotion. “I’m so fucking in love with you, darling, and the only reckless thing I want to do is explore how deep this rabbit hole goes with you. Together.” “It goes pretty deep, I imagine.” He smiled. “I think so.

There’s a part of me that feels like I owe it to him to win. Like if I don’t succeed, his death would’ve been for nothing. It’s irrational because the two have no direct correlation, but people aren’t always rational, are they?” “No,” I said softly. “But not everything needs to be rational to be true.

Not this DuBois, anyway. “Good, because I wouldn’t fucking say yes.” He tossed his towel back onto his gym bag. “But I don’t have plans yet.” “You fancy a pint at the Angry Boar? For subbing in at the charity match,” I added gruffly. “Last weekend was to celebrate winning, so this is my official thank-you. I don’t like owing people.” His smirk returned. “So you are asking me on a date.” “Oh, piss off. Do you want a pint or not?” “I guess I could use one today.” He patted his stomach. “Can’t drink like that after the season starts.

She was objectively, unequivocally stunning. Glossy black hair, creamy skin, light gray eyes fringed with thick lashes—she looked like a classic Hollywood star in the mold of Ava Gardner and Hedy Lamarr.

Most of all, I don’t want to ruin my chances of spending as many days with you as possible because I love you. More than football, more than racing, more than anything else in this universe—Pluto included.

I looked at her, this beautiful, incredible woman whom I never would’ve expected would turn my world upside down, and marveled that she was mine. The universe knew what it was doing after all.

Ugh. It should be illegal for any word to sound as delicious as darling did in Asher’s deep, silky voice.

(dance moms were a terrifying breed),

I love you,” he repeated, his words thick with emotion. “I’m so fucking in love with you, darling, and the only reckless thing I want to do is explore how deep this rabbit hole goes with you. Together.

We couldn’t change the past. We could only shape the future, and I wanted a future with him. Together.

I firmly believed paparazzi deserved a special place in hell next to the telemarketers and corrupt politicians.

And I think you’re doing her a great bloody disservice to insinuate I’m only interested in her because she’s your sister and not because she’s incredible on her own.

I think you’re capable of more than you give yourself credit for,” I said. “But at the end of the day, you have to ask yourself what you’d regret more—trying and failing, or not trying at all?

Paparazzi often played fast and loose with the rules, but Sloane had a history of bending them to her will.

Give me a break. It’s been years since I ran like that.” “Shit. I forgot how high-impact running is. It’s not good for chronic pain, is it?” “You looked up chronic pain?” “Out of curiosity, that’s all,” he said. “I didn’t know much about it, so I figured I should learn the basics. Obviously.” “Obviously.

I guess it was easier to make friends when I actually left the house. Imagine that.

Moments like this meant I’d made it and proved my critics wrong—which I had, many times over. After all, I was Asher Fucking Donovan.

Scarlett wasn’t my best friend, girlfriend, or family, but I didn’t need a label to know that I did care about her.

Her physical limitations weren’t her biggest obstacles; her fears were.

So maybe I was stepping over the line with what I had to say next, but I wouldn’t be a friend if I didn’t point it out—and I did consider her a friend, even if that sentiment wasn’t reciprocated.

You’re early.” “I’m just that type of student.” “You mean a teacher’s pet?” “Darling, if you want to call me pet, I won’t stop you.

Despite my misgivings about the girl and losing focus, a twinge of jealousy snaked through my gut at their easy banter. "Do you know each other?" I asked as casually as possible. She didn't seem like the type who'd go for Vincent, but stranger things have happened. In hell. She opened her mouth, but Vincent beat her to it. "Of course." He looked at me like I was stupid. "She's my sister.

I’m just that type of student.” “You mean a teacher’s pet?” “Darling, if you want to call me pet, I won’t stop you.

I didn’t know much about Scarlett DuBois, but given she was related to Vincent, I knew one thing: I wasn’t going to like her. At all.

Devastation was a private thing, to be confined within the walls of my mind and soul.

I thought you liked structure.” “I do but only on my terms. I’m a hypocrite that way.

Self-aware hypocrites are the best kind.

That wasn’t true anymore, but a girl could dream. Sometimes, dreams were all we had.

Scarlett is off limits. Vincent’s warning echoed in my head. I was inclined to heed it—not because I was afraid of him, but because I was afraid of what getting close to Scarlett might do to me if I didn’t.

There was no steady ground with Asher Donovan. It was a constant sea of change--frustrating, terrifying, and, as much as I hated to admit it, exhilerating.

Look at Eldorra’s royal couple. They overcame a centuries-old law to be together.

I do but only on my terms. I’m a hypocrite that way.

He wasn’t my brother’s nemesis or my trainee—he was the person who’d carried me up three flights of stairs, stayed with me until I regained consciousness, and didn’t make me feel like an object of pity when I told him about my accident. And that’s exactly why he’s dangerous.

I got the Lambo!” Adil jangled his keys with a triumphant grin. “Thanks for breaking up with him, Scarlett. You should do it more often.

said.

He was my childhood best friend. We grew up next to each other. He loved football as much as I did, and he was better at it than I was.” “Stop.” I found it impossible to believe that any living player could be better than Asher. Sorry, Vincent. Yet another, albeit silent, betrayal of my brother. But I’d worry about that later. “It’s true,” Asher said. “He was better compared to how I played back then, at least. But whereas I couldn’t wait to sign with a club, he refused. Said he wasn’t interested in playing professionally.” “Why?” “He was afraid. Football isn’t a steady career, and he didn’t want the pressures that came with it. He hated being in the spotlight. He was worried that if he failed, he’d do so publicly and humiliate himself. So instead of living his dream, he let me live it for him.” “He must be proud of your success.” Proud or bitter, but I chose to give him the benefit of the doubt. “We don’t exactly talk anymore.” Asher sounded distant. I sensed there was more to the story, so I remained quiet. I was right. “I signed with Holchester when I was seventeen. I was so damn excited. We went out to celebrate, but I left early because I had a meeting with Holchester’s manager the next morning. Teddy chose to stay, and I remember thinking, good for him. He needed to loosen up a bit, you know?” Asher’s laugh sounded hollow. “We went to a pub in a seedier part of town since it was the only one that didn’t ID us since we were underage. Teddy left maybe an hour after I did. He was on his way to the bus stop when he got mugged.” I sucked in a sharp breath, already dreading the conclusion to the story. “It must’ve been the liquid courage, but Teddy refused to give up his wallet. He got into a fight with the mugger, who stabbed him six times and ran away. Teddy didn’t even make it to the hospital.” I saw it coming, but that didn’t stop my lurch of shock. Stabbed six times. Jesus. “One minute, he was there. The next, he was gone. And all these years, I can’t help but think…would he be alive if I’d stayed with him? If I’d insisted he leave when I did?” Asher’s voice thickened. “He wouldn’t have been there in the first place if it weren’t for me.

The point is, your injuries don’t define who you are. Maybe you’re not the same dancer anymore, but who says you have to be? Growth isn’t always linear, and I’ve seen you in the studio. I think you’re still pretty damn incredible.

Hi, darling. The only words that always made me feel like I was coming home.

I’m afraid flirting is part of my nature, darling.

Despite my misgivings about the girl and losing focus, a twinge of jealousy snaked through my gut at their easy banter. "Do you know ech other?" I asked as casually as possible. She didn't seem like the type who'd go for Vincent, but stranger things have happened. In hell. She opened her mouth, but Vincent beat her to it. "Of course." He looked at me like I was stupid. "She's my sister.

I think you’re capable of more than you give yourself credit for,” I said. “But at the end of the day, you have to ask yourself what you’d regret more—trying and failing, or not trying at all?

Once you’ve been betrayed by someone you trusted completely, it was hard to let your guard down again.

You called her darling.” “You must be enjoying the date more than you admit unless you use that endearment with everyone. Does it always work for you?” “I’ve only called one woman that and meant it.

Why did you come back?” “I came back for you.

I’ll always have your back. Always. No matter what happens, there’s nothing in this world that I won’t do for you.

You're early.'' She didn't move from her spot near the barre, nor did I move from the doorway. ''I'm just that type of student.'' ''You mean a teacher's pet?'' ''Darling, if you want to call me pet, I won't stop you.

Come with me.” “Come with you to where?” “To Japan.

BREAKING: Asher Donovan rushed to hospital after car crash in north London.

He didn’t deserve that, and they didn’t deserve him.

I should take you to an ice cream shop or something so your visit isn’t all doom and gloom.” “It’s okay. I didn’t come for the ice cream.” I came for you.

I hate to tell you this, but have you looked in a mirror?” I asked archly. “Your face is not slipping by anyone.” “Is that your way of calling me good-looking?” He sounded entirely too pleased about that. “You know you are. Also, you get one compliment per day. Don’t try to fish for more.” “Noted.” Laughter glimmered beneath his voice. “I’ll wait until midnight to fish again.

Even if he weren’t famous, Asher was gorgeous enough to turn heads everywhere he went.

Well, if you ever need a sounding board, I’m here,” I said. “Therapist in another life and all that.

If I gave you a pound every time I said those words to you, you’d drain my bank account.” “I mean, if that’s what you feel called to do, I won’t stop you. London rent is expensive.

Should we talk about what happened on Friday?” “Which part?” “You know which part,” I hissed, my cheeks flaming. “I’m talking about when we, um…” “Gave each other mind-blowing orgasms for the first time?

Have you guys ever heard of Wilma Pebbles?” “Is she a model? She sounds hot in a Flintstones kinda way.” “She’s an author.” “Oh. Does she model on the side?” “You’re an idiot. I never should’ve unblocked you.” “Your life would be so boring without me and you know it. It’d be like cardboard without glitter. Ice cream without sugar. Pizza without olives.” “WTF are you talking about?” “Guys, FOCUS And no, Wilma does NOT model on the side. But she wrote a book that sounds kinda interesting It’s called Triceratops and Threesomes.” “Like the dinosaur?” “Yeah. Apparently dinosaur erotica is a thing.” “What the hell have you been doing in London? Also, do you think triceratops fuck with their horns?” Noah Wilson left the conversation.

That’s my girl. Three words shouldn’t have the power to undo me, but they did.

Don’t worry. I didn’t talk too much shit about you.” “Wow, thanks. I appreciate the glowing recommendation.” “Anytime.

Sometimes, life is more fun when there’s a little mystery.

They were things I’d overlooked because I loved him, but like the saying goes, a person’s true nature is revealed in the face of adversity.

I’d already formed an opinion about who he was based on what Vincent told me, what I read in the press, and the mere fact that he was Asher fucking Donovan.

How could someone so famous and good-looking not be an arrogant playboy?

I always knew he was an arsehole. He dives more than an Olympic swimmer.” “Don’t let him hear you say that. He hates when people call him out on it.” “I bet he does.