Jason was an optimist, and Kylis was experienced. - Vonda N. McIntyre

The intensity of Melissa’s loyalty troubled Snake. She had never known anyone who was so completely oblivious to self-interest. Perhaps Melissa could not yet think of herself as someone with a right to her own dreams; perhaps so many of her dreams had been taken from her that she no longer dared to have them.

He must have been rebuffed and denigrated all his life, to be so afraid of touching another human being.

You’d have everyone substitute your fantasies for their own.