--- title: "4 Deserve better Quotes By Maya Banks" description: "4 Deserve better quotes by Maya Banks. Plus more from Maya Banks and more Deserve better sayings from other authors." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/941/maya-banks-617_deserve-better_when-he-reached-the-doorman-he-stopped-d_517095.jpg" --- > [“When he reached the doorman, he stopped. “Did you see Miss Christian come in a few minutes ago?” The doorman nodded. “Yes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-banks/when-he-reached-the-doorman-he-stopped-did-you-see-miss-christian/) [Maya Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-banks/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/941/maya-banks-617_deserve-better_when-he-reached-the-doorman-he-stopped-d_517095.jpg) > [“At what point in her life had she decided she didn’t deserve better than this? It was a startling discovery. The blinders…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-banks/at-what-point-in-her-life-had-she-decided-she-didn-t-deserve-better/) [Maya Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-banks/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01a/maya-banks-617_deserve-better_at-what-point-in-her-life-had-she-decide_1211139.jpg) > [“Kelly swallowed her mounting dread as she and Ryan entered the restaurant. Ryan spoke in low tones to the maître d’ and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-banks/kelly-swallowed-her-mounting-dread-as-she-and-ryan-entered-the/) [Maya Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-banks/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76e/maya-banks-617_common-courtesy_kelly-swallowed-her-mounting-dread-as-sh_1317083.jpg) > [“At what point in her life had she decided she didn’t deserve better than this? It was a startling discovery. The blinders…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-banks/at-what-point-in-her-life-had-she-decided-she-didn-t-deserve-better-2/) [Maya Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-banks/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/065/maya-banks-617_deserve-better_at-what-point-in-her-life-had-she-decide_2033826.jpg) ## Other authors on Deserve better - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b022/author-sonya-parker-86224.jpg) Sonya Parker 7 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deserve-better/sonya-parker/) ## More by Maya Banks > [“I'll call you mine.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-banks/i-ll-call-you-mine/) [Maya Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-banks/) > [You need to worry less about what everyone else thinks and focus on what makes you happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-banks/you-need-to-worry-less-about-what-everyone-else-thinks-and-focus-on/) [Maya Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-banks/) > [“I want you. God, I want you. But only if it's real.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-banks/i-want-you-god-i-want-you-but-only-if-it-s-real/) [Maya Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-banks/) > [“Alaric grunted. “Someone should tell her that. I’m telling you, Ewan, she said nothing. She stared at me like I was some kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-banks/alaric-grunted-someone-should-tell-her-that-i-m-telling-you-ewan-she/) [Maya Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-banks/) > [“You know what? Fuck you man. Cant believe you’d come in here like this, especially after all we had to say in the office…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-banks/you-know-what-fuck-you-man-cant-believe-you-d-come-in-here-like-this/) [Maya Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-banks/) > [“Tell me again. Tell me you'll marry me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-banks/tell-me-again-tell-me-you-ll-marry-me/) [Maya Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-banks/) > [“She figured if people were dumb enough to believe that crap, they didn’t deserve the truth. They probably wouldn’t believe it anyway”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-banks/she-figured-if-people-were-dumb-enough-to-believe-that-crap-they-didn/) [Maya Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-banks/) > [“He walked hesitantly toward her and then wrapped his arms around her in a gentle hug. “You just looked like you needed one,” he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-banks/he-walked-hesitantly-toward-her-and-then-wrapped-his-arms-around-her/) [Maya Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-banks/) > [I cannot allow another man to take what I already consider mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-banks/i-cannot-allow-another-man-to-take-what-i-already-consider-mine/) [Maya Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-banks/) > [“And that makes Mia sad. But it's okay. She'll have Bethany. And me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-banks/and-that-makes-mia-sad-but-it-s-okay-she-ll-have-bethany-and-me/) [Maya Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-banks/) > [“Wait just a goddamn minute, Josie. We're not finished. No way in fuck I'm giving up that easy. You're worth fighting for.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-banks/wait-just-a-goddamn-minute-josie-we-re-not-finished-no-way-in-fuck-i/) [Maya Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-banks/) > [Fantasies were safe. It was a break from reality. A chance to act on desires for a short period of time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-banks/fantasies-were-safe-it-was-a-break-from-reality-a-chance-to-act-on/) [Maya Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-banks/) > [“I’ll take that as my cue to mind my own business”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-banks/i-ll-take-that-as-my-cue-to-mind-my-own-business/) [Maya Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-banks/) > [“You're mine, Lyric.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-banks/you-re-mine-lyric/) [Maya Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-banks/) > [“My lady, I don’t simply care for her. I love her. She is my entire life. Without her, I am nothing. I have nothing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-banks/my-lady-i-don-t-simply-care-for-her-i-love-her-she-is-my-entire-life/) [Maya Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-banks/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "ItemList", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deserve-better/maya-banks/#itemlist", "name": "4 Deserve better Quotes By Maya Banks", "numberOfItems": 4, "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“When he reached the doorman, he stopped. “Did you see Miss Christian come in a few minutes ago?” The doorman nodded. “Yes, sir. She got here just before you arrived.” Relief staggered him. He bolted for the elevator. A few moments later, he strode into the apartment. “Kelly? Kelly, honey, where are you?” Not waiting for an answer, he hurried into the bedroom to see her sitting on the edge of the bed, her face pale and drawn in pain. When she heard him, she looked up and he winced at the dullness in her eyes. She’d been crying. “I thought I could do it,” she said in a raw voice, before he could beg her forgiveness. “I thought I could just go on and forget and that I could accept others thinking the worst of me as long as you and I were okay again. I did myself a huge disservice.” “Kelly…” Something in her look silenced him and he stood several feet away, a feeling of helplessness gripping him as he watched her try to compose herself. “I sat there tonight while your friends and your mother looked at me in disgust, while they looked at you with a mixture of pity and disbelief in their eyes. All because you took me back. The tramp who betrayed you in the worst possible manner. And I thought to myself I don’t deserve this. I’ve never deserved it. I deserve better.” She raised her eyes to his and he flinched at the horrible pain he saw reflected there. Then she laughed. A raw, terrible sound that grated across his ears. “And earlier tonight you forgave me. You stood there and told me it no longer mattered what happened in the past because you forgave me and you wanted to move forward.” She curled her fingers into tight balls and rage flared in her eyes. She stood and stared him down even as tears ran in endless streams down her cheeks. “Well, I don’t forgive you. Nor can I forget that you betrayed me in the worst way a man can betray the woman he’s supposed to love and be sworn to protect.” He took a step back, reeling from the fury in her voice. His eyes narrowed. “You don’t forgive me?” “I told you the truth that day,” she said hoarsely, her voice cracking under the weight of her tears. “I begged you to believe me. I got down on my knees and begged you. And what did you do? You wrote me a damn check and told me to get out.” He took another step back, his hand going to his hair. Something was wrong, terribly wrong. So much of that day was a blur. He remembered her on her knees, her tear-stained face, how she put her hand on his leg and whispered, “Please don’t do this.” It made him sick. He never wanted to go back to the way he felt that day, but somehow this was worse because there was something terribly wrong in her eyes and in her voice. “Your brother assaulted me. He forced himself on me. I didn’t invite his attentions. I wore the bruises from his attack for two weeks. Two weeks. I was so stunned by what he’d done that all I could think about was getting to you. I knew you’d fix it. You’d protect me. You’d take care of me. I knew you’d make it right. All I could think about was running to you. And, oh God, I did and you looked right through me.” The sick knot in his stomach grew and his chest tightened so much he couldn’t breathe. “You wouldn’t listen,” she said tearfully. “You wouldn’t listen to anything I had to say. You’d already made your mind up.” He swallowed and closed the distance between them, worried that she’d fall if he didn’t make her sit. But she shook him off and turned her back, her shoulders heaving as her quiet sobs fell over the room. “I’m listening now, Kelly,” he forced out. “Tell me what happened. I’ll believe you. I swear.” But he knew. He already knew. So much of that day was replaying over and over in his head and suddenly he was able to see so clearly what he’d refused to see before. And it was killing him. His brother had lied to him after all. Not just lied but he’d carefully orchestrated the truth and twisted it so cleverly that Ryan had been completely deceived.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Maya Banks" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-banks/when-he-reached-the-doorman-he-stopped-did-you-see-miss-christian/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/941/maya-banks-617_deserve-better_when-he-reached-the-doorman-he-stopped-d_517095.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/941/maya-banks-617_deserve-better_when-he-reached-the-doorman-he-stopped-d_517095.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/941/maya-banks-617_deserve-better_when-he-reached-the-doorman-he-stopped-d_517095.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When he reached the doorman, he stopped. “Did you see Miss Christian come in a few minutes ago?” The doorman…” — Maya Banks", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“At what point in her life had she decided she didn’t deserve better than this? It was a startling discovery. The blinders had come off. Why was she putting up with this?”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Maya Banks" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-banks/at-what-point-in-her-life-had-she-decided-she-didn-t-deserve-better/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01a/maya-banks-617_deserve-better_at-what-point-in-her-life-had-she-decide_1211139.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01a/maya-banks-617_deserve-better_at-what-point-in-her-life-had-she-decide_1211139.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01a/maya-banks-617_deserve-better_at-what-point-in-her-life-had-she-decide_1211139.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“At what point in her life had she decided she didn’t deserve better than this? It was a startling discovery…” — Maya Banks", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Kelly swallowed her mounting dread as she and Ryan entered the restaurant. Ryan spoke in low tones to the maître d’ and then they were ushered to a table in the back. Ryan broke into a broad smile when he saw Rafael already seated next to a woman Kelly assumed was his wife, Bryony. Ryan’s mother was also seated, as were Devon and Cameron. Just great. They were last to arrive, and so they made an “entrance.” Kelly stood by Ryan’s side as he greeted everyone, then said, “Of course, you all remember Kelly. Except for you, Bryony.” He turned to Kelly. “Kelly, this is Bryony de Luca, Rafael’s wife. Bryony, this is my fiancée, Kelly Christian.” The room went absolutely silent at his declaration. The expressions ranged from his mother’s ill-disguised horror to outright disbelief on his friends’ faces. Even Bryony looked skeptical as she rose to extend her hand to Kelly. It was then that Kelly noticed that Bryony appeared every bit as pregnant as Kelly was. “It’s nice to meet you,” Bryony said with what looked to be a forced smile. Hell, how much could Bryony possibly know about Kelly anyway? It wasn’t as if she’d been around for that long. But she, like the others, didn’t appear to roll out the welcome mat. Kelly offered a nervous smile and allowed Ryan to seat her. This was going to be a long night. “How are you, Kelly?” Devon asked politely. He was seated next to her and she supposed common courtesy dictated his question. “I’m good,” she replied in a low voice. “Nervous.” He seemed surprised by her honesty. Ryan conversed with his friends and his mother. Kelly sat quietly beside him and watched the goings-on around her. No one tried to include her in conversation and the one time she offered a comment, the awkward silence that ensued told her all she needed to know. They were tolerating her for Ryan’s sake, but she didn’t miss the looks they cast in his direction when they thought she wasn’t watching. Looks that plainly said, Are you crazy? By the time the food was served, she was extremely grateful to have something to focus on. She felt out of place. She felt conspicuous. This was going down as one of the worst nights of her life and she was counting the minutes until she and Ryan could make their escape. The food felt dry in her mouth. Her stomach churned and after only a few bites, she gave up trying to force herself to eat. Instead, she sipped at her water and pretended she was back on the beach with Ryan, about to dance underneath the moonlight. That was her problem. She was living in a fantasy world, avoiding reality. And reality sucked. Her reality was sitting here at a dinner table while five other people judged her. Her reality was living with a man—a man she intended to marry—who felt he needed to forgive her for sins she hadn’t committed. At what point in her life had she decided she didn’t deserve better than this? It was a startling discovery. The blinders had come off. Why was she putting up with this?”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Maya Banks" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-banks/kelly-swallowed-her-mounting-dread-as-she-and-ryan-entered-the/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76e/maya-banks-617_common-courtesy_kelly-swallowed-her-mounting-dread-as-sh_1317083.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76e/maya-banks-617_common-courtesy_kelly-swallowed-her-mounting-dread-as-sh_1317083.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76e/maya-banks-617_common-courtesy_kelly-swallowed-her-mounting-dread-as-sh_1317083.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Kelly swallowed her mounting dread as she and Ryan entered the restaurant. Ryan spoke in low tones to the…” — Maya Banks", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“At what point in her life had she decided she didn’t deserve better than this? It was a startling discovery. The blinders had come off. Why was she putting up with this? She was prepared to end the entire thing when she looked up and saw Jarrod walk to the table. He leaned over and kissed his mom then held up a hand in greeting to the others before turning his gaze on her and Ryan. She broke into a cold sweat. Ryan stiffened beside her and the others fell silent. It was as if everyone in the room waited for the inevitable fireworks. Her head pounded viciously. Her stomach cramped and she wanted to die from the humiliation. More than that, she was so furious she couldn’t see straight. “Sorry, I’m late,” he said. “I got caught in traffic.” As he took the empty chair beside his mother, bile rose in Kelly’s throat. Her heart was shredded. She was bleeding on the inside, so hurt, so devastated she wanted to die. She refused to look at Ryan. How could he have done it? She didn’t believe for a moment that Ryan had actually invited his brother…had he? But why hadn’t he made it clear that he wasn’t welcome? Everyone stared at her. They likely thought she deserved whatever humiliation was heaped upon her tonight. But she refused to look back at them. She wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing her so shattered. Instead her gaze locked onto Jarrod Beardsley and his mother. How they must hate her. The coldness in Ramona Beardsley’s eyes reached out to Kelly. They said, You’ll never win. I’ll never let you. What had she ever done besides love Ryan? Enough was enough. Kelly deserved better. She was through paying penance. She was done with being looked down on, condemned and forgiven. Forcing a smile in Ryan’s direction, she pushed back her chair and slowly rose as if she hadn’t a care in the world. She stared across the table at Jarrod and his mother and let the full force of her hatred shine. She didn’t care if they ever accepted her. She didn’t accept them. They could both go to hell. She’d buy them a first-class ticket. Then she turned to face the entire table. “I’m done here. You’ve all sat and stared your disapproval. You’ve sent pitying glances Ryan’s way. You’ve judged me and found me not good enough. To hell with all of you.” Then she turned back to Jarrod, her voice coming out in a low hiss. “You son of a bitch. You stay away from me and my child. I’ll see you in hell before I ever let you near me again.” Ryan started to rise, but she shoved him back into his seat. “By all means, you stay. You wouldn’t want to disappoint your family and friends.” Before he could react, she stalked away.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Maya Banks" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-banks/at-what-point-in-her-life-had-she-decided-she-didn-t-deserve-better-2/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/065/maya-banks-617_deserve-better_at-what-point-in-her-life-had-she-decide_2033826.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/065/maya-banks-617_deserve-better_at-what-point-in-her-life-had-she-decide_2033826.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/065/maya-banks-617_deserve-better_at-what-point-in-her-life-had-she-decide_2033826.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“At what point in her life had she decided she didn’t deserve better than this? It was a startling discovery…” — Maya Banks", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } } ] }, { "@type": "CollectionPage", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deserve-better/maya-banks/#webpage", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deserve-better/maya-banks/", "name": "Deserve better Quotes by Maya Banks", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deserve-better/maya-banks/#itemlist" }, "primaryImageOfPage": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/941/maya-banks-617_deserve-better_when-he-reached-the-doorman-he-stopped-d_517095.jpg" }, "description": "4 Deserve better quotes by Maya Banks. Plus more from Maya Banks and more Deserve better sayings from other authors.", "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deserve-better/maya-banks/#breadcrumb" } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deserve-better/maya-banks/#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Topics", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/categories/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Deserve Better", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deserve-better/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 5, "name": "Maya Banks", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deserve-better/maya-banks/" } ] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```