--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Every time I glanced at Ren, I saw that…" description: "\"“Every time I glanced at Ren, I saw that he was watching me. When we finally reached the end of the tunnel and saw the stone steps that led to the surf..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d5/colleen-houck-1066_end-of-the-tunnel_every-time-i-glanced-at-ren-i-saw-that-h_3216927.jpg" --- # Every time I glanced at Ren, I saw that he was watching… ![“Every time I glanced at Ren, I saw that he was watching me. When we finally reached the end of the tunnel and saw the stone steps that led to the surface, Ren stopped. “Kelsey, I have one final request of you before we head up.” “And what would that be? Want to talk about tiger senses or monkey…” quote by Colleen Houck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d5/colleen-houck-1066_end-of-the-tunnel_every-time-i-glanced-at-ren-i-saw-that-h_3216927.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d5/colleen-houck-1066_end-of-the-tunnel_every-time-i-glanced-at-ren-i-saw-that-h_3216927.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d5/colleen-houck-1066_end-of-the-tunnel_every-time-i-glanced-at-ren-i-saw-that-h_3216927.jpg) > ““Every time I glanced at Ren, I saw that he was watching me. When we finally reached the end of the tunnel and saw the stone steps that led to the surface, Ren stopped. “Kelsey, I have one final request of you before we head up.” “And what would that be? Want to talk about tiger senses or monkey bites in strange places maybe?” “No. I want you to kiss me.” I sputtered, “What? Kiss you? What for? Don’t you think you got to kiss me enough on this trip?” “Humor me, Kells. This is the end of the line for me. We’re leaving the place where I get to be a man all the time, and I have only my tiger’s life to look forward to. So, yes, I want you to kiss me one more time.” I hesitated. “Well, if this works, you can go around kissing all the girls you want to. So why bother with me right now?” He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “Because! I don’t want to run around kissing all the other girls! I want to kiss you !” “Fine! If it will shut you up!” I leaned over and pecked him on the cheek. “There!” “No. Not good enough. On the lips, my prema. ” I leaned over and pecked him on the lips. “There. Can we go now?” I marched up the first two steps, and he slipped his hand under my elbow and spun me around, twisting me so that I fell forward into his arms. He caught me tightly around the waist. His smirk suddenly turned into a sober expression. “A kiss. A real one. One that I’ll remember.” I was about to say something brilliantly sarcastic, probably about him not having permission, when he captured my mouth with his. I was determined to remain stiff and unaffected, but he was extremely patient. He nibbled on the corners of my mouth and pressed soft, slow kisses against my unyielding lips. It was so hard not to respond to him. I made a valiant struggle, but sometimes the body betrays the mind. He slowly, methodically swept aside my resistance. And, feeling he was winning, he pressed ahead and began seducing me even more skillfully. He held me tightly against his body and ran a hand up to my neck where he began to massage it gently, teasing my flesh with his fingertips. I felt the little love plant inside me stretch, swell, and unfurl its leaves, like he was pouring Love Potion # 9 over the thing. I gave up at that point and decided what the heck. I could always use a rototiller on it. And I rationalized that when he breaks my heart, at least I will have been thoroughly kissed. If nothing else, I’ll have a really good memory to look back on in my multi-cat spinsterhood. Or multi-dog. I think I will have had my fill of cats. I groaned softly. Yep. Dogs for sure. ”” [Colleen Houck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-houck/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A desperate plea for intimacy reveals vulnerability and the struggle between desire and duty. **In simple terms:** A character asks for a kiss, exposing deep longing. Key Takeaway Recognize and respect emotional needs. Themes love vulnerability desire power dynamics Mood tense reflective Type literary romantic When to use this quote - romantic relationships - conflict resolution - personal growth Key Concepts intimacy emotional honesty boundary negotiation Questions to Reflect On - What boundaries are crossed in this exchange? - How does power affect intimacy? A Different Perspective The request may be manipulative, blurring consent. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Began Seducing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/began-seducing-6032671/) [End of the tunnel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/end-of-the-tunnel/) [Gaze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gaze/) [Glanced Ren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/glanced-ren-2619682/) [Good enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-enough/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Kissed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kissed/) [Kissed Ll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kissed-ll-2323287/) [Little love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/little-love/) [Right now](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-now/) [Run Kissing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/run-kissing-845331/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“We will need to stay over two nights in a hotel on our trip home.” Momentarily alarmed, I glanced at Ren. “Okay. Umm, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-houck/we-will-need-to-stay-over-two-nights-in-a-hotel-on-our-trip-home/) [Colleen Houck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-houck/) > [Are you still faint from the run? Or was it my kissing expertise?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/are-you-still-faint-from-the-run-or-was-it-my-kissing-expertise/) [Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/) > [“Silas?" I glanced from Ren to the mad-haired scholar. "He was your company?" "Still jealous?" Ren winked at me. "I was not jealous," I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-cremer/silas-i-glanced-from-ren-to-the-mad-haired-scholar-he-was-your/) [Andrea Cremer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-cremer/) > [“I love you, Roza." He kissed me again. "I'll always be here for you. I'm not going to let anything happen to you." 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When I hear your name, I'll pretend I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kayla-jackson/it-s-alright-when-i-see-you-i-ll-just-duck-my-head-and-pretend-you/) [Kayla Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kayla-jackson/) > [“A quiet but indomitable voice behind me said, “I believe this is my dance.” It was Ren. I could feel his presence. The warmth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-houck/a-quiet-but-indomitable-voice-behind-me-said-i-believe-this-is-my/) [Colleen Houck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-houck/) > [“I’ve experienced a lot in my life. I’ve been in bloody battles. I’ve been with friends who were killed. I’ve seen terrible things done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-houck/i-ve-experienced-a-lot-in-my-life-i-ve-been-in-bloody-battles-i-ve/) [Colleen Houck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-houck/) > [“I felt a warm hand touch mine. “Are you okay?” “If you mean am I injured, then the answer is no. If you mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-houck/i-felt-a-warm-hand-touch-mine-are-you-okay-if-you-mean-am-i-injured/) [Colleen Houck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-houck/) > [Without much accuracy, with strangely little love at all, your family will decide for you exactly who you are, and they'll keep nudging, coaxing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-gurganus/without-much-accuracy-with-strangely-little-love-at-all-your-family/) [Allan Gurganus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-gurganus/) > [“Hate born from too many tears and too little Love”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-rosen/hate-born-from-too-many-tears-and-too-little-love/) [Fred Rosen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-rosen/) > [To make a big difference in the world show a little love.to know love open your heart to Jesus,to show love open your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohlatsane-nicole/to-make-a-big-difference-in-the-world-show-a-little-love-to-know-love/) [Mohlatsane Nicole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohlatsane-nicole/) > [My pride is worth much more than your stupid little love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-posner/my-pride-is-worth-much-more-than-your-stupid-little-love/) [Mike Posner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-posner/) > [I love life. But it is hard and I have so much, so very much to learn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-plath/i-love-life-but-it-is-hard-and-i-have-so-much-so-very-much-to-learn/) [Sylvia Plath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-plath/) ## More by Colleen Houck > [And yes, I'll admit, I am jealous. I'm jealous of every minute you spend with him, of every concerned expression you send his way,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-houck/and-yes-i-ll-admit-i-am-jealous-i-m-jealous-of-every-minute-you-spend/) [Colleen Houck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-houck/) > [“Grant me the serenity to selflessly forgo my relationship to save humankind; To accept that the man I love cannot and will not change;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-houck/grant-me-the-serenity-to-selflessly-forgo-my-relationship-to-save/) [Colleen Houck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-houck/) > [“When he was finished, he set his plate down, looked at me, and raised an eyebrow. I leaned forward and whispered angrily, “I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-houck/when-he-was-finished-he-set-his-plate-down-looked-at-me-and-raised-an/) [Colleen Houck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-houck/) > [“If I were a Jedi, I had definitely turned to the dark side of the Force.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-houck/if-i-were-a-jedi-i-had-definitely-turned-to-the-dark-side-of-the-force/) [Colleen Houck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-houck/) > [“His vulnerability allowed me to let my guard down, and gently and methodically, he tore apart my well-constructed dam. Waves of tender feelings were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-houck/his-vulnerability-allowed-me-to-let-my-guard-down-and-gently-and/) [Colleen Houck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-houck/) > [“I’ve experienced a lot in my life. I’ve been in bloody battles. I’ve been with friends who were killed. I’ve seen terrible things done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-houck/i-ve-experienced-a-lot-in-my-life-i-ve-been-in-bloody-battles-i-ve/) [Colleen Houck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-houck/) > [“I promise to remain faithfully beside you. I pledge to conquer faults; perfect my character. I vow to deserve you. I declare you're my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-houck/i-promise-to-remain-faithfully-beside-you-i-pledge-to-conquer-faults/) [Colleen Houck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-houck/) > [“perhaps you three could continue this conversation when the ship is not under attack? Mr.Kadam said.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-houck/perhaps-you-three-could-continue-this-conversation-when-the-ship-is/) [Colleen Houck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-houck/) > [“I was immediately aware of her when she stood at the window but I didn't move at first. I wanted to look at her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-houck/i-was-immediately-aware-of-her-when-she-stood-at-the-window-but-i/) [Colleen Houck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-houck/) > [“The house was quiet. Silently, I walked down the stairs and passed the peacock room where I found Mr. Kadam sitting and waiting for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-houck/the-house-was-quiet-silently-i-walked-down-the-stairs-and-passed-the/) [Colleen Houck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-houck/) > [I don’t mind being alone either. The only problem is that if you’re always alone, you get lonely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-houck/i-don-t-mind-being-alone-either-the-only-problem-is-that-if-you-re/) [Colleen Houck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-houck/) > [“Holy Hannah, that man is dangerous!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-houck/holy-hannah-that-man-is-dangerous/) [Colleen Houck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-houck/) > [“Long dormant feelings poured through my dried-up limbs and wound through me, slowly filling the emptiness. Like an irrigated field, I felt myself blossom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-houck/long-dormant-feelings-poured-through-my-dried-up-limbs-and-wound/) [Colleen Houck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-houck/) > [“I don't like sleeping in the dark jungle by myself. Ren”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-houck/i-don-t-like-sleeping-in-the-dark-jungle-by-myself-ren/) [Colleen Houck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-houck/) > [“Oregon almost never got too hot. An Oregon governor must have passed a law a long, long time ago that said Oregon had to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-houck/oregon-almost-never-got-too-hot-an-oregon-governor-must-have-passed-a/) [Colleen Houck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-houck/) [Explore all 298 Colleen Houck quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-houck/) ## More End of the tunnel quotes > [It’s easier to have courage and trust the process when you feel you’re making headway. Mastery is not persistence when you see a light…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-arthur-ray/it-s-easier-to-have-courage-and-trust-the-process-when-you-feel-you/) [James Arthur Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-arthur-ray/) > [And we have come so far like that. I mean, the advances on the medication side have been enormous, and the advances on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/and-we-have-come-so-far-like-that-i-mean-the-advances-on-the/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [“BELIEF - It’s the shining, lighthouse beacon that relentlessly lights the path to your personal utopia, your promised land your infinite wishes and fantasies.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-khatkar/belief-it-s-the-shining-lighthouse-beacon-that-relentlessly-lights/) [Michael Khatkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-khatkar/) > [“No doubt they all Got What Was Coming To Them. All those pathetically eager acid freaks who thought they could buy Peace and Understanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/no-doubt-they-all-got-what-was-coming-to-them-all-those-pathetically/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [“I just can't see the upside in this," I heard myself say by way of explanation. Later he said that if John had been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/i-just-can-t-see-the-upside-in-this-i-heard-myself-say-by-way-of/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) > [It was definitely some tough moments throughout my life, but I kind of stayed focused and came through the other end of the tunnel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cruz/it-was-definitely-some-tough-moments-throughout-my-life-but-i-kind-of/) [Victor Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cruz/) > [How deep can you dig the hole before you see the light at the end of the tunnel?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/how-deep-can-you-dig-the-hole-before-you-see-the-light-at-the-end-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There actually is light at the end of the tunnel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-jesus-torres/there-actually-is-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel/) [David Jesus Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-jesus-torres/) > [It's the light of the oncoming train.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-lowell/it-s-the-light-of-the-oncoming-train/) [Robert Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-lowell/) > [The test of character is not persistence when you expect a light at the end of the tunnel. The true test is performance and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-arthur-ray/the-test-of-character-is-not-persistence-when-you-expect-a-light-at/) [James Arthur Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-arthur-ray/) > [There is a light at the end of the tunnel...hopefully it's not a freight train.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariah-carey/there-is-a-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel-hopefully-it-s-not-a/) [Mariah Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariah-carey/) > [“Like writing, publishing is not easy. No endeavor worth pursuing is. Discomfort and fear are easy outs—and ultimately dead ends. They are responses to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rossandra-white/like-writing-publishing-is-not-easy-no-endeavor-worth-pursuing-is/) [Rossandra White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rossandra-white/) > [“By focusing on possibilities, you can see more than a potential light at the end of the tunnel. 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Believe we can build a better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kobi-yamada/believe-in-your-dreams-believe-in-today-believe-that-you-are-loved/) [Kobi Yamada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kobi-yamada/) [Browse all 209 End of the tunnel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/end-of-the-tunnel/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Every time I glanced at Ren, I saw that he was watching me. When we finally reached the end of the tunnel and saw the stone steps that led to the surface, Ren stopped. “Kelsey, I have one final request of you before we head up.” “And what would that be? Want to talk about tiger senses or monkey bites in strange places maybe?” “No. I want you to kiss me.” I sputtered, “What? Kiss you? What for? Don’t you think you got to kiss me enough on this trip?” “Humor me, Kells. This is the end of the line for me. We’re leaving the place where I get to be a man all the time, and I have only my tiger’s life to look forward to. So, yes, I want you to kiss me one more time.” I hesitated. “Well, if this works, you can go around kissing all the girls you want to. So why bother with me right now?” He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “Because! I don’t want to run around kissing all the other girls! I want to kiss you !” “Fine! If it will shut you up!” I leaned over and pecked him on the cheek. “There!” “No. Not good enough. On the lips, my prema. ” I leaned over and pecked him on the lips. “There. Can we go now?” I marched up the first two steps, and he slipped his hand under my elbow and spun me around, twisting me so that I fell forward into his arms. He caught me tightly around the waist. His smirk suddenly turned into a sober expression. “A kiss. A real one. One that I’ll remember.” I was about to say something brilliantly sarcastic, probably about him not having permission, when he captured my mouth with his. I was determined to remain stiff and unaffected, but he was extremely patient. He nibbled on the corners of my mouth and pressed soft, slow kisses against my unyielding lips. It was so hard not to respond to him. I made a valiant struggle, but sometimes the body betrays the mind. He slowly, methodically swept aside my resistance. And, feeling he was winning, he pressed ahead and began seducing me even more skillfully. He held me tightly against his body and ran a hand up to my neck where he began to massage it gently, teasing my flesh with his fingertips. I felt the little love plant inside me stretch, swell, and unfurl its leaves, like he was pouring Love Potion # 9 over the thing. I gave up at that point and decided what the heck. I could always use a rototiller on it. And I rationalized that when he breaks my heart, at least I will have been thoroughly kissed. If nothing else, I’ll have a really good memory to look back on in my multi-cat spinsterhood. Or multi-dog. I think I will have had my fill of cats. I groaned softly. Yep. Dogs for sure. ”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Colleen Houck" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-houck/every-time-i-glanced-at-ren-i-saw-that-he-was-watching-me-when-we/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "End of the tunnel" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-houck/every-time-i-glanced-at-ren-i-saw-that-he-was-watching-me-when-we/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d5/colleen-houck-1066_end-of-the-tunnel_every-time-i-glanced-at-ren-i-saw-that-h_3216927.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d5/colleen-houck-1066_end-of-the-tunnel_every-time-i-glanced-at-ren-i-saw-that-h_3216927.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d5/colleen-houck-1066_end-of-the-tunnel_every-time-i-glanced-at-ren-i-saw-that-h_3216927.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Every time I glanced at Ren, I saw that he was watching me. 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