--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I squeezed my eyes shut and took several…" description: "\"I squeezed my eyes shut and took several deep breaths, trying not to smell Jace in front of me, not to taste him on my lips. But it was useless. In tha..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/rachel-vincent-677_aftershock_i-squeezed-my-eyes-shut-and-took-several_3032332.png" --- # I squeezed my eyes shut and took several deep breaths… ![“I squeezed my eyes shut and took several deep breaths, trying not to smell Jace in front of me, not to taste him on my lips. But it was useless. In that moment, Jace was everywhere. He was in my mind, he was in my heart, and he was in my memory. He smelled good. He tasted good. And the blissful…” quote by Rachel Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/rachel-vincent-677_aftershock_i-squeezed-my-eyes-shut-and-took-several_3032332.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/rachel-vincent-677_aftershock_i-squeezed-my-eyes-shut-and-took-several_3032332.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/rachel-vincent-677_aftershock_i-squeezed-my-eyes-shut-and-took-several_3032332.png) > “I squeezed my eyes shut and took several deep breaths, trying not to smell Jace in front of me, not to taste him on my lips. But it was useless. In that moment, Jace was everywhere. He was in my mind, he was in my heart, and he was in my memory. He smelled good. He tasted good. And the blissful aftershock still throbbing in my most sensitive places felt wonderful, when everything else in my life was an obstacle to be overcome.” [Rachel Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-vincent/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Intense desire overwhelms rational control, making the object of longing dominate thoughts and senses. **In simple terms:** Obsessive attraction consumes mind and body. Key Takeaway Recognize when desire clouds judgment. Themes passion obsession sensory overload conflict desire Mood intense conflicted yearning Type literary emotional When to use this quote - romantic relationships - personal boundaries - self‑control - emotional regulation Key Concepts psychology addiction intimacy Questions to Reflect On - How does this intensity affect your everyday choices? - Can you separate feeling from reality? A Different Perspective Desire can impair decision‑making and health. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aftershock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aftershock/) [Deep breath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deep-breath/) [Eye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eye/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Jace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jace/) [Jace Taste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jace-taste-4958989/) [Lips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lips/) [Memories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memories/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Moment Jace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moment-jace-4958990/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [My heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-heart/) [Obstacles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obstacles/) [Overcoming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overcoming/) [Sensitive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sensitive/) [Smell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smell/) [Smell Jace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smell-jace-4958988/) [Smelled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smelled/) [Smelled Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smelled-good-812722/) [Stills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stills/) [Taste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taste/) [That moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/that-moment/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Useless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/useless/) [Wonderful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonderful/) ## Related quotes > [“He smelled good. Sweat and motorcycle and wintergreen. No stinking weed smoke. No perfume. No sadness. He smelled like love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryn-greenwood/he-smelled-good-sweat-and-motorcycle-and-wintergreen-no-stinking-weed/) [Bryn Greenwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryn-greenwood/) > [“He smelled good. Sweat and motorcycle and wintergreen. No stinking weed smoke.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryn-greenwood/he-smelled-good-sweat-and-motorcycle-and-wintergreen-no-stinking-weed-2/) [Bryn Greenwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryn-greenwood/) > [ It's me! It's me! It's always me! \[Darren when asked who smelled so good at the MTV Live interview in New York\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hayes/it-s-me-it-s-me-it-s-always-me-darren-when-asked-who-smelled-so-good/) [Darren Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-hayes/) > [“He smelled good too—a musky cologne that made her want to bite him. He”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-grant/he-smelled-good-too-a-musky-cologne-that-made-her-want-to-bite-him-he/) [Rachel Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-grant/) > [“He smelled so good that I felt my eyelids drift closed with the pleasure of his scent. It was so good that I wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-k-lilley/he-smelled-so-good-that-i-felt-my-eyelids-drift-closed-with-the/) [R.K. Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-k-lilley/) > [“I crossed my arms over my chest. Jeez, it was cold in here all of a sudden. And had he always smelled this good?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lili-st-crow/i-crossed-my-arms-over-my-chest-jeez-it-was-cold-in-here-all-of-a/) [Lili St. Crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lili-st-crow/) > [“Suddenly finding it hard to breathe. It wasn’t because his grip was too tight, mind you. It was just the sudden proximity. And he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-richards/suddenly-finding-it-hard-to-breathe-it-wasn-t-because-his-grip-was/) [J.M. Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-richards/) > [“he smelled so good a mix of frost and something sharp like peppermint.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/he-smelled-so-good-a-mix-of-frost-and-something-sharp-like-peppermint/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“She wrapped her arms around my neck and sighed against my skin. She smelled so good, it was ridiculous.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-mcguire/she-wrapped-her-arms-around-my-neck-and-sighed-against-my-skin-she/) [Jamie McGuire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-mcguire/) > [“The front door opened as he walked up the steps, and she appeared like a spirit in a black dress. She didn't have on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-addison-allen/the-front-door-opened-as-he-walked-up-the-steps-and-she-appeared-like/) [Sarah Addison Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-addison-allen/) > [You should shower," I said. "Right now." "I smell that bad?" (Patch) Actually, he smelled that good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becca-fitzpatrick/you-should-shower-i-said-right-now-i-smell-that-bad-patch-actually-he/) [Becca Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becca-fitzpatrick/) > [“She could tell him how he smelled. So good. Like the crisp, clear mountains."Tu sens bon. Comme les montanges." He arched a brow, his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaci-burton/she-could-tell-him-how-he-smelled-so-good-like-the-crisp-clear/) [Jaci Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaci-burton/) > [Then from far away across the world he smelled good things to eat, so he gave up being king of the wild things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-sendak/then-from-far-away-across-the-world-he-smelled-good-things-to-eat-so/) [Maurice Sendak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-sendak/) > [“Mercy, but he smelled good. All piney and musky and manly. There should be a law.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-hunter/mercy-but-he-smelled-good-all-piney-and-musky-and-manly-there-should/) [Denise Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-hunter/) > [“You should shower," I said. "Right now." "I smell that bad?" Actually, he smelled that good.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becca-fitzpatrick/you-should-shower-i-said-right-now-i-smell-that-bad-actually-he/) [Becca Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becca-fitzpatrick/) ## More by Rachel Vincent > [So, did the costume come with a condom, or is that sold separately?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-vincent/so-did-the-costume-come-with-a-condom-or-is-that-sold-separately/) [Rachel Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-vincent/) > [You just say the word, and I'll make the rest of the world go away. I'll take you someplace safe, where no one else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-vincent/you-just-say-the-word-and-i-ll-make-the-rest-of-the-world-go-away-i/) [Rachel Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-vincent/) > [So, what now? We’re friends?" Yeah. If friends could be in love, but not together. In sync, but out of touch. Willing to die…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-vincent/so-what-now-we-re-friends-yeah-if-friends-could-be-in-love-but-not/) [Rachel Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-vincent/) > [“You'll have to give me a minute here. Gravity's a real bitch this morning. Ian to Kori”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-vincent/you-ll-have-to-give-me-a-minute-here-gravity-s-a-real-bitch-this/) [Rachel Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-vincent/) > [Wow," Liv said, when I dropped the mallet back into the drawer. "That looked like fun. I call dibs on the next over-the-top destruction…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-vincent/wow-liv-said-when-i-dropped-the-mallet-back-into-the-drawer-that/) [Rachel Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-vincent/) > [“So...what are you delivering today -- pizza or death?" "Both, actually.  Pepperoni for you now, and a fatal aneurism to the woman in room…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-vincent/so-what-are-you-delivering-today-pizza-or-death-both-actually/) [Rachel Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-vincent/) > [“My hands wrapped around his waist, traveling up the broad expanse of his back, mooth and hard, and... "Give it a rest, already," Tod…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-vincent/my-hands-wrapped-around-his-waist-traveling-up-the-broad-expanse-of/) [Rachel Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-vincent/) > [“I don't even like regular plants. Except for corsages and long-stemmed roses...and those only hurt when they don't show up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-vincent/i-don-t-even-like-regular-plants-except-for-corsages-and-long-stemmed/) [Rachel Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-vincent/) > [“I want everyone to get plenty of rest tonight, because tomorrow, we make plans to bury the new council chair. And don't worry about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-vincent/i-want-everyone-to-get-plenty-of-rest-tonight-because-tomorrow-we/) [Rachel Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-vincent/) > [“Take a nice, long look at your future, reaper. You'll soon be burning as fuel for hundreds of tiny fires." Tod laughed out loud.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-vincent/take-a-nice-long-look-at-your-future-reaper-you-ll-soon-be-burning-as/) [Rachel Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-vincent/) > [“Whoever said it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved was full of crap.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-vincent/whoever-said-it-is-better-to-have-loved-and-lost-than-never-to-have/) [Rachel Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-vincent/) > [Because the alternative sucks!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-vincent/because-the-alternative-sucks/) [Rachel Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-vincent/) > [If she were going to die, I'd already be screaming. I'm a Banshee. That's what we do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-vincent/if-she-were-going-to-die-i-d-already-be-screaming-i-m-a-banshee-that/) [Rachel Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-vincent/) > [You're not lost, Kaylee. You can't ever be lost, because I'll always know where you are. And if I'm not there with you, I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-vincent/you-re-not-lost-kaylee-you-can-t-ever-be-lost-because-i-ll-always/) [Rachel Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-vincent/) > [“Why would you do that? Why the hell would you ever think I wanted you to do that? I’m supposed to protect you.” Liv’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-vincent/why-would-you-do-that-why-the-hell-would-you-ever-think-i-wanted-you/) [Rachel Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-vincent/) [Explore all 415 Rachel Vincent quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-vincent/) ## More Aftershock quotes > [But of course I love my Japanese fans and the show must go on, no matter the daily aftershocks or husband kidnappings! It's not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katy-perry/but-of-course-i-love-my-japanese-fans-and-the-show-must-go-on-no/) [Katy Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katy-perry/) > [Evasion of the unadorned immediacy of life is as deep-seated as it is relentless. Even with the ardent desire to be aware and alert…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-batchelor/evasion-of-the-unadorned-immediacy-of-life-is-as-deep-seated-as-it-is/) [Stephen Batchelor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-batchelor/) > [For too many families, the aftershock of the war in Afghanistan will be felt every day, most probably for the rest of their lives.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-kemp/for-too-many-families-the-aftershock-of-the-war-in-afghanistan-will/) [Ross Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-kemp/) > [When I moved out, I was like, 'Oh, I'm free, 'I'm out of the church, out of the South, I'm gone, I'm a free…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethel-cain/when-i-moved-out-i-was-like-oh-i-m-free-i-m-out-of-the-church-out-of/) [Ethel Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethel-cain/) > [For the art-historically informed, no art has truly shocked since November 19, 1971, when Chris Burden had himself shot in the arm by a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-kostabi/for-the-art-historically-informed-no-art-has-truly-shocked-since/) [Mark Kostabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-kostabi/) > [Some areas near Dallas experienced a 3.5-magnitude earthquake, which some blame on fracking. However, scientists say that it was more likely aftershocks from Chris…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-fallon/some-areas-near-dallas-experienced-a-3-5-magnitude-earthquake-which/) [Jimmy Fallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-fallon/) > [The film, 'Aftershock,' for me is really about how the minor problems in life that we think are so major ultimately mean nothing when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-roth/the-film-aftershock-for-me-is-really-about-how-the-minor-problems-in/) [Eli Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-roth/) > [Eros is an issue of boundaries. He exists because certain boundaries do. In the interval between reach and grasp, between glance and counterglance, between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-carson/eros-is-an-issue-of-boundaries-he-exists-because-certain-boundaries/) [Anne Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-carson/) > [“Her protestations were drowned out by the sound of Gordon Honeycomb barfing up aftershock into the kitchenette sink.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-john-morris/her-protestations-were-drowned-out-by-the-sound-of-gordon-honeycomb/) [St. John Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-john-morris/) > [“It turns out that what money buys has rapidly diminishing emotional returns ... As long as we're not destitute, happiness depends less on getting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-reich/it-turns-out-that-what-money-buys-has-rapidly-diminishing-emotional/) [Robert B. Reich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-reich/) > [My stories are known for featuring fun, fearless Cosmopolitan-type heroines as well as delicious, dangerous heroes synonymous with Harlequin. Afterburn and Aftershock will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-day/my-stories-are-known-for-featuring-fun-fearless-cosmopolitan-type/) [Sylvia Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-day/) [Browse all 12 Aftershock quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aftershock/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I squeezed my eyes shut and took several deep breaths, trying not to smell Jace in front of me, not to taste him on my lips. But it was useless. In that moment, Jace was everywhere. He was in my mind, he was in my heart, and he was in my memory. He smelled good. He tasted good. 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