--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: She acted completely on instinct, closing…" description: "\"“She acted completely on instinct, closing the distance between them and wrapping her arms around him. He was unresponsive for a long beat, as though s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a6/sarah-mayberry-9507_quote_she-acted-completely-on-instinct-closing_1476555.jpg" --- # She acted completely on instinct, closing the distance… ![“She acted completely on instinct, closing the distance between them and wrapping her arms around him. He was unresponsive for a long beat, as though she’d taken him by surprise, then his arms went around her in turn. Her breasts were pressed to his chest and every breath she took was filled with…” quote by Sarah Mayberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a6/sarah-mayberry-9507_quote_she-acted-completely-on-instinct-closing_1476555.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a6/sarah-mayberry-9507_quote_she-acted-completely-on-instinct-closing_1476555.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a6/sarah-mayberry-9507_quote_she-acted-completely-on-instinct-closing_1476555.jpg) > ““She acted completely on instinct, closing the distance between them and wrapping her arms around him. He was unresponsive for a long beat, as though she’d taken him by surprise, then his arms went around her in turn. Her breasts were pressed to his chest and every breath she took was filled with the smell of his aftershave but there was nothing sexual about their embrace. She was offering him a little comfort, and he was accepting it. It was as small and simple as that.”” [Sarah Mayberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mayberry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A brief, non‑sexual embrace offers simple comfort and mutual acceptance in a moment of vulnerability. **In simple terms:** A comforting hug without romance. Key Takeaway Offer and accept small comforts. Themes comfort intimacy vulnerability Mood warm reassuring Type narrative emotional When to use this quote - stressful moments - friendship - first‑time encounters - supportive gestures Key Concepts human connection non‑sexual intimacy Questions to Reflect On - How do small comforts affect trust? - When is a hug more than physical? A Different Perspective May lack deeper emotional resolution. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aftershave Sexual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aftershave-sexual-5371794/) [Breath Took](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breath-took-411931/) [Comfort Accepting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comfort-accepting-5371795/) [Embrace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/embrace/) [Gaze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gaze/) [Sexual Embrace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sexual-embrace-2078619/) ## Related quotes > [No act can be quite so intimate as the sexual embrace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/havelock-ellis/no-act-can-be-quite-so-intimate-as-the-sexual-embrace/) [Havelock Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/havelock-ellis/) > [The sexual embrace can only be compared with music and with prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-sexual-embrace-can-only-be-compared-with-music-and-with-prayer/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“amusement in her eyes and had to grin. "How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice dropping to a low, intimate tone that excluded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-howard/amusement-in-her-eyes-and-had-to-grin-how-are-you-feeling-he-asked/) [Linda Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-howard/) > [“ Tell me how you’re feeling? She hadn’t pulled away. If anything, her arms had tightened around his neck. He shared every single breath…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-feehan/tell-me-how-you-re-feeling-she-hadn-t-pulled-away-if-anything-her/) [Christine Feehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-feehan/) > [“It's a breath you took too late. It's a death that's worse than fate.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvis-costello/it-s-a-breath-you-took-too-late-it-s-a-death-that-s-worse-than-fate/) [Elvis Costello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elvis-costello/) > [“He couldn’t look back at the children. He couldn’t think of it. All he could do was watch the eyes of his wife. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-a-marks/he-couldn-t-look-back-at-the-children-he-couldn-t-think-of-it-all-he/) [Rachel A. Marks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-a-marks/) > [“She said nothing for a moment, unsure what exactly to say. She loved him with every breath she took. She would do anything for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-m-greenebaum/she-said-nothing-for-a-moment-unsure-what-exactly-to-say-she-loved/) [Rachel M. Greenebaum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-m-greenebaum/) > [“Each passing moment, every breath I took, I was worried I’d hear a tick, but not live long enough to hear its tock.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cameron-jace/each-passing-moment-every-breath-i-took-i-was-worried-i-d-hear-a-tick/) [Cameron Jace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cameron-jace/) > [“Okay,' he said. He took a breath. 'What would you do, if you could do anything?' I took a step toward him, closing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/okay-he-said-he-took-a-breath-what-would-you-do-if-you-could-do/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [I knew, in the silence that followed, that anything could happen here. It might be too late: again, I might have missed my chance.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/i-knew-in-the-silence-that-followed-that-anything-could-happen-here/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [“What sound was that? I turn away, into the shaking room. What was that sound that came in on the dark? What is this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/what-sound-was-that-i-turn-away-into-the-shaking-room-what-was-that/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [“How I loved him. Wih every cell in my body and every breath I took. Thank goodness he was there today to share my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ednah-walters/how-i-loved-him-wih-every-cell-in-my-body-and-every-breath-i-took/) [Ednah Walters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ednah-walters/) > [“He crossed the room to me and grabbed me by the shoulders. In three steps, he had me backed up against the bookcase. Before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-donaldson/he-crossed-the-room-to-me-and-grabbed-me-by-the-shoulders-in-three/) [Julianne Donaldson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-donaldson/) > [Why do you sit here and cry for me? I am gone and nothing you do will bring me back. But the truth isn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/why-do-you-sit-here-and-cry-for-me-i-am-gone-and-nothing-you-do-will/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I took a deep breath, 'I took the nahlrout because I didn't want to faint. I needed to let them know they couldn't hurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/i-took-a-deep-breath-i-took-the-nahlrout-because-i-didn-t-want-to/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) ## More by Sarah Mayberry > [For the record, Claire Marsden and I are not having sex.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mayberry/for-the-record-claire-marsden-and-i-are-not-having-sex/) [Sarah Mayberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mayberry/) > [“I will never not want you, understand? I love you. I adore you. I admire you. I desire you. You are my heart. My…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mayberry/i-will-never-not-want-you-understand-i-love-you-i-adore-you-i-admire/) [Sarah Mayberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mayberry/) > [“Three Denises wobbled in front of her, all of them watching her with fond concern. “You’re a sweetie. I appreciate you cheering me on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mayberry/three-denises-wobbled-in-front-of-her-all-of-them-watching-her-with/) [Sarah Mayberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mayberry/) > [“I know I’m not exactly Prince Charming material right now. Zipper-head, gimpy hand and all the rest.” There was a tremor in his voice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mayberry/i-know-i-m-not-exactly-prince-charming-material-right-now-zipper-head/) [Sarah Mayberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mayberry/) > [“I’m sorry, I have to move. I have to. You’re so bloody tight. So good,” he groaned, his face distorted with need. He started…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mayberry/i-m-sorry-i-have-to-move-i-have-to-you-re-so-bloody-tight-so-good-he/) [Sarah Mayberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mayberry/) > [“She didn’t sound overjoyed. She didn’t sound even slightly joyed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mayberry/she-didn-t-sound-overjoyed-she-didn-t-sound-even-slightly-joyed/) [Sarah Mayberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mayberry/) > [ “\[Jack\] checked his watch, then returned to studying her back. damn if she didn't have a nice back, too - smooth, unblemished skin, nicely… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mayberry/jack-checked-his-watch-then-returned-to-studying-her-back-damn-if-she/) [Sarah Mayberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mayberry/) > [“Suddenly he caught his reflection in the mirror behind her. His face was twisted into a dark scowl, and he was standing there naked,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mayberry/suddenly-he-caught-his-reflection-in-the-mirror-behind-her-his-face/) [Sarah Mayberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mayberry/) > [“Don’t freak out, I’m getting into the bed,” he said.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mayberry/don-t-freak-out-i-m-getting-into-the-bed-he-said/) [Sarah Mayberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mayberry/) > [“One of the best lovers in Hollywood. What would a title like that encompass exactly? she wondered. Technique? Enthusiasm? Or was it more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mayberry/one-of-the-best-lovers-in-hollywood-what-would-a-title-like-that/) [Sarah Mayberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mayberry/) > [“He was strong and warm and male and his mouth moved gently against hers, his kiss provocative and soothing at the same time. Her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mayberry/he-was-strong-and-warm-and-male-and-his-mouth-moved-gently-against/) [Sarah Mayberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mayberry/) > [“She watched as Michael stripped and walked toward the bed, his erection standing proud. The bed dipped as he got in the other side.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mayberry/she-watched-as-michael-stripped-and-walked-toward-the-bed-his/) [Sarah Mayberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mayberry/) > [“If I let you go are you going to hit me again?” “What do you think?” “Then I’m not going to let you go.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mayberry/if-i-let-you-go-are-you-going-to-hit-me-again-what-do-you-think-then/) [Sarah Mayberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mayberry/) > [“Is there somebody out there? Amy, is that you?” her mother called. “No. Tell me this isn’t happening.” Quinn rested his forehead against hers.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mayberry/is-there-somebody-out-there-amy-is-that-you-her-mother-called-no-tell/) [Sarah Mayberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mayberry/) > [“So be afraid. Be angry. Be jealous. Be possessive. Be whatever you need to be. But please, let me come along for the ride.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mayberry/so-be-afraid-be-angry-be-jealous-be-possessive-be-whatever-you-need/) [Sarah Mayberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mayberry/) [Explore all 70 Sarah Mayberry quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mayberry/) ## More Embrace quotes > [I had to get to the point where I just had to embrace carrying the torch for the traditional girls out there. I love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamera-mowry/i-had-to-get-to-the-point-where-i-just-had-to-embrace-carrying-the/) [Tamera Mowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamera-mowry/) > [I think the next 50 years are going to present the human race with challenges that so far exceed the limitations of geopolitical boundaries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-quinto/i-think-the-next-50-years-are-going-to-present-the-human-race-with/) [Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-quinto/) > [Strong brows is what I have, and I embrace them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-connelly/strong-brows-is-what-i-have-and-i-embrace-them/) [Jennifer Connelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-connelly/) > [Stop chasing the things you want and embrace all that you already have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/stop-chasing-the-things-you-want-and-embrace-all-that-you-already-have/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“A man of power should embrace his Shadow, or if he cannot embrace it, at least accept it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-lampe/a-man-of-power-should-embrace-his-shadow-or-if-he-cannot-embrace-it/) [Katherine Lampe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-lampe/) > [“His hands on my waist he gently pulled me n embrace. I could feel his breath on my face our lips were about to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-eglinger/his-hands-on-my-waist-he-gently-pulled-me-n-embrace-i-could-feel-his/) [Nicole Eglinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-eglinger/) > [All of us take offense to anyone who reaps the rewards of living in America without taking on the responsibilities of living in America.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/all-of-us-take-offense-to-anyone-who-reaps-the-rewards-of-living-in/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [To re-embrace what I once loved about music has been a warming process for me, because it's a good, earned feeling now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-corgan/to-re-embrace-what-i-once-loved-about-music-has-been-a-warming/) [Billy Corgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-corgan/) > [I've certainly seen a lot of my cartoonist friends embrace 'Little Lulu' in a much deeper way because their kids love it so much.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth/i-ve-certainly-seen-a-lot-of-my-cartoonist-friends-embrace-little/) [Seth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth/) > [Sometimes, Ms. Lane," he said, "one must break with one's past to embrace one's future. It is never an easy thing to do. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/sometimes-ms-lane-he-said-one-must-break-with-one-s-past-to-embrace/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) > [“Those who embrace prejudice doom themselves to live in ignorance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-lintz-sr/those-who-embrace-prejudice-doom-themselves-to-live-in-ignorance/) [John P Lintz Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-lintz-sr/) > [Life is a climb and it's a struggle getting to the top but the drop to the bottom can be quick and so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/life-is-a-climb-and-it-s-a-struggle-getting-to-the-top-but-the-drop/) [Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/) > [Everything is a part of what God's up to in your life, so I think our job is to embrace it. Everything. Embrace it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-gaither/everything-is-a-part-of-what-god-s-up-to-in-your-life-so-i-think-our/) [Gloria Gaither](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-gaither/) > [At a time when painting itself often seems to be a threatened, even despised, form of artistic activity, Andrew Salgado emerges as a dazzlingly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-lucie-smith/at-a-time-when-painting-itself-often-seems-to-be-a-threatened-even/) [Edward Lucie-Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-lucie-smith/) > [You want to embrace, but I can't figure out how to hold on to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-duritz/you-want-to-embrace-but-i-can-t-figure-out-how-to-hold-on-to-it/) [Adam Duritz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-duritz/) [Browse all 3,428 Embrace quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/embrace/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“She acted completely on instinct, closing the distance between them and wrapping her arms around him. 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