--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I knew that I couldn't lie beside her…" description: "\"I knew that I couldn't lie beside her, without wanting to touch her. I couldn't have felt her breath come upon my mouth, without wanting to kiss her. A..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76a/sarah-waters-2758_kissing_i-knew-that-i-couldn-t-lie-beside-her-wi_1745499.png" --- # I knew that I couldn't lie beside her, without wanting to… ![“I knew that I couldn't lie beside her, without wanting to touch her. I couldn't have felt her breath come upon my mouth, without wanting to kiss her. And I couldn't have kissed her, without wanting to save her.” quote by Sarah Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76a/sarah-waters-2758_kissing_i-knew-that-i-couldn-t-lie-beside-her-wi_1745499.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76a/sarah-waters-2758_kissing_i-knew-that-i-couldn-t-lie-beside-her-wi_1745499.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76a/sarah-waters-2758_kissing_i-knew-that-i-couldn-t-lie-beside-her-wi_1745499.png) > “I knew that I couldn't lie beside her, without wanting to touch her. I couldn't have felt her breath come upon my mouth, without wanting to kiss her. And I couldn't have kissed her, without wanting to save her.” [Sarah Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-waters/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The narrator feels an irresistible, intertwined desire for intimacy, protection, and emotional connection with the woman she loves. **In simple terms:** Desire and protection intertwine. Key Takeaway Recognize how longing can drive both affection and a need to protect. Themes desire intimacy protection conflict emotion Mood passionate conflicted Type literary romantic When to use this quote - romantic relationships - personal introspection - conflict resolution Key Concepts psychology human connection romantic longing Questions to Reflect On - What does protecting someone mean to you? - How can desire become a source of conflict? A Different Perspective The desire to protect may become possessive or unrealistic. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Kissing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kissing/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) ## Related quotes > [I felt that thread that had come between us, tugging, tugging at my heart - so hard, it hurt me. 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I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cale-dietrich/his-use-of-the-word-she-makes-me-flinch-he-said-it-so-confidently/) [Cale Dietrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cale-dietrich/) ## More by Sarah Waters > [“Now, from the crown of my head to the curve of my toe-nails, there was an unguent for every part of me - oil…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-waters/now-from-the-crown-of-my-head-to-the-curve-of-my-toe-nails-there-was/) [Sarah Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-waters/) > [“Miss Craven held up a pair she thought would fit me—monstrous great things they were, of course, and I thought she smiled as she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-waters/miss-craven-held-up-a-pair-she-thought-would-fit-me-monstrous-great/) [Sarah Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-waters/) > [I barely knew I had skin before I met you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-waters/i-barely-knew-i-had-skin-before-i-met-you/) [Sarah Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-waters/) > [I suppose I really seemed mad, then; but it was only through the awfulness of having said nothing but the truth, and being thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-waters/i-suppose-i-really-seemed-mad-then-but-it-was-only-through-the/) [Sarah Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-waters/) > [My nan was a nursery maid. 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