--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Perhaps he’d recently lost some bulk. But…" description: "\"“Perhaps he’d recently lost some bulk. But there was plenty of him remaining, and all of it was lean and hard. His body was much like this great hall a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/951/tessa-dare-564_stranger_perhaps-he-d-recently-lost-some-bulk-but_1275548.jpg" --- # Perhaps he’d recently lost some bulk. But there was plenty… ![“Perhaps he’d recently lost some bulk. But there was plenty of him remaining, and all of it was lean and hard. His body was much like this great hall around them. Suffering from a bit of neglect, but impressively made and strong to the bones. And that voice. Oh, it was dangerous. She didn’t know…” quote by Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/951/tessa-dare-564_stranger_perhaps-he-d-recently-lost-some-bulk-but_1275548.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/951/tessa-dare-564_stranger_perhaps-he-d-recently-lost-some-bulk-but_1275548.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/951/tessa-dare-564_stranger_perhaps-he-d-recently-lost-some-bulk-but_1275548.jpg) > ““Perhaps he’d recently lost some bulk. But there was plenty of him remaining, and all of it was lean and hard. His body was much like this great hall around them. Suffering from a bit of neglect, but impressively made and strong to the bones. And that voice. Oh, it was dangerous. She didn’t know which upset her more: That this shadowy, handsome stranger had made so free with her person—carrying her in his arms, unlacing her stays, taking down her hair, and stripping her to her thinnest undergarments? Or that she’d somehow slept through the whole thing? She snuck another glance at him, silhouetted by orange firelight. The latter. Definitely the latter. The most exciting quarter hour of her life, and she’d spent it completely insensible.”” [Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character feels both exhilarated and uneasy being physically and emotionally exposed to a mysterious, powerful lover. **In simple terms:** She is torn between excitement and discomfort in a passionate encounter. Key Takeaway Embrace desire but stay aware of vulnerability. Themes desire vulnerability power dynamics Mood intense conflicted Type romantic psychological When to use this quote - first intense romance - dangerous attraction - personal boundaries - emotional awakening Key Concepts intimacy trust emotional exposure Questions to Reflect On - What does the firelight symbolize for her? - How does power imbalance affect consent? A Different Perspective The thrill may mask underlying danger or loss of agency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Free Person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-person-508951/) [Handsome Stranger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/handsome-stranger-324259/) [Shadowy Handsome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shadowy-handsome-4104008/) [Stranger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stranger/) [Stranger Free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stranger-free-1323128/) ## Related quotes > ['Couch surfing' refers to the practice of temporarily lodging with a stranger - free of charge, unless you count being incessantly sociable as payment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-marx/couch-surfing-refers-to-the-practice-of-temporarily-lodging-with-a/) [Patricia Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-marx/) > [That’s where proper stories begin, don’t they, when the handsome stranger arrives and everything goes wrong?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franny-billingsley/that-s-where-proper-stories-begin-don-t-they-when-the-handsome/) [Franny Billingsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franny-billingsley/) > [“I’m not getting caught up with a handsome stranger, no matter how handsome he is. And oh, is he mind meltingly delicious.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-ellen-malpas/i-m-not-getting-caught-up-with-a-handsome-stranger-no-matter-how/) [Jodi Ellen Malpas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-ellen-malpas/) > [“She fleetingly wished this handsome stranger could be the object of her desires, instead of his black-hearted companion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-martin/she-fleetingly-wished-this-handsome-stranger-could-be-the-object-of/) [Kat Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-martin/) > [“Or was he the romantic fiction of a girl who'd been desperate for a handsome stranger to come along?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-brashares/or-was-he-the-romantic-fiction-of-a-girl-who-d-been-desperate-for-a/) [Ann Brashares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-brashares/) > [When you are single sometimes you have to go up to a handsome stranger and say:Hey Cutie With A Bootie Can I Get Your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-kelsey/when-you-are-single-sometimes-you-have-to-go-up-to-a-handsome/) [Lindsey & Kelsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-kelsey/) > [“You know those particular stand out beauties you see once in a blue moon walking by themselves down the high street on a Saturday…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-paul-thomas/you-know-those-particular-stand-out-beauties-you-see-once-in-a-blue/) [Sean-Paul Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-paul-thomas/) > [“Today, mistress, I will give you anything you desire. How about a tall, dark, handsome stranger? I'm sure I can find you one in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-verrillo/today-mistress-i-will-give-you-anything-you-desire-how-about-a-tall/) [Erica Verrillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-verrillo/) > [“My life - my real life - started when a man walked into it, a handsome stranger in a perfectly cut suit, and, yes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marisa-de-los-santos/my-life-my-real-life-started-when-a-man-walked-into-it-a-handsome/) [Marisa de los Santos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marisa-de-los-santos/) > [“Are you sure this is okay?” he asks. “I mean, did your dad really invite the handsome stranger who’s dating his daughter to sleep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-young/are-you-sure-this-is-okay-he-asks-i-mean-did-your-dad-really-invite/) [Suzanne Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-young/) > [I'm a free person. I don't want to be tied down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-gardot/i-m-a-free-person-i-don-t-want-to-be-tied-down/) [Melody Gardot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-gardot/) > [The truly free person in society is a disciplined person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-smith/the-truly-free-person-in-society-is-a-disciplined-person/) [Dean Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-smith/) > [Only by taking responsibility for oneself, to the greatest extent possible, can one ever be free, and only a free person can make responsible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/only-by-taking-responsibility-for-oneself-to-the-greatest-extent/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [To free a person from error is to give, and not to take away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-schopenhauer/to-free-a-person-from-error-is-to-give-and-not-to-take-away/) [Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-schopenhauer/) > [You can only be free as an artist if you're free as a person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-jackson/you-can-only-be-free-as-an-artist-if-you-re-free-as-a-person/) [Randy Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-jackson/) ## More by Tessa Dare > [“This explains so much," she said, clucking her tongue in mother-hen fashion. "You're compensating for this withered appendage." Withered appendage? What the devil was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dare/this-explains-so-much-she-said-clucking-her-tongue-in-mother-hen/) [Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/) > [“You think a few features scattered on your face make you plain? I am ugly to the core. All England knows it. And after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dare/you-think-a-few-features-scattered-on-your-face-make-you-plain-i-am/) [Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/) > [“I’d be more than happy to let you survey my physical perfection in its entirety. But only if I get to see you, too.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dare/i-d-be-more-than-happy-to-let-you-survey-my-physical-perfection-in/) [Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/) > [“Words for everyday showers of prettiness, and the kind of misty loveliness that disappears whenever you try to grasp it. Beauty that’s heralded by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dare/words-for-everyday-showers-of-prettiness-and-the-kind-of-misty/) [Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/) > [“ The captain? Sophia stood staring numbly after him. Had he just said he’d introduce her to the captain? Of someone else was the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dare/the-captain-sophia-stood-staring-numbly-after-him-had-he-just-said-he/) [Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/) > [“Madeline stood before him in a gown of rich, emerald-green silk. The low-cut bodice did miraculous things for her bosom, and the vibrant color…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dare/madeline-stood-before-him-in-a-gown-of-rich-emerald-green-silk-the/) [Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/) > [“And she was well-enough acquainted with loneliness to understand that the worst part wasn't having nobody caring for you - it was having nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dare/and-she-was-well-enough-acquainted-with-loneliness-to-understand-that/) [Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/) > [“He stood in the doorway to a side chamber, bared to the waist and dripping. He propped one shoulder against the doorway and clutched…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dare/he-stood-in-the-doorway-to-a-side-chamber-bared-to-the-waist-and/) [Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/) > [“And you claim to be feeling this way. Floatish. Singsong-ish. About me.” She sighed. “Yes.” “That’s absurd.” “I know, but I can’t seem to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dare/and-you-claim-to-be-feeling-this-way-floatish-singsong-ish-about-me/) [Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/) > [“No, of course she didn't say it. But there is no other reason she should have called, except to pave the way for her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dare/no-of-course-she-didn-t-say-it-but-there-is-no-other-reason-she/) [Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/) > [“And there it was. The prim face of censure he’d been seeking. A strange sense of satisfaction descended on him. Divine justice, perhaps. Other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dare/and-there-it-was-the-prim-face-of-censure-he-d-been-seeking-a-strange/) [Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/) > [“Another sketch-this one of Gabriel-hung on the all above the water cask. It swiveled gently on a single tack; or rather, the paper hung…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dare/another-sketch-this-one-of-gabriel-hung-on-the-all-above-the-water/) [Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/) > [“I know what you’re thinking, Gray,” O’Shea’s brogue lilted down through the skylight one warm morning, while Sophia was hard at work. Mr. Grayson…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dare/i-know-what-you-re-thinking-gray-o-shea-s-brogue-lilted-down-through/) [Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/) > [“The path was a familiar one. Over the years she’d resided in Spindle Cove, Susanna must have walked it thousands of times. She knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dare/the-path-was-a-familiar-one-over-the-years-she-d-resided-in-spindle/) [Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/) > [“Miss Finch, it’s not wise for officers to quarter in the same house with an unmarried gentlewoman. Have a care for your reputation, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dare/miss-finch-it-s-not-wise-for-officers-to-quarter-in-the-same-house/) [Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/) [Explore all 472 Tessa Dare quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/) ## More Stranger quotes > [I know always that I am an outsider; a stranger in this century and among those who are still men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-know-always-that-i-am-an-outsider-a-stranger-in-this-century-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Jobs and money are never the primary cause of stress. Thinking, negative thinking causes stress. The real cause of all problems lie in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/jobs-and-money-are-never-the-primary-cause-of-stress-thinking/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [A place has almost the shyness of a person, with strangers; and its secret is not to be surprised by a too direct interrogation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-symons/a-place-has-almost-the-shyness-of-a-person-with-strangers-and-its/) [Arthur Symons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-symons/) > [Even with clothing naked animals, there were people who wanted to send in money. A woman in Santa Barbara, California, sent a $40,000 check.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-abel/even-with-clothing-naked-animals-there-were-people-who-wanted-to-send/) [Alan Abel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-abel/) > [I admire President Obama's ability to trust strangers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-gutfeld/i-admire-president-obama-s-ability-to-trust-strangers/) [Greg Gutfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-gutfeld/) > [If, for instance, they have heard something from the postman, they attribute it to a semi-official statement; if they have fallen into conversation with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-waugh/if-for-instance-they-have-heard-something-from-the-postman-they/) [Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-waugh/) > [It’s sad when friends become enemies. But what’s even worse is when they become strangers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hayley-williams/it-s-sad-when-friends-become-enemies-but-what-s-even-worse-is-when/) [Hayley Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hayley-williams/) > [The sense that in this universe we are treated as strangers, the longing to be acknowledged, to meet with some response, to bridge some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-sense-that-in-this-universe-we-are-treated-as-strangers-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Standing as a witness in all things means being kind in all things, being the first to say hello, being the first to smile,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-d-nadauld/standing-as-a-witness-in-all-things-means-being-kind-in-all-things/) [Margaret D. Nadauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-d-nadauld/) > [Most neuroses and some psychoses can be traced to the unnecessary and unhealthy habit of daily wallowing in the troubles and sins of five…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/most-neuroses-and-some-psychoses-can-be-traced-to-the-unnecessary-and/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [It is part of God's plan for us that Christ shall come to us in everyone; it is in their particular role that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caryll-houselander/it-is-part-of-god-s-plan-for-us-that-christ-shall-come-to-us-in/) [Caryll Houselander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caryll-houselander/) > [Naked in front of strangers? I can barely be naked in front of my lovers; in front of myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clara/naked-in-front-of-strangers-i-can-barely-be-naked-in-front-of-my/) [Clara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clara/) > [Cameras are a lifesaver for very shy people who have nowhere else to hide. Behind a lens they can disguise the fact that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-conroy/cameras-are-a-lifesaver-for-very-shy-people-who-have-nowhere-else-to/) [Pat Conroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-conroy/) > [We were at a Giants game, and my manager told me, 'Sadie, you have an audition for a show called 'Stranger Things,'' and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadie-sink/we-were-at-a-giants-game-and-my-manager-told-me-sadie-you-have-an/) [Sadie Sink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadie-sink/) > [One can show no greater respect than to weep for a stranger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jos-saramago/one-can-show-no-greater-respect-than-to-weep-for-a-stranger/) [Jose Saramago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jos-saramago/) [Browse all 2,663 Stranger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stranger/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Perhaps he’d recently lost some bulk. But there was plenty of him remaining, and all of it was lean and hard. His body was much like this great hall around them. Suffering from a bit of neglect, but impressively made and strong to the bones. And that voice. Oh, it was dangerous. She didn’t know which upset her more: That this shadowy, handsome stranger had made so free with her person—carrying her in his arms, unlacing her stays, taking down her hair, and stripping her to her thinnest undergarments? Or that she’d somehow slept through the whole thing? She snuck another glance at him, silhouetted by orange firelight. The latter. Definitely the latter. 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