Sex Quotes in The Time Traveler's Wife

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Book.Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

[Clare to Henry:] "When I was a teenager I tried to get you to make love to me, and you never would, which of course made me much more determined about it. I think you thought you were going to warp me sexually, somehow." (1.1.33)

Clare explains to Henry that when she met him as a young girl, he took care to act as a father figure instead of as a boyfriend because he wanted to steer away from sexual aspect of their relationship.

Quote #2

[Henry:] […] usually at this point I would be considering how to work my way past various fortresses of clothing, but instead I lean back and stretch out on the sofa. (1.1.101)

In his early twenties, before meeting Clare, Henry was much more of womanizer, interested only in sexual pleasure, not a serious, long-term relationship. But with Clare, he feels different. He wants to take his time and just enjoy getting to know her.

Quote #3

[Clare to Henry:] "I'm sorry! But, you know, in my case, I've been anticipating for years. And it's not like cake… you eat it and it's gone." (1.1.110)

Clare's cake analogy plays to her knowledge that they'll be with each other for a long time, meaning they'll be able to enjoy each other physically for a long time. She knows that this is not a one-night affair, which makes her all the more excited.