During the night he'd kicked off a sock; his toes were plump as early peas; it was all she could do not to taste his caramel skin. So much of the language of love was like that: you devoured someone with your eyes, you drank in the sight of him,you swallowed him whole. Love was sustenance, broken down and beating through your bloodstream.
In the passage, the narrator reflects on the intimate sensations of love and desire. They describe a scene where a person has kicked off a sock, revealing their plump toes, evoking a sense of longing and temptation. The imagery suggests a deep physical attraction, emphasizing the visceral connection between lovers.
Moreover, the language of love is portrayed as something that nourishes and invigorates. The metaphor of consuming someone visually conveys the intensity of affection, suggesting that love feeds the soul and energizes one's existence. In this way, love is likened to sustenance, enriching one’s life and intertwining with one's very being.