Page 130 of Dangerous Encore

The nerves in mystomachfade.

Desire pushes everythingelseaway.

Mal pulls back with a heavy sigh. "Let me tell you how today is gonnago,baby."

Inod.

"I'm going to carry you to the bed and fuck yourbrainsout."

"Okay."

"Then I'm going to take you to the shower, clean you up, and fuck youagain."

My cheeksflush.

"At some point, we'll have lunch. I'm going to spend the afternoon breaking my record. And we're going to spend tonight celebrating, drinking champagne with ourfriends."

"Champagne?" I lick my lips. "Doesthatmean—"

His lips curl into a smile. "What else coulditmean?"

* * *

By the timewe get to Kit and Piper's place in Venice Beach, I'm spent in the bestpossibleway.

Piper pulls the door open and throws her arms around me. "I'm so happy for you guys." She squeezes tightly and leans in to whisper. "Don't let him fuck itup,okay?"

"I'll do my best," Iwhisperback.

"Uh-uh. You'll accomplish," sheteases.

She's bouncy and enthusiastic, just like Ethan. But she has Mal's take-no-shit attitude too. Well, so doesEthan.

The Strongs are a bossy, demandingfamily.

"You two mocking me?" Mal's voice is light. However tough he plays, he enjoys usmockinghim.

Piper release me and throws her arms around her brother. She whispers something to him. He whisperssomethingback.

The two of themlaugh.

The three of them are such a happy family. It's nice to see after everything. It's nice to see,period.

Mom, Dad, and I haven't been functional and happy since I wasakid.

Piper motions to the wide open living room. Everyone—Joel, Bella, Kit, Violet, Ethan—is sitting around thetable.

Around the cake box in the center of thetable.

God, their house is beautiful. It's modern as all hell, with wall to wall windows and sleek furniture. Everything is in shades of black, grey,andpink.

It's the perfect blend of Kit'sall black, all the timebrooding vibes and her adorablegirlishness.

Ethan pushes himself to his feet and moves in to hug me hello. "You sure you want to be stuckwithMal?"

"Pretty sure,"Isay.

He releases our hug. "You know he's bossy andannoying."