Page 71 of Act of Passion

Bethany clapped. “Fun!”

Edee rolled her eyes as she glanced atBrooke.

Boomer grabbed a cookie and took a bite. In an instant, he was trying to avoid spitting it out. He failed and grabbed a napkin, spitting the cookie intoit.

“Told ya so,” said Striker partially under hisbreath.

“Uncle Striker, want more lipstick on?” askedBethany.

Striker’s eyes widened. “No. I’m, uh, guid. Thankyou.”

She eyedDuke.

He growled. “No.”

She jutted out her lower lip in apout.

Duke sighed. “Fine, but give me a less red color than you gave him. He looks like he charges by thehour.”

Malik nudged Dukehard.

“What does that mean?” askedBethany.

All the men shook their heads and answered at the same time, “Nothing.”

Bethany paid no mind to them as she grabbed a lipstick off the table and hurried off Malik’s lap and climbed onto Duke’s. She then proceeded to put lipstick on himpoorly.

Boomer laughed. “That is why I did myown.”

Edee held up a phone and snapped a picture of the men. She smiled. “This is priceless. I’ve met their mates. The women are going to love thispicture.”

“I think you all look beautiful,” said Brooke, entering the room withEdee.

Malik stood quickly and pulled the tiara off his head. “Brooke, you’re up? I didn’t hear. I’m sorry. I wanted to bethere.”

Bethany jumped off Duke’s lap and ran for Brooke. “Mommy!”

Brooke grabbed her and liftedher.

Malik was to them quickly, supporting Bethany’s weight as if she was too heavy for Brooke. His dark gaze lingered on her. “How are youfeeling?”

“Like I slept for a week,” she said with a wink before kissing Bethany’s cheek and neck, making the childgiggle.

Bethany smiled. “Look, Mommy. Daddy made this room for me to play. And he made me my own bedroom. Want to see? Come on, I’ll showyou.”

She wiggled, squirming down and then tugging on Brooke’shand.

“Does this mean I can stop drinking this tea crap?” askedDuke.

Bethany whipped around and pointed at him. “You said a badword!”

Corbin laughed. “Shall I put him in a corner,poppet?”

“No. But he shouldn’t say that word. Right,Mommy?”

Brooke ran her hand through her daughter’s curly hair. “He’s a grown-up,sweetie.”

“That is totally debatable,” saidBoomer.

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