Page 229 of Dangerous Encore

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Sometimes I forget how intenseheis.

And now my knees are knocking together in front of a dozen and a halffriends.

And I'm getting tempted to drag Kit into the officefora…

Ahem.

Violet cuts Kit a slice and hands it over. She gets to work handingoutcake.

Ethan gets to work handing out coffee. When he's done, he heads over to me and wraps his armsaroundme.

"You're actually okay with this?" Itease.

"I'm not a total caveman." His voice is bright. ClassicEthan.

"Aretoo."

"Amnot."

"Damn. I can't argue with thatlogic."

"I know." He pulls back with a smile. "Really, Pipes. I'm happy you're happy." He looks to Kit. "Doesn't mean I won't kick your ass if you break herheart."

I clear mythroat.

Ethan shrugs. "Okay. I'm a caveman. I'm still kicking his ass if he breaks yourheart."

I struggle not to rollmyeyes.

Kit looks to Mal and raises a brow.That go foryoutoo?

Mal's voice is even. Steady. "You know how I feel." He looks to me and raises his plate of cake. "Are you happy,Piper?"

I nod. I'mbursting.

My oldest brother smiles. "Then I'm happy." He looks to Kit. "Take careofher."

"Or he'll kill you. No intermediary ass-kicking," Joeloffers.

Everyonenods.

Kit raises his plate. "Wouldn't expectanythingless."

Mal chuckles. "I aim toplease."

Lacey giggles. Mercifully, she doesn't press the issuefurther.

Joel looks to Kit and winks. His green eyes meet mine. "You sure you want to put up with Lockhart, Pipes? In three years you'll beastar—"

"Excuse me?" Bella clears her throat. "Are you suggesting I won't help lead you to super-stardom."

"You drop shit likedon't worry, I can get you those dates even if your single flopsevery three minutes,"hesays.

She laughs. "Ican."

He laughs back. "But that doesn't exactly suggest you believe in our super-stardom."

"Uh-uh."

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