Page 43 of Take Me, Sir

“What's it like then?” he asked.

As much as I would've preferred to keep my thoughts to myself, I knew that the only way Dalton would ever start to trust me with his sister was to be honest. “I'm not sure.”

“That doesn't exactly inspire confidence, Dean,” he said dryly.

“I know.” I ran my hand through my hair. “We're still trying to figure things out between us, but I swear, I want to see where this thing between us goes.”

As much as I was trying to be honest, I couldn't bring myself to tell Dalton just how far I thought I was falling for Kyndall. Even if I wasn't still adjusting to it all myself, I couldn't tell him before I told her.

And I was nowhere near ready for that confession.

“All right,” he said, his tone grudging. “I can't say it won't be weird for me, especially if I see you two together at the club, but I'll accept it.” His eyes narrowed as he gave me a hard look. “But if you hurt her, I'll kick your ass.”

I nodded. “I wouldn't expect anything less.”

He held out his hand, and I shook it. The best thing about most guys – especially American ones – these sorts of conversations tended to be on the short side.

“One more thing,” Dalton added as he glanced over his shoulder toward the hallway. “A favor, actually.”

“What's that?”

The expression on his face changed to something almost like desperation. “Please don't bring her to the club in something too...revealing.” He paused a second before adding, “And please don't perform on stage. I couldn't handle that.”

I smiled, grateful it was something I wouldn't even have to think twice about. “No worries. I won't be letting anyone look at your sister like that.”

He scowled at me. “Except you.”

I grinned. “Except me.”

He sighed. “I suppose that will have to do.”

“What will have to do?” Kyndall asked as she came back into the living room.

“Nothing,” Dalton said quickly. “Dean and I were just having a discussion.”

“Really?” She raised an eyebrow.

“It's okay,” I said, holding my hand out to her. “We've worked things out.”

“You have?” She looked at Dalton.

“We have,” he said. “Now, let's go open that bottle of wine and help Juliette get dinner on the table.”

And that, apparently, was that.

---