Page 209 of Dangerous Encore

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"I don't want to go to Violet every time I'm not sure what you're thinking. I know it's not easy for you. It's not easy for me either. But I need you to talktome."

I nod. "It'sugly."

"That's okay. We all think ugly stuffsometimes."

"I keep hearing my dad's voice. He was so matter of fact about all guys getting bored. All guyscheating."

"Do you… Do you think about otherwomen?"

"No.Never."

"Never? Not even a little?" She arches a brow,incredulous.

"You have something to confess?" I try to keep my voice light, but it doesn't land. I never doubt Piper's faithfulness, but sometimes… Sometimes I wonder if she is on the same pageasme.

She's better off with someone who isn'tamess.

"I have thoughts." Her voice is light. Teasing. "Passing thoughts.Everyonedoes."

"Should we do someroleplay?"

Her cheeks flush. "No. Well, maybe. I've never really thought about that. You have somethinginmind?"

She's giving me a rope. A way out of thisconversation.

I need totakeit.

I can't explain this. Notrightnow.

But I need to feel closetoher.

I need her skinagainstmine.

I need to make her feel good. HoweverIcan.

I let my lips curl into a half smile. "I can be the dirty dramateacher."

Piper scrunches her nose. "Godno."

"The filthyleadingman?"

"Let mehearit."

I try my best pervert actor voice. "Baby, we should get to practicing these lines. But naked. So we actually get comfortable with each other. Clothing gets in the way of getting intocharacter."

"I can imagine someonesayingthat."

"I know.I'mgood."

"In abadway."

"Stillgood."

"True." She looked up at me as she presses her palm against my stomach. "I… This doesn't mean I'm not mad. Well, more frustrated than mad but… it doesn't mean thisisokay.

I nod. It's not okay. "Means I'mirresistible."

"You really are. It'snotfair."

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