Page 118 of Dangerous Encore

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"I'm not sureaboutthat."

He drags his fingertips over my shoulders. "You'rebaitingme."

I nod. "Is itworking?"

"Take your pants off if you want tofindout."

* * *

Iwaketo Mal making breakfast in the kitchen. He's still in his boxers and t-shirt. The thin cotton is straining to cover his broadshoulders.

Damn, that's a nice view ofhisass.

The man is sculptedperfection.

And the tattoos coveringhisarms—

I never get used to how hotheis.

He turns to me with anI know you're checking me outsmile.

I can't help but smile back. He's here, in our kitchen, making breakfast. It's normal.Domestic.

I go through my morning routine then make my way to the dining table. There's a steaming cup of green tea waiting for me. And scrambled eggs, with spinach and avocado, ofcourse.

Mal slides into the seat across from mine. He motions to our plates. "Sayit."

"Saywhat?"

"Bullshitwhat?"

"You mean something about how no normal person chooses to eatspinach?"

He smiles. "Aboutthat."

I wrap my hands around my mug and take a long sip of my tea. "Oh, that." Mmmm, this is perfect Jasmine Pearl. It's floral and delicate and sweet. "Why's that matter? We both know you're notnormal."

"You woundme,baby."

"Youlikeit."

He tries to play coy, but his smilebetrayshim.

I soak in the feeling of being in the same place at the same timeashim.

Why give up even a second of this to deal with myparents?

They're not nearly as compelling as Mal's piercingblueeyes.

Or his sly half-smile.

Or his chest piece tattoo, the one he gotforme.

They're not as compelling as anythingaboutMal.

I play with my fork. I've been telling myself I'm happy with Mom out of my life. But at the end of the day, I'm still the fourteen-year-old who wants to tell Mommy about herboyfriend.

I look back to Mal. "I think I need to do it. I think I need to call myparents."

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