Page 121 of Dangerous Encore

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"Ofcourse,but—"

"Thendoit."

She lets out a heavy sigh as she holds up her cell. "Okay, I'll put it on speaker. But not because youdemandedit."

"No?"

"Because I think it's actually a good idea. Dad doesn't see Mom the way I do. What if I'm thecrazyone?"

"You'renot."

"We'll see, I guess." She takes a deep breath and exhales slowly. "Mal." Her voice hitches. "No funny business duringmycall."

"Funny business?" Iplaydumb.

"Funny business." She drags her fingertips up my thigh, stopping to trace the outline of my boxers overmyquad.

"What do youcallthis?"

"Ademonstration."

"And this?" I bring my hands to her hips and pull her ontomylap.

"It could goeitherway."

I can hear the smile in her voice. She's relaxing. That'ssomething.

I slide my left hand over her shoulder and down her arm. Slowly, I trace the outline of herengagementring.

It's perfectforher.

I enlisted a lot of help making sure it was perfect—Piper, Violet, Bella. I even called Lacey's East Coast BFFCarrie.

It's a beautiful ring, but it pales in comparison to her. Nothing is as bright and vibrant asLacey.

This isn't going to take away hersparkle.

I won'tletit.

I intertwine my fingers with hers. "No funny business." I make a show of placing my right hand under hers. "Unless it's whatyouwant."

"Uh-huh."

"Scout's honor," Ipromise.

She laughs. "Are you offering to tieaknot?"

"Are youasking?"

"Hmm." She shifts her hips, grinding against me. "I could beinterested."

"Could?"

"You're distracting me onpurpose."

"Why would Idothat?"

"Mhmm." She presses her cell phone into her thigh. Her posture shifts. She's curling into herself. Awayfromme.

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