Page 230 of Dangerous Encore
"Yeah-huh." He wraps his arms around her. Brings his hands toherass.
Ethan clears his throat. "Take itoutside."
"They're cute." Violet takes his hand and rests her head on his shoulder. "But he's right. Clothes stayonhere."
Joel throws them a middle finger without breaking fromhiskiss.
Bella is more polite. She pulls back with a demure smile. "We'llbegood."
"Speak for yourself, angel." Joel winks. He turns to me. "Is anybody gonna say some words? 'Cause I gotafew."
OhGod.
"Nothing bad, I promise." He winksatKit.
Kit nods. "Is there any way tostopyou?"
"Fuck no." Joel slides his arms around Bella's waist. He turns toward us. "I've known Lockhart since he was a kid. I've seen him through a lot of shit. But I've never seen him happy like this. You're good for him, Piper. Don't let himforgetthat."
I can't help but laugh. "Iwon't."
He looks to Kit. "Don't fuckitup."
Kit nods. "Sageadvice."
Everyonelaughs.
It may not be lyrical, but it is sageadvice.
Joel's smile spreads over his cheeks. "Now, that I've got that shit out of the way." He nods to a giant pink gift bag in the corner of the room. "Three years with Lockhart. I know he's got the tongue piercing, but you must lust after a littlevariety."
"I must…" Oh… Godhelpme.
"You two get to the whips and chains yet?"Joelasks.
"No." I bite my tongue. I will not react. I will notreact.
Iwon't.
This is what hewants.
Like a child throwing atantrum.
It isn't working. I'mblushing.
And Joel is laughing. "You don't fool me with that shit, Pipes. I know you aren't as innocent as youleton."
"How innocent is that?" I take another bite of cake to swallow down my awkwardness. It's annoying being marked as the naïve one, but looking around thisgroup—
They're a bunch of fifthlyperverts.
Maybe Iamtheinnocentone.
It'sbullshit.
But I can livewiththat.
"Baby, I'm not sure your idea of innocence is in step with most people's." Bella squeezes her husband's waist. "Do you have to torture Piper the night before herwedding?"
