Page 64 of Dangerous Encore

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My thoughts dissolve as the bedroom door opens thencloses.

Joel's footsteps arequiet.

He climbs into bed and places his bodybehindmine.

He slides his arm around mywaist.

His breath is warm against my neck. His chest is hard againstmyback.

But the way he's holding me is soft. Caring.Loving.

He runs his fingers through my hair. "You sureyou'reokay?"

Maybe. "A lot onmymind."

He slides his hand over my shoulder. His fingers trace the scars on my upper arm. "Tell meaboutit."

"Later. I'mexhausted."

His voice gets low, sweet. "You seemanxious."

"Is that different thannormal?"

"No, but…" He presses his lips to my shoulders. "I have to ask this,angel."

"Shoot."

"Are you cuttingagain?"

"No."

"Youpromise."

"On my Ravenclawjersey."

His sigh is thick with relief. "You know you can tell meanything."

"I know." I swallow hard. "I will. I just… I need to sleep right now. Iloveyou."

"I loveyoutoo."

But it's still burning a hole in my brain—what the hell doIwant?

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