“Why? You ashamed of your new boyfriend?”

“He’s not my boyfriend.”

“I’m not?”

Shocked, Ronnie turned to a pouting Shaw. “What?”

“Oh my God! This is the most amazing thing I’ve ever tasted.”

Ignoring Dez’s orgasmic reaction to their dessert, Ronnie leaned forward. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m hurt. I got the marriage license for nothing.”

“The marriage—Have you lost your mind?”

“I already added you to my will. And, of course, our future snaggle-toothed children. All ten of them.”

Sissy laughed so hard she cried, and Dez banged her free hand on the table. “Freakin’ amazing. This chocolate has to be imported.”

Shaw motioned to the waiter for the check. “Why don’t we go back to the hotel and talk about this and start the breeding process immediately. No more pills for you, and the condoms can go too.”

“Not on your damn life, cat!” One gold eyebrow perked up at the slightly hysterical sound to her voice, and Ronnie cleared her throat. “We’re going to the club with the Pack. Remember?”

“Oh?” The pout returned. “I guess. If you really want to.”

Damn tricky cats!

“And ya know, this cake,” Dez continued, completely oblivious, “it’s completely flourless. Amazingly dense. And rich.”

“I guess if you’re insisting.” Shaw grinned, acting like he won something. “We’ll go hang with your Pack.”

“I’ll get you for this.”

“Yeah,” he agreed. “Tonight.”

Dez pointed her spoon at the bowl. “The candy…I think it’s imported dark chocolate. I’m betting 72 percent cocoa. You do know this is evidence of God?”

Shaw let out a sigh of satisfaction. “You know, Detective, I have to say I’m going to enjoy you being part of the Llewellyn family.”

Chapter Eleven

“H e likes you so much,” Sissy enthused, ignoring yet another one of Ronnie’s sighs. “Aren’t I right, Daria? He can’t keep his damn hands off her.”

“Yup,” Daria agreed. “He’s always touchin’ her. Flirtin’ with her. I didn’t know cats could be so friendly.”

“Me either. I think he’s sweet as hell. Don’t be stupid, Rhonda Lee. You gotta keep this one.”

“But he’s a cat,” Marty added. “The Reed boys ain’t gonna like that none.”

“It don’t matter if he’s cat or wolf. Reed boys won’t like any male getting too close to their baby sister. And that’s a fact.”

“Can we talk about this some other time?” Ronnie growled.

“Lord, girl. What are you doin’ in there?”

Yelling through the bathroom stall door while she hovered over a toilet no amount of money or protective sheetsof paper would ever allow her to sit on, “I am tryin’ to pee!”

“Well hurry up. We need to analyze this.”

“I don’t want to analyze anything. And move away from the goddamn door.”

They did, allowing Ronnie to finally pee in peace. Once done, she stormed out of the stall and over to the sinks. She washed her hands and Sissy sat on the counter.

“You like him.”

Ronnie took the paper towels Marty handed her. “Yes. I like him. So?”

“Then don’t do anything stupid, Ronnie. He really likes you. I can tell.”

“Leave it alone, Sissy Mae.”

“Tell her, Marty.”

Marty folded her arms over her chest. “I have faith Ronnie will make the right decision without our help.”

Suddenly feeling smug, Ronnie tossed the wet paper towel into the trash can and headed toward the door. “And stop trying to get me to drink tequila tonight.”

“Might get you to loosen up a bit.”

“Do you remember the last time you said that to me?”

“No, but—”

“We were in Prague. ‘Loosen up,’ you said. ‘What can it hurt?’ you said.”

They entered the hallway, pushing past some of the most beautiful humans in the world like they were no more than bums on the street.

“Are you still not over that?” Sissy sighed.

“Do you think a Prague jail is fun? It’s not.”

“That was not my fault. Perhaps you forgot the hyenas that were involved.”

“I forget nothing, Sissy Mae Smith. So unless you want me to shove a glass of tequila up your ass, you’ll stop bugging me.”

Brendon nursed his drink and tried to ignore the make-out session going on next to him at the bar. Eventually, he had to look past the couple at Smitty, who stood on the other side. He raised an eyebrow, and Smitty gave a slow easy grin that must have had females passing out at his feet.

The wolf turned and rested his elbow against the bar, focusing on the couple. Brendon mirrored him and they both watched until Dez’s eyes snapped open and she looked at the two men staring at her.

With an incredibly strong shove for a human, she pushed Mace off her. “Why don’t I go see if I can find a booth or something.” She practically sprinted off, and Mace Llewellyn glared at them. “Bastards.”

He stormed off after his female and Smitty moved to the stool next to Brendon, which kind of surprised the cat. Actually, the whole night had been a surprise. The Packs Brendon had met since owning the hotel had been barely tolerable, and some had been downright violent. But Smitty and his Pack really didn’t seem to give a shit about him and Ronnie. He appreciated that, because the more time he spent around that woman, the more his feelings for her grew. But he only had to take one look at her face to know the thought of anything remotely permanent freaked her the hell out.