“Well . . .”

But Ricky Lee had already eased her down on the bed until she was cuddled up next to him and at that point she didn’t really feel like saying anything else. Besides, what could a five-minute break hurt anyway?

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

“Breakfast, Toni.”

Toni turned over at the sound of her baby brother’s voice; Freddy’s small hand was patting her shoulder.

“It’s okay,” she told him. “I had breakfast on the plane.”

The patting stopped and there was a long pause before Freddy said, “That was yesterday.”

Toni shot up into a sitting position, her eyes trying to focus as she blinked. She searched for the alarm clock in her room. After a few seconds, she got her eyes to read the numbers.

“It’s six thirty? A.M.?”

Freddy nodded. “Uh-huh. Mommy made you waffles and bacon.” Freddy smiled. “I’m so glad you’re home.”

Toni smiled at her brother. “Me, too.”

He walked to the door, stopped, and said over his shoulder, “You’re invited, too, Mr. Reed.”

“Just call me Ricky Lee.”

“Okay, Ricky Lee.”

Her brother walked out and Toni spun around, landing on her knees. “You were here the whole night?”

Yawning and scratching his head, the big wolf rolled onto his back. “I guess so.”

“What the hell were you thinking?”

“That I was tired . . . that you were tired . . . that we were tired.”

“But you were here all night. And in my bed. And Freddy saw us!”

Resting on his elbows, Ricky raised himself up. “It’s not like we were naked.”

“That’s not the point. Once Freddy knows, the world will know.”

Ricky shrugged. “Don’t make me no never mind.”

“Well it does to me.”

“That ’cause you’re ashamed to be seen with me?”

Surprised by the question, Toni immediately replied, “Of course not!”

“You sure? I know most of your friends are important artists and musicians. I ain’t nothin’ but a good ol’ wolf from Tennessee.”

“Your accent certainly does get thick when you’re trying to make me feel guilty.”

“Is it working?” He reached over and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close. Laughing a little when she fell into him.

Toni braced her hands against his chest but didn’t try too hard to pull away.

“I swear,” he said, gazing at her mouth, “I didn’t mean for this to happen. I just thought we’d sleep for an hour or two. Not all day and night.”

“I was more worried about us being up all night. You know, from the change in time.”

“I think dealing with those bears justwore us out. It was the first time you could sleep without worrying.”

Toni smiled. “But that doesn’t explain why you slept so long.”

“That’s your fault.”

“My fault?”

“Snuggling up to you just makes me so dang comfortable. Why would I bother moving?” He suddenly kissed her neck before easing away from her. “Dang, those waffles smell good. Hope your momma made enough.”

“How many do you need?”

“A lot.” He got off the bed, headed toward the attached bathroom. “I’m gonna use your toothbrush.”

“Sure. Why not?”

“No need for that tone,” he teased. “You can use my toothbrush anytime you have a need.”

“Oh, well.” Toni flopped back on the bed. “When you put it like that . . .”

They walked into the kitchen together and Ricky expected the treatment he’d get from his own kin and Pack, a lot of dramatic stopping and staring, making the pair feel uncomfortable. But the jackals seemed less than interested.

“Good morning, you two,” Jackie greeted them. “Waffles and bacon for breakfast. How many do you want, Ricky? One or two?”

“Try six,” Toni stated as she reached for one of the plastic cups on the table and the pitcher of orange juice.

“No big deal.” Jackie laughed. “I had to feed that lion security guard. My God, could he eat.”

“You do know, Miss Jackie, you don’t have to feed the team.”

“I don’t mind. At least for breakfast. I don’t do lunch or dinner. That’s what takeout and delivery services are for.”

Ricky sat down at the table, nodding at the Jean-Louis Parker siblings. They continued to eat, lost in their own thoughts, it seemed. Until Kyle bit into a piece of bacon and then asked, “So Freddy tells us he caught you defiling our sister.”

Toni choked on her orange juice, quickly slapping her hand over her mouth and turning away from the table so she didn’t spray everyone sitting there.

“Well—” Ricky began, but Cooper cut him off with a raised hand.

“Kyle,” Coop said, “do you actually know what defiling means?”

“Of course I do.”

“No, you don’t,” Oriana told him.

“Shut up. I do, too.”

“You don’t know anything. You’re an idiot.”

“And you’re getting fat!”

“Kyle!” Toni, Cooper, and Cherise all yelled in unison.

“She started it!”

Jackie put a plate piled high with waffles and another plate piled with bacon in front of Ricky. Smirking, she winked at him and whispered, “Just stay away from my mate while he recovers.”