“Mace let out an exasperated sigh. “It’s bad enough we have the baby. Which I was accepting of because he’s mine.” “That’s real big of ya, hoss.”

“You’re not old enough to have a real boyfriend,” he muttered. I stiffened.“If I’m old enough to have babies, then I’m damn well old enough to have a boyfriend,” I ground out. “And just as soon as I decide on who it’s going to be, I’ll let you know.”

“I should have known better. I shouldn’t have let my guard down. That’s been a big rule of mine for the last year or so. It’s easy to get your heart broken or your shoes stolen.”

“It’s just taking some getting used to. The snarling, the hissing, the purring. Then I have to deal with it from the baby….” “Ha, ha,” Mace stated dryly.”

“That's wonderful. I do like a man that tells you right out he’s looking out for himself. Don’t we all? I don’t trust a man that says he’s not. And the man that’s telling the truth when he says he’s not I distrust most of all, because he’s and ass and an ass that’s going contrary to the laws of nature.”

“Uh…tell me, Mace. Have you actually let her in on the fact she’s yours now?” “No. But I will. She’ll simply have to deal with it.” Smitty sighed. “So says the King of the Jungle.”