“She did an excellent job, dear. We have a new water heater now. A waterless water heater. I plan to examine it tomorrow.”“No!” his entire family said, making him jump.Even the granddaughter on his lap looked up into his face and said with the solemn wisdom of a four-year-old, “Don’t, Grandpa.”

“Okay. Let's see what we've got." He lifted up her foot and said, "Well, what we've got here is a freakin' boat."Really?" She slammed her heel against the side of his face, snapping his head to one side. "How big are they now, Mitch?"Rubbing the abused side of his face, "Dainty little elf feet?""Exactly.”

“Don’t be that way, Ric.” She grabbed hold of Ric’s T-shirt and pulled him over until his weight rested against her. She placed her hand against the back of his neck and lowered his head, placing it against her chest. Using her fingers, she eased around and found the swelling knot at the base of his skull and carefully placed the bag of ice there. “Doesn’t that feel better?”He grunted a little, his arms now wrapping around her waist, his face burrowing deep against her breast. After a moment, he settled and said, “Now it does.”Dee rolled her eyes in disgust. Honestly, wolves took any advantage they could get. At their core—they were all the same.Horny, pathetic, and cute.”

“I have iced tea, dear. Or beer?” “Maybe a saucer of milk?” Gwen and Alla looked over at Lock and he immediately pointed at his father. “It was him,” he lied.”

“It wasn’t until someone kicked his legs that Nik woke up. Alek, snoring beside him, his head resting on his shoulder. Ban snoring on the other couch, the noise rivaled only by the dog. He looked into the impossibly cranky face of Zach Sheridan. “Y’all get food?” “We had a full refrigerator before you three got here.” “Where I come from, we don’t let the refrigerator get empty.” “Where you come from, you marry your sister.”

“He’d just poured himself a hot cup of coffee, his mouth already watering as he brought the mug to hislips.“Oh, thanks, sweetie.” And like that, the cup was gone.He glared down at the female who dared take his coffee. The life-giving elixir was his! Then he noticedshe was fully dressed.“You’re leaving?” Damn. And he really did have plans for that adorable little ass.“Oh, yeah.” She sipped the coffee and grimaced. “Geez. Battery acid.” It suddenly occurred tohim…She was perky. Who was perky at five-thirty in the morning?Good Lord!Morning people were perky at five-thirty in the morning!”

“Dee-Ann came back in the hallway and both men stopped and stared at her. “Just came back to get some water out of the fridge.” When neither man said anything to her, she asked, “Somethin’ wrong?” Ric stepped forward. “How many children do you want?” Lock grabbed Ric by his hair and yanked him back, slamming him into the front door. “Ow!”