“I can go anywhere I’ve a need to.”

For some reason that made her smile and hold out her plate, offering him some of her pecan pie.

He took a forkful. “So you want to live in Europe?”

“Sure.” She grabbed another small plate, this time taking a slice of the lemon meringue. “Then again—”

“All right,” Eggie cut in, starting to get fed up. “If you had to choose—big city? Small city? Small town?”

She looked off, thought a moment, then replied with a grin, “Any of those!”

Sighing, Eggie picked up the plate of chocolate cream pie and focused on that.

“Today’s Saturday, right?” Darla asked while she put the empty plates and forks in Eggie’s hands.

“Will be in another ten minutes.”

“Hmmm.”

“Why?”

She carefully folded the old sheet, making sure not to get any crumbs on the bed. “I think there’s a big outdoor concert today. A few great bands.”

“Where?”

“Some mountains.”

He closed his eyes, took a moment. “Could you be a little more specific, darlin’?”

“Ummm . . . big mountains?”

Eggie stared down at her, his bright eyes narrowing a bit. Then he carefully placed the plates down on the dresser. Giggling, Darla backed up. “Eggie . . .”

“Come here.”

“No.”

“Darla—”

Darla squealed and ran, still holding that stupid sheet, but she didn’t even make it to the stairs. Eggie swept her up in his arms and easily carried her back to his bedroom, while she wiggled and laughed and weakly tried to get away from him.

He pulled the sheet from her hands and tossed it to the floor.

“Careful!” she squeaked. “You’ll get crumbs on the floor.”

“So?”

“Eggie Smith! I’m not going to spend all day cleaning up this house.”

“Okay.”

“It’s not okay. You leave crumbs lying around, you’ll attract vermin. I’m not staying in a house with vermin.”

“But we can hunt ’em when we’re bored. Like little treats.”

Darla began to respond to that disgusting suggestion when Eggie suddenly placed her feet on the bed. He turned her around to face him, his hands resting on her hips. “So you want to go to this music thing?”

“Some good bands.”

“You should be staying put here. Where it’s safe.”

“Why? Whoever attacked me attacked me in North Carolina. Why would they come to Tennessee?”

“Because that’s what people who come after people do.”

“Even wolves eventually give up on an elkif it keeps moving.” She put her arms around his shoulders, crossing them at the wrists, and smiled down at him. “Besides, it’ll be fun.”

“I don’t have fun.”

Darla giggled. “It seemed like you were having fun with me not too long ago.” She kissed his cheek and whispered, “Want to have some more fun?”

“Yes, but—”

“Why is there a but to that? There shouldn’t be a but to that.”

“You’re probably a bit sore, is all. You should rest or somethin’.”

Darla kissed Eggie again. She really enjoyed kissing him. “You’re just the nicest, sweetest man in the whole wide world, Egbert Ray Smith.”

“And you’re the only person who’s ever said that to me.”

“They just don’t understand you.”

“And you do?”

“Of course!”

“And you like me anyway?”

“Very much.” She placed her hands on his cheeks. “Can’t you tell?”

“Wanted to be sure.”

“You can be sure.” She smoothed her hands down his neck, his shoulders.

“Stop looking at me like that, Darla Mae.”

“What way?”

He smirked. “You know what way. And we should go to sleep.”

“I’m not sleepy.”

“Darla Mae.”

It meant a lot to her that he never wanted to hurt her, but she was a She-wolf with needs. “How about we play inappropriate touching?”

“Inappropriate what?”

Darla dragged her hands down Eggie’s chest. “Let me show you . . .”

CHAPTER NINE

Darla woke up in a great mood. It was a beautiful summer day, she had the most handsome wolf she’d ever met asleep beside her, and she’d just had the most amazing night of her life. All was wonderful.

Sticky from sweat and, well . . . other things, Darla eased out of bed and went to the bathroom. She showered, brushed her teeth, and came back to the bedroom. Eggie was awake now, staring up at the ceiling.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothin’.”

“You sure?”

“Yep.”

She accepted what he said and dug out some clean clothes from the bag her sisters had left for her. He wasn’t a man she wanted to push unnecessarily. He’d tolerate it, but he shouldn’t have to.

“How about breakfast?” she asked.

“I should take you out somewhere.”

“Why? I have what we need for a yummy breakfast.”

“I should have taken you to dinner last night. Bought ya flowers. Maybe some chocolates.”