“Oh, wow. Wasn’t his dad sheriff?”

“Yup. And now Gabe Anderson is sheriff.”

“Does that make him Marshal?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. We’ve only been running the Pride for a few months, so we’re not completely set up yet. Max knows instinctively who’s supposed to fill what slots, and when the time comes, he’ll clue them in. And, trust me, it will be obvious.” He glared down at her. “In the meantime, we make sure you don’t eat any more presents not handed to you by either myself or Max and Emma.

Okay?”

“Okay.” She stroked his cheek, knowing he was being so grouchy because he was so upset. He relaxed visibly, nuzzling her hand. “Better get dressed and order in that pizza. I’m starving.”

“You’re always starving.” He stood and dropped the towel, grinning over his shoulder at her when she wolf-whistled. He made a big production out of pulling on his underwear and jeans, wiggling his butt and waggling his eyebrows until she collapsed onto the bed with a fit of the giggles. With a big, smacking kiss on her lips he left the bedroom to order in dinner.

Becky heard the pizza guy before he rang the bell, and grinned. “Pizza’s here.”

Simon’s stomach rumbled under her, making her laugh. He’d pulled her on top of him and cuddled her while they watched the cartoon DVDs she’d shoved into one of her bags.

With a groan he gently pushed her off him and went to answer the door. The sight and scent of the white boxes had her mouth watering. He carried the food into the kitchen, frowning slightly when she got up and followed him.

“One for you, one for me?” Becky was so hungry she could easily picture eating an entire pizza.

“Breadsticks.”

Becky handed Simon the plates. He loaded them with pizza and breadsticks while she poured them both tall, frosty glasses of soda. They headed back to the couch to eat. Simon popped another DVD into the player.

“Man, I’m starving.” Hot, cheesy goodness melted in her mouth, causing her to moan in appreciation.

“God, that’s good.” She sighed in bliss just before taking another bite.

The opening strains of the WB’s Animaniacs filled the small space. She grinned as Simon dropped next to her onto the sofa with a contented sigh. They sat and ate pizza, laughing at the antics of the Warner Brothers and their sister, Dot, until all of the pizza and breadsticks were gone. When Becky stood to get rid of their empty plates and glasses Simon turned the TV off.

“Bedtime.”

Simon’s husky purr sent a shiver down her spine. “Think I’m up for games tonight, big guy?”

“Considering the amount of food you just ate you should be fine.”

She glared up at him as his arms came around her waist. “Are you saying I made a pig of myself?”

He tried to look innocent and failed miserably. “Not at all. I’m just saying I’ve seen high school linebackers eat less.”

He laughed when she punched him in the arm. She shook her stinging hand. “Ow!”

“Poor baby. Did you hurt your hand?”

“Shut up, Simon.”

“Want me to kiss it and make it better?”

“How about you kiss my ass instead?” Becky screeched, giggling madly as Simon picked her up, took her over to the couch and put her face down. Her face flamed as Simon kissed her butt with a loud smacking sound. “Simon!”

“Hey, you told me too.” Laughter threaded through his voice.

She looked over her shoulder. “Jerk.”

She felt him undo the snap on her jeans. “Go ahead. Tell me to kiss your ass again.” He lowered the zipper, his grin heating. Gold danced in his eyes. “I dare you.”

She shivered as one of his hands slipped under the waistband of her jeans and caressed her ass.

“Simon?”

“Yeah, baby?”

“Your phone is ringing.”

He paused and, sure enough, the phone rang. He waited to see who was calling. When the caller hung up he shrugged. “Thank God for answering machines.” He pulled her jeans down her legs, sighing happily at the sight of the pale blue thong separating the globes of her ass. “Damn, woman. I love your ass.”

“Yeah, sure.”

He nipped one of the soft globes, suckling until he’d left a mark. “That’s better.”

She started to laugh. “Damn it, that tickles!”

“Oh, really?” He gasped in mock surprise. “Look! Another one!” He bent down and nipped and sucked until he’d added his mark. “There. That’s better.”

The male satisfaction in his tone only made her laugh harder. “Simon!”

“What?”

“Knock it off!”

“What will I get if I do?”

“Chocolate?”

He petted her ass again, then smacked it. Hard.

“Ow!” She sat up, glaring at him. “What the hell was that for?”

“A reminder.” He stripped off his shirt, his eyes turning completely gold.

“Of what?”

“Not to take candy from strangers, little girl.”

“Ass wipe.”

“Want me to kiss it and make it better?” He stripped off his jeans, leaving them where they fell. He stood there only in his briefs, his erection twitching behind the white cotton.

Becky couldn’t tear her gaze away from his cock. There was a damp spot on the front of the briefs, letting her know exactly how turned on he was. “What?”

He laughed, the sound low and rough. He pulled her jeans the rest of the way off her body, then began to crawl up her.

She backed up until she hit the backrest. “Simon?”

He licked her belly.

“Simon?”

His hands slowly began to push her shirt up, the calluses rough against her skin.

“Oh, boy. Simon?”

When his hands touched her naked breasts they both moaned. “No bra. Damn, baby.” He thumbed her nipples under her shirt. He pushed it up impatiently, leaning over her to suck a nipple into his mouth.

“Mmm.” She clutched his head, her fingers tangling in his hair. The pleasure his mouth was giving her shot through her body. She spread her legs wider, enjoying his groan when she pushed her hips up against his. She could feel his erection pulse through the thin material of their underwear.