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take him but one appointment to file
down my wolf-like eyeteeth.”
    Melissa gasped. “He did not call your eyeteeth wolfish.”
    “Not specifically, but what would you think if a dentist
offered to file them down?”
    “I’d think I’d never go out with him again.”
    “Bingo.”
    “So, what now?” Melissa asked. “Any more dates on the
horizon?”
    “I’ve had a couple of email inquiries, but after this last
date, I remember why I stopped doing this in the first place. You’re so lucky
you’re married.”
    Melissa glanced over her shoulder to where Ben dozed on the
couch. “Yeah, I felt real lucky last night when Ben went out with his friends
and didn’t get home until the wee hours this morning.”
    “At least he came home,” Allie whined. “At least you wanted
him home.”
    “Allie, I love my husband and I’m very glad I’m married, but
that doesn’t mean it’s always sunshine and roses. It also doesn’t mean I didn’t
suffer through countless awful dates.”
    “I know. I’m just feeling sorry for myself on this rainy
day.”
    Melissa unfolded herself from the pose and turned toward her
husband. “Ben’s due for some quality time with Henry, even if he does have a
raging hangover. You want me to come over? We could watch a movie, eat
something fattening, drink good wine.”
    Allie sighed. “How soon can you be here?”
    “Give me thirty minutes to shower. Pajamas okay?”
    “Pajamas required.”
    “Perfect.” Melissa hung up and crawled over to Ben. She
kissed his forehead and ran her finger down his nose. “Wake up, sleeping
beauty. You’re on duty as soon as Henry wakes up.”
    Ben stretched and let out an enormous yawn. “Did I hear you
make plans with Allie?”
    “Yes, you did.”
    “Did I also hear you tell her I was out half the night and
have a hangover?”
    “Right again.”
    He opened his eyes. They were the same chocolate brown she
fell in love with, but a little fuzzy around the edges. “Why do you tell your
friends I’m a carousing drunk who can’t hold his liquor?”
    “Because it’s the truth and it makes Allie feel better about
being without a man.”
    He scowled at her and tried to sit up, but only managed a
semi-reclined position. “I feel so used.”
    “If you hadn’t had so much to drink last night, you’d be
getting used right now.” She ran her hand up his leg.
    “I’m up now.”
    “Now I have plans.”
    “I don’t get Allie,” Ben said. He swiped his hands over his
face and yawned. “She could have a man—any man—with the snap of her
fingers. Why is she always alone and yet complaining about being alone?”
    “Come on, Ben. You know Allie. She’s the most insecure woman
I’ve ever met. She’s also incredibly picky and shy around men. She’s
uncomfortable around most men, so she ends up alone.”
    “That makes no sense whatsoever.”
    “It does when you know Allie as well as I do.” Melissa took
pity on her hurting husband and scooted behind him and began to rub his
shoulders.
    “Ummm. What did I do to deserve this?” he asked.
    “You made the very wise decision to marry me and ensure that
I’m done with dating forever.”
    Ben grabbed her hands and pulled her on top of him. “Why
don’t I help you out of these clothes?”
    “Ben…”
    “What?” He lifted her sweatshirt and yanked it over her
head. “Didn’t you say you had to shower and change?”
    Melissa struggled with loyalty as Ben drew kisses along her
jaw. The devil knew just how to tempt her.
    “We could shower together,” he suggested.
    “What if Henry woke up? We’d never hear him.”
    Ben made quick work of her jeans. “He’s in a crib. Where’s
he going to go?” He’d stripped her to her bra and panties in less than sixty
seconds. “On second thought,” he said as he pulled off his t-shirt. “We
shouldn’t waste time. Let’s do it here.”
    “God, I shouldn’t be this easy,” she moaned.
    “Nope,” he said. “That’s just the way I like