“I . . . I don’t even know if I have a Little side.”
“Don’t you?” Wolfe countered calmly without looking at her. “You know that I can’t stand lies, even when you are lying to yourself.”
“This is all fast, Wolfe. Give me a break, huh?” she said tiredly.
Wolfe’s face shot up and he studied her intently. Something he saw seemed to make him back down. He gave her a nod and Caleb placed a hand around the back of her neck, rubbing away the tension.
“You’re all stiff, jelly bean. I’ll give you a rub down later. Before your nap.”
She glared up at the amusement in Caleb’s voice. She knew he was trying to lighten things up. But he didn’t need to encourage Wolfe.
“You are not helping,” she told him.
He slid up the armrest between them and drew her close, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.
Oh God.
That felt so good.
“When it comes to you, jelly bean, I think you’ll find we’re all on the same page. Wolfe might be more blunt and sometimes he bulldozes ahead, but the three of us just want what’s best for you. Including building up your health. And not just for sex.”
“Although that’s definitely part of it.” Aleki wiggled his eyebrows up and down.
She rolled her eyes at him.
“I also have a schedule for multivitamins, protein drinks, and your pain medication,” Wolfe added.
“I don’t have vitamins and protein drinks.”
“You do now,” Wolfe countered. He raised his head. “We should add water intake to that as well.”
“Oh God. Next you’ll be wanting to know how often I pee.”
“Yes, I nearly forgot about that.”
“Wolfe, I was joking,” she said desperately.
“I wasn’t.”
Next to Wolfe, Aleki had started shaking. She felt Caleb’s chest starting to move.
“Stop it, you two, and help me out here,” she demanded.
They both laughed.
Wolfe just shook his head. “Imbeciles.”
Her mind was still reeling from hurricane Wolfe when the flight attendant came up to them. Or should she say, sashayed over to them. Her hips swung with each movement. She was poised and sure-footed, despite the fact she was wearing six-inch heels.
She was blonde with a breathy voice that immediately grated on Vivi’s nerves. Her make-up was spotless and she had a body that didn’t quit. Vivi started to feel self-conscious. She knew she was scrawny. Skin and bones.
At one stage, she could have given this woman a run for her money. But that was a long time ago. Although she’d never had boobs like that. Were they real? She had no idea, but she should really do up another button or two. If she leaned over too far, Vivi was worried that they were gonna get more than an eyeful.
“Hello, Mr. Pierce, Mr. Samuels, and Mr. Callahan, it’s good to have you back on board.”
Caleb smiled. “Hello, Marilyn.”
Aleki gave her a head bob. Wolfe ignored her completely.
Then the woman’s gaze went to her, and her smile became condescending as she glanced down. It was then that Vivi realized she was still clutching Piggles and she had wolf slippers on her feet. Shame filled her.
She shrunk in even further, moving away from Caleb who shot her a concerned look before his attention was stolen by a question from Marilyn.
“What can I get you all for breakfast? I’m happy to make anything you might desire.”
Vivi scowled. She just bet she was.
“Maybe a big country breakfast for you each? I’m sure it takes a lot of food to fuel those large bodies.”
Vivi started to gag. It was just too much.
Wolfe shot out of his seat. “Are you ill? Don’t just stand there, get a sick bag,” he snapped at Marilyn, who looked affronted. Whether at his tone or his order, Vivi wasn’t sure.
She shook her head. “I’m fine. Just felt a bit nauseous.”
“Here, have some water,” Caleb told her. He undid the bottle, but instead of handing it to her, he held it to her mouth. “Small sips. That’s it.”
She glanced up at Marilyn and saw the way she glared at her.
“Better?” Caleb asked, wiping away a drop of water with his finger.
“Yes, thank you.”
“Perhaps you need to go lie down,” Marilyn suggested. “Quarantine yourself. If you have a stomach bug, I’m sure you don’t want to give it to the rest of us.”
“I’m fine,” Vivi retorted. “Just a little nauseous. Nothing serious.”
“It’s probably because your stomach is empty,” Wolfe muttered. “You’re sure you’re not pregnant?”
“Yes, Wolfe, I’m sure,” she said. Hard to be pregnant when you haven’t had sex in years.
Marilyn giggled at something Aleki said to her and she narrowed her gaze at how close the other woman stood to him.
Not. Cool.
“Okay, well, you need to eat. Something soft on your stomach.” Wolfe drew out the list of food and she groaned. Yep. Her next mission was to get rid of that list. Then the notebook.
“Genevieve will have porridge with whole milk. None of that skim crap. Honey. Walnuts. Raisins. A side bowl of fresh fruit salad. No apples, she doesn’t like apples. And a glass of orange juice.”
She sought for patience. “Actually, I’ll just have some toast with chocolate spread.”
Marilyn pulled a face. “Really?”
“Really.”
“Chocolate spread isn’t on the list,” Wolfe said.
She knew by the look on his face, he wasn’t going to budge.
Wolfe shows his affection by doing things. He’s a man of action.
And she needed to learn to pick her battles.
“I’m not sure we have chocolate spread,” Marilyn said snootily. “I usually only stock it when children fly. Which is rather rare.” She gave Piggles another pointed look. “If you’d told me, I’d have stocked up.”
“Not your fault,” Caleb told her.
Seriously. Could he not see what a bitch she was being?
“Fine, porridge it is. I need coffee though.”
Wolfe scowled. “No coffee.”
Oh no he didn’t. There had to be a place where she drew the line. And it was here. He could make her eat porridge, but he could not make her give up coffee.
“Yes, coffee.”
He harrumphed. “It’s not on the list.”
“Coffee, Wolfe.”
“Fine. If you eat something first you can have coffee.”
“Shit. Did Wolfe just compromise?” Aleki whispered. “Never thought I’d see the day. Are you a wolf whisperer?”
She giggled as Wolfe gave them both a disgusted look. Marilyn just appeared confused.
The three of them all ordered eggs and bacon. Only Aleki also ordered pancakes. And toast.
“Is that everything, Mr. Pierce?” she asked Caleb.
“Yes, thanks, Marilyn, and please, call me Caleb.”
“If you insist.” She brushed her ass against his arm as she turned. His only saving grace was that he pulled his arm back.
Vivi glared after her.
“Vivi, everything okay?” Caleb asked.