Page 71 of Fiery Romance

“Did too. I heard daddy and Uncle Cody talking about it.”

My eyebrows hike. Clay’s son is a bad boy? Huh. I didn’t think anyone in Clay’s family would have the guts to go against him.

“What’d you get kicked out for?” I wonder out loud.

Abe gives me a funny look.

Before he can answer, Clay thunders down the stairs.

“Daddy!” Regan rushes toward him, legs pumping and arms outstretched.

Like his son, Clay’s expression softens on sight. It’s clear this tiny girl with the giraffe-themed leggings has these boys wrapped around her little finger. I smile when Clay picks up his daughter and gives her a kiss. Then I glance down at Abe.

The little boy grips his broomstick tightly and stares at the floor.

My mind starts churning. What is that look about?

“I heard you’d arrived,” Clay says, approaching me. Maybe it’s the lighting or the rolled up sleeves or the fact that Regan’s in his arms, but he looks sexy as hell. Growly and stubborn and way too controlling, but it doesn’t matter to my hormones.

I pin my legs together.Bad Reproductive Hormones. Down, girl.

Technically, it wouldn’t be cheating to date someone. Taz and I agreed to have an open relationship, but I haven’t been interested in anyone since Taz left.

And I certainly can’t be interested in Clay Bolton.

Bolton’s molten eyes remain on mine, pure blue and prettier than a cloudless sky.

Exactly why can’t it be him again?

My tongue slides out along my bottom lip, trying to moisten my too-dry mouth. His eyes gleam as he watches my tongue’s journey and I wonder if I’m having a heat stroke.

“Dad,” Abe steps in front of me and almost angrily stabs his broom into the floor, “I did everything that janitor guy asked me to. I didn’t even complain. Can Ipleasego to rehearsals?”

Clay’s eyes shift from me to his son. “No. You’re not to set foot on campus.”

“They’ll make an exception for the play.” He pleads. “I’ve already missed two rehearsals. I can’t miss any more or they might give my part to the understudy.”

“You should have thought of that when you accepted that cigarette.”

“You’re so unfair.”

“Life is unfair,” Clay barks. “Everything you do has consequences. You need to think about that before you make any more stupid decisions.”

I flinch.

Abe scowls. His hand is trembling so hard, I think he’s going to fling the broom down. After a long, drawn-out staredown with his dad, Abe stalks off.

Holy crap, that was tense.

“Thank you for dropping off Regan,” Clay says harshly. His eyes are on his son. I see the love there, but also the stubbornness. Without another word, he turns and heads up the stairs with his daughter.

I’m dismissed.

But I don’t leave.

I can’t.

Instead, I sneak behind him into an office that’s more princess than prickly military man. It’s clear this space—like my office back at the salon—has been Regan-ified.

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