Page 20 of Possessive Bodyguard Summer

Maybe that was just who Clay Wilder was.

Or maybe...

No.

I couldn't let myself wonder if it meant anything more. Ineededthis job and couldn’t afford to lose it over misreading feelings.

"I'm hungry." Kaleigh said through a yawn. “Can I have pancakes for breakfast?”

The tension evaporated instantly. And my stomach lurched.

Shit.

“I’ll…” I didn’t even have a chance to finish my sentence. Hand over my mouth, I shut the bathroom door quickly and hit the tile floor again.

This time, the bathroom door opened and when I looked up, Clay was standing at the sink wetting a washcloth to hand to me.

“I’m staying home.”

“Clay. No. Code 808 means they need you…now.Go. I’ll be fine,” I said, running the rag over my face. “I’ll get Kaleigh’s breakfast squared away and get her off to preschool. I can come back here and rest before pick-up. I’ve got this.”

Clay held out his hand and helped me off the floor. “You’ll call me if anything changes and you need me to come home?”

“Yes. Scouts honor.”

He snorted. “I highly doubt you were a girl scout.”

“Whatever,” I laughed. “Now, can I have a minute to brush my teeth?”

By the time I changed out of my pajamas and made it downstairs, Kaleigh was dressed and sitting in her usual spot at the island. Clay had two pancakes cut up on her plate for her and a hot cup of peppermint and ginger tea waiting for me.

“I gotta run, but I got her lunch packed too.” He pointed to the lunch box on the counter and kissed the top of Kaleigh’s head. “Love you kiddo. I’ll see you after work.”

“Love you too, Daddy,” she said with a mouth full of food.

Clay whistled and called out, “Maverick, fuß.”

The Belgian Malinois immediately stood and padded toward the door beside Clay. When Clay opened the door, Maverick laid down and whimpered.

“Come on, boy. Time to work.”

Mav looked back at me and Kaleigh but refused to get up.

Clay frowned. “Maverick.”

This time the dog got up and walked over to me before settling down with an unmistakablethump.

Kaleigh giggled. “Mavy wants to stay.”

“I noticed,” Clay grumbled and tried calling him again.

Maverick simply rested one massive paw across my foot.

I couldn't help laughing. “Uhm. I think he’s made up his mind.”

Clay stared at his partner for several long seconds. “Is this really how you’re going to do me, Maverick?” He turned his attention to me. “He’s never ignored a command.”

“Maybe he’s not ignoring you.” I smirked. “Looks like he just chose a new assignment.”