Page 34 of Possessive Bodyguard Summer

He smiled again. “I admit nothing.” Then he turned around, picked up a plate of food that was sitting next to the stove and handed it to me. “Eat while it’s still warm.”

I sat down next to Kaleigh but kept watching Clay closely. “I didn’t make you late for work, did I?”

He shook his head. “I’ve got the day off. Needed to take care of some things around the house.”

“Clay,” I sighed.

I hated feeling like I needed to apologize, again, for everything.

“Don’t. I know what you're thinking."

My brows pulled together. "You do?"

"Yeah." He leaned against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest. "You're that I took the day off to keep an eye on you two.” The look he was giving me now, said he was choosing his words carefully because Kaleigh was sitting right there.

“You’re not?”

“You mean, I didn’t take the day off so that you two couldn’t sneak off and get a milkshake without me?” He winked. “Oh I absolutely did.”

“Milkshakes!” Kaleigh squealed.

“Later, kiddo. Maybe after lunch.”

“This time, Mavy needs his own so he doesn’t steal my whipped cream,” Kaleigh huffed.

“Of course he does.” Clay rolled his eyes and pointed at me. “Thatis all you.”

“How was I supposed to know he really liked whipped cream?” I feigned innocence.

“I took the day off because I wanted to.”

“Because of me.”

“Because of my family.”

My heart skipped a beat.

Clay seemed to realize what he'd said, but instead of backtracking, he doubled down.

"You and Kaleigh are my priority."

Before I could figure out what to say, Kaleigh gasped dramatically.

"I knew it!"

Both of us turned toward her. She pointed between us with a triumphant smile. "You’re being weird again."

Clay looked toward the ceiling like he was asking for patience before looking back at her. “Kaleigh, go brush your teeth and get dressed.”

“Whatever you say…weirdo!”

That time, Clay just shook his head. “I can’t win.”

“You should probably stop trying,” I added.

Once she was out of earshot, Clay moved closer and rested a hand on my shoulder. The simple touch nearly undid me because there was no hesitation on his part. No uncertainty. No second guessing.

"Are you sure you're okay?"