“Are you apologizing because you slept with me, for what you said, or maybe it’s because you hired me in the first place and realized what a mistake that was?” Her lips squeeze the water bottle, and she tilts her neck back.
Fuck, even the way she drinks water gives me a hard-on.
“Don’t put words into my mouth,” I say, grabbing the bottle from her. I take a swig, thirsty and wanting to hide the real reason for my grumpiness from her.
Why can’t I shut that part down? I shouldn’t be aching to see her naked. Hell, I’ve already seen her when we showered together and felt her when we were tangled in the sheets last night.
Clare’s eyes tighten and she brushes past me, grabbing a second water bottle from the fridge, since I was a jackass and stole hers.
She doesn’t argue. I wait for it, but it doesn’t come.
The silence is almost too much to endure.
“It doesn’t matter. I saw you on the street with that redhead.”
“What?” I can’t believe what I’m hearing.
She points at the giant windows. They have no curtains, and while they offer a magnificent view of the Eiffel Tower, they also look down on the street below.
“Are you two planning a hookup tonight?” she asks. “If you are, just tell me when and I can take Amelia out for dessert or a walk down the street.”
I swear there’s a hint of jealousy in her tone. Is that what has her riled up? Does she think I want anything to do with Avril? Because I don’t.
Avril showing up near the hotel wasn’t a coincidence. She knows this is one of the places where I stay. There are a few hotels, and each of them, I had planned on staying a few nights to expand our brand into Europe.
But traveling with Amelia across Europe seems like a lot right now, especially with Clare accompanying us. I’ll have to schedule another visit for the other individual properties when things settle down and I can give them more attention.
I need to focus on my daughter, especially if that means finding her a new nanny when we get home.
“I’m not hooking up with anyone,” I seethe as my hands bunch into fists at my sides. “I didn’t go stalking out Avril. She stumbled into us.”
“And just now, outside?”
“Less of a coincidence, but I didn’t invite her over. I want nothing to do with her.” I take a long gulp of my water, rehydrating myself. “I’m sorry that you feel insecure in what we have, but she isn’t the woman I want to fuck.”
Clare’s mouth hangs agape. “You’re a bastard,” she says, and breezes past me for Amelia’s bedroom. No doubt she’s trying to hide from me.
I don’t let her.
I grab her wrist and pull her back into my arms, spinning her around to face me. “We’re not done.”
She inhales a shaky breath, staring up at me. She glances briefly at my lips and then into my heated stare.
“I shouldn’t have said what I did at the café. I’m sorry.”
“That’s a shitty apology,” Clare says, pulling out of my grasp. “You don’t get to be a jackass and then pretend everything is fine ten minutes later. I’m still angry with you!”
Why is this woman so damn infuriating?
“I know, I get it,” I say. “But you have to see it from my side—”
“I really don’t,” Clare interrupts.
Why does she frustrate me so easily? I shouldn’t care. It was one wild and passionate night, but that was it.
Except she’s great with Amelia, and that makes me feel even more connected to her, emotionally and physically. The way that she cares about my kid, it’s a part of who she is. I can’t just walk away from that.
“I don’t accept your letter of resignation,” I say.