"No, Daniel is being mean," Summer explains. "I am on Blake's side."
"You always are though," Logan says. "Clara's a family friend, Blake."
"So was Nadine," I remind him. "At least she was about to become one before you seduced her."
Picking on my brother is an old habit, one I've honed all my life. I also look up to Logan, but that's something I rarely say out loud. It feeds his ego, and it seriously doesn't need any inflating.
"You're not me," Logan says.
"Obviously. I have better style." On a grin, I add, "And better hair."
"You have no faith," Summer complains.
"I deal in facts, numbers, and patterns." Logan grins back. "But I actually do have faith in you. Based on the latest patterns, you're on your way to becoming an honest man."
"Just to be sure, was that an insult or a compliment?"
"Compliment."
Well, well, if today isn't full of surprises. Logan's on my side, Daniel's still pissing me off. A movement in the background catches my eye. Clara's crossing the room, carrying Silas and then handing him over to his mother. She looks good with a baby in her arms.
"You have it really bad for her," Logan comments with a shit-eating grin, and I can't contradict him.
Just then, my cousin Valentina steps in the center of the room, announcing loudly, "All right, time for Landon, Fred, and me to head out again."
"Are you sure you can't stay?" Mother asks. "All the rooms are full here, but there's a small hotel about five minutes away."
"Nah, sorry, Jenna. We have to head back out tonight."
As everyone-including my trio of interrogators-shuffles through the room to say goodbye, I scan the crowd for Clara.
I find her near where the pile of presents was-now it's just a pile of wrapping paper and cartons. She's conversing with Landon and Valentina's friend, Fred. At least she's conversing, Fred is touching her. Her shoulder. Then her arm. Down her back. Then her shoulder again.
I have the sudden urge to punch the guy, and I'm not a violent person. Stalking forward, I place an arm around Clara's shoulder when I reach them.
"I was just telling Clara she can come visit. I'll happily give her a tour."
Yeah, Fred really isn't helping his case here. The urge to rearrange his face grows stronger. What the hell?
"I'll let you know when I'm planning a trip," Clara assures him. She smiles up at him, and her dimples are showing. I feel punched in the gut. I thought those sweet smiles of hers were just for me. But nope, apparently she goes around handing them out freely.
When Landon calls Fred, he takes off with a nod. I step back from Clara, surveying her.
"Why do you look pissed?" she asks.
"Fred was hitting on you."
"No, he was being nice and polite."
"Showing you around town is code for trying to get in your pants."
Clara crosses her arms over her breasts, and the corners of her lips twitch.
"You were smiling at him the way you smile at me. It's messing with my head."
"Let me get this straight. You want me not to smile at people?"
"Not people. Just men. Smile at women all you want. At my brothers too, actually. The older ones are married, and Daniel knows not to mess with you."
Clara's expression opens up in a bright smile. Yeah, there they are-those dimples. They are all mine.
"You have nothing to worry about. You're the only one who is Blakealicious."
I blink. "Huh?"
"Just made that up. The love child of Blake and delicious."
"Sounds like a bad stripper name."
"Do you know any good ones?"
"What?"
"Just testing how deep your knowledge of male strippers is."
I open my mouth, and then close it again. Where were we before? Aha, now I remember.
"Are you trying to distract me from our fighting?"
"Is it working?" Grinning, she claps her hands together.
"No. So, are we clear in the smiling department?"
She places a hand on my arm, stepping closer. Rising on her toes, she kisses my cheek, then whispers in my ear, "You're not the boss of me, Blake."
This woman! She's driving me insane.
"I'm going to say goodbye to Valentina."
"This conversation isn't over," I warn.
"Wasn't dreaming it was." When she steps away, there's an extra sway to her hips. I barely resist the urge to kiss her hard, staking my claim and showing everyone she belongs to me.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Clara