Your Fierce Love (The Bennett Family #7)(46)

Of course, Blake catches on. "Where were you just now?"

"Making a to-do list for work."

"You're a terrible liar. You had a pervy look on your face."

"Takes one to know one."

"Exactly. And you cannot out-perv me, Clara. So fess up."

Licking my lips, I try to strategize my next steps. As usual, honesty seems the best policy. But I also can't help wondering what he'd do to coax an admission out of me. I decide to find out.

"What if I don't?"

He steps away from the stove, and I peek in the pan. The eggs are not at all burnt. I really need to give him more credit.

When he cages me in against the wall, parting my legs with his knee, kissing up my neck, I barely stifle a laugh.

He pulls back. "What?

"I knew you'd do this. Unleash your seductive techniques on me to coax out a confession. See? I can out-perv you," I declare proudly, after which I proceed to tell him everything.

***

At three o'clock sharp, we leave the house. Blake carries my suitcase to the car, placing it safely in the trunk while I type the destination address in the navigation system. I fight a yawn, dreading the trip. I had two coffees already with my breakfast, but I'm still tired. I dislike driving in the dark, but the sun will rise in two hours.

"You should've slept tonight," Blake says, startling me. I didn't see him join me. He's leaning against the open door, scrutinizing me. I fight harder to stifle a yawn.

"Nah, I'll stop on the road to buy another coffee. I'll manage to keep my eyes open until then."

"Don't you have an anti-sleep alarm? It makes loud noises when you veer off your track."

I've never heard of such a thing. Men and cars.

"Nope."

"I'm buying you one."

"You will do no such thing."

"I wasn't asking." He glares at me.

I glare back, unable to decide if he's being obnoxious or endearing. Upon seeing his glare melt into a concerned expression, I decide on the latter. He lowers himself until he's on my level and kisses me with unexpected heat. I wasn't aware you could infuse so much passion into a short kiss, but I have to give it to Blake-he's the master of passion no matter if he has to beguile me with it in small or large doses. The kiss jolts me awake. Maybe I should just ask him to join me, kiss me from time to time. That would guarantee I'll be awake, no coffee needed. 

"Text me when you stop for gas and then when you arrive, so I know you're safe."

"You'll be sleeping."

"No, I won't. I'll be worrying."

I melt. I can't help it. Is it wrong that I like having someone worrying about me? If I'm wrong, I don't want to be right. I like being doted on, and that is exactly what he's doing. I can't believe this is my life. However long this lasts, I'm determined to enjoy every minute of it.





CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Clara



"Let's call it a day, everyone!"

I haven't heard sweeter words in my life. It's been a long, long day, and I can't wait to crawl in my bed and sleep for twenty-four hours straight. Just kidding. I can only get in six hours of sleep before the mayhem begins again tomorrow.

I'm about to leave the set to head to the hotel when Quentin catches up to me.

"Clara! Have you seen the ratings?" he asks.

"Yes," I say proudly. "We ticked up nicely."

"Have you seen the jump S&S had?"

Oh snap. I know what's coming. S&S is a show on a rival network, and they've been featured on, wait for it-

"Our Picks featured them the week before. Talked again to Shepperd. All he wants is a rumor. He can work with that on We See You. In exchange, he'll shoo us in on Our Picks. He's hoping on some dirt on Sebastian Bennett-cheating would be best-but dirt on any of them will do."

I rub my hands down my face, itching to curl my hands around his thick neck, give him a good shake.

Quentin is a bully, and if there is one thing I know, it's that bullies only pull back when they feel the other party is more powerful. They pounce on the weak. Obviously though, since he's my boss, I can't give him a piece of my mind, but I can make my values clear.

"Quentin, you're barking up the wrong tree. Stop with this madness. This is not who I am. I don't sell people out for ratings, and I never will. Frankly, I'm not comfortable with-"

"Don't care what you're comfortable with. All I care about is ratings. You should too, if you know what's good for you."

One of the cameramen walks up to him, asking about a take, and I leave, wondering if owning an apartment really is worth having this imbecile breathe down my neck every day.

I trudge away to the hotel, feeling like I'm sleepwalking. This is the second day on the L.A. set, but I haven't had time to sleep in, and the night I spent awake with Blake is catching up to me.