Bang (Blast Brothers #2) - Sabrina Stark Page 0,25

I did, Cami said, "Wait."

I stopped to give her a look. "Yeah?"

She lifted the pint of ice cream in her hand. "I think I owe you for this."

I wasn't following. "How so?"

"Well, the first couple of pints I bought on my own when I hit the grocery store. But ever since then, it's been showing up in the freezer." She gave the pint a worried glance. "And I know I'm the only one who eats this, so I'm wondering if I should start keeping track or something."

"Why?"

"You know, so you're not stuck paying for my extras."

I wasn't stuck. And I wasn't worried. During Cami's first week, I'd asked the cook and the housekeeper to make a note of anything new in need of stocking, and to add it to the list. Apparently, they'd noticed the ice cream and acted accordingly.

It was good to know they were doing their jobs, but I still didn't see the problem.

I told Cami, "Trust me, I can afford it." And I could. Hell, with as much money as I was making now, I could buy the whole damn ice cream factory and call it good.

But here in the kitchen, Cami said, "I know you can afford it. I'm just saying, I don't want to take advantage, that's all."

Now, I couldn’t decide if I was pissed off or touched. It had been a long time since anyone had worried about, in Cami's words, "taking advantage."

It didn't matter. I was perfectly capable of looking after my own interests. No one – and I mean, no one – took advantage of me or my family, not if I could help it.

I replied, "Wanna know what I want?"

"What?"

"For you to stop worrying about it." And with that, I turned to go.

I'd taken maybe two steps when Cami said, "Sorry, but I've got another question."

I stopped and gave her another look. I had questions, too. Like right now, I was questioning whether she realized that either her T-shirt was too thin or the temperature was too cold.

Through the pale pink cotton, I could see the faint outlines of her nipples, straining against the thin fabric. I wouldn't call it obscene, not here in private where she probably hadn't counted on company. But it was a distraction – one that I tried like hell not to notice.

But I was noticing.

She wasn't wearing a bra.

Huh. Maybe she was dressed for bed.

Silently, I compared Cami's appearance with that of the last nanny. That one had tried to get sexy. But Cami – she was sexy without even trying.

The real kicker was, it wasn't just her looks. It was the sound of her voice, the intelligence in her eyes, and the way her lips twitched when she tried not to laugh.

But she wasn't laughing now. With a little frown, she said, "So…should I ask it?"

I stiffened. Shit.

I'd gotten lost in my thoughts again. It was becoming a bad habit – one I thought I'd given up as a kid. And I hadn't been one of those since I'd been maybe ten years old.

In the kitchen, I made a forwarding motion with my hand. "Go ahead. Ask."

"Well…I'm just wondering, what's your policy on guests?"

My shoulders tightened. "My policy?"

"Yeah, I mean it's your house and all, but I was wondering if I could have someone over."

My jaw clenched. Who? Some guy?

In a careful voice, I replied, "It depends."

"On what?"

I gave her a hard look. "Who the guest is." As I said it, I envisioned Cami in her bedroom, looking like she looked now, all tousled and sexy – and with a guy who wasn't me.

I didn't like it.

Before she could get any ideas, I added, "But if you're looking to have a sleepover, forget it."

She frowned. "A sleepover? You mean like in high school, or…" Her words trailed off, and a slow blush crept up her cheeks. "Wait, you think I was asking to bring a date home? Like overnight?"

Home.

From her, the word sounded nice. But her expression wasn't as she continued, "Just what do you think I'm asking, anyway?"

"You tell me."

Her eyes narrowed. "I was asking if I could invite Arden over for coffee."

Something in my shoulders eased, and that, too, pissed me off. "She's a relative," I said. "You don't need to ask."

Cami's chin lifted. "But a few weeks ago, you reminded me that she wasn't a relative yet, so maybe I wanted to make sure."

"And you did. Anything else?"

She was glaring now. "No."

"Good," I said. "Because I leave tomorrow for Columbus. And when