has gone to shit, and all I can think about is fucking a little blonde on her classroom desk. I have so many bigger issues at the moment, but since that mind-blowing kiss, that’s the one that’s occupying my thoughts day and night. I can’t believe I turned her down when she asked me out. I don’t know how I made my mouth say no when all it wants to do is kiss her again. I’ve never been such a basket case.
I keep telling myself getting involved with Adri is a mistake. Nothing good is going to come of it. We need to lay low. In this backwater town, dating my brother’s schoolteacher is scandalous enough that it will definitely get me noticed.
But she’s just so damn sweet.
So Danni is my unsuspecting victim today. She doesn’t deserve what I’m dishing out. She digs deeper when I come at her this time and manages to deflect my punch.
“Hell on wheels, Davidson, what the fuck is with you today?” she says through her mouth guard.
I spit mine out, hold up my hands. “Nothing.”
She cuffs out a sardonic laugh. “Yeah, that’s why my cheek is going to look like a pomegranate by tonight.”
I pull off my headgear, hold it up. “You should get gear that fits you better.”
“Or I should partner with a trainee who isn’t trying to kill me,” she mutters, pulling off her ill-fitting headgear.
I untie my grappling gloves and yank them off. “Speaking of which, how am I doing?”
It’s Wednesday of my second week of training. I’ve spent three to four hours a day on the mats and in the office, watching training films on risk assessment and protocol. None of it’s new to me except the part in my employment contract about not asking celebrities for photo ops or autographs. Not an issue. They don’t impress me much.
“How do you think you’re doing?” Danni asks with a smirk.
I let my sarcastic smile spread. “Well, based on the pomegranate on your face, I’d say I’m holding my own.”
Her hand goes self-consciously to her cheek. “Bastard.”
“You’re more than holding your own, Mr. Davidson,” Elaine says, sauntering up to the mat with a garment bag over her shoulder. “Your uniform came in.”
I reach for it and unzip the bag. Inside are two Men in Black–style suits complete with narrow black ties, four white dress shirts, four pairs of black socks, and a pair of shoes.
“No matter the function, rock concert, charity ball, private dinner, this is your uniform. You will always be clean and pressed. We cover one replacement suit and three new shirts every year. Dry cleaning is on you.”
I zip the bag. “So when will I be ready for these rock concerts, charity balls, and private dinners?”
“Your training is up Friday, so I expect next week, if you think you’re ready.”
“I’m ready.”
I get cleaned up and head to school to pick up my little brother. He spills out of the room with his classmates and keeps his head down as he shuffles toward our car. I’m about to make a clean escape when Adri steps into the doorway. Her eyes meet mine and her mouth puckers slightly, and I’m hit by a bolt of lightning. Her eyes follow me as I pull onto the road, and it takes every shred of willpower I have not to slam on the brakes, charge into that classroom, throw her onto her desk, and kiss the shit out of her.
I crank the stereo for a distraction. It doesn’t work. I’m still thinking about her ten minutes later when I open the door to the house. My nose is met with the comforting aroma of simmering Bolognese sauce. Crash and Burn trip us on the way through. Sherm scoops Burn into his arms while Crash circles his feet.
That’s when I notice the green paw prints Crash is leaving behind on the wood floor. I follow them to Ulie’s bedroom. The floor is covered with newspaper, the furniture draped in green-spattered white sheets. Three walls are already bright green. Ulie’s standing on her dresser with a paint roller in her hand.
“What are you doing?”
She turns and grins when she hears my voice. “Painting.”
“Obviously. Why?”
She sets the roller in the pan next to her and pushes her hair off her face, leaving a green smudge across her forehead. “Why not? This place needs some color. Oh, and Crash peed on the floor twice today.”
I look at the green dog tracks. “I think the floor has bigger issues