She shakes her head. “It’s fine. I shouldn’t have started anything here.”
I raise an eyebrow. “I thinkwestarted it. So let me ask you something. Other than getting caught, does that mean you regret our kiss?” What the hell am I doing? Why am I pushing for something that’s off limits to me?
Her pretty navy gaze meets mine. “No,” she admits. “I don’t regret it.”
Bells sound from the outside door, and we’re interrupted again. I’m beginning to learn her office is the worst place to start anything personal. Conversation or kissing.
“Rainey?” a loud male voice calls out.
She cringes and shoots me a look I can’t name. “Back here, Dad!”
NowI decipher that look.
“Why did I have to hear about someone crashing your window from Jack?” Ian Dare asks, in a combination of a paternal and pissed-off voice.
“And here we go,” she says under her breath just as her father walks into the room, her mother beside him.
“Well?” Ian asks.
“Baby, calm down,” Riley Dare insists, putting a hand on her husband’s shoulder before turning to her daughter. “Answer your father’s question,” she says. “You know you should have called us!”
“Pot, kettle.” Ian glances at his wife with an amused look.
Rainey sighs. “Because I knew how upset you’d both be. I didn’t even tell Jack!”
“That would be me,” I say with a wince. “He called this morning, and I told him.”
Rainey shoots me a glare, while Ian glances at me for the first time.
“And it’s a damn good thing you did tell him. My daughter should have let me know.”
“Okay, enough! Mom, Dad, I’m fine. There was damage to the window, but it’s being fixed. There’s nothing for you to worry about.”
I notice she doesn’t discuss the odd notes she’s received, and I’m glad I never mentioned them to Jack. I’m seeing the independent side of Rainey that must drive her overprotective father crazy. If I were a parent, I know I’d be the same way. My brain screeches to a halt. I’m stunned.Thatwas a thought I’d never had before in my life. If asked, I’d say kids were a hard no for me. After the way I grew up, I’m not sure I can bring one into this world and not worry twenty-four seven about both their safety and my ability to be a good father. It’s not like I had a decent example early on.
My gaze slides to Rainey and a weird sensation rushes through me, but I put it aside.
“I’m having a better security system installed here,” Ian says. “I’m hiring a bodyguard to watch over youandyou’re working from home from now on. Our home.”
“Dad!”
“Ian!” Riley and Rainey shout at the same time.
“Although I agree about the security system,” Rainey’s mom adds.
“The rest is overkill,” the women tell him simultaneously.
I’m watching the family dynamic, and I can’t help but smile at the warm, caring feeling I get, even with Ian’s domineering demands, and experience a pang for what I missed being raised by shitty parents who didn’t care if I came home at night, letalone if I had something to eat. But along with that painful reminder comes gratitude for the fact that I finally received all those things when the Carrases brought me into their home.
Knowing I won’t score any points with Rainey’s father, I join the conversation. “I agree. On the security system, anyway.”
“Fine.” Ian holds up two hands in surrender. “But you’re coming for dinner one night soon,” he says, pointing to Rainey. “Your mother wants a family meal.”
Beside him, Riley coughs. “Hedoes,” she mutters, and her comment breaks the ice.
Rainey relaxes and everyone laughs. “We’ll do it when Jack returns.”
“Sounds good,” her mother says.
