Controlled Burn (Blackbridge Security 8)

“Okay,” I agree even though I don’t feel like it’s the right thing to do.

I’ve learned enough about Kendall to know that she doesn’t back down. She doubles down, and going by the look in her eyes, this subject won’t be the one she finally caves on.

“What are your plans for the day?”

“Cleaning this disaster area,” she says, looking between the kitchen and living room. “This afternoon, I have an appointment to go look at a house.”

“Today?” The words come out snappy, filled with disbelief.

“I said I was looking for a place.”

“But I thought you were a ways away from being able to buy.”

“I found something on the southside.”

“Where exactly on the southside?”

She narrows her eyes at me as if she’s already preparing for my argument.

“Does it matter?”

“Of course, it matters,” I snap. “I don’t want you living in fucking College Hill or Benton Park West.”

“Have you been to either of those neighborhoods lately?”

“I avoid them at all fucking costs. I don’t want to get robbed.”

“I’m not talking about this.”

“What neighborhood?” I growl, keeping my distance, because if I get my hands on her right now, after I fuck some sense into her, I don’t think I’d be able to let her go.

“Doesn’t matter.”

“Let me go with you.”

“I don’t need your protection,” she says, sounding as equally annoyed as I feel angry.

“I’m great at inspecting houses. My dad did that for a living, remember?”

She nods, acknowledging that she’s listening now and when we chat in bed before going to sleep.

“I need to do this on my own.”

There’s that stubborn streak I used to think was so damn hot. Right now, it’s a huge pain in my ass.

I want to tell her that she never needs to be alone again. I want to show her the bunk beds I have in the online shopping cart from one of the downtown furniture stores because it’s time for Kason and Knox to get a little distance from each other. If anything, so they’ll stop chatting and staying up after they’re supposed to be in bed because it delays Kendall crawling into my bed. I want to tell her that we need to talk to the kids, so she doesn’t have to sneak out every morning before she wakes them up.

But apparently, we aren’t even close to being on the same wavelength. I stopped to look at dogs at the animal shelter after Kayleigh mentioned being jealous of a girl at school who got a new puppy, but Kendall is making appointments to get the hell out of Dodge.

I hold my hands up and back away.

“You’re choosing to do this on your own.” She looks away from me as if she just can’t stand the sight of me. “You don’t have to. Call me if you want me to tag along later.”

I head out of the living room toward my bedroom. It’s clear I won’t be able to talk any sense into her and standing there and arguing about it will only make things worse. Against all my better judgment, I get dressed and head to work. Kendall, of course, must be hiding in her bedroom so she doesn’t have to see me before I leave.

It isn’t until my irritation boils over on my drive to the office that I decide that we’re going to have to have a serious heart-to-heart. I can’t be willing to go all-in with this woman when it seems she has one foot literally out of the door. I need to know exactly where she stands, and maybe her knowing where my head is at with it all will help as well. I’m done skating around each other, letting things progress naturally between the two of us.

It would kill me if she left. My condo will never be the same without Kason’s snide comments, Kayleigh’s laugh, and Knox running around every morning in his underwear. I’ve gotten used to it. Hell, I look forward to it.

I’d miss all of them if they weren’t there. She needs to know that. If she walks away after that, I guess I can accept it, but I don’t want her making these strides because she thinks I need space. Space is the very last thing I want from her.

Chapter 29

Kendall

You’re choosing to do this on your own.

Those were Finn’s words before he walked away to get ready for work. I hid like the coward I am, wondering why he can’t just leave well enough alone. I’m in his bed, in his arms, every night. At least I have been for the last week, and when I’m there, I feel utterly satisfied. With sleep dragging me down after he does wicked things to my body, I can let myself be content, but when he pushes while I’m awake, I can’t help but let my heart get involved.