Page 24

“You’re being mean,” Haley accused boldly. She crossed

her arms over her chest and tilted her face up, revealing

streaks of flour on her other cheek, a smudge by her hairline,

and a healthy amount on her shirt right where she was pressing

up her breasts. “I already said it’s my fault. No need to take it

out on Jean. He’s just being nice. I’m new here and this is hard

enough as it is. I wanted to get to know everyone, and he was

making bread when I walked in here and I couldn’t resist. You

never said I couldn’t come into the kitchen. You said I wasn’t

a prisoner, and I’m trying very hard not to be one.”

Claire choked back anger and astonishment. How fucking

dare this woman talk to her like that in her own house? She

was not here as a guest, no matter that she wasn’t a prisoner.

She couldn’t breeze in and walk around like she was the queen

of the place.

You spoiled little brat.

“So that’s it, then.” Claire’s tone was ice. “You came in here

just to spite me.”

Haley’s chin jutted up another inch and her eyes blazed with

defiance. “No. I came in here for exactly the reasons I just

stated. We haven’t harmed anything and nothing about this is

wrong. A mess can be cleaned up just fine.”

She’d probably never been punished in her life. Her

grandparents were too lenient, and her father gave her

whatever she wanted. The thought of turning her around,

pinning her hands to the countertop and spanking her ass red

shouldn’t hold so much appeal. It shouldn’t hold any appeal.

Haley was looking at her like she’d never seen a kitchen

before, and like she might never see one again. As much as

Claire wanted to deny her this just because it was in her power