Page 90 of Chasing the Sun

“Coming,” I called out, giving myself one last once-over before hopping toward the door as I stuffed my feet into a fresh pair of socks.

I pulled open the wooden door. “Hi!” I exclaimed on an exhale.

Cal stood at my front door freshly showered and looking like a fantasy come to life. My eyes started at his scuffed work boots, traveling higher, appreciating how the well-worn denim of his jeans stretched across his thighs. The hem of his T-shirt covered his tapered hips but flared out with the Vof his torso. The gray material stretched across his chest, and his arms tested the strength of the fabric as his arms flexed beneath it. My gaze dragged across the column of his throat. He hadn’t bothered with a fresh shave and my legs pressed together at the thought of that scruff tickling my inner thigh.

When I finally reached his face, his eyes were playful and a smirk teased his lips. “Are you eye fucking me, Darling?” he teased.

A chuckle rumbled out of me. “Onethousandpercent,” I admitted with a full belly laugh.

His eyes flicked between his shirt and mine. “Nice outfit.”

My shoulders shimmied, noting the nearly identical light-gray colors. “We’re twins.”

I held my hands open to my sides. “Is this what you had in mind?” I asked.

Cal didn’t answer right away. His gaze dragged over me, slow and unhurried, like he was memorizing every inch. The heat in his eyes sent a shiver rolling down my spine, my skin prickling under the weight of his attention. His jaw ticced, the muscle there flexing like he was holding something back. His fingers twitched at his sides, and I had the distinct feeling he wanted to touch me but was using every ounce of restraint not to.

“You’re perfect.” His voice dipped an octave, and I could feel the low timbre hit me in the chest.

A heady thrill at his approval zipped through me. “Let me just throw on my boots, and I’ll be ready to go.”

“I said be ready at six.”

I rolled my eyes. “It’s six-oh-three,” I shot back, loving that whatever tension had pulled tight between us didn’t ruin our playful banter.

Cal took a step back, allowing me room to step out of the cottage and pull the front door closed.

He pointed at the door. “Lock up,” he demanded.

I shook my head and turned. “Yes, sir,” I teased.

A firmthwackstruck me right in the ass, and I yelped.

“That’s right,” he rumbled in my ear with a playful edge in his voice.

I swallowed a giggle as heat flooded my system. With a smile, I bent down to slip a foot into one of my green boots. Cal’s arm reached out and I grabbed it, steadying myself as I tugged on the first boot, then the other. His forearm flexed under my grip, the muscle jumping slightly, but he didn’t pull away from my touch.

Damn it, why are forearms so hot?

Cal didn’t move and didn’t say a word, but stood there, letting me balance, his jaw tight like he was thinking very, very carefully about something. I straightened, pulling my hand from his arm and tucking a rogue hair behind my ear to try to hide the blush I felt creeping onto my cheeks.

I looked up to see a large 4-wheeler parked in front of the cottage. I looked at Cal in question.

His arm swept wide. “Your chariot, my lady.”

My eyes went wide as my breath hitched. “Can I drive?” I asked, practically bouncing on my toes with excitement.

Cal’s eyes narrowed. “How about I get us to where we’re going first, and then if you’re up for it, you can take it for a joyride.”

I stuck out my hand between us. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”

His large palm enclosed mine, warmth crawling from my palm all the way up my arm.

With a delighted squeal, I left Cal standing there andclimbed onto the 4-wheeler and patted the seat. “Well, saddle up, cowboy.”

Cal chuckled and shook his head. He moved to the back of the vehicle, then reached for something near the tires. A black helmet settled on my head, and he adjusted the straps. His fingers brushed my jaw as he fastened the strap, his touch firm but careful. I swallowed, my skin burning any place his fingers touched me. Cal was too close—or maybe not close enough. For a moment our eyes locked and my gaze shifted across his warm, brown eyes.

His voice was soft and low. “Got to keep you safe.”