Page 69 of Sunkissed Colorado

“Why did it have to be so good, Chloe?”

She jumped down from the bed and trotted toward the door, clearly ready for breakfast. I was about to kick off the covers and follow when I realized I was still wearing Callum’s clothes.

I smoothed my hands down the cotton of the T-shirt, then fingered the thin athletic fabric of the shorts.

Oh, this was so bad.

I jumped up, quickly getting undressed.

At least the gnomes from Rosie’s collection on the nearby shelf were all turned around to face the wall. I couldn’t take those ceramic eyes staring at me, which was why I’d repositioned them my second day here.

Which reminded me of the gnome dressed like a football player that I’d given him. How genuinely happy he’d been about that silly gift. Like it really mattered to him.

I was so confused.

Callum was a man I’d hated for most of my life. Of course, I didn’t hate him now. I liked him way too much. I’d had an amazing time with him last night. Better than any date I’d been on before, and it hadn’t been a date at all.

But that didn’t change the fact that this was the worst possible idea. I couldn’t fool around with Callum O’Neal. Certainly couldn’t havefeelingsfor him.

The only solution was denial. I just had to pretend last night never happened. As I’d said to Callum just as I’d leaped from his truck like a spy escaping an enemy airplane.Never mention this.

He would do as I asked, right?

Ugh, I was screwed.

After throwing on a different T-shirt and my own pair of shorts, I ventured out of my room with Chloe leading the way.

Breakfast was a quick affair. I was still full from the pot pie and brownie sundae, so I just had a piece of gluten-free toast smeared with apricot jam.

Rosie and Jimmy’s voices carried from the main bedroom, but they didn’t emerge, and I was grateful. Didn’t want them asking about what Callum and I did last night. What if I slipped up and told the truth?

We cooked one of the best meals I’ve ever had, snuggled up on the couch, then I crawled all over him and tried to eat his face. Why? What did you do?

Rosie would’ve loved hearing those details. Then probably would share too many details ofhersex life. And then I’d be scarred forever.

“Sorry, Coco,” I said quietly. “I’m getting out of here. You’re on your own.” Not that she cared after I’d set out her food and topped up her water. Besides, she adored Jimmy.

I was quick with my morning routine in the bathroom. No need for another shower since I’d had one last night at Callum’s place. Along with using his body spray, which I could still smell on me, and it smelled so yummy.Gah.

As I dressed in work clothes for the day, I told myself not to think about how ridiculously attractive Callum had looked in those sinfully snug sweatpants. I started moving faster, like that would somehow help me outrun the images in my brain. Or the remembered sensation of Callum’s thick erection when I’d bumped against it. His lips. His tongue. His hands.

But after I grabbed my purse and keys and ran out the front door, I stopped in my tracks.

Callum sat on the porch steps, wearing his ripped jeans and an SRFD shirt.

He glanced up and grinned. “Hi. Brought you a pistachio latte.” Standing up, he held two paper coffee cups in his hands and extended one toward me.

“Thanks,” I said carefully, taking the drink. Because there was no way I was turning it down. Pistachio milk was a glorious invention. “I’ll get the coffees next time.”

“No worries. How’d you sleep?” he asked. As if it was perfectly normal for him to show up at Rosie’s and make small talk at eight in the morning.

“Um, okay. What are you doing here? Aside from delivering coffee, apparently.”

“Just wanted to see you. Figured I’d walk you into work.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to.” Callum’s smile was softer at the edges than usual.Knowing.