Page 92 of Sunrise & Serenity

Soft lips pressed together, she crosses her arms. “I don’t want that either.”

Reaching over, I give her thigh a gentle squeeze. “If they happen to find out, I can guarantee they won’t judge. They’re not like that.”

She nods slowly, though uncertainty lingers in her expression.

Outside her cabin, I put the truck in park and jump out so I can open her door for her.

She climbs out with a smile, her expression easy again.

I waste no time pulling her into my arms. “I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone,” I tell her. “Depends on how much mess there is to clean up.”

“I know. Need my help? I just want to change first⁠—”

“I’d rather you rest up. You didn’t get a whole lot of sleep last night.”

With her head cocked, she grazes her finger down my chest. “Neither did you.”

“I’m used to ranch work on no sleep. You’re not.”

One dark brow lifts. “You’re trying to tell me I’ll only get in the way, aren’t you?”

How the hell does she make me smile so easily? “I’m trying to tell you that I’ll be distracted if you’re around. And knowing you’re waiting here for me will only make me work faster, which means I’ll be back sooner.”

Her mouth quirks. “I guess when you put it that way…”

“I do.” Tipping her chin up, I press my lips to hers, savoring how soft they are under mine.

As tempted as I am to linger, especially when I pull back and she blinks up at me almost dreamily, I don’t let myself.

“Go have a shower, get changed, whatever you want,” I tell her. “Then maybe you can spend the rest of the day at my cabin. There’s coffee.”

Her eyes light up like I knew they would.

“You can take your laptop and work if you want, or just sleep, watch TV, anything.”

“Are you sure?”

I tilt my head. “I kind of like the idea of you waiting at home for me.”

Her teeth catch her lower lip as she smiles. “Should I have bare feet and a meal ready for you when you get back?”

Humming, I pretend to consider. “Bare feet are fine. No meal, though. Wouldn’t want it to go to waste when the only thing I’m planning to eat when I get home is you.”

I think I’m getting addicted to the way her cheeks turn pink.

She taps her lips with her fingertip. “Hmm, good point. And you’re sure you trust me? What if I’m the kind of person who snoops?”

“Snoop away, sweetheart. There’s nothing in there I’m worried about you seeing.”

She laughs. “Okay, you win.”

I tug her close again. “I’m hoping we’ll both win.”

This time, instead of kissing her lips, which might as well be branded with a danger sign at this point, I brush my mouth against her forehead. “See you soon.” I squeeze her waist gently and step back.

She hesitates for a beat, searching my face.

I shove my hands into my pockets to stop myself reaching for her again. “Better go before I change my mind and stay.”