Long Time Gone - Lorelei James Page 0,20
of it. I let Carolyn know in the letter I left her. And I don’t give a damn about the rest of my family.”
“When do you start?”
“Whenever I get there. I had to call them long distance to tell them my mother died and I’d be delayed.”
He wanted to be supportive, but Alaska? Christ. “Well, that’s…great they’re so understanding.”
“Cal. That wasn’t even close to sincere.”
“It just threw me, okay? That’s a long way from here, especially for someone—”
“Who’s never been south of Denver or north of Miles City?” She leaned forward. “That’s exactly why I have to go. I thought you, of all people, would understand.”
“My travel experiences are as limited as yours have been, so darlin’, I’d be lyin’ if I said I understood. But I’m damn proud of you for doin’ something adventurous. Few people have the guts to do it.” That’d sounded somewhat supportive.
“But?”
“But if you don’t have a set schedule to meet, and you need a few days to sort things out, you can stay here.”
That took her aback. “Thanks. I’ll think about it.”
“Make yourself at home and we’ll talk when I get back, okay?”
She nodded. “Can Gigi stay with me?”
“’Fraid not. I’m trainin’ her. Consistency is important.”
“I understand.” Kimi met his gaze head-on. “Please don’t let Carson know I’m still here.”
“I won’t.” He closed the door behind him.
For the next several hours, Cal kept his mind off Kimi. Luckily he was working with Charlie so he didn’t have to lie to his twin—not that it’d work since Carson could always tell when something was up and Cal rarely saw the need to lie.
He returned home a little after noon. He tracked Kimi down in the backyard, where she was tearing the far flower bed apart. Weeds were flying over her head. She looked like a blonde tornado.
The pup bounded up to her, licking her until Kimi laughed. “All right, all right. I’ll pet you. Let me take the gloves off.”
Cal couldn’t help but return Kimi’s grin. “She’ll probably get you dirty since she’s been runnin’ through the muck all mornin’.” He knew it was stupid to be jealous of the way she petted and cooed at his dog.
“She’s sweet. I’d like to steal you, Gigi girl.”
“I imagine a dog ain’t welcome on a cross-country bus.”
Her hand stopped mid-pet and she blurted out, “Were you serious?”
“About?”
“About letting me stay here a few days if I needed to.”
His pulse raced and he fought to stay calm. “Yeah, I was serious.”
“Good. Because these flowerbeds have been sorely neglected and are in need of tending.”
So am I, sweetheart.
Christ, he sounded like a needy pussy.
He refrained from asking if the sad state of his flowerbeds was the only reason she’d decided to stick around. “I’d welcome your help. Only thing I’ve done since you were here last year was fix the irrigation system.”
“You should’ve cleaned out the deadfall.” She pushed to her feet. “Are you hungry?”
“Starved.”
“I made you a couple of sandwiches.”
“You did?”
“Don’t get your hopes up that it’s as good as what Carolyn makes.”
“Lord, woman. I’d never compare you. So get that outta your head right now. I’m just happy there’s food that I don’t gotta cook myself.”
Kimi stopped in front of him. “You left so fast this morning that I didn’t get a chance to say thanks for…everything yesterday.”
Cal curled his hand around the side of her face, using his thumb to wipe a smudge of dirt from her cheek. “You don’t have to thank me.”
“Because that’s what friends do, right?”
Fuck that. Enough of this politeness. This awkwardness.
He slid his hand around the back of her neck. “That’s what we are? Friends? Because to be honest, darlin’, I don’t wanna be your friend.”
“What do you want to be?”
“This.” He lowered his head and took her mouth in a commanding kiss.
She fisted her hand in his shirt, pulling him closer.
God. He hadn’t imagined this passion. He hadn’t forgotten the heady taste of her. His cock went rock hard. His common sense took a hike.
And Kimi kissing him back with equal ferocity just fueled the fire that’d been on a slow burn for far too long.
He wanted to clamp his hands on her ass, wrap her legs around his hips and carry her straight into his bedroom.
She ripped her mouth free and jumped back. “Ouch!”
“What?”
“Gigi bit me!”
Cal glanced down at his dog, who barked happily as if she’d done a good thing. “Gigi!” He crouched down and wrapped his hand around her nose, forcing her to look at him. “Bad.