Stepping into Jimmy’s kitchen the next morning, I’m stopped dead in my tracks at the sight of Lucy stretching to reach something high up in the cabinet. The little night shirt she has on is riding up, giving me a peek of her perfect ass and the sweet little pink panties she has on. Well, sweet in her mind, I’m sure, but they are giving me some pretty dirty thoughts. Shaking myself out of my stupor, because I don’t want to get caught leering like a creep, I silently step forward and clear my throat. She startles and falls back against my chest. “Sorry, sweetheart. Why don’t I help you grab whatever you were reaching for to make up for scaring you, again?”

She twists in my arms just enough to see my face. “Oh my God, Cal. I’m starting to think you just like to sneak up on me.”

“Well, you are pretty easy prey.” I smile, our faces close enough that I can see the gold flecks in her brown eyes.

As if just realizing I still have my arms around her, she takes a step back and crosses her arms over her chest. By no means detracting from its allure. Reaching up into the cupboard, I grab a bag of coffee and hand it to her. “Is this what you wanted?”

When she takes it from me, I notice a slight tremor in her hands and start to feel bad for scaring her. Or maybe she’s nervous having a guy see her in her pj’s. “What are you doing here so early?” she asks.

“I have to get to the shop early today because we have a plumber coming in, and I was coming to steal coffee from their stash because I ran out.” I look at my watch and then back at her. “What are you doing up so early?” I counter.

“I wanted to get a couple hours in at the library before my lab later this morning.” Probably needing to be busy, she starts making a pot of coffee. I turn around and grab two mugs from the cupboard, and she grabs the milk from the fridge. When we both go for the sugar bowl, she blushes, so I ask, “How’s school going? You must be almost done.”

“Yeah, just about six more weeks of clinical and I can take my boards. It’s going really well. My boss at the clinic I work at already offered me a full-time job.”

“That’s amazing. Congrats.”

“Thank you. I worked really hard the last couple years.” She beams with pride.

“I’ll say.” I look at my watch again and whistle. “I wouldn’t question that since it’s not even six thirty in the morning and you are raring to go to the library.”

“Are you making fun of me, Cal?” she asks a little sadly, her smile slipping.

“No, honey. I’m not. I’m genuinely impressed by your dedication.” It takes me off guard that I want to wrap her in my arms when I say that. I want to comfort her. I haven’t felt that way about anyone since… She just looks so sweet but guarded.

A small smile lights up her face again. “Oh, thank you. I’m sorry about that, but my friends always give me a hard time about working so hard and not going out with them. Something about wasting my youth,” she adds with a dismissive wave of her hand.

“Hey, don’t let other people dictate the way you want to live. Screw ’em.”

Just as her smile widens, the coffee machine beeps that the pot is ready. She pours a cup for me, then herself. We doctor them in a comfortable silence before she brings her mug to her nose and breathes deep. “First cup of the day is always the best.” She salutes me with her mug before taking a sip.

“Best cup of the day.” I smile as I take a sip, then turn toward the door.

“Have a good day, Cal,” she says from behind me. It’ll definitely be better with thoughts of her in that sexy underwear.

“Thanks, honey. You, too.” Pausing before walking through the door, I turn back to her. “You have a great ass, by the way.” I wink before I walk out the door. But I get a glimpse of pink staining her cheeks before I do.