Page 55 of California Dreaming

She put the tray on the bedside table, pulled on his T-shirt—feeling his eyes on her naked skin the entire time and loving his obvious appreciation of her body—then stepped out of bed to get her sketchbook and watercolor pencils from the bag.

Arch sat on the bed, watching her with a soft expression she didn’t dare interpret as anything more than a happy morning-after-good-sex look. As she sketched the breakfast tray, all she could think was that no one had ever taken care of her this way. Or cared so much about what she wanted or needed.

She caught the light behind the rose and the contrast of the coffee, the heart still floating on top. The sketch wasn’t a masterpiece, but still, she lifted it up to show Arch. “What do you think?”

He gave her a look of disbelief. “How did you capture that so quickly?”

She shrugged and laughed. Had she really believed, even for a second, that Arch would criticize her little sketch’s shortcomings? “For some reason, I’m feeling pretty inspired this morning.” She let a little wickedness seep into her tone.

“Inspired enough to consider being my date to the Moonrise awards ceremony?”

Just like that, Tessa’s good mood faltered. She really did not want to be in the limelight, even if it meant being on Arch’s arm. Why was it so important to him that she attend this event? “Exactly how big is this ceremony going to be?”

“It’s an indie, not one of the big ones,” he explained. “So although there’s a red carpet, it’s not like the whole world is watching.”

But even as he traced a finger down her arm, making her shiver with need, she knew with utter certainty that if she showed up on his arm at an event, regardless of the size, the entire world would definitely take note. She’d bet money on the fact that her picture with him would be plastered across the Internet and in the press. She could already see the headlines: The caregiver and the star. An unexpected love story? Or a disaster waiting to happen?

“It’s no big deal, really,” he went on. “I’d just feel better with you by my side.” His expression softened. “After last night, you surely must know how good being around you makes me feel, Tessa.”

She nodded, unable to argue with that, and replied quietly, “I feel the same.”

“So you’ll come?”

She knew she was walking into the danger zone, but how could she say no to him after all they’d just shared? After he’d just told her how much it would mean to him if she went?

“Okay, I’ll come,” she finally replied, and although every fiber of her being was terrified at the prospect, she could see how happy it made him. But in the next moment, a new worry flashed through her mind. “I have nothing to wear!”

“Tessa, you’ll be the most beautiful woman there even if you show up wearing a painting smock.”

Because it was such a sweet, if untruthful, thing to say, she showered his face with kisses.

When they finally ended the embrace, she decided she’d better visit a thrift store to look for a dress during her break this afternoon. She’d seen plenty of amazing gowns turn up in stores after being worn just once for a special occasion and had often marveled at how inexpensive they were considering their designer labels. She’d never had a place to wear a fancy dress before, but now, for the first time ever, she could let her best thrifting instincts run wild.

Arch’s phone buzzed, and when he looked at it, he groaned. She thought he might have missed a bunch of important business calls or emails, but to her surprise, he said he was going to be late for a meeting with his family. “We have a weekly breakfast date, for whoever’s in town,” he explained. “Otherwise, I’d be making you my scrambled eggs on toast right now.”

“There’s always tomorrow,” she teased. She loved the idea of a weekly family breakfast. It was so cute and cozy. “Besides, I should get myself ready for the day.” She stretched her arms over her head, feeling sore in the best kind of way.

“Do you have plans this morning?”

“Only to take care of you once you’re home and hopefully get some painting done too.”

“Perfect. I can’t wait for you to reconnect with my family and to meet Damien. He’s back from his tour.”

She froze, thinking she’d misunderstood. “Wait, what? You want me to come to breakfast? With your family?”

“Of course. Everyone loves you. And my mom makes a mean French toast.”

Tessa felt panic grip her. Everything was moving so quickly. First, the sexiest night ever in Arch’s arms, then agreeing to attend an awards ceremony with him, then being asked to join an intimate family gathering?

She didn’t even know what they were to each other yet. It was too much. Without thinking, she blurted, “But I don’t want your family to know about us.”

From Arch’s disappointed expression, she realized he’d been thinking the exact opposite.

“Why not?” he asked.

Hating that she’d hurt his feelings, she simply said, “This. You and me and what happened between us last night… It’s all so new.” She inhaled deeply, then blew out a shaky breath. “Can we keep what’s happening between us a secret for now?”

Arch didn’t reply, and she recalled his sisters telling her just how stubborn he was known to be.

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