He needed to rest, hydrate, eat, and do what he needed to do to completely kick this virus.
He smirked. “Coffee helps. I think I was having caffeine withdrawals this morning. I was also smelling pretty ripe. I really needed a shower.”
I drained the rest of my latte before I said, “Speaking of showers, I’d better grab my clothes out of the dryer and get a shower myself. I’m sorry that I had to raid your drawers for something to wear to sleep in, but I hate not having my clothes clean every day.”
I really needed to get out of this bedroom. It was getting difficult to keep my eyes pinned to Cole’s face instead of gawking at his gorgeous body.
“Not a problem,” he said offhandedly. “Use whatever you need. I know it sucks that you’re stuck here and that you ended up taking care of me. We don’t even really know each other. I can’t get your laptop for you, but what else can I do to help?”
Okay, it felt really weird to be having a pleasant conversation with Cole, but I had to admit that it was…nice.
He was obviously capable of being a decent person when he chose to be.
He probably felt like he had to be nice because I’d taken care of him while he was sick, but I’d take his more pleasant attitude over his defensiveness any day of the week.
I thought for a moment. “I don’t suppose you have a gym here,” I said hopefully. “I haven’t gotten much exercise this winter. I used to use Devon’s gym and pool when he was single and almost never at home, but I’d never intrude on him and Reese every day now just to get some exercise.”
“I have a full workout center, a steam room, a sauna, and a hot tub on the lower level. Feel free to use them. What else?”
That sounded pretty amazing to me. I could get some exercise before I showered, dressed, and threw the shorts and T-shirt I was wearing into the wash.
“There’s nothing else,” I said as I rose from the bed and headed toward the bedroom door.
“I owe you, Lauren,” he said in a gravelly voice. “There must be something else I can do.”
He didnotowe me.
I did what anyone else would do in my circumstances. I helped him out because he was sick. Not a big deal.
“I’d like to find a guy who would actually show some interest in me,” I said jokingly. “If you can find me a boyfriend, let me know.”
I chuckled as I walked out of the bedroom to find the gym.
Cole
“You’re the most fuckable single female in Crystal Fork,” I grumbled as I sat down on a piece of exercise equipment near the stationary bike that Lauren was riding in my gym. “Why in the hell would you need help finding a guy?”
I immediately noticed that she was wearing socks but no shoes, which was probably why she’d chosen to ride the bike.
I knew she liked to walk because I’d seen her walking around Crystal Fork whenever it was warm enough.
Apparently, she’d opted for the bike instead of the treadmill because she’d been wearing boots when she’d arrived at my ranch.
It wasn’t easy walking on a treadmill with boots on.
Okay, Ishouldhave just let the boyfriend comment go and not followed her to the lower level.
I should have stayed out of it and let it slide.
Nope!I hadn’t been able to just shut up and ignore it.
I’d pulled on some jeans and a sweatshirt moments later and followed her downstairs.
She’d meant it as a joke.
But damned if I could just ignore a comment likethat.
Joke or not, there was obviously some truth in her statement, and I wanted to know why.
