My eyes pulled open and the first thing I felt was the silky smooth texture of her skin. The way she moved with me as my body stretched. The way her hair slid across my chest. The steady puff of air that fell from her lips against my muscles. Callie wrapped herself around me as I shifted in bed, trying to run away from the sliver of morning sun that pierced its way through my eyelids. Her leg slid between my thighs, blanketing me in a warmth I had never known before. I pulled her close. Kissed the top of her head and buried my nose into her vanilla-scented hair.

It felt right, waking up with Callie strewn across my body.

“Morning,” she sighed.

I glanced down, watching the beautiful naked goddess I’d come to adore shift along the edge of my form.

“Morning,” I said, grinning.

“What’s for breakfast?”

I turned her over, hearing her giggles cascade along my ear as I pressed her down into the mattress. I pinned her wrists above her head and kissed her neck. Nibbled her shoulder. Drew in the musky scent of her pussy. It still lingered on my cock. On my lips. Against the side of my thigh.

What was for breakfast?

Why, she was breakfast.

My phone rang out in the living room and I chose to ignore it. I nuzzled my face between the crook of Callie’s breasts. Her nails clamped down into the top of my hand as her body bucked, her pussy begging for me. The heat radiating off her body made my cock jump. Made it stand at attention despite the fog of sleep both of us still fought against. I wrapped my lips around her pert nipple, smiling in satisfaction as the phone stopped ringing.

But I groaned against her skin when its ringtone filled the air once more.

“Are you sure that’s not work or something?” Callie breathed.

“If it is, they can hand on.”

“Colt.”

My gaze panned up to hers and she gave me a knowing glance. I hated it when she was right. Especially when it ruined my time on the playground. I rushed up her body and brushed my lips against hers, then released her hands so she could move. I tumbled off her body and searched for my boxers, pulling them over my legs as the phone kept ringing. And ringing. And vibrating. And ringing some more.

“I’m coming. Fuck,” I murmured.

Callie’s giggle shot shivers down my spine as I took one last look at her angelic body over my shoulder.

“This is Colton,” I said, answering the phone.

“Hey. It’s me.”

My eyes glanced back at Callie, watching her unravel her wonderfully naked form from the silken sheets of the bed.

“Hey there, Clay. What’s up?” I asked.

“The two of you didn’t come back last night.”

“No. We didn’t.”

“Didn’t know that wasn’t part of the plan.”

“Do you want to know where we are?” I asked.

“Actually, no. I’m calling to tell you that, wherever you are, keep Callie away from the news.”

I furrowed my brow, waving at Callie as he wiggled her fingers at me. She wrapped the sheet around her and slipped into the bathroom. I strode into the room and looked around for a television, then sighed with relief when I didn’t see one.

“Want to tell me what this is about?” I asked.

“More pictures of Matthew have surfaced, and he’s with more women,” Clay said.

“I should’ve ripped that kid’s head off when I had the chance.”

“You and I both. I want you keeping Callie away from the news syndicates. It’s everywhere, and it’s not good.”

I heard the shower turn on before Callie’s small hums filled the space of the bedroom. She wasn’t coming out anytime soon. Not when she found the hot water misters that turned the damn thing into a sauna.

“How bad are the pictures?” I asked.

“They’re bad, Colt. He’s out at a club with a couple of girls in one of them. Dragging them back to his place, both of them kissing on him. Another one has him with a girl who looks almost like Callie, save for the very tan skin. She’s got him pinned to a brick wall with her lips on his neck.”

I felt my blood boiling as my vision dripped with red.

“There is good news, though.”

“And what would that be?” I asked.

“I called Clemmons before I called you, and he’s in the process of trying to figure out if those pictures line up with any of the purchases outlined on the paperwork served to Callie. If they do, our lawyer feels confident that he can get those charges wiped from that eleven-page document.”

“She shouldn't even be paying a fucking dime, Clay.”

“And Clemmons is working on that.”

“Is that the only good news?” I asked.

“It’s better than nothing. I know it’s not a lot, but it’s turned this bullshit turning up in the media into something slightly more productive.”

“I’ll make sure Callie stays away from the news. You’ve got my word.”

A pause fell over the conversation and I heard the shower turn off. Guess Callie didn’t find the mister function. I glanced over at the television and eyed the cable hookup at the back of it. I walked over and reached for it, unscrewing it from the back of the flatscreen and tucking it away so Callie couldn't see. That way, if she turned on the television, it would shoot straight to the streaming service homepage instead of opening up to the local fucking news.

“I think having the house to myself last night gave me some time to think about everything,” Clay said.

“Is that a good thing?” I asked.

“It’s neutral right now. I do want to have a talk with you when the two of you get back, however.”

“I’m still shocked you haven’t asked me where we are. Is there a reason for that?”

“Honestly? In my time thinking in my office last night, the one thing I kept coming back to was how I always trusted you with Callie.”

I heard the bathroom door open and looked up, watching her come out in a towel. She looked at me and smiled, with her freshly-brushed teeth and her dripping wet hair. She waved at me. The most innocent gesture that tugged at my heart. I nodded at her before she moved out of my vision, and I turned my back so she wouldn't hear the conversation between myself and Clay.

“I’ll always protect her, Clay. You know this.”

“I know. I know you will. In the back of my very angry mind, I know that. Which is why I don’t care where you are. I know Callie’s safe with you. So, wherever the two of you are holed up, it’s best if you stay put until the media frenzy dies down. Because I’m not too sure they won’t descend onto her if she steps out in public until this passes.”

I was shocked at his words, but elated at the prospect of spending more time with Callie. Alone. Away from the world and the drama and the heat pouring off my brother’s body from his frustration.

“Let me know when it’s safe to come back home. I’ll bring her back when this is done,” I said.

“You fucking better, Colt.”

“I’ll never keep her from you, Clay. You’re her father. We’re here family. Always.”

I heard my brother draw in a deep breath as I cleared my throat.

“I’ll keep you updated,” he said.

Then, the call hung up.

I tossed my phone down onto the coffee table and strode for the hotel landline. I picked it up off its receiver and dialed the front desk, anxious to put the plans in my head down on paper. The second Clay told me to stay put with Callie, my mind started swirling. Thank fuck I’d put us up in a resort hotel and spa. There was plenty for us to do in this building. We wouldn’t have to step out of it once.

“Front desk service, how may I help you?”

“Hello there. This is Colton Roper, in the penthouse suite.”

“Mr. Roper. Of course. How can I be of service?”

“I know my guest and I have a late check-out of one in the afternoon today. Is there any way to cancel that.”

“Of course. Are you wanting to check out now?”

“No,” I said. “I want to book your suite through the week. And while I have you on the phone, I’d like to hear a rundown of your spa services and your kitchen chef’s specialties.”