Free Tempting Cameron by Karen Erickson

skin, a hard, strong man pressed against her, sinking her into the mattress. Cam’s mouth meshed with hers…

Chapter Five
    She slept like the dead. Quite frankly, she’d never slept better in her life, and when she woke with a jolt the next morning, Chloe’s head spun from sitting up too fast.
    Why wasn’t she in her bedroom? And why did her body ache so much? Shifting, she let out a groan at the sharp pain in her side.
    Disoriented and hurting, she closed her eyes, counted to three before she opened them again. Slowly it came back to her. Being released from the hospital, Alison driving her home and making sure she had everything she needed within hands reach. The vase full of bright sunflowers, the silly, sentimental movie, Cameron sitting in the chair opposite her couch…
    Blinking, she rubbed her eyes, realized he actually did sit there, watching her. A pink box sat on the coffee table between them and she gaped at it.
    She’d recognize that box anywhere…
    “What are you doing here?” she asked with a yawn that she quickly covered with her hand. “What time is it? How did you get in my house?”
    He was leaning forward in her favorite overstuffed chair, his elbows resting on his knees, his intense green gaze locked on her. His longish light brown hair curled appealingly at the nape, inviting a woman to run her fingers through it. He wore a white T-shirt and dark brown cargo shorts and he looked good enough to eat. “It’s just past ten. I brought you breakfast,” he said simply. As if that were explanation enough.
    She dipped her gaze to the pink box yet again. Caught the scent of sugar and yeast and a hint of cinnamon. “Dottie’s Doughnuts?” Did he say past ten? She never slept in that late.
    Cam nodded, flicked his chin toward the box. “Dig in.”
    Chloe tried to lean toward the box but she winced in pain. Muttering an oath and an apology, Cam lifted the lid, revealing her favorite treats.
    “How did you know?”
    He shrugged. “I asked what you liked.”
    “You asked Dottie?”
    “She was there. I told her I was bringing you breakfast and asked if she knew whether you had any preferences, so she loaded the box with your favorites. She told me to tell you she hopes you feel better soon.” Grabbing a napkin, he pointed at the contents nestled within the bright pink box. “What do you want first?”
    “A maple bar, please.” He handed her one; it was still warm when it hit the palm of her hand and she took a bite, nearly moaned in pleasure when the sweet, doughy goodness melted on her tongue.
    “Good?”
    His velvety deep voice made her look up, meet his gaze. His eyes were trained on her mouth as she licked at the corner of her lips, catching the bit of maple frosting that lingered there. He was making her incredibly self-conscious in his brooding, not-saying-much way. “How did you get in my house?” she asked again.
    “I found your spare key.” He said it nonchalantly, like it was no big deal.
    It was a small town. There weren’t many break-ins in Lone Pine Lake and besides, it was not like she had much of value in her house for anyone to steal. Her flat screen TV had been a Black Friday deal and her jewelry was mostly costume.
    But it still unnerved her. That he figured out where her spare key was.
    “How did you find it?”
    “Mac told me.”
    Oh. She took another bite, pondering that bit of information as she chewed. “So Mac knows you’re here?”
    “Yeah.” Cam paused, one big hand diving into the box and snagging a giant apple fritter. The lone wolf among her favorite choices, since she’d never been a fan of them, she figured that had been Cam’s pick. “He’s rather overprotective of you, isn’t he?”
    She watched as Cam ate his fritter without a care in the world. “I guess. Why would you ask?” Did he really care? Was he interested in her?
    Doubtful.
    “He always has been. I just wonder.” Cam’s gaze lit upon her, filled with that wicked bad boy glint