Chapter Four
Archer
Running behind for the meeting Liam texted me about, I grabbed one of the last few chairs.
When I caught sight of the pony-tailed brunette with thick curves I ended up sitting beside, I was happy to have been late.
Her eyes widened as they traveled up my body, leaving a trail of heat.
When her honey orbs met mine, the awareness in them had me smirking and winking at the beauty.
Her plump lips snapped shut at the gesture.
I offered my hand, wanting an excuse to touch her skin to see if it was as silky as it looked.
To my surprise, her palms were almost as calloused as mine, but the back of her hand was silky soft.
The juxtaposition of the textures attested to a woman who wasn’t afraid of hard work, but who also has a feminine softness to her. The perfect combination, if you ask me.
She visibly tensed when the chair on the other side of her filled. The possessive look he sent her way was completely ignored. I had a feeling there was a story there.
My attention was split between what Kinsley was saying and the woman beside me.
I perked up when it was announced there would be a Jack and Jill partner competition, wondering if Sage might be available.
Disappointment quickly followed when the asshole on the other side of her announced they would be partners, but it didn’t last when I heard her response.
Grinning like the cat that ate the canary, I played right along with Sage when she countered she was already my partner.
And fuck, if it didn’t make my dick hard when she tacked on I was her boyfriend.
I wasted no time in making her claim look true.
I didn’t miss the part where the dumbass cheated on her, so I made sure to rub it in that she was no longer available.
I kept my arm firmly around my new “girlfriend” the rest of the meeting, and not just because the asshole was side-eying us the entire time.
No, I was truly enjoying the opportunity to have a reason to touch this woman.
It has been a long time since any woman has piqued my interest the way she has, with barely a word spoken between us.
Her fire in standing up to her ex, her being here at the meeting for the show, and the calluses on her hands all paint the picture of a woman I’m eager to get to know better. The fact she’s got a body that has me thinking with my second head is icing on the cake.
The meeting wraps up with everyone volunteering for assignments. Sage and I will be contacting businesses about donations for the silent auction, which will be available during the show.
As soon as we’re dismissed, Sage grabs her things and heads straight for the exit, pausing only to deposit her empty cup in the garbage. I stay right with her to keep up pretenses.
Once we’re out of earshot, she glances at me, pursing her lips to the side. “Thanks for coming to my rescue back there. That was really nice of you. Sorry to put you out.”
“No need to be sorry. It was my pleasure. There are way worse things than being the pretend boyfriend of a beautiful woman to save her from an asshole.”
“So you’re one of those.” She rolls her eyes, but her lips press tightly together as pink falls over her apple cheeks.
My brow arches at her odd comment. “One of what?”
“A charmer, who thinks sweet talk will get him what he wants.”
“Not something I’ve ever been accused of, actually. You’ll find I only speak the truth.”
She stops beside a silver SUV, not looking at all convinced. “Well, whatever the case may be, thanks for the assist.”
“You know, we should probably exchange numbers since we’re going to be partners and are supposed to be dating and all. Plus, we have to get the items for the silent auction.”
Her mouth goes round, and it has me imagining my cock sliding between those plump lips while she opens like that for me. I shift my stance to accommodate my growing erection at the thought.
“Oh. I didn’t really think you’d go through with it all.”
“I’m happy to do it. Was already planning on competing and helping with the show, and I’ll need a partner for the Jack and Jill portion. Besides, what about your ex?” I nod my head toward the asshole watching us with narrowed eyes from across the parking lot.
She glances his direction, rolling her eyes. “God, I wish he’d get a fucking clue,” she growls.
“I can help him find one.”
Her brows furrow. “How?”
“Like this.” I grin before placing my hands on those round hips, then pulling her to me and capturing her lips with mine.
She tenses in my hold, but it lasts only seconds before she’s melting into me with a whimper.
I slide my tongue across the seam of her lips, and like a good girl, she opens for me.
Thrusting inside the wet heat of her mouth, I glide mine against hers.
Her hands fist in the flannel of my shirt at my chest as we make out in the parking lot, mimicking the intimacy of what we’ll be doing without an audience. Because there is not a single fucking doubt in my mind that this woman will be mine.