Chapter Seven
Sage
I plop down in the chair next to Harper at the bar, chewing on my bottom lip.
“What’s wrong?” Riley asks from across the table.
“I think I screwed up.”
Harper’s brows pinch. “What could you have screwed up?”
“There was a problem at the Twilight Inn and I may have told Archer he could stay with me since everywhere else is booked.”
“Don’t see the problem with letting your sexy ‘boyfriend’ stay with you.” Riley shakes her head, using air quotes around boyfriend.
I glare at her. “It wouldn’t be if he were really my boyfriend, but he’s not now, is he? God, this competition has turned into such a mess. I can’t believe I let you talk me into it.”
Rylan, Harper’s fiancé’s phone dings, and he pulls it out. “Uh oh, looks like my marker’s being called in.” He kisses her forehead before standing. “Gotta go help Roe with whatever’s going on at the Inn.”
“I’ll give her a ride,” Riley offers.
“We won’t stay too long. I’ll see you at home,” Harper tells him.
“Yeah, you will.” He winks with a smile before leaving.
She turns to me after watching him saunter out. “So how is having the hot guy you’re crushing on staying with you a problem?”
“Uh, because it’s a disaster waiting to happen.
We’re not a real couple and the more time I spend with him, the more I wish we were.
Which is crazy because he’s only visiting and I’m done with men.
Remember?” If I weren’t so jaded, I might almost believe there’s something between us. But that is absolutely not possible.
Riley rolls her eyes. “And don’t you remember I told you the right guy will find you when you’re least expecting it?”
“Or when the time is finally right?” Harper adds. “Have you ever considered that nothing has ever worked out before because they weren’t the right person? I mean, Gary? Really? You dodged a bullet with him.”
I heave a sigh. “Yeah well, you two weren’t here to help steer me clear of the douche bag. I was lonely, and he seemed charming. Which brings me to Archer. The man is too charming, a huge red flag. I can’t believe how easily he had people forking over their money today.”
“Well, from how you’ve described him, it’s not surprising. With a guy that big and good-looking, people are probably either enamored or intimidated, but if that’s him walking in right now, I’m going with enamored. Holy shitballs, no wonder you want to climb him like a freaking tree.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I confirm Riley’s guess, “That’s him.”
The two of them grin at each other widely. “About freaking time,” Harper mutters.
My brows pinch at her comment, but before I can ask what she’s talking about, Archer’s sliding into the chair next to mine.
“Evening ladies, I’m Archer.” He holds his hand out to first Harper and then Riley, shaking hands with both of them.
“These are my friends, Harper and Riley.” I gesture to each, making introductions.
“Pleasure to meet you both. I have to say, there must be something in the water here to produce such beautiful women.” He winks at them as they giggle like thirteen-year-olds.
The stab of jealousy as Archer flirts with them strikes swift and deep before I can comprehend what’s happening.
I might as well have a knife buried to the hilt in my chest. This man has me so twisted up I’m envious of my friends, whom I love dearly and know are stupidly in love with their partners.
It’s only when he slings his arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his side before brushing his ridiculously soft lips against my temple that the tension eases. But it’s his next words that have me melting even as I fight it.
“Sage must’ve gotten an extra dose of whatever it was, because damn, does she steal my breath away.”
I roll my eyes and shake my head with a scoff. “Whatever. How in the world do lines like that work for you?”
“I’m only speaking the truth, darlin’. No lines to be had. I’m just damn lucky I ended up sitting next to the most gorgeous, amazing woman in the room, who happened to need an assist. Now I get to bask in her presence and get to know her better.”
Yep, lines or not, I’m completely and utterly screwed.
***
Unlocking the front door to my house, I blow out a breath in an attempt to calm the churning in my stomach. It’s an odd combination of nausea and butterflies. I’m not sure if I’m going to puke or swoon. Archer has gotten me completely off-kilter.
He follows me into the house as I hold the door open.
I watch his gaze wander over the space after closing the door.
It’s not much, but it’s mine. I bought everything myself, including the house, all on my teacher’s salary, slowly furnishing it over time with cozy, comfy pieces. Giving me a retreat from the world.
I point down the hall. “You can put your stuff in my room. It’s the door on the left. Oh, uh, I should change the sheets for you.” I toss my purse onto the breakfast nook table on my way to the linen closet.
“No need. I’d rather sleep in sheets that smell like you,” he says with a smirk.
Oh good Lord, my core pulses at the admission. “Whatever floats your boat. I’m just, uh, going to go for a walk. It, uh, helps me wind down.” I stumble over the words as I pluck my earbuds from my purse.
“Make yourself at home,” I throw the words over my shoulder as I practically run from the house, needing to get away before I do what I’ve been dying to do, and climb him like a tree.
I end up power walking in a futile effort to calm the fuck down, but the man has me so wound up it does little to ease the ache for him. By the time I return home, Archer must’ve gone to bed. The lights are off and the door to my room is shut.
I’m sweaty from my walk, and Riley Green starts playing in my ears telling me he wants me in the worst way, which does nothing but exacerbating the need for a release.
I kick off my boots at the door and head to the guest bath to shower.
Hopefully, some self-love will quiet these raging hormones of mine.
Shoving the door open, I stop dead in my tracks with a gasp literally choking me as my mind attempts to comprehend what I’m seeing. I must be dreaming, or I’m hallucinating. There’s no way what I’m seeing is actually happening.
The dull ache which has been plaguing me now turns to a pulsing throb as I’m unable to look away from the man in my shower.
The clear glass sliding door hides nothing of his mountainous, sculpted body, completely on display for my greedy perusal.
As amazing as all that muscle is, it’s what he’s doing that has me transfixed.
His head is bent, one hand bracing himself against the dark brown tiled wall. The other is sliding back and forth on his stiff cock, which is obscenely proportional to his size. His gaze jerks up when I start coughing after choking on my gasp.
Instead of stopping and covering himself, his hand continues its glide, and his eyes meet mine with an arched brow in challenge.