Chapter Nine
Sage
The ache between my thighs is acute when I wake up. A pulsing reminder of the man who showed me what it’s like to be fucked senseless. Stretching with a groan, my hand hits cool sheets beside me. Before I can frown, the scent of bacon fills the air, and I shuffle out of bed in anticipation.
I relieve my bladder then pull on some underwear and one of Archer’s soft flannel shirts. A thrill runs through me at being surrounded by his scent as I roll the cuffs and button a few buttons, loving its looseness on me. It’s not often, or more like never, a man’s shirt is big on me.
Eagerly I scurry down the hall, only to once again, in less than twelve hours, be frozen in place. Only this time it’s not butterflies and lust swirling through me. Nope, nausea and dread have me swallowing down the urge to wretch at what I’m hearing.
Archer is quietly talking on his phone as he stands shirtless, pants riding low on his hips, at my stove frying bacon. “I know, sweetheart. I miss you too.”
Fuck him for looking so sexy as he proves once again men are the scum of the earth.
This is what I get for not learning my lesson the first time.
I once again find myself with a cheater.
Only this time I’m not the one being cheated on.
That poor woman probably has no clue the man she loves is stepping out on her.
I knew he was too fucking charming. Well, I’m not letting him get away with this. I hate to be the one to break it to her, because I know how it feels to be in her shoes, but fuck if I let him get away with this shit.
“He doesn’t miss you that fucking much! He’s been too busy screwing me!” I yell to ensure the woman on the phone can hear me.
Archer spins my way so fast I’m surprised he doesn’t fall over. His eyes narrow on me. “Sweetheart, I’ll call you back. I’ve got to go.” He pauses. “No, everything’s fine. Sorry you heard that. I’ll explain later, okay?”
I scoff, crossing my arms over my chest both as a shield and in an attempt to hold myself together, because it’s entirely possible I might just fall into a million pieces at being screwed over yet again.
“In what world is everything fine, you cheating asshole? I can’t believe your audacity.
You fucking knew I’d been cheated on, and yet you go and cheat on someone else with me?
What? You thought I needed to know what it felt like to be on the other side?
Newsflash. It fucking sucks too. God, what is wrong with me?
I keep attracting men like you?” I glare at him, holding onto my rage for all I’m worth because if I don’t, I’ll dissolve into a puddle of tears and I refuse to give him the satisfaction of seeing me break.
He shakes his head, frowning. “It’s not what you think.”
I snort. “That’s what they all say. How fucking stupid do you think I am? I heard you with my own ears.”
“What you heard was me talking to my niece.”
I roll my eyes with a scoff. “Sure it was.”
His phone rings. He glances at the screen and holds it up. “It’s my sister, Tabby, calling.” He swipes to answer, apparently putting it on speaker.
“Archer Fenton. What the hell is going on? Sally is having a fit about someone yelling while she was talking to you. Is everything okay?”
His eyes are locked with mine as my jaw hangs open and cheeks flame. “Sorry about that. There was just a misunderstanding. I promise I’ll explain later. I need to go now, though.”
I press my lips together as he hangs up and tosses the phone on the counter before stalking to me with narrowed eyes. He doesn’t stop until we’re standing toe to toe. His hands come up to cup my cheeks, thumbs sweeping across my cheeks.
“Now you believe me?”
“Yes. Sorry I jumped to conclusions,” I cringe, “and I’m sorry if I caused problems for your family.”
“They’ll understand. My only concern is that you understand I would never do that to you. You’ll probably find a shit ton of reasons to get mad at me in the years to come, but cheating or treating you with anything but the utmost respect you deserve will not be any of those reasons.”
My lips twitch. “Years to come, huh?”
He smirks. “Yeah, baby, years to come. A lifetime of them because that’s how long you’re going to be stuck with me.” He brushes his mouth over mine. “Now that’s cleared up, let me finish making breakfast, because you’re going to need your energy for the makeup sex coming after.”
I unbutton his shirt and let it fall from my shoulders. “How about you just turn off the burner so we can do the makeup sex now?”
His eyes widen as he does just that before chasing me back to bed.