Chapter 10 – Betsy #2
He holds it out to look at the band logo on the front and grins. “Black Sabbath, huh?” he asks, placing it on the back of the armchair before lifting the hem of his wet T-shirt up and over his head, revealing his firm, muscled body with various tattoos.
“Oh, um,” I stutter, covering my eyes with my hand and looking away. “Er, yeah, I like the classics,” I mumble while staring intently at the wall.
I hear him moving around, and I chance a look through my fingers to make sure he’s dressed, relieved to see he has the T-shirt on.
“So…” I clear my throat. “Er…” I stare far too intensely into my mug while I scramble to try and think of what to say.
I feel the couch dip next to me, and I look up and see Archer sitting down. His arm is sprawled casually along the back of the couch, and those eyes of his are pinned on me.
God damn those eyes! Instantly, I look away.
“What are you working on?” he asks. I shift, turning to face him slightly, keeping my gaze on the ‘B’ on the Black Sabbath T-shirt.
“It’s confidential,” I state.
“Right, club business, is it?” My gaze snaps up to his, my lips parting. “You think I didn’t know that you and your friends were part of a club? The Savage Sisters, right?”
“We are just bike enthusiasts,” I state, the lie pouring off my lips with ease.
He smirks. “Sure. Do all bike enthusiasts know how to fight like you?” he presses.
I shift, an uncomfortable feeling setting in. “I learnt how to protect myself, that’s all.” I shrug. He doesn’t comment. I place my mug down and fake a loud, over-dramatic yawn. “You know what, I think I’m just going to call it a night and go to bed.”
He makes no effort to move. “Okay.”
I blink. “You can go now,” I press.
“I can’t. I promised I would keep watch over you until your bodyguard came back. Plus, I’m locked out, remember?” he states, placing his hands behind his head and getting comfy.
I nibble on my bottom lip. There is no way I will be able to fall asleep knowing he’s in my house.
I will probably wake with my head shaved, or pictures of me dribbling in my sleep will be posted online.
“Well then, I guess I will just stay awake.” I shrug while trying my hardest to suppress a yawn.
He glowers at me. “What?” I huff like a petulant teenager.
He stands and places his mug down on the coffee table, holding out his hand.
I look from his hand to his face. “I’m not holding your hand,” I refuse.
He doesn’t retract his hand, just continues with a stern look. I push his hand away and stand toe-to-toe with him. His tall frame towers over my petite frame, and I give him the best staredown I can muster.
“I am not a child. I will not be told what to do. Especially in my own house,” I firmly state, while internally feeling like I’m having a panic attack.
I swear I can feel sweat trickling down my ass crack.
It’s me and him alone in the dark. He could quite literally attempt to do anything.
The unknowing of his intentions is what has my anxiety spiking.
I don’t trust him. I don’t know him. My entire body is coiled tight like a spring, ready to defend myself if I have to.
His lips twitch slightly. “I don’t think you’re a child.”
“Well, that’s good, then. Glad we got that covered,” I ramble awkwardly. Damn, I wish I was good at comebacks like Mor.
The muscle in his cheek twitches. Good, I like that I’m annoying him. “You’re tired,” he says, stating the obvious. I know I look tired. I feel tired. It’s been an intense few days of researching, causing a lack of sleep.
“I’m fine,” I counter, refusing to admit anything to him.
“Your eyes are dull and have dark circles under them. You’re not eating properly, and you are up all hours. You are tired,” he argues.
“Wow, don’t beat around the bush, will you? Just say it how it is,” I bite back.
“Go to bed. I will stay downstairs. You can even lock your door. I will not come into your personal space unless I’m invited,” he states sternly.
“What are you, a vampire?” I snort. “Can’t enter unless invited.” I snort back my laughter again.
“Whatever makes you feel better.” He shrugs, and his eyes, those goddamn mother fucking eyes that seem to burrow into my soul, drink me in like he’s dehydrated and I’m a large glass of water.
“If you sit and stay there, it will make me feel better,” I say, gesturing to the couch.
He sits straight down with no arguments.
“Right, good.” I nod. “Now, if you don’t mind, I am going to bed.
Help yourself to food and drink,” I say as I scuttle past him.
Not paying attention to where I am going, I catch my foot on the same damn table, and I go flying.
“Woah!” I screech before landing on the floor with a thud.
“Mother fucker, again!” I hiss. Maybe I should have had that ice pack now, because my knees have taken a beating tonight.
“Are you okay?” I hear Archer ask as he shifts.
“I’m good! Totally good. Goodnight!” I yell panicked over my shoulder as I push myself and hobble as fast as I can up the stairs to bed.
As soon as I’m in the safety of my own room, I slam the door shut and lock it. I lean against the door and curse under my breath.
“God, I’m such a moron,” I groan. I push off the door and limp to my draws, grabbing the first T-shirt I can feel.
Not being able to see anything, I quickly get changed, worried he may just walk in at any moment.
After creeping to the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face, every step making me wince in pain as I move my knee, I climb into bed and pull the covers high.
Lying in bed listening to the heavy rain and storm that’s still whirling outside, I close my eyes, and a vision of Archer, topless and wet from the rain, flickers in my mind. I quickly open my eyes.
“Nope, I’m not going there,” I whisper to myself.
I close my eyes again and see Archer, but this time I envision him touching himself, his hands gliding down his hard body.
My eyes spring open, my cheeks are flushed, and my core is clenching with desire.
“Fuck, no. No, I can’t,” I whisper, feeling tempted and mortified.
I close my eyes for a third time, and Archer’s green eyes invade my thoughts, followed by hooded sounds of how I imagine his moans would be filling my imagination.
“Fuck,” I whisper hiss, opening my eyes again.
I look to my bedside table and open the top draw, feeling too wound up. I pull out my vibrator and switch it on, and the vibration sound seems really loud around my silent bedroom. I wince and look at my bedroom door, making sure he hasn’t heard it.
“It’s just a mindless fantasy because he is here, that’s all.
He’s just eye candy. This is all it is, and it’s been a long time since I’ve done anything,” I say to myself.
I slide my vibrator under the covers and switch it on, closing my eyes as I imagine Archer pleasuring himself with his eyes on me.
His moans are all for me. The vibration on my clit makes me gasp as a quiet moan escapes me.
I keep my eyes closed, biting down on my bottom lip as I imagine his hand moving faster and faster up and down his shaft, moaning my name, a guttural roar rumbling from his chest as he climaxes.
I feel my orgasm build with him, my legs trembling as I try to contain it.
“Fuck, Archer,” I whimper, as my pleasure radiates through my body.
I open my eyes and wait for the embarrassment to come, but it doesn’t.
It felt okay. No, it felt right, and that is what worries me the most. My eyes are now heavy, and with my body sated, I chuck my vibrator back in my draw, making a mental note to wash it in the morning.
Laying back down, I don’t have to wait long for sleep as it consumes me.
I’m dreaming, and the feeling of a feather-light touch along my temple slides through my hair from my face, the scent of cedar surrounding me, tickling along my senses. I blink slowly, and my heavy lids see a sea-green looking back at me. The sight is so beautiful, I can’t help but smile.