Chapter 7 Masked and Licked
MASKED AND LICKED
Archer
“No!” Penny’s arms and legs flailed as I helped her up, but not before she landed a fist squarely on my jaw.
“Argh! Penny!” I staggered back, releasing her. The woman had a right hook. If not for my mask, she might have broken my nose, but my ego was weirdly proud of her. I clawed at my mask and prosthetics, ripping away enough latex and glue to reveal my face and ears.
Her wide eyes blinked at me. “Archer?”
“Yeah.” I massaged my jaw with a wince. “You punch harder than you look like you should.”
“Thanks to defense classes with Brier. What the hell were you doing?”
“I saw you leave and wanted to make sure you were safe. It’s Halloween—there are creeps everywhere.”
“Yeah, including you!” she snapped.
“You shouldn’t be out walking the streets alone tonight.”
She aimed at my arm again. I ducked just in time.
“Easy there.” I held up both hands. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“What do you get off on zombie-chasing women through the streets of New York?” She crossed her arms, nostrils flaring. “Why are you dressed like that, anyway?”
“Halloween’s my favorite holiday. Every year at Rex and Richard’s Zombie Ball, my costumes get more elaborate. Won the contest, as you saw. I pointed at you.”
“You could have warned me about what you were doing when you left me on the dance floor.”
“You’re probably right. I should have, but Brianne used to make fun of my passion for cosplay at Halloween. I wasn’t sure what your reaction would be. Especially this year. I went all out, hiring a special FX artist to create my mask and make it look real.”
Her lips twitched, fighting a grin. “You were convincingly zombie-stalker-ish.”
“Judging by how fast you bolted, I’d say they earned their paycheck.” I peeled another strip of glue from my chin, wincing as it tugged at stubble. “Dammit—hurts worse than a dull razor.”
“Karma’s a bitch.” She chuckled, and that earned her a full grin from me. “And I’m not like Brianne. I actually think it’s pretty cool you did this.”
“You do? You weren’t leaving already, were you?
The party’s not over yet.” I’d spotted her earlier, desperate to talk but keeping my distance.
Until she was alone on the dance floor with some asswipe vampire moving in on her.
The idiot had no idea this was zombie territory.
I swooped in before he could and staked a claim I had no right to.
No regrets, even though touching her, moving with her to the music, completely unhinged me.
“I was here with Brier, but she turned into Princess Bride and got swept away by Westley. I’m ready to go home.”
Truth was, after doggie daycare, I’d sworn myself off Penny—not because of her, but because of Brianne. The ghost of girlfriends past. Because of Rex and Richard’s worries, I let it all twist in my head until it became one big, stupid excuse.
Seeing Penny now, regret hit like a wrecking ball that I’d stayed away.
My throat worked. “Look, let me make it up to you. I’ll take you home, but zombies gotta eat. I know a great diner on the way to Brier’s house.”
She sighed, looking around, making me sweat it out for her answer. “It’s the least you could do for scaring me half to death.”
“On my zombie honor, there’ll be no more scares tonight. No tricks, just treats,” I quipped.
We headed back toward the hotel valet. She filled me in on Brier and Westley, her voice bright despite everything. When the attendant pulled up with my ride, the throaty growl of a V-twin cut through the night, startling her. I gestured to my Harley, chrome gleaming under the parking lot lights.
I held out the helmet. “Your chariot, Ms. Frankenstein.”
Her eyes widened. “You expect me to ride on a motorcycle? I figured you’d have a sports car or something.”
“I have a few of those too,” I said with a shrug. “Don’t tell me you’re scared to ride.”
“Of course I’m scared. You’re a zombie with a death wish to ride this thing.”
“Trust me, this Harley will purr between your legs. Come on. You already survived a chase with the undead tonight, Penny. Live a little more.” I slipped the helmet over her head and kissed the spot where her forehead would be.
“Relax. You’ve got tights on. Hike your dress up and hold on to me tight.
I’ll only go as fast or as slow as you like it. Promise.”
I shrugged out of my leather jacket and draped it around her shoulders. I swung my leg over the bike.
She gave me a slow, thorough once-over. “You know you look really hot on that thing, don’t you?”
“I’ll be even hotter with you sitting behind me.” I put the zombie mask back on and held out my hand for her join me.
She steadied herself on my arm and climbed on. Her hands hovered uncertainly at my sides before she gathered a fistful of my tee. That wouldn’t do. I reached back, caught her wrists, and pulled them around me.
The moment her palms flattened to my stomach, my muscles flexed. Electricity shot through me, wild and searing.
The engine roared to life; the vibration echoing up my spine. Penny pressed closer, holding on for dear life. I liked it way too much. Resisting her more? Impossible. Tonight could either be the best night of my life—or my biggest regret.
Throughout our Boo-Berrylicious Pie at the corner diner, we talked and laughed, stretching the night as far as we could. Penny brushed her hand over mine at some dumb joke I made, and it set me on fire. It was nice to have an audience who got my sense of humor.
The way her smile lit up her face—I must have been living under an eclipse for years. In the presence of her light, I wanted more.
At Brier’s, the brownstone was split into two units. I parked out front and walked her upstairs, inside and to her door. When she unlocked it, she leaned against it as if she needed the wood for support.
“Thanks for tonight,” she whispered, and played her bottom lip between her teeth.
My hand landed on the doorframe above her head before I could stop it. Standing this close to her invited nothing but temptation. Her perfume wafted to me—floral, and womanly, no hint of dog tonight. Pretty. She was so fucking pretty.
“You’re thanking the guy who scared you half to death? Twice.”
“The Harley ride doesn’t count. It wasn’t so bad after the first minute or two.” Her voice dipped low and warm. “I liked it. Very much.”
I gave in to every urge and kissed her
No warm-up, no calculation. Just my mouth crashing into hers before I could overthink things. The taste of pie, sugar, and her sweetness sent my heart rhythm off track.
She gasped, then rose on her toes, wrapping her arms around my neck and giving the kiss right back, like she’d been waiting years for it.
My body closed any remaining space, pressing her against the door. It gave way, and we nearly tumbled through, laughing as we steadied each other.
“Brier’s not home tonight,” she said breathlessly, fingers toying with her hair. “And I’m probably too scared to be here alone on Halloween.”
I grinned, kicking the door shut. “Zombie protection service. At your command.”
Her laugh melted into a squeak when I scooped her up, pressing her against the wall just inside. Her legs wrapped tight around me, her dress riding up. My lips found her neck, sucking at her racing pulse.
She arched, moaning into my ear. “You smell like biker leather and terrorizing women on dark streets.”
“I have to admit, chasing you was exhilarating. Best Zombie Ball ever—with you.”
“Best and only ball for me, too, even with the fright you gave me.” She tugged my shirt up, fingertips trailing over my abs. “Oh, God, Archer. You are one fine man.”
In the dim light coming from above the stove, we stumbled toward the couch, mouths fused. Her tongue tangled with mine until we fell backward, landing with her on top of me. I kicked off my shoes, knocking over a basket of soft things.
“Sorry. Let me pick those up.” I reached down until my hand found something squishy. “What are these?”
She groaned, burying her face. “Oh my God. Brier’s side hustle of crocheted penises.”
I twirled a large pink one. “I’ll try not to be offended by the size and color options.”
Her cheeks burned. “She spends hours on Pinterest and thousands on craft supplies.”
“I think we both know there’s nothing better than the real thing.” I tossed it aside, grabbed her hips, and brought her tight against me.
She gasped, grinding down with a soft moan. “Mm. Very true.”
She drove me wild, riding me like this. For once, the ghosts of girlfriends past never crossed my mind. The only head thinking was the desperate one in my pants. “Do you want me, Penny? It’s your call. We do as fast or as slow as you want.”
Her sultry grin wavered. “I do want you. I think I have since that night we talked on the steps here so long ago. But…”
She stopped moving.
I inhaled deeply, reining myself in. “It’s okay. We’ll take it slow.”
Slow would be good, my brain warned, taking back control. Time to make sure Penny wasn’t another Brianne. God, I was so broken.
Penny shifted to my side, one leg still across my lap like she couldn’t quite let me go. “Slow as in it’ll be another month before I hear from you or I’ll run into you at a random turkey party with you dressed like a pilgrim chasing me down the street?”
I snorted, cupping her cheek. “You broke the spell tonight. I want to see you again. And I promise—no more costumed chases unless you decide you’re into that.”
We kissed and cuddled more until a knock came at the door, startling us both.
“That must be Goldie. The neighbor watched her while we were out tonight.” Penny stood and smoothed her dress, lips swollen, cheeks rosy as she hurried over. “You stay,” she warned, pointing at me to obey as I followed her to the entrance.
“Happy to.”
The door swung open, and a blur of golden fur shot inside. Goldie barked once, tail wagging like a metronome on steroids.
“Hey, buddy—whoa!” I crouched in time to get a sloppy lick delivered across the chin as Penny thanked the neighbor lady.
She closed the door and then laughed, kneeling beside the dog. “Guess she approves of you. You’ve made a fast friend.”
Goldie leaned into her, then turned right back to me for more affection and licks.
“Smart dog. Knows good people when she sees them.” I scratched behind her ears, recalling all the years I begged Dad for a dog. But his billionaire lifestyle hardly left room for us boys, let alone a pet. “Now that she’s home, I’m guessing you don’t need my protection services any longer?”
“It’s getting late.” Penny stood, one hand on the doorknob, the other holding Goldie’s collar, my cue to leave. “Thanks for tonight and for the pie.”
“You’ve had coffee and dessert with me. Why don’t I treat you to an entire meal next time?”
“Great idea.” She said it like a dare, like she wondered if I was capable of one small commitment like that.
I lingered with a kiss on her lips one more time. “You were wrong, though.”
“Oh?”
“Zombie chases aren’t really my thing either.” I grinned. “But chasing you might be.”
She rolled her eyes, but the corners of her mouth curved up. “Goodnight, Archer.”
“Night, Penny.”
By the time I hit the street, I grinned like the idiot who’d just survived a zombie apocalypse and fallen headfirst into something worse—a crush I had no business catching.