Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
~ELENA~
“ Y our breakfast, my lady.” Archer steps onto the deck at his beach house in Bandon, his arms laden with pancakes and all the fixings.
Including bacon. I think the man keeps the pork industry in business all on his own.
“You didn’t have to make breakfast,” I say as I accept the plate and set it on the arm of the chair next to me, already salivating at the smell of the deliciousness before me. “But I’m grateful.”
“We worked up an appetite last night,” he says with a wink and takes a huge bite of his pancakes. “We need the calories.”
I watch him as I eat, relieved to see that the bruises have faded away. Unless you look closely, you’d never know that he’d been beaten so badly just two weeks ago. Archer kept his word, he healed from the injuries quickly. I had to order, bribe, and beg him to stay in bed longer than two days so he’d heal faster, though.
“I missed it here,” I say as I take a deep breath and enjoy the salty air. The water’s a little choppy this morning, and birds fly over the waves in search of their breakfast. “We got lucky with the weather this weekend.”
“I watched the weather app last week, and it looked like a few storms blew through Bandon. They got it worse here than in Seattle.”
I nod and chew my bacon. “I’m going to really miss living here.”
He frowns at me. “We own property here.”
“Speaking of which, I need to get my cottage cleaned up and ready to put on the market.”
“Are you sure you want to do that? You could rent it out. You don’t have to sell it.”
“I don’t know how often I’ll be in town, and I don’t want to hassle with a rental company. Plus, since it got ransacked, it just doesn’t feel like home anymore. It’s time to sell and turn the page on that chapter. Are you going to keep this place?”
He swallows and turns to me fully now. “Elena, are you under the impression that we’ll go back to Seattle and never come back here?”
I frown, hating the idea of never returning to Bandon. “With your work in Seattle, I just assumed we’d be there most of the time.”
“You know I run my own company,” he says. “I work just fine from here, and I can do that from time to time. I have no intention of selling this house. I love it here. But most importantly, you love it here. So, we’ll come whenever you want.”
The love is swift and all-consuming, filling me so full, it feels like light will start shooting out of my fingertips any second.
“You’re awfully good to me,” I say. “I’d like that. I have a busy day ahead. In addition to starting on the cottage, I have to go to the animal refuge and see Margie and Chad. And I’m having drinks with Lindsey this afternoon.”
“You finally get your happy-hour time,” he says with a grin.
“Yeah. I know they’ve all been worried and confused. It’s time I come clean about everything. I’ll miss that job.”
“There are animal rescues in and around Seattle,” he says. “I’m sure one of them would be happy to welcome you on staff. And like I said, we’ll be back to visit. You’re not saying goodbye forever like you did in California.”
“You’re right. I guess it’s just an old habit. It’s amazing, isn’t it? How much can change in six weeks? My life is completely different. For the better.”
“Same here,” he says. “I’m relieved it’s over. That you’ve come to an understanding with your family, and we can get on with our lives. It’s past time.”
“It’s because of you that it happened,” I reply. “I owe you so much.”
“You don’t owe me anything, Elena. I’d do anything to keep you safe and make sure you’re happy.”
“These pancakes are a good start.” I grin and don’t react when the phone buzzing starts.
“That’s yours, babe.”
“Oh, right.”
When Archer replaced his phone, he got me one, as well. It’s the first cell I’ve owned in almost ten years, and I’m not used to listening for it.
I scowl at the name on the screen.
“Hello?”
“Good morning,” Uncle Carlo says. “How are you today, little one?”
“I’m fine.” The food I just ate sits like lead in my stomach. “What’s up?”
“I need to see you in my office as soon as possible.”
I close my eyes and feel despair creep through me. “Already? Uncle Carlo, we just arrived back in Bandon, and we’re seeing to a few things here. You need us for something so soon?”
“No, you misunderstand,” he says. “I’m not calling you because I need something from you or Archer. I need to see you because we need to discuss your parents’ estate. It’s been sitting for eight years. And added to that is your inheritance from your grandmother.”
“Oh.” I blink and look over at Archer, who watches intently. “Honestly, I don’t want anything from my parents. I don’t care what you do with it.”
“I can’t do anything with it.”
I laugh at that. “Of course, you can.”
Uncle Carlo chuckles with me. “Elena, I know you didn’t have a close relationship with your parents. But this all belongs to you. Real estate, investments, money, jewelry. The value is in the eight figures.”
My mouth goes dry, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth as I stare at Archer in shock. I had no idea my parents were worth so much.
“Elena?”
“I’m here.”
“You were their only child, and everything was left to you in their will. It’s gone through probate, and as the executor, I’ve been managing it. But it’s time for you to take it all over. Now, I honestly don’t care what you decide to do with it all, but don’t be foolish and turn it down just because your parents failed you. Make it work for you. And if you need advice, I’m always happy to help. But you’re a smart woman, Elena.”
“Let me do some thinking. I’ll be sure to call you when we’re back in Seattle. It’ll probably be a week or two.”
“That’s perfect. Travel safe.”
He hangs up, and I open and close my mouth like a fish out of water.
“He said?—”
“I heard,” Archer says. “You’re an incredibly wealthy woman, Elena.”
My shoulders sag. “I already was, actually. But this is…unexpected. I guess it never occurred to me to think about what happened with their estate after they died. I left less than forty-eight hours after their deaths and figured anything they had would have been absorbed by the family.”
“You assumed wrong,” Archer says and reaches over to take my hand. “But don’t worry. I’m not just after you because I’m hot for your money.”
I chuckle and then start to laugh, the kind of laugh that grabs hold of you, where you’re helpless to stop it.
When I finally take a deep breath, tears are running down my face. My stomach muscles ache. My face is frozen in a most unattractive expression, I’m sure. But I don’t care. That felt damn good.
“Ally!” Lindsey rushes to me across the lobby of the resort and pulls me in for a tight hug. “I don’t know what the hell’s been going on, but you’ve got some ‘splaining to do.”
“I know.” I hug her and then step back. “But first thing’s first. My name isn’t Ally. It’s Elena.”
Lindsey frowns and then takes my hand and leads me toward the bar. “I think we need drinks before you say any more.”
“Good idea.”
We choose a booth in the corner where we’ll have some privacy, and once our martinis are sitting in front of us, Lindsey takes a breath.
“Okay. Start from the beginning.”
And so, I do. It feels amazing to finally be able to tell my best friend everything, from being with Archer in high school to our separation, then about my parents’ deaths, and everything that happened after.
“How didn’t I recognize you?” she wonders as she takes the last sip of her drink. “I used to love watching the gossip on your family.”
“I was never in the spotlight much. I’m an introvert by nature, and I always stayed out of trouble.”
“Well, it makes sense.”
“What does?”
“That day at the diner when your grandmother’s death was on the news, and you flew out of there like a bat out of hell. And Archer—who I like, by the way. He’s nice, and he’s hot. ”
“I know.” I grin, enjoying being with my friend again. “I’m sorry I had to lie to you for so long.”
“I’m just sorry that you had to at all. But I’m so glad that it’s over for you. Have you already talked to your job?”
“Yeah, I was just there. Margie cried.” I feel my eyes fill with tears at the mention of it. “She’d been worried, and she’s sad that I have to quit. Archer and I will live in Seattle full-time, but we’re keeping his house here. So, you’re not getting rid of me. I’ll be back to visit and check in on you.”
“Damn straight, I’m not losing you,” she says. “I’ll come visit up there, too. I love the city and don’t get to shop nearly often enough. I have a ton of vacation time coming.”
“We can meet up in Portland sometimes, too,” I suggest.
“Absolutely.” She signals to the bartender that we want two more drinks. “What are you going to do with your house?”
“Sell it.”
Her eyes get big. “Really? Would you be willing to sell it to me?”
I tilt my head to the side. “I didn’t know you were looking to buy a house.”
“I wasn’t, but I love your place. It’s so cute and close enough to the water that you can walk to the beach, but not too close to make it worth millions.” She grins happily and then deflates. “Wait. Unless you are planning to sell it for millions.”
“No.” I nod at the bartender when he delivers our drinks. He doesn’t even look my way. He only has eyes for Lindsey. But she doesn’t spare him a glance. When he walks away and is out of earshot, I pounce. “What’s going on there?”
“What? Nothing. I don’t know what you mean.”
She sips her drink, trying to be nonchalant.
“Bullshit. Spill it.”
“There’s nothing to spill.”
I sit back in the booth and cross my arms over my chest, giving her the liar, liar, pants on fire look.
“Okay.” She leans in and holds her hand up to the side of her face in case he can hear us from fifty feet away. “I slept with him last weekend. I was lonely and feeling a little needy and totally did him. And now, he’s the needy one.”
I press my lips together, trying not to laugh. “He’s pretty hot. Was the sex bad?”
“No, it was good.”
“Then why are you ignoring him?”
“Because he failed to mention to me until after I’d had my third orgasm that he’s married. ”
I gasp and glare at the douche canoe behind the bar. He glances our way, and I flip him off.
“ Ally! ”
“Elena,” I reply. “And I’m not sorry. Cheating asshole.”
“I already sent an email to his wife just before I met with you today. So, his home life is about to really suck.”
“He deserves it. I hope she chops off his balls. What a jerk.”
“Oh, he’s totally a jerk. He didn’t understand why I was so pissed-off. He said the relationship sucks, and they’re probably going to get divorced anyway, so what did it matter? I did manage to slam his fingers in the door when I left, and he tried to run after me.”
“Attagirl.” I clink my glass to hers.
“Okay, I have a question,” she says, already changing the subject. “Like I said before, your family has always been interesting to me. But what’s Rocco like? He’s always so stern and mysterious in photos.”
I swallow quickly before I blow vodka out of my nostrils. “ Rocco ?”
“Yeah. He’s totally hot. Come on, help a girl out.”
“No.” I shake my head vigorously. “Just, no. Absolutely not.”
“You’re no fun,” she says. “But maybe I’ll meet him someday.”
“Maybe you’ll stay away from him,” I say, all-business now. “I’m telling you, Lindsey, my family isn’t one you want to get all tangled up in.”
“I mean, getting tangled with him sounds kind of fun.”
“You’re incorrigible.”
“I do try.”
The sun is just starting to set when I pull into the driveway of the beach house. I’m exhausted. Between the manual labor of cleaning my cottage and the emotional strain of seeing my coworkers and Lindsey, it’s been a hell of a day.
I’d love nothing more than to get in the hot tub with Archer for a long soak, watch some trashy TV, and then maybe go to bed early.
Yep, it’s a wild Friday night for me.
I park in the garage next to Archer’s Audi and walk through the mudroom to the kitchen. It occurs to me that I spent all morning at the cottage and didn’t feel a connection to the place at all. And I lived there for six years. Yet as I walk into this beach house, it feels like home. I’d like to think it’s because of the man waiting for me here. Home is wherever Archer is.
There are a dozen red roses in a gorgeous blue vase on the counter with a note.
E-
I’m down on the beach. Join me. Grab a sweater, it’s getting cold.
-A
I guess the soak will come later. I can’t resist a sunset stroll on the beach with the hottest man alive.
I smile when I see one of Archer’s sweatshirts lying by the sliding glass door. I throw it on and walk down the steps to the sand below.
When I catch sight of Archer and the scene before him, I stop short.
I 3 U has been drawn in the sand, but the heart is made out of lit candles in hurricane glasses. My heart soars because as cheesy as it is, it’s exactly like a night twelve years ago in Seattle.
Which tells me he’s about to ask me a very important question.
“It’s déjà vu, right?” Archer asks as I approach. He stands in the middle of the candle heart, wearing cargo shorts, a green T-shirt, and the biggest smile ever. He holds out a hand for me, and I take it, joining him.
“It was cheesy back then,” I say with a laugh. “And it’s a little cheesy now. But maybe the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.”
His incredible blue eyes turn sober as, with his gaze pinned to mine, he lowers himself to one knee and pulls out a gorgeous ring from his pocket.
“The first time I did this, I thought my love for you couldn’t be stronger. That I’d never love you more than I did in that moment. But I was wrong, Elena. I love you more now than ever before, and you’re still the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. I don’t want to miss out on one more day with you. I want to grow old with you, have babies and grandchildren, and give you everything you could ever need or want. I tried to live without you, but I was just a shell of myself without you by my side. So, I’m asking you, right here and now, to make me the happiest man in the world and be my wife. Marry me.”
I sink to my knees in the sand in front of him and frame his face with my hands.
“I never stopped loving you, Archer. I know, deep in my heart, that we were always meant to be together. It would be my honor to be your wife.”
I can’t look away from him as he slips the ring onto my finger and then slides his hands into my hair as he kisses me like never before. As if his life depends on it.
He stands and pulls me to my feet and then slings me over his shoulder, carrying me up to the house.
“Hey!”
He slaps my ass, making me bark out a laugh.
“I can walk,” I remind him, but take a moment to admire the ring on my finger. The round stone is massive and set classically. It’ll be beautiful with any style of wedding band.
“Not fast enough,” he says as he runs, with me still on his shoulder, up the steps to the house. He doesn’t pause until we’re in the bedroom, and he dumps me on the bed.
“Well, that was romantic.”
He laughs and joins me, covering me with his strong form. “I suddenly had the urge to have you in my bed. Naked. Writhing. Unable to control yourself.”
“Romantic and humble? I hit the jackpot.”
He kisses me again, and his hands are swift and sure as they strip me bare. He really is talented at unfastening a bra with one hand.
His lips clamp over a nipple as I open for him, hitching my legs around his hips in invitation.
But he doesn’t slide home. No, he takes his time, tickling me with his fingers, making sure I’m slick and ready. And only when I am writhing beneath him does he bury himself, balls-deep, as he lovingly cradles my head in his hands.
“I’ve loved you my whole life,” he says. “And I can’t wait to finally build a life with you.”
I gasp as he presses the root of his cock against my clit. I tighten around him, making him swear under his breath. My hands clench his ass, holding him to me tightly. We’re as entangled, emotionally and physically, as we’ve ever been. It’s intoxicating. Addicting. And I don’t have to give him up, now or ever.
“It’s about damn time.”