Chapter Three
A fter three days in Virginia Beach, Addison could no longer ignore the responsibilities to her research team. She didn’t have anything to pack away if you didn’t count regret over the brevity of her trip. She glanced around Julian’s apartment, soaking in his familiar space knickknacks. Her partner, Wyatt, hadn’t been exactly compassionate about her leaving Paraguay, and now that they were teaming up to explore more rural indigenous communities, her time in the United States was up. But damn, she didn’t want to go. She’d been ignoring that voice in her head for a full year now. How could she possibly listen to it after nearly ten years in school on the path to her doctorate degree? Julian had supported and encouraged her in ways their father was unable to. Although their dad loved them in his way, he wasn’t an active parent. He didn’t understand Addy’s drive to study different cultures.
She loved her area of study, but God she was tired. Of the intensive travel. Constantly sleeping on high alert because of the war-torn and often volatile situations they encountered. She wanted a place to belong. A place near her brother, Sam, and the new baby that would soon enter their family. It seemed so selfish to even be thinking that way after all the time, effort, and money she’d put into her studies. She closed her eyes. Then there was Archer and the brave face he wore to mask his pain. He’d removed it for her, though, and had let her see his devastation. She’d done nothing to earn his trust, but he’d given it to her freely and without expectation of something in return. Maybe it was weird, but his pain was one of the most intimate gifts she’d ever been given. Regret was a thick wedge at the base of her throat. What would it be like to have time to enjoy the anticipation of getting to know Archer? To be by his side as he opened those memories of Quinn he’d hidden away. But time was the one thing she didn’t have. She’d think of him often and send healing thoughts from afar.
Earlier this morning, she’d kissed Sam and her brother goodbye. That had been hard enough.
There was a knock on the door. Eleven o’clock sharp. Over the past few days, she’d learned Archer was never early or late, but always right on time. Blowing out a long, steady breath, Addy walked to Julian’s apartment door and opened it. Archer filled out the frame, so beautiful in his masculinity it made her stomach clench. Nothing could happen between them, but boy, had she dreamed of her hands on the hard planes of his chest, his lips on hers. He sauntered forward and shut the door. His wordless entrance made her heart beat faster as he closed the distance between them. Archer stood before her. The heat radiating off his body tempted her to step into his welcoming warmth. Just as his fresh scent was an invitation to breathe him in deep.
“Addison.” His gaze had dropped to her lips and his hand came up to cup the side of her face. For one incredible moment, she allowed herself to welcome the sparks of attraction. The elemental pull that seemed to draw them together. She stepped closer, letting herself be tugged into his orbit. He tilted his head and tingles swarmed through her chest and stomach. Instead of kissing her, though, he dropped his forehead to hers. Somehow, it was more intimate than a brush of lips. “Thank you for spending time with me. For helping me unbury memories of Quinn.” His hand dropped from her face, and he stepped back. The longing to have him close, touching her again, was immediate.
Thanks was the last thing she wanted from Archer. “You never need to thank me for something like that.”
He looked away momentarily. “That all you’ve got?” Archer rasped, gaze flicking to the single bag in her hand.
“Mm-hmm,” she managed to choke out. She’d been so sure he was going to kiss her, and she wasn’t sure which emotion won out, disappointment or relief. Disappointment because she wanted to taste him even if it was only once, and relief because she knew one taste of Archer Ross would never, ever be enough.
“Addy.” There was tension in his voice. “Look at me.”
She complied with his demand, sucking in a quick breath at the desire dripping from his expression. “It’s going to be better, easier this way,” he said. So he had been thinking of kissing her.
“Of course. You’re right.” Despite her words, her heart felt as though it had sustained a blow. Time was achingly slow as they stood suspended in indecision. Archer’s navy eyes appeared almost black as his pupils grew wide. For a moment, she thought he was going to change his mind and pull her into his arms but, with the uncertainty warring on his face, she couldn’t let that happen. He’d been through an emotional few days as he opened up to her about Quinn. The more she learned, the more her heart bled for Archer. Quinn had been the center of his family and losing her had broken something inside him. Owning the decision, she held out her hand. “We should go.”
Maybe it was just wishful thinking, but his expression was one of regret. His large hand engulfed hers, only letting go when they reached Archer’s truck. He came around to the passenger side and opened the door. “Up you go.” There was a tenderness in his voice that made her eyes burn. Were her current feelings of dissatisfaction toward her career making her want to anchor herself to this man? She didn’t want Archer to be her excuse to make big life changes and she owed it to herself to finish up this study. Still, something inside her was repelled by the idea of leaving Archer even more than it did over leaving her brother and his fiancée. When he got into the truck, buckled up, and started the vehicle, he propped his arm over the console, offering his hand. They drove to the airport in silence, fingers laced together.
*
Archer didn’t want to let go of Addy’s hand. Something he’d settled on in lieu of kissing her breathless in her brother’s apartment. The past three days had been a test in self-control, especially when he caught flashes of desire kindling in her eyes. He’d only released his grip when they’d gone through security at the airport. He’d been afraid she’d tell him no when he asked to see her all the way to the gate but she’d simply nodded.
“I think I miss you already, Archer Ross.” Her words were faint, yet they struck his core with the intensity of a bullet. Something that had happened a time or two while serving his country. He struggled to reply, caught between asking her for more or setting her free with no ties to him. The last option would be best. Losing Quinn had closed him off, but it had also given him a heightened awareness of his own emotions. It hadn’t taken him long to realize how dangerous Addy was or how easily he could fall for her. Maybe he was so attached because she’d given him a priceless gift. Memories of his beautiful baby sister. His best friend. Maybe he could just keep telling himself that was the only reason he was having a hard time letting go of her hand.
“You’ve got my number saved in your phone, right?” Damn. He was weak.
The loudspeaker crackled. “We are now boarding Flight 657 to Luque.”
His chest tightened.
“You have mine?” She stared up at him with those wide green eyes.
He nodded, not trusting himself with words.
“Okay, then. Be well, Archer.” After one long look, she released his hand and started to turn, but he grasped her arm.
“Be safe.” He swallowed past the wedge in his throat.
Then she did the unexpected and stepped into him, wrapping her arms around his waist. Fuck, that felt good. He breathed in her hair as she pressed her face into his chest. She smelled like spring, like hope, and because of that, he dropped his arms and took a step back.
“You, too, Archer.”
Then he watched her go. She didn’t turn back.
*
Archer’s mood declined with each mile he put between himself and Addy. The day was bright, sun gleaming overhead. He couldn’t help but feel as though he’d lost something incredibly precious. Even more reason Addy leaving was best-case scenario. He couldn’t get closer to her. He’d lose his heart and a piece of himself with anxiety over all the things that could rip her away from him. Not to mention the complications of dating his teammate’s sister, although that was less of a concern.
“Speak of the devil,” he muttered when his music paused and was replaced by ringing. Joker’s name was on the screen right above his center console.
He pressed the button on the steering wheel to accept the call. “Yeah?” he said.
“Addy get to the airport okay?”
“Walked her to the gate.”
“Thanks, man. Hey, don’t shoot the messenger, but she wanted me to leave something at your house. Not sure if you’re going to be so happy about it. Consider this your heads-up. Later.”
Joker hung up before he could get a word in. What did Addy have Joker leave at his house? He suddenly regretted giving each of his teammates a spare key in case of emergency.
His question was answered when he walked into his foyer and spotted the small carrier. He sucked in a sharp breath when he heard the tiny sound. When he crouched down to look inside, the pain that bloomed in his chest was nearly unbearable. He kept still, waiting for the agony to roll over him. Archer took a steadying breath and opened the small door. The ball of orange fur wobbled out, locked eyes on him, and meowed loudly. He was frozen in place as the kitten arched its back and pushed against his leg. Its fur was in disarray, and longer between the ears so it looked like a mohawk. He carefully picked up the animal. It was so tiny in his hands. He closed his eyes as the burn behind his lids intensified. Then there was a mass of fur brushing against his cheek. A tongue, like wet sandpaper, licking him. Archer spotted the envelope on the top of the carrier, tucked the kitten under his arm, and settled on the couch. The kitten batted at the letter as he slid his finger beneath the seal.
Archer,
Keep remembering.
I hope this kitten gives you the same comfort and joy that Quinn found in hers.
Addy