Chapter Fourteen
ARCHIE
Her favorite flower doesn’t surprise me. The fact that she got another tattoo surprises me. What I saw—that fucking shocks me to my core. The disguised letters hiding in the center of the flower. It was done so incredibly well, you could blink and miss it.
I can’t do that when it comes to Tabitha. It’s something I’ll never do, overlook something that seems simple to someone else. Tabitha is like a beacon; I notice all the little things. Always have.
There’s only one logical reason she has my initials tattooed on her… I mean something. Tabitha has only one other tattoo, and it means a lot to her. She knew she would get it for years before she actually got it.
There is nobody else with my initials. They’re mine alone.
Mine.
On her fucking body.
Fuck.
I wait until she comes out of the shower, then take my turn.
It takes a while for the water to warm up, but the cold shower does a little good.
My mind is twisted up and focused on what I saw.
I spend more time in the shower than normal, wasting time thinking about seeing that flower on her gorgeous skin.
Thinking about all the scenarios that would make me be able to see it again.
A groan slips from my lips as I think about how anyone could see it if she bends over. Then I think about her bent over. My cock hardens and I try to think of something else to make it go down—anything.
I shouldn’t be having these thoughts. Right? The images flood my mind of her bent over as I take her from behind. Fuck, I don’t know what I like more… the idea of watching my cock thrust inside of her or rutting into her while staring at my initials on her skin.
My hand wraps around my cock; the other braces against the cold tile. I don’t last long. I know I shouldn’t do this. Fuck, this is wrong on so many levels. She makes me harder than I’ve ever been, and when I finally find my release, it’s more than I thought I could produce.
Holy fuck.
When the one who got away secretly puts your initials on her gorgeous body, you don’t let them get away. Not again—unless you’re an idiot. I need to figure out a way to make this work. There’s no denying it now.
I matter more than she ever let on. Maybe my feelings were never one-sided. I thought they went away, but this time with her is proving they didn’t. For years I’ve considered her the one who I could never be with.
We’ve always been just friends, but what if we could be more?
I take my time drying off before going into the bedroom. This isn’t something I want to bring up, not yet. She may not even be ready for anything right now. I wouldn’t blame her. But I need her to know I’m here and I’ll wait as long as I need to.
Fuck, I’ve waited my whole thirty-three years of life, what’s a while longer in the grand scheme of things? She’s worth the wait. Worth everything.
Always.
I moved the bedside lamp across the room earlier so it wouldn’t be right in my eyes, but still give a soft warm light to the room. I know she’s struggling being in the dark right now. I flip the lamp on and turn the bright ceiling light off.
I wait until we’re settled into the bed before I roll over to face her. She’s facing away from me. As I shift under the blankets, I see a glimpse of it, between the sliver of skin revealed between her pajama set. It brings a smile to my face.
Tabitha Grimaldi has my fucking initials tattooed on her. Mine.
She groans; clearly, she can tell my eyes are on her. “What?” She rolls over and faces me.
I study her face. Blue eyes that are as calming as waves, even if they’re narrowed on me. Lips that beg to be kissed. She’s so fucking perfect, it hurts.
“Can I admit something to you?” I hold my breath.
I don’t want to take this too slow. We need to rip the Band-Aid off. She needs to understand how I really feel, how I have always felt.
She sighs quietly. “Sure,” she replies slowly.
“I regret not making a move when we were younger,” I blurt out, and my heart rate picks up. “The biggest secret I kept from you growing up was how much I wanted you.”
“Arch,” her voice strains. “I thought we didn’t keep secrets.”
She’s right. We don’t. I know she’s keeping one too. I have to know.
“It should have been me.”
“What?” she squeaks.
I always wondered what my life would’ve been like if I told her all those years ago. Everything would be different. Without a doubt, our lives were always supposed to be intertwined. Nobody has ever compared to her. I think a part of me always knew, and that’s why no relationship ever lasted long.
Not that I’d admit that fact to her. I don’t want her to feel blame when it’s entirely my fault. I should have acted. I should have made a move.
“It’s too late.” She rolls over onto her back.
“What would you have done if I had done something? If I had said something? If I would’ve made a move?
” I wait, but she doesn’t respond. “What if I had kissed you when we were kids? What if I told you how I felt?” I know I’m laying it on thick now, but she has to know the truth. I can’t hold it in any longer.
She’s mine, even if she wants to fight it.
“We’re just friends.” She sighs. “Archie, you never saw me like that. I was always just a friend.”
“No,” I argue.
“Arch, you had girlfriends—often. I remember.” She rolls back over to face me.
“I thought you were too good for me.” I admit and prop myself up on my elbow. “What would you have done, Tab? No more secrets.”
She covers her eyes and shakes her head. “Archie.”
“Tell me.” I scoot a little closer. “No. More. Secrets.”
She groans and props herself up. “No more secrets?” I nod.
“I would’ve kissed you back. I would’ve told you I wanted you to be my first. I would’ve told you I fucking loved you.
I always have and always will. You were my everything, and it hurt to see you with other girls.
” Her chest rises and falls with every breath.
“I didn’t know.” Fuck! Why didn’t either of us say anything? “Too bad we don’t have a time machine.” I chuckle, trying to make light of the situation. I refuse to believe it’s too late.
Tabitha rolls over and looks back up at the ceiling. “Time doesn’t work like that.” She laughs. “You know, there were times growing up when I thought you might make a move. Or tell me my feelings weren’t one-sided.”
“I screwed up.” I shake my head.
There were times I teased and flirted with the edge, just to see if she would say something or do something. Clearly, she was waiting for me to make the first move. Officially.
“Life moves on, though.” She admits as she turns to face me. “Life happens. Too late to change the past.”
“Is it?” My eyes search hers. “Now, I know the truth.” I lift my hand to brush her hair behind her ear. “You were always mine.”
I slide my hand behind her head and pull her close. I can’t let another second go by without her knowing or questioning things. I have to know what it feels like to have my lips pressed to hers.
Tabitha is right; we can’t change the past. I’ve always regretted not making a move when we were younger. I thought I was too late. Now, I refuse to let more time pass us by with more regrets. Maybe this is our second chance.
I’m torn between wanting to devour her and take my time—I choose the latter. I reach out to cup her face. My thumb brushes back, then forward, along her jaw. Her eyes search mine, and her lips part. I run my thumb over her lips. So soft and plush.
What if I kiss her and it’s all in my head?
“Arch,” she whispers.
What if I kiss her and can’t stop?
Tabitha licks her lips. “Please,” she pleads.
I slowly lean in, and she closes her eyes.
“Archie!” Someone bangs on the other side of the door.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I groan and press my forehead to hers. “One sec!”
The. Worst. Fucking. Timing. Possible. I roll out of bed. It takes effort not to stomp to the door, yank it open, and curse out whoever is on the other side to fuck all the way off. I step softly and open it a couple of inches.