Chapter 8
CHAPTER
EIGHT
It felt like the earth stopped at his confession. Candy stared at him for what seemed like forever before speaking.
“You convinced him not to marry me? This may come as a shock to you, but I deserved to hear it from Jonah. If you had feelings for me, why didn’t you say something?” she said, shaking her head in disbelief.
“Jonah didn’t like confrontation. I didn’t tell you because it felt wrong to love your best friend’s girlfriend.
You seemed happy, and I wanted to believe he planned to remain faithful to you.
When he didn’t, I refused to allow him to promise you forever when he knew he damn well he didn’t mean it,” he confessed.
“Why didn’t you speak with me before the ceremony? You and Jonah disappeared, leaving me to tell all those people by myself. Why did you desert me when I needed you the most?” she asked, fighting back the tears.
Archer hung his head. “Because I loved you and you only seemed to have eyes for Jonah. Seeing you in a wedding dress with tears rolling down your face would’ve killed me. I wanted to beat the crap out of him for being such an idiot. He managed to find the girl of my dreams and took it for granted.”
Candy swallowed, and her eyes met his. Stunned, confused, and surprisingly relieved at his revelation, she asked, “I’m the girl of your dreams? I wracked my brains trying to figure out what made you leave me. Jonah, I reasoned he didn’t want to go through with the marriage, but you…”
“I came here for you,” he whispered. “Because I never stopped loving you, and I needed to see if we stood a chance.”
He slowly cupped her cheek. His thumb wiped away the tears, and he pulled her close.
Candy wrapped her arms around him, and her body molded to his. She met his lips and closed her eyes, feeling as if she belonged there. Her heart seemed to beat with his, making her feel weak at the knees.
“I want to make love to you,” he murmured, searching her eyes for any hint that he moved too fast. “If it’s too soon, we’ll go at your pace as long as you’re willing to give me a chance.”
Candy smiled. “I want you, too.”
Archer moved steadily to her room, and she went ahead, pulling the bedding down and making room for him.
Setting his crutches by the bed, he sat down. Candy helped him place his leg on the bed.
Archer’s hand caressed her back while she untied his shoe. She stood, appearing nervous and not knowing how to proceed. It was one thing to heal his amputated foot, quite another to make love to him while he recovered without the PT therapist coming out.
“Are you having second thoughts?” he asked gently. “It’s all right if you’re not ready.”
She giggled. “I explain how this works with my patients daily. Yet somehow telling you how to have sex sounds all sorts of unsexy.”
Archer grinned. “If it makes you feel any better, I came unprepared. Do you have a condom?”
“We’re a pair, aren’t we?” she laughed. “I have a box inside the bedside table.”
Archer leaned to the side and opened the drawer, pulling out the new box, opening it, and placing a condom beside him. “I’ve dreamt of this in a thousand different ways, and this didn’t cross my mind.”
“Which part? Forgetting the condom or how to have sex?” she teased. “Let’s throw the rule book out the window and do what feels comfortable. We can elevate your foot, and I can go on top—”
“Take off your clothes, Candace. I’ve waited my whole life for this part,” he said, deepening his voice.
She held his gaze while she fiddled with the buttons of her top. Her hands trembled in anticipation. His green eyes slowly perused her body as she let the top fall to the floor. Her pants went next.
Archer beckoned her closer, placing his hand on her hip.
The other hand slid around her back and unclasped her bra.
Candy let it fall to join the rest of her clothing and shoes.
He hooked his thumbs on the sides of her panties, pushing them down as he kissed her stomach.
She stepped out of them and helped him remove his shirt.
Archer lifted his hips as Candy slid his jeans and underwear off, careful of his wound.
“Come here,” he whispered. “Straddle me.”
Candy carefully lifted her leg over his thighs and sat. His cock stood at attention, letting her know he felt as excited as she.
“There you are,” Archer said, cupping her cheek and kissing her. His hands roamed over her shoulders and down her arms, causing her to tremble. She placed her hands on his chest, mimicking his actions.
His eyes turned darker green as he glided his hand down her breast, lightly teasing her nipples. The tiny nubs tightened, and heat filled her belly as he stroked her body and nibbled along her neck.
Candy moved her hips, sliding against his cock. Archer moaned and gripped her hips.
“You’re everything I imagined,” he breathed.
She tugged his nipples, and he growled.
“Candace, I haven’t slept with a woman since before the incident. If you keep moving your hips, we’ll be over before we start.”
She grinned, leaning in to nibble his ear and evoke the same tremors he stirred in her. “You feel nice.”
“Hmmm,” he said, closing his eyes while her hand slid between them and gripped him.
“I take it back. You feel better than nice,” she said seductively.
“One of these days, my foot will heal and payback will be in order,” he lightly threatened as she stroked him.
Archer cupped her breast, sucking and licking the sensitive nub. “Ohhh,” she moaned, cradling his head.
“You even taste delicious.” He peppered kisses along her chest. “I want to taste you.”
Candy moved off him and he scooted farther down on the bed. Tapping her leg, Archer motioned for her to straddle him.
When she seemed hesitant, he smiled, reassuring her. “I need to taste you. Don’t feel shy. I can’t wait to have your warm mouth around me.”
Candy moved over the top of him. Archer traced her soft, silky folds, inspecting her. “You’re beautiful,” he said softly. “I like seeing how wet you are.” He kissed her thigh and slowly nibbled his way toward her center, making her ache.
Candy gripped the headboard when his tongue slid inside, and he moaned against her. “You’re soft and taste sweet. No wonder your nickname’s Candy.”
She snorted and then sucked in her breath as his finger slipped deep inside. “Archer,” she pleaded as his hot tongue invaded her. He used his mouth to feast, while she rested her head against the wood. The pleasure built and rolled as he added another finger.
“Please let me taste you.”
Archer glanced at her. “It’s only fair. But I’m not done,” he said while she moved off of him. The temperature in the room seemed to rise. Her body felt on fire from his touch, and his tongue lit the flame low inside her belly.
Candy leaned over, feeling Archer’s hand wind in her hair. Gripping his length, she pumped up and down until the pearl of liquid sat on top. Her tongue darted out, sweeping the tip of his dick.
Archer’s hand gripped her harder and he moaned his pleasure while she used her tongue to lick him. Her mouth covered him, and she sank down, enjoying the sounds of appreciation from Archer.
Increasing her speed, she sucked and swiped the sensitive tip and went back down. His hips rose to meet her mouth. Worried about his wound, Candy slowed down.
“I can’t wait any longer,” she said desperately.
Archer reached for the wrapper, and she snatched it from his hand, ripped it, and pulled the condom out. She slid it over his stiff cock and positioned herself over him.
“I love you, Candace. You might not feel ready to say the words back since I waylaid you with all this. Once we do this, I won’t be able to go back to friends. I want more,” he said gravely.
His words seemed to reach deep into her soul and heal the hurt her heart seemed unable to move past all those years.
“I love you, too, and I want to see where this takes us,” she murmured before sliding down on his erection. She leaned down and he held her tightly against him.
“I can’t imagine anything more perfect than this,” he said, swiping away her hair from her face and tucking it behind her ear.
Candy moved her hips and kissed him. Letting her tongue explore his mouth. Archer played with her nipples, tugging them while she moved along his shaft.
“Ohhh,” she moaned, riding him harder. Archer’s hands fell to her hips, controlling her movements.
“That’s it, sweetie,” he encouraged her as they climbed higher.
Candy moaned and sat up, riding him cowboy style. Her hands splayed on his stomach, and she writhed above him.
“Come for me, Candace,” he ordered desperately, gripping her hips.
She closed her eyes and her walls clenched against him. Archer slammed her down harder on his cock, making them ride the wave at the same time. He slowed his moments, and Candy rested against his chest, listening to his rapid heartbeat.
“I meant what I said,” Archer held her tight to him.
“I know, I did too,” she said, peppering kisses on his chest. Candy rose from the bed and went to the bathroom, wetting a cloth. When she returned, she cleaned him up gently.
“I should be doing this for you,” he said, frowning.
“One day, you can. You’re healing and that must remain our top priority.
Let’s not ruin this evening by stressing about roles.
You surprised me with your confession this evening.
I have one of my own. Until you admitted your part in ruining my wedding, I never considered how much I relied on you.
I thought I loved Jonah. But I know you’re the one who held my heart. ”
“Let’s not waste time. We’ve spent too much of it avoiding each other and feeling guilty,” he said, tugging her beside him.
“How did Jonah take the news when you told him? I mean, he stood me up, so I don’t think I meant that much to him. Why did I get brought up after all these years?”
“Toward the end, Jonah drank heavily. He started getting restless and making stupid mistakes. When we returned home on leave, he frequented the bars and picked up any willing woman. I confronted him after he nearly got us all killed by not paying attention. Jonah’s problem wasn’t that he didn’t love you.
It required him to stay loyal and he never mastered the skill.
He accused me of wanting you for myself, and I didn’t deny it.
I refused to put you in the middle of us.
If Jonah had survived, I’m not sure I’d have come here.
His death reminded me of the importance of life.
You asked me what I wanted to do now. I’ve known from the first day I set foot on this mountain. I want to spend my life with you.”
His words took her by surprise. They resonated in her soul. “You haven’t seen me in years. I might annoy you with leaving the cap off my toothpaste, blowing huge bubbles with my bubble gum, or endlessly volunteering at my job.”
“You thrive on helping people. After visiting with the teens, I see how much they need people like you and this place. You’ve always blown huge bubbles with your gum, and I’m still not picking it out of your hair. It’s gross. If staying with you means replacing the cap, I’ll do it with a smile.”
Candy kissed him. “Your review will come up this week. Some people return for their prosthesis; they stay a few days to get used to it, and we do outpatient therapy. Kassie mentioned the hospital is at full capacity. Do you want to stay with me here?”
He cupped her cheek, moved by her offer. “I’d love to. Don’t feel like you have to invite me to stay. I can find a place if you need more time.”
“I’ve gotten used to you hanging around. If you don’t want to waste any more time, I suggest you live here with me. If we decide it doesn’t work for us, we’ll find you a place.”
Archer sat up and kissed her. “I didn’t see much of the house before we ended up here. Do you want to give me a tour?”
Picking up his shirt, she slid it over his head and handed him his pants. Then Candy opened the closet, pulled on her robe, and threw her clothes in the hamper. “Let me assess any potential fall risks with the rugs, and then I’ll show you around.”
Candy entered the living room and scanned the area. Kassie assigned her the cabin, and it offered her peace at the end of a long day. With Archer here, it became much more. It felt like home.