Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“There he is,” she says. She turns and places her lips just beneath my chin. “I thought you’d been abducted by aliens.”
“What?” I chuckle. I never know what’s going to come out of her mouth.
“You weren’t being my sweet Archer. I mean, your mouth is dirty when we’re… getting dirty, but this was something different. I thought you were into that.”
“No. I’m not into sharing or showing. Ever.”
“That’s a relief.” She snuggles in closer and pushes Play. I don’t even bother to look at the screen. Instead, I close my eyes and enjoy the fact that she’s here in my arms, and that’s all that matters right now. Sharing this night with her. Laughing and just being together.
CHAPTER
SIXTEEN
Scarlett
I don’t know how it’s already September. Usually, time drags by, but it seems as though my time here in Willow River is fading fast. The excitement of what’s to come isn’t as strong as it usually is, either, but I know why or who is responsible for that.
Speaking of Archer, he’s going to be here any minute. I need to get moving. I pull the black short-sleeve cotton top over the top of the red corset. The black shirt is low cut and allows the lace of my red corset to show through. It’s a little sexy for a Labor Day cookout at his brother’s, but I want to look good for him, and I blame Palmer. We were shopping online at the studio a couple of weeks ago, and she encouraged me to get one. I told her I would if she would. I ended up with the red and Palmer with the deep blue.
I made my mom’s chicken ranch pasta salad for today. I’m grabbing the container out of the fridge when Archer knocks on the door. “Come in,” I call out to him.
“Just me,” he says.
“I know.” I smile at him. He moves to me, wrapping his arms around my waist, kissing me soundly. “Hi,” I say when he pulls back.
“You shouldn’t tell just anyone to come in, Scar.”
“I knew you were due any minute.” He scowls at my reply, but I hand him the container of pasta before he can give me more of a hard time. “I need to grab my camera, and I’m ready.” I kiss his jaw and rush to the other side of the small kitchen where my camera bag sits. I take my battery off the charger and zip up the bag, tossing it over my shoulder. “Ready?”
“Let me take that.” Archer reaches out for my camera bag.
“I’ve got it, Popeye. Give those guns a rest, yeah?” I tease. He shakes his head, but a smile plays on his lips.
“Where’s your bag?”
“What bag?”
“You’re staying with me tonight, right?”
I debate about messing with him, telling him I don’t want to stay with him tonight, but that would be a lie, and there is so much hope in his voice I can’t do it. “It’s by the door.”
“Good.” He nods and moves toward the door, grabbing my overnight bag. “Is there anything in here that can’t be in the truck while we’re at Sterling’s?” he asks.
“Nope. It should be fine.”
“Are you sure? We can take it back to my place first.”
“Positive. Thank you for checking. Sweet Archer is out to play today.”
“Well, after seeing that peek of red poking out from beneath your shirt, that might change later.” He wags his eyebrows, and I crack up laughing as I follow him to his truck.
I’m holding my stomach with one hand and my camera in the other. Bending at the waist, I try to catch my breath. I’m laughing too hard. I close my eyes to try and block it out, but I can still hear the song, and the image of Maverick and Merrick dancing to the post of the patio, pretending it’s a stripper pole, has me unable to catch my breath.
“S-Stop,” I stutter. “You have to stop.” I feel an arm wrap around my waist, and I know without looking that it’s Archer. He’s been more touchy-feely with me today in front of his family. More so than he ever has, and it’s been nice—to feel like I’m a part of something. This family, my relationship with Archer. All of it. This day has been one of the best.
“Get your dollars out!” Maverick swivels his hips as he drops to the floor, shaking his ass.
“Porn Star Dancing” by My Darkest Days plays over the outdoor speakers. “Thankfully, the kids are all down for naps, and Blakely went home with my parents. They would be scarred for life after this debacle.” Archer laughs. The husky sound causes chills to race down my spine.
Will I ever not respond to him like it’s the first time he’s touching me? I hope not.
“Right?” I lean into his hold, a smile on my face as I watch his two youngest brothers entertain us. When the song finally ends, we all clap and cheer for them.