Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 29124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 116(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 116(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
This is it. The start of something real. Something lasting.
And I’m all in.
He lays me down on the couch, his body pressing against mine, and the weight of him, the heat of him, makes everything else disappear. It’s just us, tangled together in the soft glow of the firelight, and for the first time in forever, I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
His lips trail down my neck, his hands exploring every inch of me, and I arch against him, my breath coming out in short, desperate gasps.
“I love you,” I whisper, the words slipping out before I can stop them.
He freezes for a second, then looks up at me, his eyes burning with something deeper than desire. “Say it again.”
I smile, my heart pounding in my chest. “I love you, Archer.”
His grin is pure heat, and he leans down, his lips brushing against mine. “Good. Because I’m never letting you forget it. I love you too, Bella, with everything in me and more.”
And as he kisses me again, slow and deep, I know he means every word.
Chapter Twelve
Archer
The sun is barely up, the early light slipping through the windows of my cabin, casting long shadows over the floor. But I’m not paying attention to the sunrise. I’m watching Bella, her body tangled in the sheets beside me, her hair a wild mess of curls splayed over the pillow. She’s everything I never thought I needed, and now that I’ve got her here, I’m never letting her go.
She stirs, her lashes fluttering open, and those warm, dark eyes lock onto mine. A lazy smile spreads across her face, and I feel something deep inside me settle, like this is exactly where I’m supposed to be.
“You’re staring,” she murmurs, her voice still heavy with sleep.
I grin, leaning closer, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. “Can’t help it. I’ve got a good view.”
She laughs softly, but there’s a blush creeping up her neck. “You’re ridiculous.”
I shrug, pulling her against me, her body fitting perfectly against mine. “Maybe. But I’m also right.”
Bella rolls her eyes, but I catch the way her breath quickens, the subtle tension that never really leaves between us. I love how even now, after everything, she still gets flustered around me.
“You know,” I say, my voice dropping, “I’ve been thinking.”
She raises an eyebrow, teasing. “That’s dangerous.”
I chuckle, my hand trailing down her spine, feeling her shiver beneath my touch. “Maybe. But I think you’ll like where I’m going with this.”
“Oh?” She arches an eyebrow, trying to act like she’s not curious, but I can see right through her.
“Move in with me,” I say, my voice steady, leaving no room for hesitation.
Her breath catches, and I can feel the weight of my words settling over her.
“Move in?” she repeats, like she’s testing out the idea in her mind.
“Yeah,” I say, pulling her closer, my lips brushing against her ear. “Today. Tomorrow. Hell, now if you’re up for it. I don’t want you spending another night anywhere but here. With me.”
She stares at me, the conflict in her eyes clear, but there’s something else there too—something like excitement. “Archer…”
“Look,” I interrupt, not wanting to give her a chance to talk herself out of it, “we both know what this is. It’s not just a fling. You feel it too. So stop making it complicated.”
Bella bites her lip, her fingers twisting in the sheet, and I can see she’s still holding on to the last bit of doubt she’s got left. But I’m not letting her walk away from this.
“I’m not asking for a big speech,” I say, my voice softer now, but firm. “I’m just telling you what I want. And what I want is you. Here. Every day. Every night.”
Her eyes search mine, and I can see the walls she’s built around herself slowly starting to crumble. “You really think we can do this? Live together? Build a life?”
“I don’t think. I know,” I say it with certainty, because there’s no question in my mind. She’s it for me.
There’s a long pause, and for a second, I think she’s going to back away, throw up those walls again. But then she lets out a breath, and I see the shift happen—the way her body relaxes, the way her lips curve into a small, real smile.
“Okay,” she whispers. “I’m in.”
The words hit me like a shot of adrenaline, and I don’t waste a second. I kiss her, hard, pouring everything I’m feeling into it. There’s no more hesitation, no more holding back. She’s mine, and she knows it now.
Her hands slide up my chest, her nails digging into my skin, and it’s like she’s telling me with her body what she’s just told me with her words. She’s all in, and I’m not letting her pull away ever again.