“I saw,” I murmur, my voice rough with pride and something deeper. “And I’m damn proud of you.”
She lets out a breath, her body relaxing into mine. “I had to make sure you knew.”
“I do now,” I say, my lips brushing against her ear, my grip on her waist tightening. “And so does he.”
She smiles, a real smile this time, and I feel the tension between us finally starting to ease. She chose me.
But just as I’m about to say something else, she looks up at me, her smile turning playful, teasing. “You were about to jump in, weren’t you?”
I grin, my thumb tracing lazy circles on her hip. “Maybe. But you handled yourself pretty damn well.”
“Damn right I did,” she says, her voice lighter now. “But if you want to handle me, I won’t stop you.”
The heat between us flares again, the electricity from the confrontation crackling in the air. I lean in, my lips finding hers in a slow, deliberate kiss, savoring the taste of her, the feel of her.
“I’ll handle you all right,” I murmur against her lips, my voice low and full of promise. “And I won’t ever let you forget who you belong with.”
Bella’s breath hitches, and she pulls me closer, her body pressing against mine. “Good. Because I’m not going anywhere.”
For the first time since that jet landed, I believe her.
Chapter Eleven
Bella
The gravel crunches under the tires as I pull up to Archer’s cabin, the headlights casting long shadows against the big, wraparound porch. My heart is still racing from everything that went down with David, but this time it’s for a different reason. The adrenaline might still be there, but it’s nothing compared to what’s pounding inside me now—this need to finally tell him the truth.
I cut the engine, gripping the steering wheel for just a second longer, trying to steady myself. Everything is clear now. I’m not just running from something anymore. I’m choosing something, choosing someone. And it’s him.
The cold mountain air bites at my skin as I step out of the car, pulling my coat tighter. The familiar cabin looms ahead, nestled in the quiet of Copper Mountain, solid like Archer himself. The man who’s been right here, waiting for me to figure my shit out.
I knock once, but I don’t wait for him to open the door. I push it open, stepping inside, the warmth of the place wrapping around me like a safety net. Archer’s there, leaning against the kitchen counter, beer in hand, watching me with that lazy, knowing grin. It’s like he’s been expecting me all along.
“Well, look who decided to show up,” he teases, raising his beer to his lips. “Couldn’t stay away, could you?”
I roll my eyes, but there’s a smile tugging at my lips despite the nerves knotting my stomach. “You have no idea.”
Archer leans back, arms crossing over his chest, eyes gleaming with that playful heat that always makes me feel like I’m walking into a game I don’t quite know the rules to. “Oh, I think I do. You came all this way, Bella. It’s gotta be important.”
The words are bubbling up inside me, but he’s making this harder with that damn cocky grin. I step closer, the intensity of everything I need to say pressing against my ribs, but before I can speak, he cuts me off.
“Let me guess. You’re finally ready to admit what I’ve known all along?”
I narrow my eyes at him, trying to keep my composure, but it’s impossible when he’s looking at me like that—like he already knows everything. “And what’s that?”
He sets the beer down, pushing off the counter, stepping closer until he’s right in front of me. His eyes lock onto mine, and I can feel the weight of his presence, the heat that always simmers just beneath the surface between us. “That you’re in love with me.”
I freeze, my heart stuttering in my chest, and suddenly all the teasing, all the playful banter—it’s not enough. Not for what I need to say.
“I am,” I breathe, the words slipping out before I can stop them. “I’m in love with you, Archer.”
His grin fades, replaced by something deeper, something real. For the first time, I see a flicker of surprise in his eyes, but it’s gone just as fast, replaced by that steady confidence that drives me crazy. “Took you long enough.”
I laugh, even though my chest is tight, everything too raw, too real. “Yeah, well, I had a few things to figure out.”
Archer reaches out, his hand sliding around my waist, pulling me closer until there’s nothing between us but air and the heat we’ve been dancing around for weeks. “You’re here now. That’s all that matters.”
I look up at him, my heart pounding, the weight of everything I’ve been holding back crashing down around me. “It’s more than just being here. I realized something today—when I finally cut ties with my old life. It’s not just about leaving him behind. It’s about choosing what’s in front of me. And that’s you.”
