I smother a laugh at Archie’s face, his jaw dropping, so I grab his hand and pull him into the lift. “It’s okay, Arch, I happen to find men who read incredibly attractive.” Archie smiles and sticks his tongue out at Nate.
It isn’t till the lift doors open and Archie strolls out that Nate grabs my hand, stopping me from walking out. He spins me around, and my back hits the side of the lift. With one hand above my head, he leans down and murmurs in my ear. “Looks like I need to start a new hobby then.” And just like that, it’s over, and from that one little interaction I’m left, chest heaving and my core throbbing.
He walks out of the lift and calls over his shoulder. “Come on, Shortcake.”
Nate Peterson, ladies and gentlemen.
Family man, carpenter, six-three, gorgeous, and now a smutty book reader.
I really am in trouble.
Chapter 4
Nate
The plan was simple. I went over it several times with my doofus of a brother. We would spend a day with Hayleigh by the pool, and around three, I would ask her if she wanted to go out to see the strip, catch a show, or maybe have dinner with me.
Then Archie steamrolls over the whole thing as he sits next to Hayleigh, talking about their smutty book and for the first time, I’m slightly jealous of my brother.
He nudges her. “What are you doing later?”
She looks to me, then shrugs. “Probably grab some room service and read a book in bed.”
He throws an exaggerated wink my way. “We’re going out on the strip; you should come with us.”
I try my best to be polite, but I can’t help but speak through clenched teeth. “Archie, don’t you have thatthingyou need to do?”
His look is clueless as he shakes his head. “No. I don’t think so?”
“Oh, I think youdo.” I am going to kill him.
He purses his lips and squints. “Uhm…nope. Nothing comes to mind.”
Fine. Be that way, you little shit.
I smile. “Huh, my mistake.”
Hayleigh looks between both of us, confusion swirling in her eyes. “You two are weird.” She gets up and sits by the pool, dangling her legs in, and I whirl on Archie.
As soon as she’s out of earshot, I lean over and flick his ear. “What the fuck was that?”
“Ouch! What do you mean?”
“What do you mean?” I mimic, yes, I’m well aware it’s immature, but so is his face.
He sighs. The look he gives me is pitying. “I’m sorry about messing up your plans tonight, but I honestly think it would be a mistake to take her out on a date.”
I bristle ever so slightly, and I can’t help it, but I need to know. “Arch, do you fancy her?”
He looks at me like I have three heads. “Absolutely not. I mean, she’s pretty, but…” He shrugs his shoulders. “We’re friends, that’s all, and I worry…about you. I don’t want you getting hurt in all of this because she’s already hurting. I’m only trying to help.”
I nod. “I know, and I do appreciate you looking out for me, Arch, but I’m a grown man, and it’s my choice whether or not Ithink this is a mistake, and for the record, I don’t think anything about that woman is a mistake.”
He holds his hands up in surrender. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
I nod. “That’s okay. So, just so we’re clear. Tonight, you won’t be coming with us.”
He smirks. “Oh hell no, I’m still coming, I already have my dancing shoes picked out.”
