His gaze lifted, locking onto mine—and the air shifted.
“Contrary to popular belief,” he said, quieter now, something rough edging his voice, “I like it here.”
There was no humor or deflection in his voice.
“Your family…” His gaze flickered, like he was weighing just how much to give away.“That kind of loyalty—you don’t find it easily.”
My chest tightened.
“Certainly not,” he added, almost under his breath, “where I come from.”
I watched him a beat too long, picking him apart—not the version people whispered about, not the threat they made him out to be.Just the man.One who didn’t quite fit anywhere.I knew that shape too well.
“Careful,” I said lightly, leaning back, breaking the tension before it settled.“You’re starting to sound sentimental.”
His mouth curved, but it didn’t touch his eyes.
“Don’t tell anyone and I’ll try not to make it a habit.”
I reached for my drink, glancing at him over the rim.“I don’t know… I think Raze would be fascinated to hear you’ve got a heart in there… somewhere.”
I held his gaze—and felt it immediately.That shift.
My pulse stumbled, sharp and off-beat, before kicking harder.Annoying.Unwanted.
I adjusted without thinking, drawing my legs in, tucking them beneath me like it might anchor something that had already started to slip.His shirt slid against my skin as I moved, loose on one shoulder—and I caught it.
The flicker of his gaze.Down.Back up.Too quick to call out.Too deliberate to ignore.There it was.That thing.It had been sitting between us all night—quiet, patient, waiting for one of us to acknowledge it.Neither of us had.Until now.
“Careful,” I said softly, meeting his eyes again.“You keep looking at me like that, people might start talking.”
His expression didn’t shift.If anything, it sharpened.
“And what would they say?”
The room tightened around us.Smaller.Closer.I felt it in my throat when I swallowed.
Archie didn’t do anything by accident.Not a glance.Not a breath.He leaned forward, slow, forearms braced against his knees, closing the distance without touching me.
“Tell me,” he murmured.
Every instinct told me to look away.I didn’t.
“Like you want me,” I said quietly.
The words didn’t fall—they settled.Heavy.Final.
Something in his eyes darkened.Immediate.Unhidden.
“And you,” he replied, his voice lower now.Rougher.“You might not like how I answer that.”
My breath hitched—barely there, but enough.
“And how would you answer?”
The second it left my mouth, I knew.It wasn’t a question so much as a suggestion.An invitation.
Something in him shifted.He moved without hesitation.
