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Willow
A month later
“So Vegas is good then?”
“Yeah, you could definitely say that,” Charlie answers with a laugh after telling me about all the sex she’s having with Hudson now that they’re settled into their new house in Nevada.
Moxie Misfits is officially open for business, and tonight is the grand opening. Five Finger Death Punch plays throughout the open space, along with tattoo guns buzzing and slight crying from clients who might have come with bigger aspirations than they were ready to handle in one sitting. It’s a great turnout with all my old crew, including Allie, who’s currently piercing a member of Headspace, right on the Johnson. Everyone’s joking and picking out design concepts, just like the old days.
It's bittersweet. Unfortunately, a lot of it is thanks to Archer, who “took care” of a lot more than I had asked him to. As much as I want to be pissed that he helped me behind my back, I also realize that’s ridiculous. Still, I hope he doesn’t expect a thank you. He’s called a few times, probably once a day, hoping I’m ready to talk, but I’m not. I heard about him knocking Christian to his ass, and as much joy as that brought me, I’m not stupid enough to go running back into shark-infested waters to be the victim of someone like Christian, or even Alice. I will never give up who I am, and Archer always respected that even when I lost sight of it. That’s probably what hurts the most. I’m still in love with him.
I do my best to tune back to Charlie. She’s so happy, she’s glowing. I hope she’s already knocked up and just doesn’t know it yet. She deserves it after all she’s been through, and she’ll make an amazing mom.
“So, of course, what do we wake up to but total and utter chaos, not forty-eight hours after unpacking.”
I run the line of her mandala shoulder piece as she tells me more outrageous stories that the boys and the band are getting into and laugh along with her. An hour later, I’m wrapping her up.
“It's perfect, Willow; thank you so much.”
“You’re more than welcome; just autograph my wall somewhere before you go, and we’ll call it good,” I joke as we watch the last few of the gawkers leave the shop, and her boys come pouring in. Allie and Adam wave goodbye, and then it’s just us.
“Anyone want a drink?” I ask, and they all answer with a roaring yes, so I pull a bottle of celebratory vodka out of the bottom drawer while Hudson grabs a stack of red solo cups from a nearby table.
“To Moxie Misfits, the best damn tattoo parlor on the West Coast,” Bandit says, holding up his cup with one hand and placing the other over his junk because he refuses to close his pants. Big baby.
The room resounds in cheers, and we all touch cups. We turn up the music and celebrate for about an hour. Charlie and I dance as the boys talk about their first show next weekend and what songs they want to play. After only a year on the road and only one album with Charlie, they decided to record another this year, and I hear them mention getting in touch with Marcus. I miss most of the conversation, lost in the sultry music of Wallflower, so I don’t notice the door chime, or the man walking in until I spin and fall into his arms.
“Archer,” I say as if it couldn’t possibly be him, blinking several times as I right myself and push out of his reach. As his warm hands fall from my arms, I hate that I instantly miss his touch. The front door chimes, and as soon as I look, I catch Charlie’s shy grin as she heads out the door, followed by Hudson and Bandit whose the last to leave. They all fucking left me.
I’m not all that surprised. Charlie has been bugging me to talk to Archer and get his side of the story since we found out he hit Christian.
“What are you doing here?” I ask timidly, already feeling flushed from seeing him again.
“You won’t answer my calls or messages, and last I checked, you’re my fiancée, Willow.” There’s no heat behind his words, just longing in his deep brown eyes.
I feel the emotion bubble up inside me, and I try to clear my throat and say the words I’ve been avoiding.
“No, I’m not Archer.”
Shaking my head, I catch my trembling lip in my teeth and force myself to look up at him, to appear brave and strong, even if all I want is to be wrapped in his arms and be told it's all ok. That we’re ok. We can run away again and just be together, with no-one forcing their agendas on us.
“See, that’s where you’re wrong, angel.” He reaches out and palms my cheek gently, tentatively gauging my response. My head is at war with my body, but I can’t help leaning into his warm touch. I hear his sigh of relief, and tears threaten my eyes because I know we can never work.
“Archer, there is no place in this world for the two of us together. Our lives are too different, our responsibilities on the opposite end of the spectrum.”
As hard as I fight it, a stray tear falls down my cheek, and he catches it with the pad of his thumb. His gentle actions and my overwhelming feelings threaten to cripple me. These last few weeks have been utter hell without him, and the realization that he buried himself so deep into my heart is an unwelcome shock after running away on our wedding day.
“What if my love for you is stronger than both worlds?”
My eyes snap open at his words, full of so much promise. His eyes are intense and swirling with all the love he’s trying to share with me. But how can I trust it not to consume me?
Before I can say anything, his lips descend on mine, and I welcome them selfishly. As his fingers grip my hair, I moan. The bite of pain, in pure contrast with the heat that rushes to my core. Only this man can work my body this way. My head falls back. I fist his t-shirt in my hands, pulling him closer as he deepens our kiss.
Our bodies are both lit up, burning for the other, and in one quick pull over his head, I take his t-shirt off. His abs feel delicious under my touch, and I skim my fingers up and over his shoulders, starting to pant. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him. Not just like this, but everything. How I think he’s my perfect opposite, considering my family and upbringing, but still the only person I want to find a new adventure with.
His hot, wet mouth finds my neck and I arch into him. Slowly, he walks me backward until my back hits the chair. We’re in a haze of lust that’s been pinned for over a month, and so greedy for each other. In a flash, he grabs me by the ass, growling in my ear as he lifts me to sit. Our faces separate, both of us gasping for air and grabbing at clothing. I unbuckle his belt as he kisses the top of my head. Everything is so intimate it takes my breath away, but still, I need to touch him. Need to feel him own me, if only for one last time.
My hands glide onto his hard erection, and I wrap them around him as I push his pants and boxers down his legs. I’m sitting at the perfect height to take him, make him lose control under my power, and give him all of me for tonight. My mind made up, I lean forward to lick him from base to tip along the thick vein I know weakens him. The animalistic roar through his teeth entices my own arousal, and I feel my panties getting wet. I take his crown into my mouth and pop it with a purposeful suction. Both of his hands fly to my hair as I take him in again, this time letting him guide himself all the way down my needy throat. I vibrate my approval and squeeze his muscular thighs. As he thrusts slowly, I get eager for more and attempt to pick up the pace, wanting him to explode inside me, but he stops my movements with a tug and pulls out. I lick my lips and look up at him, the chair giving me the perfect view of my alpha. Strong, cunning, and calculated as he bends down, putting his arm around my back and scooting us up to lie back on the reclined leather chair. It’s brand new, never held another ass before mine, and will be easy to clean up. The notion sparks more excitement, and all former worry evaporates as his lips come back to mine. Searing and soulful, I feel his want, the same longing and love I say with my lips as we explore each other. His big hands push my shorts off, and my feet kick his pants off his ankles. As our kiss deepens and his tongue invades my mouth, I wrap my legs around his bare torso.
