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Archer
Sated and empty, I collapse on top of her, gasping for air. I hold her hair in my clenched fists, wanting to hold every part of her as close as possible. Getting my dick wet was the last fucking thing I meant to do when walking in here tonight. I was given a friendly hint from Cole that her opening was tonight, so I waited across the street at the diner until I thought everyone had left. When she wasn’t alone, I considered turning around, afraid I wouldn’t be able to say all the things that needed to be said, but when she so clearly longed for me the same way, I was tortured, and I couldn’t stop myself. And now I worry she won’t hear me. That getting physical so soon, especially since our sex is so explosive, would all be too much, and now I face the consequences, and she pushes against my chest. I slowly get up, grab her shorts and top from the floor before finding mine.
“I’m sorry.” Her words are like shards of glass, small and splintering into my heart. My gut twists with regret, and before I can even turn around to try and get the right words out, she’s bolting for the door.
“Willow, wait!” I shout as she slips out the door.
I run out of the door, still half-naked, chasing after her. It's nearly two in the morning, and streetlights are on, but no one appears to be around. Her top is crooked, and her hair is a tangled mess from our rigorous reunion, and she has never looked more beautiful. I see it as soon as she turns back to face me. Her face is filled with love and longing. She still wants me. This distance between us isn’t because of fucking Christian; it’s more. It has to be because my girl loves me.
I slow my pace and walk up to her hesitantly. She’s on the verge of crying, and I don’t want to spook her. I want to keep her. So I keep my hands to myself this time.
“Talk to me, Willow. Whatever your worry is, I’ll fix it.”
She shakes her head, and one lone tear falls down each of her sweet cheeks, making my knees weak. I want to fall to my knees and beg her to fight for us again. To give me that fire and sass that made me fall in love with her. Instead, I stay strong, knowing she needs me to take the lead on this.
“I know what Christian said, and it’s not true. Your name slipped when my father told me to pick someone I could trust to be my wife. A person I could depend on that wouldn’t ruin or rob me the way the gold-digging barbie dolls my mother had picked out for me would.” I look her in the eye, getting closer to her face so she can see the honesty of my words. “You’re the only one I could think of, and I barely knew you. My life was completely empty of anyone I could trust, so your name slipped out. I didn’t plan it. I sure as hell didn’t know you would be in any trouble the day I came to your shop and pulled you from the path of that drunk driver, but I would never let anything happen to you.”
Her head nods as she wipes her tears now flowing freely down her face, and her bottom lip trembles despite my words.
“I believe you,” she sniffs, trying to act brave, which causes dread to rise in my gut. “You are the most amazing man I have ever met, Archie, and I love you so much for everything you’ve taught me.”
“But...?” I choke out, even though I don’t want to hear it.
“There is still no place in your world for me, and I can’t fake it anymore.” Her statement seems to cause her as much pain as it inflicts on me.
“I don’t want you to,” I say, shaking my head and finally letting myself touch her cheek. “My biggest fear has always been my world hurting you. I know it will.” I touch her gorgeous blue hair that’s always driven me crazy. “It would happen slowly. I would move you into my sky-rise penthouse with promises of working less. Of more adventures together, but then I’d get handed another million-dollar contract and miss dinner. Our first trip back to Rio, or anywhere you would want to go, would be filled with lunches, and empty conversation with stiff suits whose wives would look at you like you were less.” I push a lock of her hair behind her ear as I continue. “You’re not less, Willow; you’re everything. My everything, and absolutely nothing will ever get between us again.”
“But how? How can you make promises you have no control of?” she asks, sounding discouraged, but I see a spark of hope in her eyes as she looks at me.
“No control?” I question her with my most cunning grin. “Baby, I’m always in control.” I lean in and kiss her lips with a deep but chaste kiss. “Besides, I just quit my job,” I say, looking into her eyes, hoping I’m right and this was the right thing to do.
Several emotions stir in her blue eyes. Confusion, shock, and then realization.
“We can be together?” she whispers, in a tone that’s unbelieving.
“I actually just sold my penthouse. Any idea where I could stay?”
“You quit your job, and you’re homeless? Who are you?” She scrunches her eyebrows, and the adorable, hopeful smile on her face makes me laugh. I take a step forward, wanting to be closer to her, running my hands down her arms before taking her hands in mine.
“I love you, Willow. You brought life to my existence; I didn’t start living until you crashed into my life. I want to build something together, and make our own world. If you’ll have me?”
Our fingers intertwine, and I feel something surprising on her ring finger. My ring.
I smile, not having to look anywhere but at her face. Her smile is confirmation enough, but she nods.
“I just so happen to have a newly built apartment right upstairs.” She beams at me with adoration.
“Up those stairs?” I nod in the direction we left, and she bites her lip.
“Yes, those are the very stairs we need to take up to my apartment where we can start building.” I see mischief in her eyes and play along, loving how much lighter and happier she is by my declaration.
“Building what?” I question, hoping she’ll confirm our forever. Instead, she grips my neck, and I grab her waist just in time for her to jump into my arms, wrapping herself around my torso and kissing me.
“Orgasms,” she says before she kisses me again. “Red marks,” she giggles. “Our own world.”
Gazing into her eyes, I see all her insecurities, all the vulnerability she’s giving me.
“Our forever,” I say, crushing my lips to hers, spinning us, and walking back to the shop where I intend to fuck my beautiful woman on every possible surface.
