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I would make this work, no matter what it took.
I dressed in silence, my eyes on Thea the whole time. The sheet was barely covering her, her soft curves on display.
Her hair was spread out on the pillow in wild tangles, and she was every one of my wet dreams come to life. But then again, Thea had been the star of my dreams for a long time.
Unable to help myself, I brushed a strand of hair out of her face before placing a kiss on her forehead. A glance at the time showed me I had to move or I’d miss my flight.
My feet were bogged down by invisible weights that seemed to get heavier with every step I took away from Thea. I closed the door behind me, careful not to make a sound.
Carter was fast asleep when I went back to the pool house to pack the few belongings I’d brought with me. He opened one eye when I stepped inside but turned around and fell back asleep almost instantly when he saw it was me.
I had to force myself to get into the taxi that was waiting to take me to the airport.
And when I sat down on the plane, it took everything in me not to get back up and walk out again.
14
THEA
Archer had only been gonefor two days, but nothing felt right anymore. Not the many paintings I’d started, and not the time I spent with William.
Why hasn’t he called me?I’d only gotten a few texts that I’d replied to almost the second my phone dinged.
I was restless.What if he realizes I’m too old for him? Or gets fed up with sleeping with a woman who’s married to another man?
“Stop huffing and puffing. You’re destroying my Zen,” William complained from his seat on the floor, his legs crossed, his hands resting on his knees, and his eyes closed. He’d talked me into working out with him this morning, but instead of providing a distraction, it only gave me a chance to twist my thoughts into little knots that seemed impossible to untangle.
Especially when I was supposed to sit still and clear my head of any thoughts. Instead, they multiplied faster than ever before. William was a big believer in ending his workouts with meditation. But I’d never been able to sit still for long.
“Sorry. I just can’t concentrate.”
I gave up on my fruitless attempts and rose to my feet. William opened his eyes, and I could tell he was going to say something he knew I didn’t want to hear. “Are you sure he deserves such devotion? I know you used to know him growing up, but everyone changes. Have you tried calling him?”
Not wanting to have this conversation and allow my doubts to grow roots, I held up my hand as if to fight off his words. “I haven’t called him.” I hadn’t wanted to smother Archer. He was used to his freedom, not a needy girlfriend. “I’m already questioning myself enough as it is. And unless Archer tells me himself that he doesn’t want to pursue anything further, I’m going to try my best to believe in us. Whether he’s called me or not.”
William opened one eye, grinning. “Great. Because the plane leaves in two hours. Start packing.”
“Where am I going?”
“The jet’s ready to take you to Chicago. But since I’m going to LA for a meeting tonight, I need you to go this morning.”
Unbridled joy ran through my body at the thought of seeing Archer again in only a few short hours. I threw myself at William, taking him down on the mat. “William, thank you so much.”
Getting us both back up, he took hold of my hands. “Honey, I want you to be happy. I know you sacrificed a lot for this marriage, and I don’t want you to have to sacrifice anything else.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
He kissed my cheek and released me. “You don’t need to say anything. But you need to promise to give Archer a chance. Talk to him before you do anything you’ll regret later.”
“I can do that.” I rushed out of the room, pausing at the door. “I love you.”
Chuckling, he settled back into his meditation position. “Love you too. Now hurry up so I don’t miss my meeting tonight.”
Once I was back in my room, I haphazardly stuffed my clothes and toiletries in a large suitcase, unsure of how long I’d be staying.
Less than two hours later, I found myself in the air, fidgeting in my seat while Carter was reading a magazine. Since he’d already been at the house, Gunner appointed him as my new bodyguard. Carter had been grinning almost the whole time since I told him where we were going.
“Why don’t you take a nap? You’re giving me a migraine,” he said, not looking up from the page he was reading.
