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He throws up his hands in defense. “No funny business, I swear. I’ll keep my hands to myself.”
“You better, Bancroft, or I’ll kick your ass,” Gage mutters, his words backed with steel. “Ivy is hands-off when it comes to you.”
“I get it,” Archer says, slowly dropping his arms to his sides. The slight smirk falls from his face and his eyes meet mine, his gaze imploring. I’m not sure what he’s trying to communicate, but I do know one thing.
When it comes to Archer and whatever’s happening between us, I’m beyond confused.
Chapter 4
Ivy
His house is amazing, of course. I’ve been in plenty of beautiful homes in my life. My parents still reside in the palatial house Gage and I grew up in. It’s older but large, and has all the warm, lived-in touches that our mom has added through the years. It’s nothing compared to the modern, spacious, perfectly designed house Archer lives in in the heart of the Napa Valley.
Not that I can see much of it, considering the late hour. The interior is shrouded mostly in darkness, with only the occasional lamp turned on, but from what I can see, it’s beautiful. Sleek and simple, yet warm.
Archer leads Gage and me through the wide hallway toward the guest wing, as he calls it. One wall is made entirely of glass and I can make out a giant pool in the backyard, surrounded by lush, perfectly manicured landscaping that looks like something out of a park.
The man certainly knows how to live, I’ll give him that.
“Nice, right?” Gage murmurs in my ear as we follow Archer. “I spend all my money on cars. Archer spends it all on his house.”
“Not that I’m ever here,” Archer says, revealing he eavesdropped on our conversation. No surprise. Since our encounter out on the terrace, I feel like he’s hyperaware of me. And I’m hyperaware of him. “I spend most of my time at Hush.”
“Do you have a room there?” The resort is treated as some sort of secret amongst my brother and his friends. At least, they keep it a secret from me. Always made me wonder if there are kinky secrets going down at that place.
Wouldn’t put it past Archer, at least.
“I keep a suite there, yes.” Archer slows so he can be closer to us. His scent reaches me, filling my head, reminding me of what it feels like to be wrapped in his arms, his broad shoulders beneath my palms. His hair is still a mess and he’s shed the jacket and tie, the first couple of buttons on his shirt are undone and revealing a sliver of bare chest that I have the sudden urge to lick.
I really need to get a grip.
“So you stay at the resort most of the time?”
“Not as much as I used to. When it was being renovated I never left. I didn’t even own a home then. Hush was my home. Now that the resort has been up and running for the last few years, I finally feel confident enough to leave it on occasion and actually have a life.” Archer flashes me a smile, making my heart flutter.
Stupid heart.
“Hush is his baby,” Gage adds like I don’t know this, though it’s fairly obvious. Considering Archer and I don’t see each other much, let alone talk, it makes sense Gage would make that assumption. “He created it out of nothing but his own sick and twisted mind.”
“Shut the hell up. I met a need that wasn’t being filled.Pure and simple.” Archer presses his lips together and his eyes narrow. He looks a little angry.
He also looks a lot sexy.
Stop!
“I’m intrigued. I’d love to see it,” I say, pleased when his expression eases. “Maybe you’ll take me on a quick tour of it tomorrow?”
“I thought you had to get right home tomorrow,” Gage starts just before I jab him in the ribs with my elbow.
Yeah, Gage is right. But I’m curious to see this side of Archer’s life that I know absolutely nothing about. I mean, come on. Not even an hour ago this man had his tongue down my throat and his fingers working me straight into oblivion. Any woman would want to know more about a guy after that sort of experience, right?
That’s what I’m telling myself.
“I’d love to give you a tour of the resort,” Archer says, his voice warm, his gaze hot as he rakes it over me. My skin ripples with awareness. It’s as if he just physically touched me. “We’ll have brunch and then I’ll show you around.”
“Sounds great.” I smile, he returns it, and for some strange reason it feels like we’re all alone, grinning at each other like idiots.
But then Gage clears his throat, bringing us both into reality, and I jolt at the sound, clasping my hands together to keep from reaching out and grabbing Archer.
