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Hell, I’m doing that very thing right now. Yet she comes right out and asks for what she wants from me. I can’t help but admire her for that.
“I’ve missed you too,” I admit because she deserves those words. She jerks her head up, her wide-eyed gaze meeting mine, and I smile at her. “I thought you hated me.”
“I do.” She returns the smile. “But there’s more between us than fights and hate and constant irritation. Don’t you think?”
Oh, I know. But I’m not sure if I’m brave enough to tell her yet. Scrubbing a hand over my face, I’m half tempted to ask her why she’s here. With me. I flat out don’t deserve her.
“Yeah,” I murmur, not sure what else I can say. I’m shocked she’s willing to give me—us—another chance.
“But it’ll be temporary. Once Crave’s design is complete, we’re finished. I’m sure you’ll be ready to move on by then anyway.” Her smile turns unnaturally bright. “From everything.”
Not true. I’m ready to deny it, but she cuts me off.
“We walked away from each other before and you never called. I guess I could’ve called you, but I don’t operate like that.” Her smile becomes more brittle and I’m tempted to lunge for her. Tell her exactly how much I want her and watch the wariness leave her gaze. And become replaced with pleasure.
And of course she doesn’t operate like that. She’s a traditional sort of woman who deserves a man who will chase after her without fear and make her his forever.
I suddenly want to be that sort of man. Only for Ivy, though.
Not for anyone else.
“This is so embarrassing.” She sighs and drops her head, keeps her gaze focused on the table in front of her. “The guys I’ve been with, they were all hopeless, you know? I wanted to fix them and they definitely didn’t want to be fixed. And I get you don’t want to be either. You’re perfectly happy in your broken, messed-up state. But you, Archer, you were the first one I truly felt comfortable with. Like I could finally let go and...”
“And what?” I prod.
“Have an...” Her voice trails off again and her cheeks are pink. “You know.”
Pride fills me even though I know it’s a jackass move. But what man doesn’t want to hear those words slip from the lips of a woman he’s attracted to? “Have an orgasm?”
“Yeah.” She gives a jerky nod. “They don’t usually happen easily for me.”
Well, hell. I have to help her. Prove to her she’s a beautiful, desirable woman who deserves to have as many orgasms as she damn well pleases. Let her know just how much she undoes me with only a look. A smile. A glimpse of skin, a brief hug. Everything about her screams “take me,” and my body is more than willing to do just that.
Clearing my throat, I decide to get down to business. After all, I’m a world-class negotiator. “So you want me to help you.”
“Yes.” She bites her lower lip, her expression full of worry.
“Have plenty of orgasms.” This turn of events is downright surreal.
I’m not complaining.
Her cheeks color a pretty pink. “Yes.”
“And in return, you’ll help me.”
She nods, not saying a word. “I still can’t believe you want me for the project.”
I roll my eyes in answer. “I can’t believe you doubt your abilities.”
“It’s not that. It’s just...”
“What?”
“I don’t understand why you want me around,” she whispers. “What’s happening between us, Archer? It’s confusing.”
My heart lurches. I feel the same exact way. “I’m confused too, Ivy.”
“You don’t act like it. You’re the usual smug, arrogant Archer.”
