Until You're Mine (12 page)

Walking away had not been easy. My desperate body wanted to go home with him, but my mind and heart needed a break. I said goodbye to Alex and Cami and drove home, recounting every detail of the last few days.

Paris
.

Archer.

My mind was a tangled mess by the time I got home and by the time I climbed into bed, my heart was a pounding vessel of hope and confusion. I stared up into the darkness, searching for answers. When those answers didn’t come, I prayed for them.

Sleep eventually found me, but it was still dark outside when
Heavy Cross
by Gossip woke me up. The music stopped before I could reach for my cell. I propped one elbow, pulling the phone closer to my face with a squint.

3a.m.

Unlocking the phone, I called him back. “The fuck?”

“What?” I licked my parched lips, swiping the hair from my face.

“I’ve been callin’ nonstop for twenty minutes.” The panic in his voice sent heat spreading across my chest.

“Sorry, I was asleep.” My voice was still working out its sleepy kinks.

“Where are you?” I yawned, resting my head to the pillow.

Archer released a heavy sigh. His frustration was tangible, even on the phone. “Leavin’ work. On my way to you,”

“No,”

“Why the fuck not?”

“Because I can’t think when you’re near me.”

Archer grunted. “What’s there to think about?”

“Us,”

I could hear him getting into his truck. “Us huh?”

“Yeah, and Paris.”

“Paris?”

“My brother got a job there, he wants me to go with him,” Silence hung heavy on the line.

I looked at my phone to confirm the minutes still ticking away. “Archer?”

“I’m here. Do you wanna move to Paris?”

Rolling over to face the window, I closed my eyes. “No. I just want you.” I held my breath, waiting.

Hoping.

Relief flooded the line “Good, because I don’t want you to go,”

My lungs filled with air. “You don’t?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Night, Katherine.”

“Night.”

I held the phone to my chest, thanking the good Lord above for hearing my prayer. I dreamed of Paris that night and the man I love was there with me.

Timber
thumped through the sounds system as I set up for Cora’s mixed drink order. “What can I get ya?”

The older gentleman cupped his mouth. “Two Buds, please.”

With a nod, I quickly finished the drinks in front of me and then loaded Cora’s tray. “Thanks, Katy,”

Pulling two buds from the cooler, I popped the tops, sliding them across the bar in exchange for a $10. I shimmied over to the cash register behind me.

I looked up beneath my lashes at the mirror behind the bar, wondering whether he was standing there right this moment…watching me. I hadn’t seen or talked to Archer since our phone call last night. When I came in for my shift this afternoon, he hadn’t come in yet and we’d been unusually busy ever since.

I watched him approach from the corner of my eye as I handed the customer his change. With a nod to the patron, he leaned down close to my ear. “I swear to Christ- if you don’t stop shakin’ your ass, I’m gonna fuck you right here in front of God and everybody.” Warmth pulsed feverishly between my thighs. Swallowing hard, I tried to speak but couldn’t seem to grasp a single word. “Your ass is mine later,” he promised, sauntering past me to the other end of the bar to talk to Jesse. All I could think about was his peppermint scent and his hands on my body. I smiled. And that my ass belonged to him. 

Over the next couple of hours, it was all I could think about. I couldn’t wait to be alone with him again. That didn’t happen until around midnight. I was standing behind the bar putting away some clean glasses when he came around to join me. He removed the towel and glass from my hand, setting them down. Every move he made held more determination, more meaning. Tugging my hand, he pulled me into his solid chest. His impatient lips collided against mine, stealing my sense and my breath.
I was searching for the words to ask him. I wanted him in my bed or me in his. I wanted to wake up with him in the morning, cook him breakfast, and spend the day with him. I wanted all of him. I was tired of dancing around the way I felt. I wanted to shout it from the fucking rooftops. 

“You’re comin’ home with me tonight.” Archer’s arm squeezed me tighter while his other hand fisted the nape of my neck. “And this time, I won’t take no for an answer.” With a smile I could not hide nor contain, I kissed his lips.

“Yes sir,” Archer smacked then squeezed my ass. “Grab your stuff,”

With a hand on the small of my back, he led me to the passenger side of his Hummer, opening the door.

Damn. 

Who would have thought he was capable of being a gentleman?

“Why the hell do you keep looking at me like that?” he asked in that gruff, clipped voice he possessed so well.

“Just curious who taught you to be such a gentleman is all.”

He chuckled, his green eyes sparkling with reverence. “My grandfather,” Archer helped me into the Hummer then leaned in, pinning me with a red-hot kiss. His seeking tongue tasted like peppermint and his full lips were hungry…
greedy
.

Wow
.

“Buckle up.” he ordered before slamming the door.

Excitement and adrenaline sparked and popped in my veins like a live wire as the smell of his distinct cologne filled my lungs, intoxicating me. Archer not only dominated the space around him, but the very air as well. Every hair on my body stood at attention, my thighs clenching at the thought of having him on top of me, inside of me.

Owning me.

With a devious smile tugging his full lips, he shifted in his seat, resting an elbow on the console. Peppermint and pure uncut male flooded my nose and I could hardly think, forget about breathing.

I did my best to come up with an intelligent question but only one came to mind. “Why do you like peppermints so much?” He was always popping one in or pushing one around his mouth.

Wetting his lips, he considered my question while his right hand rubbed the sexy stubble shading his jaw. “When I was younger, I had a hard time in school. I could never sit still and focus. My third grade teacher took notice and pulled me aside. Mrs. Burress gave me a peppermint and stuffed five more in my hand. She said…
anytime you need to focus, suck on a peppermint
. Strangely, it worked. I’ve been suckin’ on ‘em ever since.” He shrugged one shoulder, still stroking his jaw. “It
was
my favorite flavor in the whole wide world,” His roguish grin peeked through his arched fingers.

I clenched my fingers, aching to touch him. “Was?”

“Yeah, now my favorite flavor is this,” His strong hand dipped to rub the denim between my legs.

Oh God!

“And this.” One finger tapped the corner of my mouth.

A heated breath shook my body and I found myself crossing my legs to alleviate the burn. But it only burned hotter, lighting the fuse of sexual tension between us. Not another word was spoken until we made it to his house.

My hand in his, he pulled me through the garage door. We’d barely made it into the kitchen before he turned to face me. The growl that roared from his mouth was my only warning before he fell to his knees.

Archer unbuttoned my jeans. “Lose the shirt…and the bra,” He looked up, his eager hands yanking my skinny jeans and panties down my shaky legs. “Now,”

What the hell was he going to do? Fuck me right here on the kitchen floor?

Setting my purse on the counter, I removed my jacket and tank top, stepping out of my jeans. Before I could unhook my bra, Archer tugged on my wrist, pulling me down to my knees. “You’re too fuckin’ slow, baby.” With one hand he reached behind me, unhooking the garment with the flick of his deft fingers. Goosebumps raced and my heart pounded, leaving nothing behind but intense burning need. His anxious fingers clutched the dividing fabric, sliding it down my arms.

There was no time to think. No way to anticipate his next move.

My back met the cold hard floor as Archer lowered me down, positioning himself between my open legs. The back of my thighs rested on the tops of his and the hot length of his cock rubbed against the mound of my pussy. He kissed me, invading every last inch of my mouth. His kiss was lethal, powerful and destructive. His taste was intoxicating, addictive and sweet. It was a deadly combination that had the potential to destroy me. But I didn’t care. I was so far gone for this man I was willing to compromise everything I believed in to have him in any way I could. To have him look at me like he just did, and kiss me like he was doing now. That was all I lived for anymore. That was all I wanted.

All of him
.

He pulled away from my mouth and our eyes locked under the heady spell. Strong fingers found the tops of my knees, spreading me so far and wide my hips screamed in protest. “I’ve been thinkin’ ‘bout this all fuckin’ day.” I couldn’t muster a response. My mouth was clearly disabled by my tortuous breaths.

“I see you missed me too,” He whispered against my inner thigh, planting a warm kiss on each one just before he buried his grinning face between legs.

Oh God!

Beauty awakens the soul to act.

~Dante Alighieri