14
Caley walked tentatively out into the living room. Her cheeks were bright red. She hadn’t given much thought to how much noise she was making when Doc spanked her. But now she wondered just how much of that Archer had heard.
He was sitting at the table and glanced up from his phone as she walked in.
He looked her up and down and she tensed.
“You’re still in one piece then, wasn’t sure from all that screaming,” he teased.
Her face burned even brighter. “Oh God. Couldn’t you do the polite thing and not mention it?”
A grin filled his face, although she noted that it didn’t really reach his eyes. It made her want to cuddle him until his smile was more genuine…
She wasn’t usually like this. There was just something special about Doc and Archer. Soon, though, they’d both be gone soon, and she’d be on her own.
I don’t want to be on my own anymore.
She sat and closed her eyes at the thought. She should take all the memories she could with Doc. Why was she even holding back?
“Hey, I didn’t mean to upset you,” Archer told her quietly.
She opened her eyes and noticed him giving her a worried look. “I won’t say anything again, love. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to tease you.”
“No. No, it’s okay.” She grinned. “I guess I was making enough noise to wake the dead.”
He snorted and stood. “I made coffee. Want some?”
She’d noticed Archer was rarely without a coffee in hand or was in the process of making one. Seemed he might have a bit of an addiction.
“Yes. Thanks.”
What would she do when they left? No Archer making coffee and watching her with gentle eyes. No Doc to challenge her and make her laugh.
He handed her favorite mug over. Her fingers brushed against his and a small shiver ran through her. Shit. What was that? She dropped her head to hide her reaction and took a sip of coffee. Made perfectly.
As usual.
Where Doc liked to bluster through, Archer was more careful. Watchful. Anyone who belonged to him, wouldn’t get away with much. They’d be closely guarded. But she knew they’d also be ridiculously happy. Because once Archer set his mind to something, she was pretty sure not much would dissuade him.
He was a man who got what he wanted.
“I’m sorry about before, Archer.” She forced herself to look up at him.
“We shouldn’t have been arguing in front of you. We’ll try not to do that again.”
It was almost exactly what Doc had said to her. She wondered if either of them knew how similar they thought.
Archer frowned. “He did give you aftercare, didn’t he?”
Okay, her face had to be beet red by this stage. “Yes.”
“Good. Thought I was gonna have to kick his ass for you.” He grinned at her. Then he walked over to the sofa and grabbed a cushion.
Walking back, he nodded to her. “Stand up, love.”
He placed the cushion on her seat and she gently sat back down.
“Got sick of watching you shift around like you had ants in your pants.”