She gives me a look of disapproval. “We’ll see about that.”
After we’re finished eating, Everleigh asks if we can watch a movie. Sassy jumps on the couch, and we cover up with a blanket. She snuggles in close to me, and I gently hold her.
“Scary or funny?” she asks, clicking on the Netflix app.
“Lady’s choice.”
She gives me an evil grin as she starts the first episode of a Ted Bundy documentary. I chuckle at her choice, but then my mind wanders. I think about the woman who stabbed Everleigh, then my thoughts move to Krystal—who I’m still concerned about getting her revenge.
I press my lips to her forehead and she lets out a small sigh of contentment. “This won’t ever get old.”
“What’s that?”
She snuggles a little closer. “Being here with you, just like this.”
“I’ll never leave you, baby,” I say, hoping it’s a promise I can keep.
“You better not,” she scolds.
I press my lips to hers, running my fingers through her hair, and she moans against my mouth.
“If I wouldn’t have gotten shanked, you’d be naked right now,” she blurts out when we pull away.
“Be a good girl, and follow the doctor's orders, and we might be able to arrange something soon.”
Everleigh gives me an evil grin and slides her hand over my cock. “This is harder than I thought.Literally.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
EVERLEIGH
It feelsgood to be home and sleeping in Archer’s arms again. The last few days since I was released from the hospital have been rough. My body lets me know when I’m exhausted, and I have to slow down. It’s been a wake-up call, and I’ve learned that I can’tgo, go, go.I get fatigued easily, which is annoying, but I’m trying to follow my doctor’s orders.
So far, the hardest thing has been not being at work. Thankfully, Lexie keeps me updated with everything going on at the shop, which helps some of my anxiety about not being there. She’s loving the extra hours, but I also don’t want her to burn out. I owe her a raise and so much more for keeping the boutique running.
As I peel myself off the couch, my phone vibrates. It’s a group text from my besties. If it weren’t for Netflix, Archer, and my friends keeping me company, I might’ve already gone crazy. Though, I’ve been loving the alone time with Archer.
Gemma: So enough time has passed. Spill the fucking beans on what’s going on with you two.
Katie: Yeah, we’re tired of waiting! At this rate, I’ll be a grandma.
Everleigh: OMG. You two are so dramatic!
I laugh and go to my room to grab some clothes before I take a shower.
Archer’s in the kitchen, shirtless and eating yogurt.
“Damn, you’re just gonna tease me like that?” He scans his eyes down my ripped shirt and baggy yoga pants.
I snort. “Wait. You thinkI’mthe tease? No, look at you,sir.Might as well be walking around naked showing off your tats like that.”
He places a thumb in the band of his boxers, lowering them down to show his hip bone. “I think I can make that happen.”
“Ugh,” I groan, tempted to do very bad things to him. “Stop it, or you’re gonna give me lady blue balls again.”
He nearly chokes on his food. “You gotta watch what you say when I’m eating because I don’t think you could give me the Heimlich.”
“Oh, that’s true. I’ll make sure you’re done swallowing next time.”