A glint shows in his eyes, and I want to uncover all his truths, every secret he hides from me. “To save you, or to ruin you. I guess only time will tell.”
He leans forward, his hand pressing against my heart, and I know he can feel my heartbeat fluttering erratically against his fingertips. And then he’s there, his lips hovering over mine again, and I can feel the kiss of his smooth, commanding lips molding to mine. I gasp at the heat, at the ice, at the angriness and passion in the way his lips connect with mine.
My fingers curl into his messy locks, pulling tightly. He growls against me, the vibrations shooting through my body as he pushes me harder against the seat. His chest grazes mine as his fingers drag along my jaw, curling around my ear and burrowing into my hair.
He nudges my lips open with his, dipping his tongue between them. His tongue slides against mine, and I can taste the rawness of him, a hint of smoke, a little mint, pure manliness in the way he devours me. It’s a soul-sucking kiss, more than Archer, or Creed, Or Kyler, shit, even how Zane has kissed me before.
Then he pulls back, his eyes dark, turbulent, as he looks down at me, swiping away the dampness beneath my lower lip. “I’ll uncover all your secrets, baby Lake. I’ll strip them away, one by one, until there’s nothing left to reveal.”
And with that, he opens his door, stepping me out, and leaving me alone, heaving, sweating, and more turned on than I’ve ever felt in my entire life.
“What took you so long?” Archer asks from inside the door, scowling at me. Cool, he’s still moody.
“I was just getting some air,” I grumble.
He shuts the door, and I glance around at the open house, a mixture of dark and modern. These guys are both edgy and expensive. The smoky and neutral tones are sleek and sharp, and a smirk lifts my lips, knowing this is the perfect place for the guys.
I toe off my shoes, ready to go explore, when a strong arm wraps around my waist, and I’m spun around, my back hitting the wall as Archer pins me against it. His arm goes above my head as he looks down at me. I can feel the tickle of his hair as it brushes my forehead, and I lean up, pushing it away. His milky blue eyes clash with mine, and I stare up at him, my heart thudding in my chest.
Too many emotions. Too many men with too many emotions.
“What’re you doing?” I breathe.
He leans down, his nose grazing up my cheek. “Did you kiss him?” he growls quietly.
My eyes widen, and he pulls back, his eyes growing stormy. “Stop it, Lakyn. Before it gets messy. I’m not going to piece your heart back together this time.”
I frown, pushing at his chest. “I don’t need you to piece together anything, Archer. I can take care of myself.”
He leans farther into me, until every piece of his body molds against mine. “I will save you every time, just as I always have. Don’t go back, Lakyn. Don’t go back down that dark road.” His face screws up, as if he’s in pain. “We could try again, you know. Let me try.”
I sigh, my heart pitter-pattering in my chest at the desperation in his tone. We were horrible for each other. We both know it. We don’t work. “No, Archer. We’re bad for each other.”
He smirks. “Which is exactly why we’re good for each other,” he growls. His mouth dips, and his presses his lips against mine, and I allow him to, kissing him back, because it’s Archer, and he owns a piece of my heart, even if it’s not a forever piece. He’s my best friend. He’s just not myone.
I pull back. “You know I love you, Arch. Like, a lot.”
His jaw clenches. “You’re just not in love with me.”
I watch him, my body tensing against his.
“You aren’t in love with me, either, Archer,” I growl.
He tilts his head to the side, cocky as ever. “I love you, Lakyn. You know I do,” he murmurs.
I shake my head. “You aren’tin lovewith me.”
He scowls. “What the fuck is the difference?”
Exactly.
I chuckle, going to push him away, though he doesn’t budge an inch. “I’d kill anyone for you. I’d pick them apart just for touching you.”
I sink into the wall behind me. “That’s possessiveness, Archer. You think I’m yours.”
His eyes narrow. “Youaremine.” Anger coils his body tight. “Reign is my boy, Lakyn. He’s a part of us, always has been, but he’s not going to be yours. Not again. Got me?”
I blow out an angry breath. “We’re not kids anymore. We’re fucking adults, and we have a right to be with whoever we want to be with.”