The whole point was to get out of the office where Archer—I raise my eyes, and sure enough—watches me like he’s trying to hypnotize me.
It works.
I get up and make my way to his office.
“What was the question?” Archer drops his phone on the desk and leans back in his office chair, zeroing his stare on me with a brief flicker to my bare legs.
Memories from the pool escapade last night assault my already weak brain. I am hot and cold at the same time. My face is on fire. Every muscle is tense just standing in front of him.
“I was hoping to talk to Marlow. He has all the info.”
Archer’s gaze is unblinking like that of a python. “Tell me what it is. I’ll tell you what I can do.”
“Well… I’d like to know which parts of the island are under surveillance and which are not. Also, how the guards’ schedules are made, whether their positions are permanent, or they get shifted around. Also, I’d like to know who gets to patrol the port and Port Mrei itself.”
“A handful, huh?”
Is he challenging me?
“Archer, I’d appreciate it if your words didn’t drip with sarcasm when we talked about work. I’m not leading an army. I’m doing research.”
“Duly noted. You have an interesting technique.”
“Just because it’s not your way doesn’t mean it can’t work.”
“Easy.” His expression softens, and he blinks away, nodding toward the computer. “Come here.”
I walk around the desk as he clicks something on the screen, then pats his leg. “Take a seat.”
Really?
My face starts burning. One night, and he is bringing this—our mess or whatever is happening between us—to work.
“Seriously?” I snap. “We gonna do this in front of everyone?”
“No. You are right.” He feigns disappointment. “Corlo, close the blinds. Lock the door.”
A grin lights up his face as he pats his leg again.
29
KAT
The blinds start slidingdown with a whisper, closing shut over the full height of the window.
Archer taps his fingers against his thigh. “Take a seat.”
If I were smarter around this guy, I would’ve told him to fuck off.
“This is very obvious,” I say, trying to resist the temptation.
“What exactly? That you shouldn’t have left last night because you regretted it afterward?”
The fucker is reading my thoughts.
“Closed windows and locked doors, Archer.”
“I do a lot of business behind locked doors. You are overthinking.” He pats his thigh again, his eyes locked with mine. “We agreed to not hold back.”