I think he knows it too.
Our two weeks together are almost up, and I can hardly stand the thought of being away from him.
“We shouldn’t have your friend make those rugs. I’m sure I can find something that’ll work. I like the solid color idea. It’s simple. Won’t put me through so much torture while I look for the perfect pattern. Now I just need to find the perfect color.” I turn away from him, my finger poised to resume scrolling, and he touches my arm, causing me to look at him again.
“I already texted her. We’ll meet with her tomorrow first thing. Your work day is officially over.” He smiles, softening his demanding words. “I’ll take you to dinner if you’d like.”
“Where?” I ask breathlessly, my arm tingling from his touch. His palm is wide, his fingers long, and he’s smoothing his hand up and down my arm, making my breath come a little quicker. “I’m kinda tired. It’s been a long day.”
“We could stay here tonight. There are a couple of suites available. We could order room service, maybe?” He raises his brows, waiting for my answer.
I’ve wanted to try out those outdoor bathtubs built for two since I first saw one. Working with Archer has turned into a kind of torturous foreplay, one I both delight and agonize in. All the wanting and the yearning throughout the day, the lingering glances and the quick touches.
Archer Bancroft makes me feel like a confident, smart, and desirable woman. And I’m going to wield my newfound power on the very man who gave it to me.
Archer
“ROOM SERVICE SOUNDS perfect,” Ivy says after a too long pause. Hell, for a minute there I thought she was going to say no.
It was slow at Hush, which worked out in my favor since I spent half of my time in Calistoga lately. Always with Ivy by my side, helping me, offering her suggestions, guiding me when I went off track, me pushing her when she was being too conservative.
First day in, I realized pretty quickly we make a good team. There are enough differences between us which balance our personalities and allow us to work well together. Hard to notice when in the past, all we ever did was argue every time we came together.
But the arguing was a result of all that troublesome sexual attraction getting in the way. Not that it’s disappeared. Hell no. But we’re taking care of that issue every single night. We’re both exhausted after a heavy and long workday, but we always make time for each other. In bed. Wrapped around each other, naked limbs entangled. My ultimate task of the day is making Ivy moan with pleasure.
I’m falling for her. Hard. Fast. I don’t want her to leave. She feels like a true partner in every sense of the word.
That scares the shit out of me.
Working side by side with Ivy since she came here has been exhilarating. Getting to know her, watching her in her element has left me impressed. She may be young and at an early point in her career, but she’s smart and instinctive, with excellent taste. Without a doubt, I know my resort is going to look unbelievable when we’re finished.
I just hope we can wrap it all up and have it ready in the next few days. That’s the only thing making me anxious.
Well, that and the fact that as soon as Crave opens, Ivy’s gone. Out of my life.
Fuck, that fills me with so much despair I can barely stand thinking about it. She doesn’t think I’ll stick. And sometimes I doubt myself too. I don’t want to subject her or myself to a relationship that’s doomed to fail.
But are we really doomed? I don’t know. I’m so used to thinking that way, it’s hard to believe anything else.
“So you want to get a room? Or eat here in the office then head on home?” I definitely don’t want the formality of my office this evening, eating at my desk, talking business like we’ve been doing constantly since I’ve brought her here.
I want to be in a suite tonight, alone with her and shut off from the rest of the world. We can eat, plan our schedule for tomorrow, and then indulge in each other. My favorite part of the day is the nights. Being alone with Ivy.
Being inside Ivy.
How will I feel, though, when it’s all over? Normally, with women, it’s never an issue. Hell, I don’t allow women to become this close to me ever. Their expectations grow to insurmountable proportions, and I’m left fending off their disappointment and sense of abandonment.
I have this feeling that with Ivy, it will become difficult to let her out of my sight, let alone out of my life. I’ll be the one with the sense of abandonment when she leaves me.
“How about I call the order in and you go get us a suite?” I suggest.
She smiles, her hazel eyes sparkling. When she looks at me like that, I feel ten feet tall and like I can do no wrong. It’s too easy, what we share.
I remember complaining to Gage that it made me nervous when things were too easy. I should be feeling that way at this very moment.
But all I can do is think about how pretty she is. How much I want to kiss her. How I enjoy spending every waking moment with her. Every sleeping moment with her too.
“Sounds perfect. I’ve been wanting to try one of those outdoor bathtubs, you know,” she admits coyly. “Do you want me to order for you? I love how the menu is always changing.”
That’s because I hired a world-class chef who’s a pain in my ass and worth every penny I pay him. “Yeah, order me something. You know what I like. I’ll come find you in about ten minutes, okay? I have a few things I need to wrap up first.”
“All right.” Shutting her laptop, she stands and I grab her, pulling her into my arms. She turns more fully into me, her gaze meeting mine, eyes large and unreadable as she grips my tie and pulls me in for a kiss. I bury my hands in her hair, messing it up completely, not giving a shit. I love it when she’s messy and looking dazed, her cheeks flushed, her lips swollen from our constant kissing.
Damn it, I have it bad for this woman. And I don’t really care if anyone knows it or not. Even Matt.
Even Gage.
Yeah, I need to tell Gage. They both need to know what’s going on. Not that I’m coughing up the money, not yet. They said she didn’t count, but damn it, she counts to me. But I won’t be paying off any sort of bet until I put a ring on her finger.
I can’t believe I’m contemplating putting a ring on Ivy’s finger.
“I’ll see you in a bit then?” she murmurs when I finally break the kiss. Her face is turned up to mine, her lips still slightly pursed, her lids heavy, giving her a sultry, sexy look. Her scent surrounds me, heady and sweet, and I’m tempted to jump her right here. Wouldn’t be the first time we fucked around on top of my desk. Last time, I’d pushed her skirt up, tugged her panties aside, and made her come with just my tongue in record time. Had to, since there’d been a meeting I needed to attend and they were all waiting for me.
I’m getting hard just remembering it.
“Yeah, I’ll be quick, I promise.” I’m already anxious to see her and she hasn’t even left yet. She smiles as if she can read my mind, and I lick my lips, staring at her mouth, ready to give in and kiss her again. She sways toward me, a little sigh leaving her as our mouths come closer, closer . . .
My fucking cell phone rings and I spring away from her, running a hand through my hair, sending it into a haphazard mess. We’ve been rudely interrupted before, and I hate it. “Shit,” I mutter as I pull it out of my pocket and see the number, watching as Ivy steps back, smoothing a few loose strands of hair behind her ear, nibbling on her lower lip.
Damn it, I wish I was the one nibbling on her lower lip.
“What the hell is going on with you and my sister?” Gage says. No hello, no what’s up. Just launches right in with the diatribe.
“She’s working for me, Gage. You already know this.” I look at Ivy, who’s pointing at the door and mouthing See you later before she dashes out of my office without another word.
Lucky her, she doesn’t have to deal with her pissed-off brother.
“Yeah, but I saw some cozy picture of the two of you
together. It looks like you’re about to kiss her.” Gage is literally yelling at me. “What the hell, man?”
“What picture are you talking about?” Oh. Shit. Who took a photo of us? And where? Do I have the paparazzi trailing my ass?
Of course I do. How easy I forget.
“I don’t know. You guys are outside somewhere. You’re standing real close and she’s leaning into you. It seriously looks like the two of you are about to kiss or were just kissing.” Gage pauses, takes an audible deep breath. “If you’re with her, you better not break her heart. I’ll fucking kill you, Archer, and you know it.”
“I’m not with her,” I automatically say, wincing the moment the words fall from my lips. I’ve turned into a liar.
Easy as that.
“So what’s up with the picture? Oh yeah, and did I mention your arm is around her?”
Damn, did Gage withhold that bit of information on purpose?
“I have no idea. I’ll admit, we’ve become closer. We spend a lot of time together working. And we’re actually getting along. Can you believe it?” Nothing but silence on Gage’s end, which of course makes me want to squirm. “There’s nothing to worry about, Gage. I swear,” I say as I walk around my office and gather up miscellaneous papers and whatever else is lying around, cleaning it up for the end of the night. I’m full of nervous energy, and I need to keep myself occupied before I bust out a Fine-you-caught-me-I-think-I’m-falling-in-love-with-your-sister-tell-me-what-to-do confession.
“Tell me you’re not sleeping with her.”
Well hell. Leave it up to Gage to get right to the point.
“I’m not sleeping with her,” I automatically say because I’m not—not really. When I get Ivy in my bed, there’s rarely any sleeping involved.
“Don’t forget the bet,” he reminds me, like I ever could. That bet is burned into my brain, making me feel like shit because if she ever finds out, especially now, she’ll probably hang me by my balls and let Gage have his way with me. Not that I could blame her. I feel like a liar. Like I’m hiding the bet, hiding our relationship as if I’m ashamed to be seen with her. And that’s definitely not the case. “And don’t forget she’s my goddamn sister.”
“I’m not involved with Ivy,” I mutter, falling into my desk chair with a thump. Shit. I do not need this sort of lecture tonight. This is going to kill my mood for sure if I let it. And I’m already letting it. “She doesn’t count, remember? You and Matt both said that.”
I hate even saying it, let alone thinking it. She counts far more than I could ever imagine.
“Yeah, I know what we said, but she’s still pretty and sweet and hell, for all I know you’ve wanted her for years. I have no clue.” Damn, Gage’s too close to the truth for comfort. He sounds worried and that makes me feel like hell.
Does he really think I’d be a ruthless jerk, going after his sister with no thought and callously hurting her? “She’s a friend. She does her job well. You already knew this was going to happen when I called you a few weeks ago, remember?” How easy Gage forgets. I swear he’s in his own little world. “Why the panic now?”
“I didn’t think you’d actually ask her to work for you.” He pauses. “And I’ve been . . . distracted. Not around much. I had no idea she wasn’t even in town.”
“Well, I did hire her and she’s staying here with me. At the resort.” Lies again, but damn, I don’t want him knowing she’s staying at my house. In my bed. “And she’s doing a fantastic job.” I lean back in my chair, glancing up at the ceiling. “Don’t worry. Your sister is safe with me.”
“She’d better be. Normally I don’t trust you as far as I can throw you, but this is Ivy we’re talking about. You hurt her, I hurt you.”
I know without a doubt, Gage will make good on his promise.
Chapter Fourteen
* * *
Archer
Opening night.
“SO WHAT DO you think?”
I turn to find Ivy standing in front of me, wearing a dress that should be outlawed, she looks so damn good in it. Too damn good. “Uh . . .” I can’t find my tongue, and I nearly swallow it when she does a little twirl, the skirt flaring out to reveal her pretty knees, her slender thighs.
“I love it, but I don’t know,” she says when she’s facing me once again, a giant smile on her face. Her hair is up, her elegant neck exposed, little tendrils of dark brown hair curling against her cheeks and neck. She’s so beautiful it hurts to look at her. “Say something, Archer, before I think you hate it.”
The dress is white lace and sleeveless, the neckline dipping into a deep V that exposes all that smooth, kissable skin. A simple gold satin ribbon winds around her, just below her breasts, tied in a pretty bow at her back, and I’m tempted to slowly pull it undone. Unzip the dress, peel it off her, and kiss her everywhere.
But we have an opening party to go to for Crave. That we’re already running late to.
“I think you look amazing.” I go to her and drop a gentle kiss to her lips. She looks nervous and I grab her hands, giving them a squeeze. “What’s wrong, baby?”
“What if they hate it?” she blurts out. “The interiors? All of it? I’ll never be able to forgive myself.”
“They’re not going to hate it. Everything looks fucking amazing.” It does. She did a phenomenal job. We did a phenomenal job together. Proving to me yet again that we make a great team.
“Really?” She’s looking at me, really looking at me, and I know she needs my reassurance now more than ever.
“Really.” I kiss her again, this one a little longer, leaving her breathless when we break apart. “I wouldn’t lie to you.”
That in itself is a lie. I’m keeping something from her right now. Like that stupid bet. It’s the most juvenile thing I’ve ever participated in, and I don’t want her to hear what Matt and Gage had to say. How she didn’t count. How none of them think I could possibly be interested in her.
I need to come clean before Gage or Matt ruin it and tell her first. They’re both supposed to be attending tonight, but they won’t get a chance to talk to her alone. I’ll make sure and keep her by my side the entire evening.
“Archer . . .” She breathes deep, as if gathering strength, and I squeeze her closer, not wanting to break this physical or emotional connection we have. “What’s going to happen after tonight?”
“What do you mean?” I know exactly what she means. I’m just stalling for time so I can come up with a logical answer.
“Between us. I—I have to go back home. I need to go back to my job.” She drops her head, pressing her forehead into my chest, and I wrap my arms around her waist, holding her close. “I don’t want to leave you,” she whispers.
My heart constricts. This has happened so damn fast. And I let it. Enjoyed it, really. “I don’t want you to leave either,” I admit.
She sighs, and I feel all the tension leave her body as she melts against me. “You don’t know how glad I am that you said that.”
Slipping my hand beneath her chin, I tilt her face up, see the tears shimmering in her pretty hazel eyes. They’re more green than brown at the moment and I kiss away the tear that drops on her cheek, my heart aching at seeing that physical display of emotion coming from her. “I’m falling in love with you, Ivy.” I’ve already fallen. And there I went, fucking admitting it. What is wrong with me?
I’m in love with Ivy. That’s what’s wrong with me.
“Oh.” She presses her lips together and closes her eyes, but another tear falls onto her cheek. I kiss that one away too. “God, Archer, I—I’m falling for you too.”
She didn’t say love, not that I’m going to hold it against her. For once, I’m laying it all on the line for a woman. For this woman—the woman I love. The woman I think I’ve always loved, I just never knew it until this very moment.
“We need to go, baby.” I kiss her again, because after making such a confession from the deepest, darkest part of your soul, you have to be r
eassured your woman is on the same page.
The responsive way she kisses me, clings to me, tells me that yes, indeed, she is more than on the same page. We’re writing the same damn book. Together.
“Can we talk later? Tomorrow? About . . . us?” she asks when I finally, reluctantly pull away from her.
“Whatever you want.” I cup her cheek, staring into her eyes. Feeling myself fall more and more in love with her.
“I CAN’T BELIEVE how much you transformed this place.” Matt glances around the lobby, his eyes wide as he drinks it all in. “It looks incredible, Archer. You should be proud, man.”
I am. So damn proud, I feel like I’m going to burst. “Yeah, you saw it in its barest, ugliest, pared-down state, didn’t you?”
It had been a dilapidated, falling-down-around-my-ears building that had once housed a premiere spa. Before the recession came along and took down the previous owner’s business with a mighty, ugly fall. The building stood empty for about four years, allowing looters and whatever other bums came through to completely trash the place and gut it of anything valuable.
But I’d known from the moment I walked inside, it had potential. I’d purchased the building and land for pennies on the dollar. Best decision I ever made. Not only did I have a new business to be proud of, but creating this resort brought Ivy and me together.
“I sure did and I thought the place looked like something out of a horror movie. Might’ve tried to discourage you from buying it too, not that you would have listened to me. But you’re the one with the vision, not me.” Matt shook his head, his gaze still sweeping the interior. “And Ivy helped you with it all, huh?”
“Yeah, more like she chose everything. The furniture, the art that covers the walls, the light fixtures, the accessories, all of it is Ivy’s vision, which complements mine, thank God. I just signed off on all the invoices and didn’t bother arguing with her. Everything she chose totally works, don’t you agree?” I want to hear him praise her. I need someone to join in with me, since I sound like an overeager boyfriend too proud of his woman.
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