“Cocoa?” Yeah, he knew he sounded incredulous but he didn’t care.
“Problem?” The way she stood there, all bundled up with the red hat on her head as she looked over her shoulder and arched a brow.
“None at all. Make it two,” he told the tall beefy teenager behind the counter. “And a plain old chocolate for Glory.” She beamed a smile at him that made him feel like a superhero. Archer decided he would make it his personal mission to get a smile like that every damn day.
“And three gingerbread cookies,” Ally added to the order, frowning when he pulled out a twenty to pay. “I got it.”
Yeah, he didn’t think so. “A day out with the two prettiest girls in Blissful, I should be paying you directly.”
She stared for a minute and he braced himself, hoping she said nothing too damaging in front of Glory. Then she grinned and slowly her hand came out, palm up, squeezing it as though asking for more. “Hand it over, then.”
“Yeah, hand it over,” Glory added with a giggle.
That sound was another that he hoped to hear every day until he lost his hearing. “You can keep the change,” he offered to an excited Glory. Most of the afternoon went the same, she ate up his attention and Archer realized he did the same. They talked—a lot—about any and every thing. She asked a lot of questions, giving him insight to her kid brain.
So far, he loved this dad thing.
Chapter 7
“Can Daddy read me a story tonight?” Glory looked up at her mom with pleading sapphire eyes. “Please?”
Ally shrugged, knowing a losing battle when she faced one. “Alright. If it’s okay with him,” she added, knowing it would be difficult to say no to those big beautiful eyes when they cranked up the adorable factor.
“Dad!”
Ally shook her head with an indulgent grin. She swore Glory had said that word more in the past few days than the last few years. “You’re being summoned,” she told him and made her way to the kitchen to clean up. She’d invited Archer for dinner, well Glory had invited him and she’d agreed, hoping to see if he really planned on sticking around. “You cleaned? Guests don’t clean,” she admonished but he just stood and smiled, the picture of causal cool.
“What else was I going to do while you ladies negotiated?”
“Surf channels? Snoop? I don’t know, eat leftovers. Not clean!” No one cleaned her home but her. Ever. Not even Cindy.
He frowned. “What’s the big deal?”
Naturally he wouldn’t see it as a big deal. The man didn’t see anything as a big deal, ever. “The big deal is that guests don’t clean my home.” Something flashed in his eyes but she couldn’t quite decipher it and honestly, she didn’t want to try. “Just…go read to Glory. She’s waiting.”
He shrugged like it was no big deal and walked away, and she absolutely did not ogle his long, muscular legs encased in perfectly worn denim. She didn’t check out his butt either, or those wide shoulders that tapered to a narrow waist she just bet were stacked with all kinds of muscles.
Good thing I’m not beholden by my baser instincts, she thought with a smug smile. Yeah right, her body, desperate for a man’s touch, screamed. It didn’t matter how desperate her body was, she wouldn’t be seeking his touch. Her only goal where Archer was concerned had to do with making sure he would be part of Glory’s life. Or not. She wouldn’t allow him to go back and forth. Children needed stability.
And no matter how much Archer had changed, some things about a person were as elemental as eye color or height. Even if she completely disregarded how he’d up and left her with no explanation, other than, “It’s just something that I have to do. I hope you understand,” she couldn’t disregard that he’d spent the past few years adrift. Traveling from one place to another. Helping, she thought as though it were a dirty word. Well she didn’t understand, dammit. Not now, years later she didn’t get it. Fuming, she scrubbed the countertops and the table, tossing napkins in the trash and the tablecloth into the laundry room.
She took a step back and looked at her sparkling kitchen, smiling before she went to the living room to continue her nightly cleaning. Glory was a good kid. Smart and kind. Obedient. But she was still a child which meant by the end of the day toys and learning aids were strewn everywhere. The new toys Archer had brought with him sat in different spots as a snapshot of their day together. Ally grabbed the books to put away on Glory’s shelf but she stopped at the door and listened.
“Princess Glo was small but she was mighty with a heart of gold and an iron will. She was the strongest little girl in the land and the only one equipped to take on the dragon.”
She smiled at his excited voice and peeked inside. Her heart melted at the sight of Glory curled up on Archer’s lap, her little head resting against his chest. “I think you lost your audience,” she whispered as she stepped in and put away the books.
With a sheepish grin he looked down and slowly shifted her under the blankets. “I think I got more into than she did.”
“Doubtful. The fact that she’s asleep means she was so into it she didn’t ask a lot of questions.”
“Well, after we read a few chapters of The Hunger Games, she wanted a story of her own.”
And he’d given it to her. “Princess Glo?”
“I never claimed to be the creative type.” He stood and scrubbed a hand over his face. “But as long as she’s happy, I’ll do it.”
Ally stared at him for a long time, trying to see if her bullshit detector could sniff out anything. He seemed genuine enough which meant she had to give him the benefit of the doubt. For now. “Want some coffee? You look beat.”
His deep chuckle sounded behind her as she stepped around him to kiss Glory goodnight and turn out the lights. “Is that a nice way of saying I look like crap?”
The man didn’t have bad hair days, and fresh from the gym or a shower, he looked hot and sweaty and one thousand percent male. Good enough to eat. “I said what I meant. Coffee or not?”
“Do you have a beer instead?”
A quick look over her shoulder and she nearly tripped on her own feet at the sexy smirk he wore. “Sure. I’m sure I have one somewhere. Have a seat.” Ally escaped to the kitchen, grabbing a brown ale from the fridge and topped her own glass with a table red she kept on hand. What was she doing, inviting him to stay for a drink? That was a clear signal for something else, wasn’t it? She pushed those thought out of her head and joined him in the living room.
“I hope you don’t mind,” he lifted the white photo album she’d made during Glory’s first year. “I couldn’t resist.”
“Go for it.” She took a seat at the other end of the sofa, leaving the middle cushion and a stack of photo albums between them as she sipped her wine. While he took in the images of their daughter aging, growing and turning into a little person, she took him in. All the changes since she’d seen him last were catalogued clearly in her mind. The laugh lines, the wrinkles and even a few grey hairs along the temple, all told the story of their time apart. He was bigger, bulkier and moved more gracefully. Like a big prey cat, only with more confidence.
“What?”
She blinked and realized she’d been staring at him like a fool for who knew how long. “What?”
“You were staring with this look on your face, kind of a smile but the one when you have a secret joke in your head.” He smirked and for a brief moment she was thrown back eight years when they’d been looking at apartments to share. She wanted something not a roach motel but he’d flashed that grin and she’d agreed under the pretense of saving money. For a future we never got.
“Just noticing the changes since I last saw you.”
His gaze raked her over, heat burning his blue gaze. “Me too.”
Ally rolled her eyes and buried her face in her wine glass. “I said noticing, not appreciating.”
He shrugged. “I heard both.” His gaze turned back to the book and he traced a photo with his finger. “I’ve missed so much.
”
She nodded, acknowledging his words. She refused to apologize for not telling him. It’s not like she could have reached him if she’d tried. “There’s still plenty left ahead.” It was all she could offer.
Archer turned back to the photos and she got lost in her own thoughts, wondering how much things would change now. Would she have to split holidays with him? Or would she be forced to endure his company at every holiday from now until one of them dropped dead?
A low groan escaped, drawing Archer’s attention. “I have them all digital if you’d like copies.”
“I would,” he answered quickly.
Ally found her foot slipping and tried to pull it back, but he held on to it. “Archer.”
“Now I have you right where I want you. At my mercy. Tell me, Ally, do you hate me?”
“No.”
“You don’t have to sound so unhappy about it,” he grumbled, which made her laugh.
“I’m not anything about it, Archer. I gave up trying to hate you and just stopped thinking about you altogether.”
“Ouch.”
She arched a brow, daring him to deny it. “Would you prefer I lie to you?”
He frowned. “We never lied to each other.”
“No,” she sighed with a sad shake of her head. “We just didn’t tell the whole truth.”
“I wish…,” he didn’t finish the thought, probably because he couldn’t. Ally knew she couldn’t. She wished a lot of things, most of them feelings, but what she wished with Archer had never been clear.
“I know.” She jumped up, suddenly uncomfortable with the heat swirling between them, the tension and that long wistful look. They couldn’t be wistful. Or hot. Or even lukewarm. Cold, they needed to be ice cold. Cold War cold. “It’s getting late.” Her feet began to move towards the door and stood, waiting for him to grab his coat.
“Yep,” he smirked but stood and she sent him a grateful smile. “I’ll see you soon Ally.” Plucking his coat from the rack, he took his time slipping it over his shoulders, giving her a slow, sexy gaze as he did.
“I have no doubt,” she said, thinking of how thoroughly he and Glory had fallen for each other in just a few days. “Good night, Archer. I’m glad Glory is getting to know you.”
His expression turned fierce and he used his height and weight advantage against her, pressing her against the wall beside the door. “I’m not going anywhere, Ally. I’m here for Glory. And you,” he whispered a moment before his lips touched hers and set of a succession of sparks behind her eyes and through her veins. Hot, thick lava flowed through her as his tongue slid against her lips, urging them open so he could sneak in and remind her why she’d been so crazy over him at one time. One touch had been like a match to bone dry tinder and she’d never been able to extinguish the fire without him.
She gripped his arms as he plundered her mouth, his hands got reacquainted with new curves and her body temp rose even higher. She wanted him, “God yes,” she moaned when his lips touched her neck, his tongue slicked over the spot he’d nibbled. She wanted him. His body, she mentally amended and tugged his earlobe between her teeth. Just his body. For a brief moment she wondered if she could do that, sate her lust for him. Just once. She’d tried two one night stands over the years and though physically satisfying, they’d left her feeling empty and dissatisfied afterwards. Her final one had been more than a year ago, which explained the way she eagerly wrapped her legs around him when he lifted her against the wall.
“AllyCat,” he groaned and gripped her ass.
She froze at her old nickname that only he used to call her, it was more effective than a bucket of snow down her top. Ally let her legs drop back to the floor and she slid away from him. “Have a good night, Archer.”
Where she felt conflicted, he flashed a cocky smile that made her insides clutch. “I plan to. You do the same.” He leaned in and dropped another kiss, this time fast and hard, against her lips and strolled to his truck sitting in her drive way. “Sweet dreams,” he called out.
Ally groaned, brushing her fingertips over swollen lips. That was one hell of a kiss, she thought with a satisfied grin.
But it was too good. Because now she wanted more.
And more with Archer would be bad.
Very, very bad.
Chapter 8
Archer stood in Ally’s kitchen, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed over his chest and his legs crossed at the ankles. And waited. He waited with all the patience he could muster, for Ally to make up her mind. “Well?”
She nibbled her bottom lip, removing the shiny stuff that made it hard for him to look away, as a mixture of emotions crossed her face. “You want to take her ice skating? On the ice?”
He bit back a smile, certain that laughing right now wouldn’t get him what he wanted. “Yes, that’s how ice skating works. I’ll be right there with her. Holding her hand and cushioning her fall.” Shoving his hands in his pockets, Archer sighed. “This is something I can teach her, Ally.” She’d done it all, from carrying her inside her body to being there for every scrape and fall and near miss. He needed to do something too.
“Fine,” she finally relented. “But make sure she doesn’t touch the blades, and take her bicycle helmet. And listen to your mother.” Her tone brooked no argument, but Archer had never been fond of rules.
“A helmet? Ice skating?”
“Yes,” she insisted. “Head wounds bleed. A lot. Why risk it?”
Archer’s eyes clenched tight against the morbid image of Glory lying on the ice with blood pouring from her head. “Okay.”
She grinned and relaxed. “Okay, then. Have fun. I’ll let you tell her and get her ready. I’m here if you need me.”
He smiled and stood up straight as warmth flooded his body. He needed her. Naked and writhing beneath him while she cried his name. But he couldn’t say that, so instead he said, “Thank you.” He surprised her by pulling her in for a hug and dropping a kiss on her forehead.
“Be careful.”
“I’ll be Captain Careful,” he said as he strode away, feeling lighter now that Ally had agreed. He’d worried all morning that she would say no, especially after that kiss he hadn’t stopped thinking about since it happened. His lips burned to taste her again. All of her.
But now, he had another girl to impress. “Hey kiddo, can I come in?”
Archer didn’t think he would ever get used to the happy smile she always sent his way. “Daddy! Whatcha doing here?”
He frowned and dropped into his haunches. “You’re not happy to see me,” he asked, voice low and head hung in sadness.
“I am!” She insisted, cupping his jaw and kissing his nose. “I didn’t know you were comin’.”
“I have a surprise.”
She gasped, wide blue eyes filled with joy and wonder. “What is it?”
“Me and you and grandma Cindy are going ice skating.”
Her little body vibrated with excitement and finally she let out an ear-splitting squeal that told the entire neighborhood how she felt about his idea. “Really?”
“Yep. But only if you get dressed.” He grinned when she hopped off the bed and went to her closet, grabbing jeans and a sweater haphazardly, the same way a young Ally used to do. She froze and looked at him, both of them unsure how to proceed. “What is it?”
She held up a pair of thick red tights with green wreaths on them. “Help.”
He glanced around the room, in search of help that wouldn’t come unless he called for it. Luckily Glory was a smart girl. She hopped up on the bed and shoved her little feet in his face, so he began to slide them on. “Okay?”
She nodded, lips twisted in thought just like her mom. “It’s easier if you roll it,” she showed him how and Archer repeated the move, looking up for her approval. “Thank you, Daddy.” She threw her little arms around him and he hugged her fragile little body close, loving that sweet little girl scent.
“Anytime,” he told her, not at all su
rprised to realize he meant it. In just a short amount of time, Glory changed the way he thought about everything. “What else?”
She pointed to a thermal shirt, slipped it on and then tossed a sweater over it. It looked good, but rumpled. “Mama will help,” she said, running from the room. “Mama, look.”
Seconds later Archer entered the living room and saw the amused smile on her face. “You look beautiful honey. Come let mama straighten you up.”
“See,” she beamed over her shoulder. “Outside clothes!”
Archer watched, taking note of every detail as Ally helped her into her purple boots with wool around the top, hats and gloves and scarves. He watched it all to see how to recreate it if he needed to. Damn kids took a lot of work. Fifteen minutes had passed and his daughter was finally ready. “Wow. I guess we better have fun, then.”
Glory missed the joke and wrapped her hand around his middle and forefinger. “We will,” she answered confidently.
“Have fun sweetheart.” Ally kissed her cheek and rose.
“A kiss for me?”
Her face turned a beautiful shade of pink and then she grinned. “You wish.”
Damn right I do.
“Mama, a kiss for Daddy!”
Ally rolled her eyes and grabbed his face while Archer held his breath, unable to believe she was about to lay one on him right there in front of Glory. But he should have known. She pulled him in for a chaste forehead kiss and shoved them both out the door. “Have fun, kids!”
Archer laughed at her words, walking with Glory to the car where he spent a respectable ten minutes securing her into the car seat. Maybe closer to fifteen. But it was done and soon they were parked and heading to the skate rental desk. Another ten minutes spent trying on four different size skates for Glory and they were ready to hit the ice. “You ever skated before?”
She shook her head. “Mama don’t know how.”
He smiled at a memory that came to him. “She was always scared of falling on the ice. Do you know that she would only skate if I held her hand?” He hadn’t minded one minute and instantly regretted he hadn’t gotten her to come along.
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