by Este Holland
A few of the guys made him their bitch, and he accepted their trash and threw it away for them. So, maybe he was the new kid, or they were racist, or maybe they were all a bunch of assholes. That was a given.
I smiled as he neared me. His cheeks flushed and his lips twitched in return. He glanced at the guys. I hid a bigger smile, so as not to embarrass him and held out a card with my number on it where the guys couldn’t see. He reached out to toss the trash, smoothly accepted the card, and stuffed it into his pocket. He smiled a little wider before turning away and hurrying after the group.
It might amount to nothing, but it couldn’t hurt, and if he called me I’d possibly gain a little wiggle room in the social balloon surrounding Brian Hart.
I couldn’t wait to pop that bitch.
Jake
I didn’t know what to do with the information I’d learned about Archer. It didn’t change the fact that I was terrified of doing something illegal, nor the fact that I would hate it if he got caught breaking into Stephanie’s house. It did make me feel better about working with him, though. So, there was that.
A key scraped in the lock, and Archer appeared in the hallway, dressed like a UPS worker.
I tilted my head to study him. “Did you leave in that brown outfit?”
“Yes.” He smiled. “Did you not notice?”
“Um…no. I guess not.” I was too busy being mesmerized by your eyes.
Archer’s smile widened like he knew my thoughts. I narrowed my eyes at him. He hummed a little tune as he shed several layers until he was down to a gray T-shirt.
“Explain.” I pointed my finger at him and the pile of sweaters.
“Disguise.”
Alarm swept through me, tightening my stomach. “Did you break in?”
“No, no.” Archer grabbed my shoulders. “I just looked, like I said. I didn’t want anyone being able to describe me, that’s all.”
I rubbed my chest, over my heart, and sucked in a breath. “Oh.”
Archer’s fingers skated across my shirt and kneaded my trapezius muscles. “You’re really worried about me, aren’t you?”
“Well, yeah. Of course.” I fought off a shiver because I didn’t want him to feel it, but damn, his hands felt good. Tension release had me melting in his arms. I cleared my throat and pushed my glasses up my nose. “So, Amy, huh?”
Archer rolled his eyes. “This guy is a piece of work. Have you found anything?”
“Not yet. Either they’re not friends on social media, or she’s under a different name. I’m still looking.”
“Okay. Have you eaten?”
“Oh. No. I lost track of time.”
Archer chuckled. “Shocking.” He walked to the kitchen and began pulling things out of the fridge.
I watched his hips as he moved—okay, his ass. It was a nice ass. And his arms. Those were nice too, with veins running along his corded forearms. His lean body hid how jacked he was. He was illusive, in all kinds of delicious ways.
“What’s the tattoo on your ribs say?”
Archer craned his neck and lifted his shirt to show me. I was pretty sure he flexed his abs, but who cared, because Hello?
“It’s French. Translated loosely, it says, ‘Don’t take life too seriously, you won’t get out alive.’ ”
“Huh. Is that your motto?”
“Yep.” He dropped his shirt and continued to stack sandwiches.
“I guess there’s a certain amount of wisdom in that.” I went to help carry things and grabbed some Cokes. “But doesn’t it also matter where and how you spend the short amount of time you have on Earth?”
“You mean like being stuck behind a desk, staring at a screen in a cubicle surrounded by people who don’t give a shit about you? Or are you talking about a prison cell? Because honestly, I don’t see much of a difference.”
“Um…I was thinking of the second one,” I murmured.
Archer set the plates aside and grabbed my hand. “Hey. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to insult your life plans. I’m an asshole.”
I stared into his eyes and the apology there. “It’s okay. I know you didn’t.” I sucked in a breath. “You’re entitled to your opinions. And you’re not an asshole. I think…I think you’re a good person. You help people.”
A corner of his mouth hitched up in a smile I hadn’t seen yet. It was uncertain but hopeful. “Yes.” I answered his unasked question. “You’re almost like Robin Hood.”
He cocked his head. “You’ve been snooping.”
I averted my gaze. “Just a little. I saw your emails with Julie Sanders.”
“Ah.” Archer regarded me with a cool stare. “Don’t mistake me for a saint, Jake. You know I charge my clients a lot.”
“The ones who can afford it.”
“Well, sure. New York is expensive.” He rolled a shoulder. “Julie was a special case. She had these adorable little twin girls, and that asshole ex of hers took everything. They would’ve been out on the street in a few months.”
I resisted grinning. “But you’re not a saint,” I said in mock-seriousness.
Archer scoffed and began to eat, ending our conversation.
Chapter 9
Jake
“Find anything about the security on the Fogle house?” Archer asked.
“Yes, I’m pretty sure they have ADT.”
“Damn.”
Archer tapped a pen on the arm of his chair. He’d been doing the Times crossword, and I’d gotten a secret thrill out of it. Looks and smarts. And seeing him reading the actual paper made me smile. I shook my head. Gotta stop thinking of my boss like that. I needed to make sure he trusted me.
“What’s wrong?”
I caught Archer’s curious gaze, the light making his hazel eyes gold. “Archer, do you trust me?”
He hesitated. “I do. I would’ve never given you access to my computer otherwise. You could send my hard drive to the cops or the media.”
“But?” I held my breath.
“No but. Just a little anxiety about someone else knowing my deal.” The corner of his lip lifted, making his cheek bunch. “Like I said, I’ve never done it before, and it’s a little nerve-wracking. But it’s also kind of cool. I like talking to you about this stuff.”
Relieved, I smiled. “I like it, too.”
“Really? You’re sure it’s not the pay?”
I stood and rounded the desk to lean on the edge nearest his seat. “Not just the pay,” I promised.
Archer lowered his head with a pleased smile. I wanted to touch his chocolate-colored hair. I suddenly understood why he’d petted my head the other day. I curled my fingers into a fist to stop myself.
I straightened in a rush. “Need a drink,” I said as I scurried to the kitchen. I grabbed a glass of water and chugged.
“Jake.” Archer stood right behind me.
“Yeah?”
Instead of speaking, his hand came to rest on my shoulder. I turned my head, and my breath caught. His face was close, lips parted, eyes half-lowered. I could lean in and kiss him. My heart pounded as we paused, neither of us knowing if we should risk our current relationship. At least, those were my thoughts. I had no clue what Archer was thinking about, other than sex. That was plain as day.
But was it me and only me, or was he horny and there happened to be a single, gay man in his condo? Marri always said I think too much. Sex did complicate things, though.
I turned to the fridge, and Archer dropped his hand.
“Sorry,” he whispered. “Here we were just talking about trust, and I…I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I didn’t mind.” I faced him again.
Crossing his arms, Archer moved to give me room. “You didn’t?” His cocky smile peeked out, but it somehow landed on sweet.
“No.” My face heated. “Not at all. But…”
“But,” he repeated, “we’re working together. And I’m your boss.”
“Right.” I stared at my feet and ran my shoe over a small scu
ff in the laminate.
“Right.” Archer studied me before he inched closer. “Can I try something?”
“What?” I raised my head, curiosity getting the better of me.
“Can I hug you?”
“Oh.” I straightened from my lean. “I-I guess so.”
Archer smiled his new, sweet-almost-cocky smile again. He reached for me, grabbing my T-shirt and pulling me in. I went willingly, if not stiffly. Archer’s arms came around my waist. His hands smoothed over my flank and up. Our chests pressed together, and I slid my arms around his shoulders, breathing in his scent without caring if he noticed. God, he smelled so good. A mixture of shampoo, aftershave, and something else I couldn’t describe.
It was everything I never knew I wanted or needed. His embrace, like a balm to my soul, released the heavy weight I hadn’t noticed until it was gone.
“You smell like coconut,” Archer said with a sigh.
I chuckled, masking the emotion clogging my throat. “Suave shampoo. It’s cheap.”
He hummed and the vibrations reverberated in my chest. I relaxed in increments until we were supporting each other’s weight. Archer gave amazing hugs, tight and warm with a hint of sex where his hips met mine. I wanted to stay there forever.
Archer
I’m an idiot. Jake had hesitated because I was his boss, and two seconds later he was in my arms. I tried not to get hard, but it was…well, hard. I shifted my hips, so he didn’t feel my dick filling, but he countered that by stepping his foot between mine.
“Ugh. I gotta—” I moved away.
“What?” Jake asked. His arms were still around my shoulders, but he pulled away to peer into my face.
“I don’t want to make you uncomfortable, but…” I pointed to my crotch, and Jake’s mouth formed an O. “Yeah.” He bit his lip. “That’s not helping.” I couldn’t tear my gaze from his luscious mouth.
“Archer?”
“Hmm?”
“Archer?”
“What?”
Jake pushed my shoulder. “Look.”
I glanced behind me, and my eyes skidded over Phoenix, then flew back to him. “Phen!” I released Jake. “What are you doing here?”
“I needed to talk to you about your latest fiasco. I can come back.”
“No, no. It’s fine. We weren’t…this is—”
“I’m Jake,” he said, walking forward with his hand out.
My brother shook it with a nod. “Nice to meet you. I’m Phoenix Ferraro, Archie’s brother.”
“Nice to meet you, too.” Jake looked at me, then Phoenix. “Right. I’ll let you two talk.” He hurried to the office and emerged a moment later with his hoodie and bag. He gave me a smile, waved, and was out the door.
“So, what’s up? Why didn’t you knock?” I asked.
“You gave me a key.”
“For emergencies.” Phen shrugged. “So?” I asked, dropping onto the sofa. “Brett?”
Phen narrowed his eyes on me. “Yes. Brett. But first, who is Jake?”
“Jake is…my…new…employee.”
My brother’s eyebrows disappeared into the wrinkles of his forehead. He was only thirty-three. Had I prematurely aged him? “And you always hug like that?”
“No. That was the first time.”
“Archer,” he admonished.
“Don’t look at me like that. I know I’m skating a thin line. I can’t help it, though. I like him.”
Phen frowned and rubbed his diaphragm. “He’s going to sue you for sexual harassment. With our luck, you’ll get Judge Hall. He’ll toss you in jail.”
I sighed and groaned. “Jake isn’t going to sue me.” Funny how we’d thought the same thing.
He pressed his lips into a white line. “I don’t know what kind of lucky star you were born under, brother, but maybe you’re right.”
My head shot up. “What do you mean?”
“Brett is dropping the charges.”
I couldn’t have stopped my smirk if there was a gun pointed at my head. “I told you it’d be fine.”
“Yes, but…how? I’ve never seen someone as pissed off as that guy. And I’m a lawyer.”
I shrugged. “He had sufficient motive.”
Phen tugged on his lawyer-tie. “Please, tell me you didn’t threaten him, Archie!”
I froze. “I didn’t threaten him?”
He scowled. “Try again.”
I tucked in my chin and peered through my lashes. “I didn’t threaten him.”
My brother took a bottle of Pepto Bismol out of his briefcase and chugged. He nodded and capped the Pepto. “I don’t want to know.” He stood in a rush. “I’m going to pretend everything is fine, that my little brother isn’t a criminal, and my life is perfect.”
“Come on. I’m not a…criminal.” I winced. Even I knew that was a terrible lie. Christ, I was usually better than this. Jake had my insides all twisted up, like Twizzlers or those M. Night Shama…Himalaya—what’s-his-name’s movies.
Phoenix stopped, his face a mixture of hurt and weariness. The crushing weight of his disapproval pulled me into the cushions. “Dinner on Thursday night with Ma. The usual place.”
“Yeah, I know. I’ll be there.”
Phoenix left as fast as he’d appeared. The ticking of the decorative clock on the wall pierced my eardrums, and the urge to rip it down came over me, but I resisted. Instead, I went to my bedroom, stripped, put on some shorts and sneakers, and started to run on the treadmill.
Frustration got the better of me, and I wanted another Jake hug so bad, I could feel it. His shampoo lingered in my nose, and I couldn’t stand it another second. I hit the stop button and stood on the sides of the treadmill, panting for breath. I hit call by his name, and it rang in my AirPods.
“Hey,” Jake answered.
Some of my frustration leaked out. “Hey. Sorry about the interruption.”
“No problem. He’s your brother.”
“Yeah, but I was really enjoying that hug.”
Jake laughed quietly, and I pictured him ducking his head and adjusting his glasses. “Me too.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, why do you ask?”
“Something my brother said. I don’t want you to feel pressured or anything. I would never put your job at risk.”
“Archer—” Jake began.
“No. You depend on me for your livelihood, and I want you to know I take that responsibility seriously.”
“I know you do. You hired me because I lost the last one, remember? It was like a week and a half ago,” Jake said on a chuckle.
“True.” I huffed. “My brother gets in my head sometimes.”
“He’s worried about you.”
“I know.” I really wanted to tell Phen the truth, but if I had his disapproval now, it would be so much worse afterward.
“I’m sorry. It can’t be easy keeping things from him.”
“How do you read my mind?”
Jake laughed. “I don’t. I just think about how I’d feel in your place.”
“You’ve been through something like it?”
“Sort of.”
I waited, but he didn’t speak again. “Want to come over?”
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea. We should probably act like professionals.”
“Right.” I took a deep breath. “Professional.”
“Right.”
I let it out slowly, and Jake must’ve heard it, because he caught his breath.
“I’m all sweaty, anyway. I should shower.” Definitely a gulp that time. I grinned. No, stop it. You’re supposed to be good. I cleared my throat. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
“Bye, Jake.”
“Okay.”
I laughed as I hung up. “God, he’s so fucking cute.”
“I heard that!”
“Oh, shit.” I fumbled with my phone. I hadn’t hung up. “You know what? I’m owning it. You are cute. Adorable, even. Get used to it.�
�
His growl was worthy of an angry chipmunk. Now the call was disconnected. I laughed all the way to the shower.
Chapter 10
Jake
Cute? I scoffed. “I am not.”
“Sure, you are,” Marri said. “What are we talking about?”
“Archer called me cute.”
“Archer?” She raised a pointy eyebrow.
I winced. “I meant Karmaman.”
“Hmm.” Marri’s shrewd gaze swept over me.
“Actually, he said, ‘God, he’s so fucking cute.’ ”
Her smile grew into a grin, and I shook my head.
“Boss, remember?”
“Who cares? How many romance novels are written about bosses? It’s a fantasy for a reason.”
Pacing the minimal floor space of Marri’s bedroom, I said, “Yeah, but that’s not why I like him.”
“Aha!” She pointed at me. “You like him!”
I planted my hands on my hips. “Yes, so?”
“Oh.” She deflated. “I thought it’d be a bigger deal.”
“Well, it is but…we hugged.”
“Hugged?” Her mouth pinched in disgust.
I’d run straight over after leaving Archer’s apartment. Excitement about the hug and embarrassment about being caught by Archer’s brother fought a war in my stomach. “Yes, hugged. But I’m telling you, Marri, I’ve slept with guys with less feelings than that.”
“Ohhhh. A hug! Why didn’t you say so?”
“Are you being sarcastic?”
“Nooo, I would never.”
I rolled my eyes and collapsed on the bed. I bounced as Marri trundled to the middle to meet me.
“Don’t you ever like to cuddle or hold hands?”
She shrugged. “Never thought about it.”
“That’s sad, Mar.”
“Why? Say you do all that lovey-dovey shit. You catch feelings and pretty soon jealousy creeps in, then you’re checking his phone at three a.m., messaging skanks asking, ‘Who dis?’ And come to find out it’s his cousin’s babysitter’s sister, and then you look like a crazy bitch.”
I blinked. “Wow. That’s fucked up.”