Sworn to Be His ( The Archer Family 3)

"Okay, then, Dare it is." she looked at him thoughtfully for a moment, then said, "We'll think of something else for you to call me."

"Yeah, I'll keep at it." He nodded.

They sipped their drinks in silence for a moment, then Derrick said, "So is that all? That seems like the basics."

"There's one more thing."

"Yeah?"

"Well, I was thinking...Kelly and Freddricks kiss before they leave every day."

"Yeah, so? They're..."

"They're together. And we're supposed to be, too. So if we're going to act like we're together, we're going to have to be able to kiss without it being weird."

"But it is going to be weird. It's going to be very weird."

"Right, so we're going to have to work through that and practice," Jade said.

"You want me to make out with you in a biker bar?"

At the words "biker bar" One-Eyed Jerry stopped mid throw and shot Derrick a warning glare. Or, really, half of a warning glare.

"Shhh," Jade shushed him. "They don't like labels. And no, nobody said anything about making out. We just have to, you know, master a good, natural kiss."

"Right." Derrick took another gulp of his drink, then glanced around the place. It wouldn't be so conspicuous to kiss her here. There was even one couple already going at it near the pool table and another whispering heatedly to each other in one of the ripped leather booths.

He considered leaning in, breathing in her scent, wrapping his hand in her hair, and he had to take another drink.

This was Jade.

Jade who regularly made jokes about his numerous girlfriends. Jade who was his friend, one of the few friends he'd held on to since leaving the service. Jade wasn't the sort of girl you kissed. She was the kind you held on to. The kind you didn't want to tarnish.

Suddenly, he wasn't sure how much his paperwork being done really meant to him. But then, if he went back on his word, Jade wouldn't have her chance with Zac.

Good. She deserves better than a guy like that.

"Dare?" she said, and he focused on her again. Her square face, the lock of blond hair hanging lazily in front of her eye. And most of all on her eyes—clear sky blue, pleading and hopeful all at once. She'd be heartbroken if this didn't work out.

"Sorry, I was just wondering if you'd be able to handle kissing me. Frankly I'm not sure you're woman enough." He turned his smile on her and she shoved him playfully.

"I've seen the kind of girls you've been with. If they could handle you, I'm sure I can."

"So how do you want to go for this? Just...kiss?"

She surveyed him for a moment, then shrugged. "Yeah, I guess that's our best option, right? We just...go for it."

"Right. Go for it." Derrick leaned in and, just as he’d imagined, the smell of her overwhelmed his senses the closer he got. Then there was the ginger on her breath, fresh and crisp, and then the heat of her mouth on his. The softness of her lips.

He took her bottom lip between his and she responded, slowly opening her mouth to him and deepening the kiss. With one hand, he wound a strand of her hair between his fingers and with the other, he gripped her waist, steadying her as his tongue dipped out to find hers.

It was as though his body knew what to do without his command or consent. He didn't even take the time to wonder if he'd done something wrong or gone too far. Instead, he was focused on her, the silky strands of her hair, the way her kiss sent another electric jolt straight to his core.

Suddenly, he was aware of a growing ache between his legs and he stiffened as he felt his cock harden.

No, that was all wrong. This was Jade. Jade, his friend.

He pulled back to find a blush trailing from the apples of her cheeks down her neck and down to the collar of her shirt. He imagined it went lower, too, probably painting her breasts the most delicate shade of rose.