Wanting You Close (Archer & Everleigh 2)

“I don’t blame her, you know,” Everleigh admits. “I have an overbearing brother who gets concerned a lot too. It can be a bit much.”

“But at least you know our intentions are sincere.”

“Yes, I do.” She flashes a sweet smile. “So what kind of dog do you want to get?”

“A Doberman,” I say without having to think about it. “We need a guard dog. One that can rip heads off intruders.”

She snorts. “They’re big babies. Trust me. A friend of mine had one growing up, and let's just say, Sassy is more ferocious.”

I chuckle. “Ours would be different.”

“Yeah, right! What about a chocolate lab?”

“You said Sassy needs a friend. What about a husky?” I suggest.

“Hmm. Can we get more than one?” She blinks up at me.

“No way! We can’t have three dogs. We wouldn’t have enough time for that. We’ll just have to take some time thinking it over since it’ll be our first baby together.”

Everleigh beams. “Or we could just make a real baby?”

I lean over and kiss her. “You’re the only woman in the world I’d have kids with, but not yet.”

“Alright, I can live with that.” Everleigh paints her lips across mine. “Wanna practice?”

I groan, wishing we could. “I have to go back for my afternoon sessions…”

“Hmm...I think you can fit an extra one in right now.” She waggles her brow, making it impossible to deny her.

“Fuck yeah, I can. But it’s gonna be a quickie.”

Everleigh removes my clothes, then hers, then within seconds, she’s straddling my legs. We move together flawlessly and give each other exactly what we need. She always knows exactly how to take my mind off things because right now, all I can think about is her.

Chapter Fifteen

EVERLEIGH

Ding.

I jump for the millionth time when the door chimes and a customer walks in. I can’t complain because it’s a sound I’ll never get tired of hearing, especially now since the shop re-opened last week. I’m grateful for it, but I’m on edge. Lexie shoots me a concerned expression, but I look away and greet the woman who came in.

After helping her find some lovely tops and accessories, I ring her up. I notice the way she looks at me and immediately grow suspicious. When the store is empty, I sigh in relief.

“You doin’ okay? You’ve been jumpy.” Lexie asks, studying me.

I inhale slowly and relax my shoulders. “I’ve just been on edge lately. After the fire and the weird text messages Archer keeps getting, I’m feeling anxious.”

“You need a break, Ev. You’ve been working nonstop since the grand reopening. You’re stressed and that just adds to it.”

“I wish that would actually fix my issues, but I doubt it.” I meet her eyes. “But maybe I’ll leave early tonight since I’m off this weekend.”

“Yeah, you should. Go have lots of hot kinky sex with your man. Then come back Monday and tell me all about it.” She grins.

“Remind me to talk to you about boundaries during your next employee review.”

“Oh shush. You love giving me all the juicy details.” She waggles her brows.

After I restock some jewelry, I grab my bag and phone, then tell Lexie goodbye. I take out my self-defense keychain and walk to my car, then check my back seat before getting in. I hate that I’m so tense and on high alert, but I can’t help it. Maybe Lexie is right. I just need a little R&R.

August weather is still hot in Alabama, but there’s a nice breeze today so I roll my window down and soak in the sun. I’m determined to relax while I’m off this weekend. After everything that’s happened this summer, perhaps I need to talk to my doctor about my newfound anxiety. If Krystal would leave us alone or get caught already, I’d feel a thousand times better.

When I get home, all the lights are off, and Sassy’s nowhere in sight.

“Sassy!” I call out, searching my bedroom and kitchen.

What the hell?

“Sassy girl, where are you?” I go to Archer’s room and find it empty.

Oh my God, she’s gone. Did someone steal her? Did I forget to bring her back in this morning? Did Archer come home early and take her for a walk?

Just as I reach for my phone, hands cover my eyes from behind, and my instincts take over. When I hear a man clear his throat, I jab my elbow into his stomach. He yelps, then I turn and hold up my pepper spray.

“Everleigh, it’s just me!” Archer nearly shouts when he spots the spray.

I lower my aim as I try to catch my breath. “Jesus. You scared the shit outta me.”

“Baby, I’m sorry. I thought you heard me.”

I shake my head. “No, I was freaking out that I couldn’t find Sassy. Where is she?”

Archer closes the space between us and holds me in place. “She’s at your grandparents’. I wanted to surprise you, but you came home early. I’m still packing.”