He smiled back at me. “Wecan do that.”
“You should probably tellAndreandDanewe’re headed out so they don’t get worried we’ve been kidnapped,”Itold him.
“Good call,” he replied, giving me a small smile. “Iadmire your awareness and regard for the extra security protocols.”
I knew just as much as he did about the importance of good security measures and paying attention to small details.
I walked over to the table to grab my handbag and tried to think quickly about how to bring up what had happened on the dance floor.
Alas,Archerwas too quick and was back at our table in no time.
Silence.Ishould just feign tiredness and not speak.Thatwould give me more time to think.
“You ready?” he asked, andIsimply nodded.
He put his hand at the small of my back to guide me through the nearby tables as we exited the tent.Hissimple touch on my back radiated heat.Ipicked up my pace a bit to essentially outrun his hand.Hefinally let it drop as we made our way to the long driveway.
My mind raced with thoughts of him.Hisrevelations about our divorce a few days ago.Thethings he had said on the dance floor.Hewanted me back.Hewantedusback.
To some men, it was all about the chase, andIwondered ifArcherfelt the same.WasIjust the one who got away?Maybethat was where the pull was coming from—or at least that was whatIkept telling myself.Sure, we’d had great sex too, but this likely stemmed from him just wanting what he couldn’t have.
“Do you want to talk about it?”Archer’svoice startled me out of my thoughts.
“Not really,”Ianswered honestly, glancing over to look at him.
It was dark out, so he was only visible through the moonlight and the distant lights of his house.Itwas enough, though, to see the nervous smile on his face.
“You know, talking it out is usually the best way to sort out the problem.”
I knew that.Iwas currently talking it out with myself in my head.ButIwasn’t ready to add in his opinions or thoughts.
“It’s not your problem,Archer.I’mnot your problem.”
“You’re right.You’renot a problem.Butyouaremy soulmate—andI’myours,” he responded so simply.
I was about to argue with him on that point, but he spoke again quickly.
“I am,” he said firmly but without judgment. “Iknow you don’t see it that way anymore, butInever stopped being yours, and you never stopped being mine.”
How could he be so sure about something like that?
“I don’t know where we stand,Archer,”Itold him as we neared his house.
I started to say more, but he cut me off and turned me to face him. “Thenlet me clear things up,Ace, so you know whereIstand.Iwant you back.I’lldo everything in my power to convince you that we’re meant to be together.Idon’t know what the future holds for me, butIknowIwant you in it.”
“I know you care about me, and on some level,Istill care about you too,”Iexplained. “Wewere married, albeit briefly, so naturally there will be some level of caring.Youcan’t tell me you’ve been celibate this whole time waiting for me?”
“Ace,I’vefisted my cock to you more nights thanIcare to admit these last few years,” he told me, shocking me. “Andthis is probablyTMI,but almost a year ago,Ihad a few drinks at the pub and went home with a woman.”
OhGod,Idid not want to hear this.Istarted shaking my head, trying to give him the hint, but he just kept on talking.
“I called herAcewhileIwas having sex with her—twice.”
Outwardly, my body was still as my eyebrows lifted practically to my hairline.Inside, though, it felt somewhat exhilarating hearing that he wanted me, thoughIwas also slightly embarrassed for the other woman.
“So, no,Ihaven’t been celibate, but as much of a dick as it might make me seem, you were never far from my thoughts.”
I stood there, immobile, taking in everything he had said.Iclosed my eyes for a brief moment, but whenIopened them, he had moved closer to me and was now a mere inch away.
