Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“Fuck,” I mutter when I step into the room. I was gone three minutes tops, and she managed to strip herself naked to nothing but a pair of panties. No, those aren’t even panties. They’re just a thin strip of fabric that barely covers her pussy, let alone her ass. I swallow hard before stepping into the room.
As quietly as I can, I place the waters and the medicine on the nightstand and move across the room to grab her a shirt to sleep in. When I turn back, I take a minute to memorize her naked in my bed. It’s not the first time, but I still want to stop and remember it. I know it’s wrong, but it’s nothing I’ve not seen before. Nothing she hasn’t shared with me in the past, and besides, she’s the one who stripped naked.
Moving toward the bed, I manage to help her sit up and get her dressed in one of my shirts. “I need you to take some medicine and drink some water for me.”
“You came back.”
“I told you that I would.”
“I’m not alone.”
“No, gorgeous, you’re not alone.” Grabbing a bottle of water, I screw off the top and take a drink so it’s not so full that we spill it everywhere and help her take small sips until over half of the bottle is empty. “Good girl. I need you to do one more thing for me.” I shake two tablets into my hand and help her take them before settling her back into bed and pulling the covers over her. I reach up and turn out the light, and she gasps.
“Archer?”
“I’m right here.” I move in close and am able to offer her my hand in the darkness. “I’m just going to change and go to my side of the bed.” It’s technically all my side since I’m the only one who sleeps here, but that’s the easiest way I can explain to her that I’m not leaving.
“Okay.” Her voice is soft and timid, and I can’t help but wonder if it’s more than just losing her parents that put the sadness there. I know a little about her life, from foster care at a young age to losing both of her adoptive parents. It’s heartbreaking, and the worry accompanied by the wobble in her voice grips my heart like a vise.
I manage to strip down to my boxer briefs and slide into bed beside her in record speed. I waste no time pulling her into my arms. I promised her she wasn’t alone, and I need for her to feel that. It’s more than just knowing that I’m here. I need her to be able to listen to my heartbeat as she sleeps against my chest. I need her to feel my arms wrapped around her in a warm embrace.
She settles into me, and I close my eyes, listening to her breathing. I’m drifting off to sleep when I hear her say, “Popeye always saves the day.”
I grin and kiss the top of her head, holding her just a little tighter.
CHAPTER
TEN
Scarlett
I finish writing Blakely’s name on the card and slide it inside the sparkling pink gift bag. I’ve met Blakely a few times since arriving in Willow River, and she’s a vibrant little girl. When Kennedy came into the studio and insisted I come to her birthday party this weekend, I couldn’t say no. Furthermore, I didn’t want to say no.
It has nothing to do with knowing that I’ll get the chance to see Archer. He took care of me and kept his promise after girls’ night. I expected him to try and seduce me, not that it would have taken much the next morning, but he was the perfect gentleman. He made me breakfast and drove me home. I haven’t seen him since. Trust me, every single time I’m out and about in town, my eyes are scanning, looking for him.
Gathering my purse, keys, phone, and Blakely’s gift, I lock up the house and head out to my car. I’m leaving earlier than I need to. The GPS on my phone says it’s only a twenty-minute drive to the address Kennedy gave me in Harris, where the party is being held, but I don’t know where I’m going, and I hate to be late.
The drive is nice. There’s not a ton of traffic from Willow River to Harris, which I’m thankful for. I crank up the radio and sing my heart out. The sunroof is open, and the sun is shining. There’s nothing better than a bright sun shining day, the radio cranked, and the sunroof open. The scenario never fails to put me in a good mood, and yeah, it turns me into a rock star. I chuckle to myself as I follow my GPS, which instructs me to turn left into a large parking lot of an even larger building with a giant LED light sign that reads Karting Express.