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“If you don’t stop looking at me like that, we’ll be here all night.” He dabs the corners of his mouth with his napkin then leaves it on the table. “Are you finished?” He dips his head toward my almost empty plate.

“Yes.” I glance up at him when he rises to his feet and comes over to me. “What is it?”

“I’m taking you upstairs.” Before I can agree to his plan, he bends down and scoops me up like I weigh nothing.

If sitting in a wet dress weren’t so uncomfortable, I would demand he set me down. “You know people are going to think you’re taking me upstairs to have your way with me.”

That earns me a chuckle. “Maybe later, Little Dove. I have work that can’t wait.”

I look away from him to hide my disappointment. I’m in his arms, and yet, he feels like he’s a million miles away. What is this secret that makes him push me away like that? His desire for me fills the space around us and makes the air sizzle with raw energy every time we’re near. And yet, he chooses to put up his shields instead.

“What kind of work demands your attention this late?” I ask, my words laced with bitterness.

“The kind I’ve had to put off to stay home and make sure you don’t escape.” He shoulders his suite door open, bypassing the big bed to take me to the en-suite bathroom.

“That’s because you don’t trust me. I’ve told you. I’m not going anywhere.” I turn to face him when he gently lets my feet touch the floor. “Archer?”

“No more questions for tonight.” He taps on the screen outside the shower to run the jets and the water. Jasmine scented steam fills the room as he cradles my neck. “And no more requests, Little Dove.” He cocks an eyebrow.

Translation? I’m required to shower then go to bed. No more sex, and definitely no touching him. Pulling the glass door open, he gestures for me to walk in. When I don’t move, he ambles around to stand behind me. His thumb presses on my spine as he pulls down the zipper and slides the dress off my shoulders.

He releases a breath as if he’s at the end of his rope. Then when it feels like he’s leaving again, he grips my neck and moves me so his mouth is in line to capture mine. Our tongues collide in a desperate kiss as if days, not hours, have gone by since the last time we kissed.

“Go on,” he orders.

I’m too dazed and confused to argue. I step under the spray, keeping my head away from the water so I can undo my hair first. I let it fall down my back while the warm water soothes my sore pussy. When I glance over my shoulder, Archer is still there, fully dressed and watching me with hunger in his eyes.

Shifting my weight so he sees me reach between my legs, I begin to pleasure myself. If he won’t let me touch him, I want him to see what I can do with my hands. I palm my sex, while kneading my breast.

“Paloma,” he says through gritted teeth, bracing one hand on the tile and gripping the glass door with the other. “What are you doing?”

“Hmm.” I moan, reaching farther down until I feel my entrance at the tip of my fingers. “I’d much rather be stroking you.”

His searing gaze studies every inch of my body. “Against the wall, Little Dove. I want to see you touch your pussy.” He exhales slowly. The tips of my hair are damp and stick to my skin. His jaw clenches. “Brush your hair away from your nipples.” He orders. “I want to see those gorgeous tits of yours.”

I press my back to the tile behind me and peer up at him through my eyelashes as I follow his orders. My body is on fire the way he watches me with so much fervor and reverence, as if my body is some sort of holy temple.

He licks his lips, then nods, silently ordering me to slide my fingers inside me. I do as he asks. “Hmm.” My head rolls to the side as my legs threaten to give out from under me. “Archer?”

I need him to hold me. I need him closer to catch me if I fall. But he doesn’t move a muscle, he simply continues to watch, like I’m on a window display. “You’re so close already. Aren’t you, Little Dove? Such a greedy pussy.”

I nod.

“Then finish it.”

I rub my bud impatiently with one hand, then reach in with the other and plunge my fingers as I far as I can reach. Squeezing my eyes shut, I wait for my desire to unfurl at my core until it can no longer be contained. I get there so fast, it takes me by surprise.

“Ahh.” I continue to touch myself everywhere it feels good until my climax is spent.

I’m still panting, trying to catch my breath when I glance up at Archer. He’s gone. And I don’t even know if he stayed long enough to see me come.

“Archer, I love you.” My words are muffled by the tears stuck in my throat.

I slide down the wall until my butt reaches the floor and decide I’m going to stay for a while. The warm water feels good on my skin. Plus, in here, I don’t have to face the fact that Archer turned me down yet again. Why is he so stubborn? He thinks I’m going to hate him for taking my virginity. But so far, all I feel is an intense need to be near him, to know more about him.

When my fingertips start to prune, I end my pity party of one and finish my shower, shampooing my hair and removing all my makeup while I’m still in here. I put on underwear and climb into a cold bed.

Hours later, I’m curled up, trying to get warm, when Archer enters the room. Immediately, the temperature in the room goes up. There’s no firelight because when he’s here we have no need for it. He moves soundlessly in the dark; it’s impossible to even see his figure. But my whole being knows he’s near. His presence is an incessant drumming in my chest. It taps at my heart and makes me feel alive.