Page 12

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ARCHER

I absolutely love giving Carlotta pleasure, taking her right to the brink and then watching her explode with shudders as her release hits her. Sometimes I prolong it as long as possible, taking her to the edge then forcing her to wait in order to make it all that much more intense. But, true to my word, I keep the rest of the night all about her. As much as I’d like to sink back inside her hot, wet body, I know she’s sore and I don’t want to hurt her.

Hell, I figure it’s the least I can do.

As strong and independent and sassy as she is, there’s also a vulnerable side to the youngest Rossi. Maybe because she’s always lived in the shadows of her larger than life brothers or possibly because she possesses a sweet, gentle nature that sometimes makes her shy. Whatever it is, the entire night surprises me.

She’d make a good mother, I think, lightly playing with her hair as I watch her sleep.

Oh, hell, where did that thought come from? I drop the dark brown strand and move further away. Marriage and kids are not in my future. I’ve always known that. My life is far too dangerous to even consider it.

Why is she making me think things that are so out of character?

Something is different about Carlotta. I like her—a lot—and didn’t expect the all-consuming lust that takes over when I’m with her. And I can’t deny it—the sex is outstanding. Fucking mindblowing, and I’m still trying to figure out why it is so damn good. I’ve slept with more experienced women who have given me nights to remember. But, out of them all, it’s this little firecracker beside me that I want more from.

Fuck me. That’s a very dangerous thought. You don’t want more, Archer. You got laid, you got your one night with her. Now you can both move on.

Right?

It’s easier to answer yes to that question while we’re hot and heavy in front of the fireplace all night. However, when dawn breaks and light peeks in through the curtains, it’s much harder. How the hell am I supposed to not touch her again? To just step away and pretend none of this ever happened?

Impossible. Especially while we’re still here together.

I know one night was my brilliant idea, but I also mentioned what happens here, stays here. So, as long as we’re still at the cabin, and on the same page, I figure it’s okay to keep having sex. Because the honest to God’s truth is being inside her only once wasn’t enough.

I need more. So much more. I want to take her all over again, in different positions and various places. There’s so much I want to show her, teach her.

It feels so damn good with her and I’m racking my brain to figure out why. The idea that she’s never slept with anyone else except me is very appealing and brings out my possessive side even more than usual. That has to be it. It’s the only explanation that makes any semblance of sense to me.

Carlotta makes a soft sound then stretches like a satisfied cat, practically purring. Her pretty dark eyes flutter open and a shy smile curves her mouth.

“Good morning,” I say, loving how relaxed and content she looks. She has the expression of a very satisfied woman, thanks to me, and my chest puffs out a little. Somehow, she’s always making me feel proud of myself.

“Morning.” She props herself up on an elbow, holding the blanket up to her chest. I’m tempted to pull it down and suck those gorgeous breasts of hers, but I manage to restrain myself. “What’re you doing up so early?”

“Admiring you.”

“Oh, geez, stop. I’m a mess in the morning.”

“No, you’re lovely,” I insist.

For a moment, we stare at each other.

“About last night…” I begin.

“Please, don’t tell me you regret what we did. Please,” she adds softly, “because that was probably the best night of my life.”

“No, not at all, sweetheart. I just want to find out what you’re thinking and how you’d like to proceed.”

“Proceed?” she echoes, tilting her head.

I shrug a shoulder. “I know I said only one night, but I figure while we’re here…”

My voice trails off and, from the look in her eye, she knows exactly what I’m saying. Or, in this case, not saying.

“Just so I’m clear, are you suggesting we continue last night for as long as we’re at the cabin?”

I realize I’m holding my breath. If she says no, I can’t blame her. But, goddamn, it’s going to kill me. “Yes.”

Her mouth edges up. Seductive, challenging. “Hmm. Did you have a good time last night, Archer?” she teases. So sassy.

Wicked, little thing. She knows damn well I did. “Yes. Very much so.” I’m at her mercy and I wait impatiently for her decision.

She rolls onto her back. “I’m going to have to think about it,” she murmurs, and I can tell by her playful tone that she isn’t serious.

“Vixen,” I say, then crawl over and start dropping kisses wherever I find bare skin. Her shoulder, collarbone, neck, cheek. Finally, my mouth captures hers and we kiss for several very long, delicious moments.

Carlotta pulls back, searching my face, and runs her fingers through my hair. “You’re the one who keeps wanting to put a time limit on this, not me,” she reminds me softly.

I look away, knowing she’s right, yet also knowing it’s because there’s no other choice. “Because I don’t want anything bad to happen to you. What I do is dangerous and the lifestyle I live isn’t conducive to a relationship.”

“What exactly do you do?” she asks.

“I make it my business to know things. And for the right amount of money, I’ll share my intel.”

She nods slowly. “And you share intel with Miceli?”

“Yes. All the time.”

“He must pay you well,” she surmises.

“He does.”

“So you aren’t actually friends with him. More like business associates.”

I like Miceli, sure, but she’s right. “It’s safer that way,” I tell her. “People who get too close to me…”

My voice trails off and she frowns.

“What?” she presses.

“They have a tendency to die,” I say bluntly, and her eyes widen. “And, sweetheart, I refuse to let that happen to you. It’s why we keep this—us—a secret and, yeah, we can indulge for the next few days. But that’s all I can promise you.”

She seems to be considering my words then nods again. “Is Archer your last name?”

“It is. It’s also my call sign.”

“From the military.” Her fingers lightly scratch through the hair on the back of my neck. “And you said you were what branch?”

Clever thing. “I didn’t say. But I was Army and then joined Delta Force.”

I’m not sure why I’m answering her questions, but for whatever reason, I do. Maybe because I’m hoping it will help her to understand me better. Not that it actually matters. We’re lucky if we have three whole days left together.

That thought sends a pang through my heart. It makes no sense and I don’t understand it, but I’d be lying if I denied it.

“I don’t know much about Delta Force. What does it do?”

“It’s an elite special operations unit. My team did the highly secretive stuff. We took out high value targets, dismantled terrorist cells, rescued hostages. A lot of cover missions where we worked directly with the CIA. Direct action missions, too.”

“What are those?”

“Raids, sabotage, that kind of thing,” I tell her. No one has ever asked me about my time in Delta and I never planned on telling anyone. But something about Carlotta makes me want to talk, to open up that part of myself which I locked down years ago after leaving spec ops.

“Did you like it?”

I think carefully over her question before answering. “Yes and no. The training was top notch and taught me everything I needed to know about taking down the enemy. My team was the best. I made a lot of great connections and maintained them. It’s one of the reasons I can find out information so quickly and easily. And nothing gave me greater satisfaction than eliminating another bad guy.”

“I’m hearing a ‘but’ in there,” she says quietly.

“But it took its toll. Some days, it’s still taking its toll.”

“How? Do you mean like with nightmares? Or regrets?”

“Neither,” I tell her, trying to figure out the best way to explain what I mean. “I don’t regret anything I’ve done or had to do to protect others. And I don’t lose sleep over the evil men I’ve killed.”

“Then what do you mean it took its toll?”

“Because of what I’ve done and been through, it’s impossible for me to have a normal relationship.” She frowns and I can tell she doesn’t believe me. “I’m broken, Carlotta. In such a significant way that I can’t ever feel whole again. I accept who I am and what I’ve done, but I don’t expect anyone else to settle for whatever pieces are left of me.”

“I think sometimes two broken people can come together and help each other. They can fill the holes and empty spaces. They can offer their pieces and, somehow, they complete each other.”

“Maybe in the movies and books. But in real life, that just doesn’t happen. There is no happily ever after for someone like me.”

“Maybe you need to have a little faith, Damon Archer.”

I’m done talking about such serious stuff and wasting time. I’ll never be able to be fixed and it doesn’t matter what Carlotta believes. I know the sad truth and nothing can truly repair my soul. I’ve seen and done too much.

“I’m a faithless man, Lottie.” I keep my tone light and slap her ass. “Now how about some coffee? Maybe a walk in the woods this morning?”

I get up and walk toward the small kitchen, swiping up my pajama bottoms on the way. I can feel her eyes on my backside and I glance over my shoulder.

“See something you like, sweetheart?” I ask.

“Yes,” she purrs, also standing up. But she keeps the blanket wrapped around her naked body. I catch glimpses of skin here or there, but definitely not enough.

“Why don’t you leave that blanket out here?” I suggest, slipping on my bottoms as she heads to the bathroom.

She lets out a low, throaty chuckle. “Oh, you’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

“You bet your sweet, biteable ass, I would,” I growl.

“Biteable?” She arches a brow. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“You don’t think so?” I challenge.

The moment I round the island and start toward her, she squeals, races into the bathroom and shuts the door.

“You better run,” I murmur under my breath, my dick getting hard when I think of all the things we have yet to do.

I hope she’s ready because I don’t plan to waste one single minute over the next few days. I plan to take full advantage of that luscious body of hers and make sure she’s satisfied in every possible way.