Page 87 of Molly Boys
“Inspector?” he said sleepily.
“Yes?” Archie smiled in amusement.
“I like your watch, like the sound it makes,” he mumbled. “Tick…tick…tick.”
Archie sat watching the small boy drifting slowly towards sleep. Reaching in his pocket, he removed the watch and flipped open the lid.
Archie, every minute is a gift, don’t waste it.
Turning the tiny dial to wind it fully, he closed the lid and placed it in Jack’s palm, wrapping his tiny fist around it. He tucked Jack’s hand next to his ear on the pillow so the quiet ticking could lull him into soft, comforting dreams.
* * *
Archie clicked the door closed behind him, only to find Henry waiting in the corridor.
“He’s sleeping,” Archie said and Henry nodded.
“He tires easily.”
Archie chuckled. “Must be all that talking.”
“His lordship would like to see you,” Henry said quietly. “He’s resting in his room. I trust that you’ll be able to find it?”
Archie nodded. Him visiting Lord Stanley in his bedroom outside of imminent danger was highly improper, but Henry didn’t seem at all perturbed by the request.
“I shall be retiring to my room for the rest of the evening,” Henry said pointedly. “I won’t be disturbing his lordship unless he calls for me.”
Archie gave another mute nod, uncertain how to respond to that knowing statement.
Without another word, Henry opened the door opposite Jack’s room and disappeared inside, leaving Archie all alone in the silent hallway.
Archie scrubbed his hand over his face tiredly, narrowly avoiding the injury to his head, then turned and walked slowly down the hallway. As he descended the stairs to the second floor, his heartbeat picked up with every step and his stomach twisted nervously.
Being kidnapped by a raging man-monster aside, Everett and he hadn’t actually spoken since the night they kissed. Although, he had to admit, it had been a hell of a lot more than just a kiss. The madness that had consumed them both had been like a living, breathing flame igniting every inch of their bodies as they pressed together tightly, riding against each other in search of intense pleasure.
What he had felt in that moment of insanity with Everett had unlocked a door inside him. It was one he’d tried to keep barricaded for years, but one kiss, one touch, from Everett and the chains that had held that door barred had turned to ashes. He wanted Everett more than he wanted his next breath, but really, what future could they have together? Always at risk of discovery, always having to lie, to love each other in secret, never daring to reveal their true feelings in front of anyone.
It was dangerous and foolhardy, he thought as he paused in front of Everett’s door, his hand raised and his balled fist hovering above the polished wood.
Should I just walk away now? He wondered. Wouldn’t it just be easier to let him go?
Everett was safe, and although Archie didn’t know where Baxter was, he was going to do everything in his power to make sure Everett stayed safe, no matter the cost. But that didn’t mean Archie had the right to take more from Everett.
He relaxed his fist and pressed his palm against the cool wood.
If he walked into that room, he knew what would happen. The connection between them was so strong he could feel it even now beckoning him closer, drawing him to the man behind the door like a moth to a flame. If he let go, if he gave in to this desperate need inside him that he had for Everett and Everett alone, they would be crossing a line, not only breaking the law in the process but going against everything society dictated was acceptable.
He was standing at a crossroads. On one side was everything he was supposed to do, on the other everything he wanted deep down in his soul.
His hand slid down the wood to the door handle.
Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and let the walls fall away. It wouldn’t be the first line he’d crossed that day, and now he was even more certain it wouldn’t be the last. If he was to be damned, it would be for taking what he wanted and not for being too cowardly to take the risk.
Gripping the handle, he turned it slowly and let himself in, then closed the door behind him. He crossed the room to the bed where Everett lay with his eyes closed. The pristine white sheets were tucked under his arms and revealed the smooth pale skin of his bare chest and shoulders. His forearms were both bandaged up to his elbows, covering the painful-looking puncture marks and nasty bruising.
He was so beautiful. His clean blonde hair spilled over the pillow, surrounding his face like a halo, just one errant lock spilling over his forehead. Archie’s fingers twitched with the need to reach out and touch that one lock of hair, to sweep it aside and stroke that soft pale skin, but he didn’t.
He hesitated once again, questioning even being in the same room as Everett. It felt as if he were poised on a cliff top, and every step he took toward the bed was one step closer to plunging straight off the edge. Only he didn’t know whether the tide would sweep him out into warmer, calmer waters or if he would be dashed to death on the hard, unforgiving rocks.