Page 42

"I take it back, I don't want to do this anymore," I whined as I stared down the hill. From the bottom, it had seemed like a nice easy slope, nothing too crazy. But now that I was up here, my mom and Mrs. Johnson looked like little ants at the base.

"Baby," Archer cooed in my ear, "you were the one who chose this! It's going to be fun I promise."

"She's nineteen now Arch!" Oliver called from next to us. "If she's not going to be a big girl on her own then I'll just push her." His evil grin told me he wasn't joking. I gripped onto Archer's forearm tightly at the thought of whipping down the hill unprepared.

Archer laughed and rubbed my back. I could barely feel it through my thick winter jacket but I still relaxed. "Screw off, man. You're freaking her out."

"And you aren't allowed to be mean on my birthday," I pouted. Ugh, I do sound like a freakin' baby. With that thought, I straightened my spine and internally shook myself. I could do this. Planting my feet on either side of the rectangular sled, I dropped my bum into the groove.

"Okay, hop in. Let's do this," I said determinedly to Archer. He smirked as he sat behind me and shuffled forward to grab me around the waist.

"Whoever loses has to carry both sleds back up the hill!" Oliver shouted.

I tucked my feet into the sled and held my breath as Archer used his hands and feet to crab-walk us to the edge. the sharp edge of the plastic sled dug into my fingers as I gripped it for dear life. I settled back against Archer's chest as he locked his arms around me and kicked off with his feet.

A scream burst from my throat as the ice-cold air whipped my face.

The trees and mountains that surrounded us blurred into abstract colours as we shot down the hill like a bullet.

Archer's chest rumbled against my back and I knew he was laughing.

I couldn't hear him though over the whoosh of air in my ears and my own screams.

As we got closer to the bottom everything became easier to see.

I whacked Archer's arm repeatedly in a panic as I realized we were heading straight for our families and behind them a thin fence made of orange chicken wire.

Images of us taking out my dad at the knees then getting tangled in the fence elicited another scream.

Archer dropped his heels into the snow creating a wake of ice chips around us as he easily slowed us down. We came to an abrupt halt in from of our moms who were both laughing hysterically. I looked over to see Oliver stopped already a little farther ahead than us.

"Good lord Lotty," My dad chuckled. "You sure have a set of lungs on you."

Oliver stood from his sled triumphantly, "I won! Suck it, Arch, you're carrying my sled."

Archer sighed as he popped up easily and offered me his hand. "We would have won if she hadn't made me pump the breaks early."

I laughed sheepishly at everyone. Now that we were safely at the bottom I was slightly embarrassed by how scared I had been.

I had chosen sledding as our activity today since it was my birthday but I hadn't thought it would be like this.

The brochures showed a bunch of laughing kids having fun.

I should never have let Ollie and Archer pick which hill we came to because they obviously chose the craziest one.

"Okay," I laughed. "I might have been a tiny bit overdramatic."

We decided to go up again but this time Archer convinced Annie to go with him. She insisted that he carry her so he trekked up the hill with her on his back and a sled in each arm. I wanted to help him but Oliver dragged me ahead and told me to stop being soft on the enemy.

"Hey, sis?" Oliver pulled me aside for a moment at the top of the hill. "What do you think about me doing it tonight?"

"Tonight?" I gasped. "Are you sure you're ready?

" Oliver, Archer, and I had several conversations in the last couple of days about whether Ollie should come out.

I was determined to convince him that he'd be so much happier with everything out in the open.

Oliver had slowly come around to the idea but I didn't think he'd decide this quickly.

"Well, everyone I'd want to tell is here, so it makes sense. But I don't want to make your birthday dinner about me."

I swatted his arm and shook my head. A large bright smile stretched across my face, making my cold cheeks hurt. "Are you kidding? This is the best gift ever!"

"Alright come on you two! Johnsons versus the Averys!" Archer called over. He was already on the sled with Annie tucked between his knees.

After a few hours of going up and down the hill my thighs were burning and my throat was raw from the cold air. We all caught a shuttle back to the villa to clean up and relax before dinner. I almost fell asleep nestled between Oliver and Archer as the van winded through the mountain roads.

The second we were inside I beelined it directly for my room.

I was chilled down to my bones and I needed a bath desperately.

Once I had closed the lock on my bedroom door I stripped off my layers and threw them into the laundry basket.

I was just about to turn the taps on in the tub when someone knocked on my door.

I wrapped a towel around myself quickly and peeked out. Archer leaned against my doorway with his arms folded casually across his chest as he smirked down at me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked suspiciously.

Archer stuck his tongue into the hollow of his cheek as he looked up and down the empty hallway. Then he pushed open the door and snuck inside. I was pulled against his chest instantly as he shut the door with his hip.

"Is Annie here?" He looked around the empty room and reached back to click the lock.

"No, she's stayed with your mom every night since we got here." I nuzzled against his warm chest. Heat radiated off of him through his thin tee shirt. I smiled as I breathed in his natural musk mixed with the cologne he must have sprayed this morning.

Archer reached under my towel and grabbed my bare thighs, picking me up. When our faces met he gave me a devilish smirk. "Perfect."

"I-I was about to take a bath," I stuttered as heat flooded my stomach. Archer pressed a firm kiss to my lips while he walked towards the bathroom. My fingers instantly went to the back of his head and twisted into his curls. He let out a growl of appreciation as I gave him a small massage.

He gently placed me on the edge of the counter and brushed his hands lightly down my arms. He bent his neck to drop kisses along my throat, making me crane upwards as a soft sigh slipped from my lips.

"Everyone went to their own rooms to rest until dinner," he mumbled between kisses. His warm breath tingled my skin that the kisses had left damp. I whimpered as he straightened his spine and pulled away. "I thought you wanted to take a bath?" He asked over his shoulder as he turned on the taps.

The heat that was building within me burned away the chill on my skin. My chest flushed as Archer pulled his shirt over his head in one smooth movement. I didn't think I would ever get tired of staring at his hard muscles rippling under his tanned skin.

I reluctantly lifted my gaze as he stalked towards me and leaned against the counter.

He held himself up by his fists on either side of my thighs as he dropped his face to mine.

I was lost in his warm kisses as our tongues tangled together.

His calloused hands roamed around my body lazily until they found the edge of the towel.

Archer slowly pulled back the fabric, exposing my whole body to him. My breath caught in my throat as his dark eyes caressed my pink skin. His gaze left a trail of goosebumps as my skin prickled at his appreciation.

He smothered my body with wet kisses. From my collarbone to the curve of my breasts he sucked and nipped at the skin. It was a fine line between pleasure and pain as he tormented my sensitive flesh, but his warm lips always tipped the scale to pleasure.

A moan slipped from my throat as he sucked a hard nipple into his mouth. My head dropped back as I arched my chest towards him.

"You have to stay quiet baby," Archer chuckled softly against my breasts.

He looked up at me and cocked an eyebrow as a glint brightened his dark eyes.

"If you make any noises, I have to stop.

" He spoke slowly and deliberately as his gravelly voice washed over me.

I'd come to love how he sounded when he was turned on. It was deep and low yet playful.

He walked to the tub and shut off the tap before the water could overflow.

Then he slowly dropped to his knees in front of me.

My eyes fluttered closed while he leaned forward and continued his string of kisses from my breasts down my stomach.

My body weakened from the anticipation of euphoria that I knew was coming.

Archer reached around my back and pulled my bum to the edge of the counter, exposing my core to him as he lowered himself down.

He kissed my knee then trailed tiny butterfly kisses up my thigh.

I wiggled when he almost reached the sensitive area I craved for him to kiss, but then he shifted to the other knee and repeated his torture.

I tugged his hair in an attempt to steer him towards what I needed. The throbbing between my legs was unbearable and he was my only solace. I whimpered when I could feel his warm breath wash over my core. He blew lightly as he used his fingers to expose me further to him.

"Baby," he chastised me sternly. "You have to stay quiet, remember?"

I rapidly nodded my head in agreement and relaxed as he finally placed his mouth on me.

My blood pounded in my ears as he slowly ran circles around my clit with his tongue.

I clamped my mouth shut tightly as my eyes closed in ecstasy.

Archer held my hips still when my body naturally wanted to move in tandem with the waves of pleasure crashing through me.

The invisible coil in my abdomen began to tighten as my orgasm built up.

I had to hold my weight on one arm so could use the other hand to smother the moans that wanted to escape my mouth.

I tried to remain in control but it was impossible as my body lifted higher and higher towards the peak of euphoria.

My hips pushed forward against Archer's face as my orgasm hit me. He groaned against my core as he held me tightly to him. The vibrations of his mouth me sent me into a frenzy as I moaned against my hand in utter ecstasy.

Archer rubbed my thighs as I slowly came back down to earth.

I looked down at him through my lashes and smiled coyly at the animalistic hunger in his face.

He stood up quickly and stripped off his sweatpants.

My eyes were glued to his groin as his hard erection popped free.

He pulled my hand to get me to jump down and gently pushed me forward to the tub.

Just as I was about to step into the steamy water his oversized hand swept down and slapped my bum.

I jumped as a sting spread across my skin and turned around to glare at him.

"That's for making a noise," he smirked as he moved me forward into the tub.

The hot water licked my calves as I allowed Archer to sink down first. He opened his arms once he was settled and I happily laid on his chest. His manhood was pressed between us and I couldn't help but rub my stomach upwards against it.

Archer stretched his arm out of the tub and grabbed his pants.

Tugging them over he fished around in the pocket then pulled out a condom.

I sat back on my knees as he flexed himself out of the water and slipped on the protection.

He smiled then held my waist and helped me position myself over him.

I squeezed his hips with my thighs as I balanced my weight on his shoulders.

His eyes closed briefly as his erection pressed against my entrance.

I slowly lowered my weight, groaning as I felt my walls being spread and stretched.

An intense pressure filled my pelvis as I took Archer's full length.

It didn't hurt anymore to have sex but it did take a bit for my muscles to adjust to his size.

Archer relaxed his hips back down into the water and gently ran his hands down to the globes of my bum.

I was unsure and a little awkward in this new position.

Archer usually had full control of our movements but now I felt apprehensive of the power I held.

Sensing my insecurities, he used his grip on my bottom to move my hips forward.

He groaned and dropped his head against the tub as I slowly found a rhythm rocking back and forth.

My nails dug into his shoulders as he thrust against me, pushing our groins harder together.

I gasped every time I rocked my hips forward.

His erection pressed against the sensitive area within me and drove me further into madness.

My eyes popped open when I felt his hand cover my mouth. I relaxed when he made sure that my nose was free between his thumb and pointer finger. I raised an eyebrow at him and he chuckled.

"You're just so damn noisy baby." He lifted his chest to bring our faces together, quieting me instead with his mouth.

I clung to the back of his neck while the water sloshed back and forth.

Archer began to move my hips faster as his fingers dug into my sides.

I whimpered against his lips as every inch of my skin burned with heat.

"Fuck," Archer mumbled as his eyes shut tightly.

His forehead was deeply creased while he sucked on my bottom lip.

I tilted my head back as my walls began to tighten around Archer's manhood.

My lip popped free from his hold as I moaned his name.

That seemed to spur him on as he took full control of our movements, thrusting himself up into me, hitting that mind-bending pleasure point over and over again.

Water spilled over the tub and onto the tile as I pressed my face into his neck. I sucked against his skin, needing to mute the uncontrollable sounds flying from my mouth.

Once against I was sent crashing over the edge of ecstasy as my whole body sung with the pleasure of my orgasm. My hips convulsed against Archer as he held me tightly around the waist and allowed himself to follow behind me.

I slumped against his chest, tired but thoroughly satisfied from our activities. I shuddered as his fingers traced my spine gently pulling the warm water up over my exposed back.

"I love you," he whispered as he kissed my hair.

I lifted my face to smile down at him. "I love you too."

After Archer disposed of the condom we took turns washing each other gently. I loved this time together. We spoke in hushed tones as we asked each other random questions, trying to find new things we didn't already know.

"Where do you want to be in five years?" He asked as he massaged the shampoo into my hair.

"Hmmm," I thought out loud, "well, hopefully, I'll be done my degree and maybe teaching in my own classroom."

"I can't believe you are actively choosing to spend all day with kids." My back was turned to Archer but I laughed at the genuine confusion in his voice.

"I love kids..." I smiled.

"I'll love my own kids," Archer said matter-of-factly. "But not other people's."

"Well, I'd love to be with my own kids all of the time but—" I stopped short of finishing my sentence as I realized the direction I was going.

"Mmmm?" He prompted as he tugged a strand of my hair.

"It doesn't sound good," I said bashfully. "I always loved having my mom at home with us growing up. I want my own career but a part of me really wants to be at home with my kids. Especially when they're young. But I feel like I say that and all people hear is, 'this girl has no ambition'."

Archer was silent for a moment and I worried that I had turned him off.

This was a lot of 'future' talk. I never said I'd stay home with our kids, but I couldn't help picturing a bunch of boys running around with his soft waves and brown eyes.

Maybe a little baby girl on my hip with dark curls pulled back in a bow.

I smiled when I felt him press his lips to my shoulder blade. "I don't think that means you lack ambition. You just value family."

"Besides," he chuckled, "if I make it to the NFL you can stay home as long as you like."

I released what I hoped was an airy laugh as my heart skipped a beat.

I loved Archer and I knew he loved me. But it was an entirely different level of happiness to know that he thought about us in the long term.

I spun around to my knees and gave him a quick kiss before I leaned back to rinse my hair.

Archer reached out and gently ran his fingers through my curls in the water, helping to shake off the shampoo.

A few minutes later I dropped towels all over the floor to sop up the water we had splashed. I laughed and shook my head as Archer mumbled under his breath and pulled his shirt on. He was grumpy because he hadn't thought to bring clean clothes.

"It's not funny I am going to have to shower again now," he whined like a big baby.

"You'll survive," I giggled as I pushed him towards the door. I eyed his bum as it swayed under his grey sweats and decided to get even from earlier. I pulled my hand back and sprung it forward, landing a loud spank right on his cheek.

I instantly realized I had made a mistake. Archer straightened his spine and turned very slowly on his heels. Smiling down at me like a predator teasing his prey.

"Oh Sweetheart," he grinned. "Game on."

"No, no, no!" I stumbled back and held my hands out to stop him from stalking towards me. "That was payback Archer now it's done!"

"Uh uh." He wagged his finger at me. "I've been holding back on you, baby."

"Good. Keep doing that." I said quickly.

Archer laughed as he caught me and wrapped his arms tightly around me. He kissed my hair as his hand went to my bottom. He gave it a small pat and laughed harder when I froze, expecting something harsher.

"See you at dinner, birthday girl," he chuckled before he turned and left me alone.

I let my hair dry naturally as I took my time doing my makeup. I needed to put some time between mine and Archer's bath and seeing my family. Finally, when the smell of dinner wafted up to me, I knew I had to get dressed and go downstairs.

A whistle caught my attention just as I reached the top of the staircase. I looked down the hallway that led to the other wing of bedrooms and raised my eyebrow at Archer as he strode towards me.

"I am not a dog that listens to a whistle," I sassed as I put my fists on my hips.

"Huh funny, cause it looks like you stopped.

" Archer swooped down to kiss my cheek as my jaw dropped open.

What a freaking butthead. Before I could whack him he pulled something out of his pocket and stepped behind me.

He brushed my hair off my shoulder and placed a delicate chain around my neck.

I smiled down at the intricate silver loops that were intertwined together as I touched my fingers to the cold metal of a small oval pendant. When I turned around Archer was looking down at me nervously.

"I really wanted to give you something special, but uh—" he cleared his throat awkwardly. "Money's a little tight right now. My scholarship only covers so much."

I wrapped my arms around his stomach and pushed my face into his chest. "Archer you don't ever have to spend money on me."

"Well, I didn't," he laughed. "This is mine. Was mine, it's yours now. My grandma gave this to me before my first football game. See," he said as he tapped the pendant, "it's Saint Christopher. She wanted it to protect me while I was on the field."

"Are you sure you want me to have it?" I whispered with watery eyes.

Archer laughed and kissed my nose. "Yeah, I had to stop wearing it after I hit puberty. But lucky you—you have the neck of a 12-year-old boy."

I whacked his arm but I couldn't help laughing as I swiped away a loose tear. "I love it." I tugged on his shirt so he'd lean down then I gave him a quick kiss.

We entered the kitchen hand-in-hand as our families all called out cheers of 'Happy Birthday'. I thanked them as I eyed the mouth-watering food that was all out on the counter. My dad poured everyone a glass of champagne as Oliver flanked my other side and pulled me away from Archer for a hug.

As we pulled away, I raised my eyebrows at him in silent question. He responded by giving me a tiny smile and nod. Excitement burst through me making me wiggle in his arms.

"Okay," my dad cleared his throat once everyone had a glass. "Time for a toast!"

Oliver gave me one last look, to which I smiled proudly, then he stepped forward. "Actually, Dad...can I do it this year?"