“And here you are.”
“Yeah. Here I am.” He stared vacantly ahead.
“Maybe it’s fate. If we hadn’t met, I’d still be trapped.”
“I wish I could be a better man,” he whispered before touching my hand, the pad of his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “I’ll never trap you. And no matter what you decide to do, I’ll always be there for you. But right now, I need to be alone. I’m sorry.”
My arms never wanted to let him go, but I managed to stand and give him space.
He rose to his feet and wiped his eyes. “I’ll check on you tomorrow and see when you want to leave.”
“If you’re not up for it, maybe someone else can drive.”
Archer shook his head. “I keep my promises.”
I wrapped my arms around him. “If you need anything, even if you just want someone to sit quietly with you, I’m here.”
“You might feel different in the morning, after you’ve had a chance to think about everything I’ve told you. And believe me, you’ll think about it. But thanks.” He kissed the top of my head. “Good night, Cici.”
After he collected his shoes and left the heat house, I whispered, “Good night, Archer.”
Chapter 26
We arrived in Austin shortly before five in the afternoon. As promised, Archer gave me a lift even though it was Krys who was driving. Because the shop was located outside of Austin on the west side, the drive wasn’t as long. Even so, a good portion of it was awkward, with the radio on and none of us speaking. They took the back roads to avoid police, and Krys kept glancing at Archer. He must have known his cousin wasn’t acting himself.
I’d given everything Archer told me considerable thought. His past was a weighty revelation, and it shocked me. When I first met Archer, that was exactly how I pegged him—a ladies’ man. But the more I got to know him, the more I realized that was only surface level. Then I wondered about my judgment in men and whether being with someone who could break my heart was worse.
Archer hadn’t deserved the punishment inflicted upon him, yet he was a penitent man. Losing an arm for one night of passion with a woman who might have been in a failing relationship was not justice. Relationships end. Hearts break. But no one deservesa life sentence of pain. His Packmaster should have never capitulated and instead fought for him.
I thought about how proud he’d seemed the night before—how joyful and spirited. And also how quickly one fight in a parking lot had shattered his self-worth.
He spent most of the ride staring out the window of Lakota’s pickup truck.
What if Noah’s tiger had mauled him that night and taken his other arm? Or worse? That plagued my thoughts. Did he resent me? I had inadvertently put him in danger without the full understanding of where he came from and what he’d spent years struggling to overcome. In meeting me, Archer made one mistake, and it could have ended tragically.
After my tumultuous relationship with Noah, I wasn’t sure how to fully trust that someone wouldn’t deceive me. Yet my spirit animal urged me on and led me to the conclusion that I loved Archer. Deeply.
Shortly before we reached our destination, I put my hand on his left thigh and leaned against him. Neither of us said anything, but I was certain I felt the press of his lips to my head.
And like magic, when I got out of the vehicle at our stop, his demeanor had completely changed. Restored was the light in his eyes, the cheer in his smile, and the warmth in his touch.
“What do you want for dinner?” Archer asked, his arm around my waist.
Krys stared at us through the open door, the engine rumbling.
“Whatever you want,” I replied.
He furrowed his brow. “Just tell us where to go, and we’ll pick it up on the way back.”
“I’m easy. I’ll eat whatever you eat.”
He huffed out a breath. “Do you have the phone Lucian gaveyou?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Send me a text when you’re ready for us and tell me what you want. We’ll grab it on the way over.”
“Okay.” I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him softly on the mouth, and just like that, all the angst from the previous night disintegrated. Only this time, he lingered, drawing out the kiss and caressing my face at the same time. Archer was a phenomenal kisser who knew how to be gentle and passionate.
