“I live here.”
Great.I’d thought he was just friends with their pack. How was I to know? Archer smelled sweaty, so he must have been working out or chopping more wood. His arm muscles looked especially taut and his face flushed. His thin T-shirt was even sticking to his body.
Stop looking at his body.
But he still had on those shorts, and I couldn’t resist peeking down at his leg muscles.
“So what are you up to?” he asked.
“Yoga.” I peered behind him. “A Chitah was in here a minute ago.”
“That’s Lucian. Hope he didn’t scare you. He has that effect on people.”
“He lives here?”
“We think so.” Archer gave me a close-lipped smile. “Lucian spends a lot of time alone, so who knows? How long have you been here?”
“I’m not sure. Since three.”
Archer rubbed the back of his neck. “That’s four hours.”
“Four?” I touched my bracelet. “I didn’t realize it was so late.”
“And where do you need to be in a hurry?”
My thoughts drifted to Noah, and I worried that he might show up at the store before I returned.
Archer dipped his chin, making my heart bounce. “Your eyes look funny.”
“So does your nose.”
He frowned. “What’s wrong with my nose?”
I poked the tip. “It’s in my business.”
Archer’s eyes brightened, and he laughed. “I never took you for a comedian.”
Oh, this is absolutely normal. Just hanging around, having a great chat with my one-night stand. Why did I agree to this? Are the fates punishing me? I finally make friends, and they’re living with the one person I need to stay clear of.
“Have you seen Mercy?” I asked. “I have to get back to the store before Noah gets off work.”
Archer shoved his hand in his pocket. “That won’t be necessary.”
“Why not?”
“He’s here.”
Fear gripped my spine. “What?”
Noah must have seen something on his cameras and asked around, but how did he find me? This wasn’t going to end well. He would never want me hanging around a wolf pack unprotected.
“Calm down, cutie-pie.” Archer stared at me carefully. “You look like you’re about to pop your top. He swung by to check out my gym. If you want him gone, I’ll tell him to piss off.”
“No. Don’t. He’ll think something’s going on.”
The back door opened.
“Hey, you.” Mercy approached with the wooden toolbox. “I was looking all over. Is this for you?”
