The room darkened, and he got up to switch on the corner lamp before glancing at my drink. “Do you want me to reheat that?”
“No, it’s fine,” I said, my hands cupped around the warm mug.
Then he cursed when he saw the wet spot he’d left on the sofa from his clothes. “Sorry.”
“There’s a T-shirt in the bedroom if you want to switch out. It’s oversized, so it’ll probably fit. Melody gave me one of Lakota’s since I like to sleep in T-shirts.”
When Archer disappeared into the bedroom, I finished the rest of my cocoa and listened to the rain beating against the roof. It felt good to clear the air about that night. I had always wondered what happened to Archer and couldn’t believe the fates led me here.
Archer emerged from the bedroom, and as he swaggered across the room, a laugh burst out of my mouth.
“You don’t like it?” He did a slow turn, showing off a pink shirt that saidGirl Poweron the front. The fabric hugged his body and was short enough to reveal his cut abs.
Still laughing, I said, “That’s not the shirt I was talking about.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t want to take your sleep shirt. I left mine hanging on the shower rod, so I’ll get it later. Or better yet, you can bring it inside tonight when you have dinner with us.” He peeked into my cup and then held out his hand. “Want more?”
“No, I’m good. Thanks.”
“Are you cold? I can get you a blanket while I’m up.”
“You might need it more than me.”
He strode into the kitchen. “Ah. Sassing me, are you? I think I might wear this the rest of the day just to taunt Mel.”
Still curled up, I clutched a pink pillow against my chest and watched Archer rinsing out the cup. The bruise on my eye was mostly gone thanks to being Breed. Had I been able to shift, I wouldn’t have had to deal with the healing process. Perhaps it was better to see it—to be reminded that Noah would never change. You don’t love with a fist.
The water cut off, and Archer returned. Instead of sitting next to me, he sat on the attached chaise cushion. “You said earlier that you didn’t think any man would want you because you cheated. But you’re not seeing the truth—Noah betrayed you first. Infidelity for sure, but the way he treated you, the way he hurt you—he walked away from the relationship long before you did.”
Pain squeezed my heart like talons. “I’m lying in this heat house, staring up at the skylights and wondering what my life means.” My voice quavered. “I don’t have any skills, any natural talents, and I can’t have children. What do I have to offer the world?” My breath hitched, and I wiped my nose on my shirt.
Archer got up and knelt before me. “That’s not you talking; that’s him. Don’t you get it? He was trying to erase you. Can’t you see how special you are? How you make people feel when they’re around you?”
“My father spoiled me.”
“Who told you that?” Archer shook his head. “Your fatherlovedyou. That’s not the same thing. Spoiling is when you ruin something, and you arenotruined. If anyone’s ruined in this scenario, it’s me.”
Sensing he was keeping his distance on purpose, I slid my hand toward him.
Archer touched my fingertips with tenderness and reverence. “There’s something that’s been bugging the hell out of me. When you and I were walking down Juniper Road, before Noah showedup, I wondered why you didn’t ask me about my arm. Remember?”
I nodded, recalling the conversation with perfect clarity.
Still stroking my fingertips, he said, “You told me that wasn’t the biggest question you had on your mind. What was?”
After a deep breath, I decided to hang my embarrassment up on the clothesline for everyone to see and just ask him a burning question that had been plaguing my thoughts.
Oh no. You’re not going to ask himthatquestion, are you? Don’t you do it! Shut up, shut up, shut up!
I searched his beautiful eyes, the pale brown so captivating that I could easily get lost in them. “Was I any good?”
His jaw slackened.
“Compared to other women, I mean.”
“Girl…”
“Tell me the truth. Noah always wanted me to just lie there, and… I never felt like myself. I never felt free to do or say whatIwanted. I’ve never had any other partners. With you, it was the first time I felt like I wasn’t doing it solely for another person. And maybe it was all wrong and not what men like—especially wolves—but I just want to know, without all the niceties, if you thought I was good.”
