“Then I’ll just have to distract you.”
I let the dress fall and watched his expression change, his eyes darkening as they traveled over me. He reached for me, his touch gentle despite the heat in his gaze.
“You’re beautiful.” He pulled me against him, and I felt him smile against my neck. “How did I get this lucky?”
“You groveled really well.”
“You’re mean.” But he was grinning, kissing his way down my neck, his hands exploring like he was memorizing every inch.
He kissed me, deep and thorough, when he pulled back, his eyes were serious despite the smile still playing at his mouth.
“I love you,” he said quietly. “You make me want to be better.”
“You are better,” I said, pulling him back down. “Now stop talking and prove it.”
He did. Slowly, carefully, paying attention to every sound I made, every shift of my body. He watched my face like I was the only thing in the world that mattered, asked what I wanted in that low voice that made heat pool in my stomach.
“Here?” he murmured against my skin.
“Yes. God, yes.”
“And here?”
“Archer.” My fingers tangled in his hair. “You’re still overthinking.”
“Can’t help it.” But his smile was wicked now, confident. “I like watching you fall apart.”
“Then do something about it.”
He did. And when it happened, it felt natural. Like coming home to something I didn’t know I’d been missing.
Afterward, he collapsed beside me, breathing hard, one arm thrown across my waist. “Give me a minute and we can do that again.”
I laughed, turning to face him. “You’re ambitious.”
“I have six months of wanting you to make up for.” He pulled me closer, his lips finding my shoulder.
“That’s a lot of making up.”
“I’m very motivated.”
“Clearly.” I traced the line of his jaw, studying his face in the dim light from the windows. He looked younger like this, relaxed and happy, the perpetual tension finally gone from his shoulders. “You’re pretty when you smile.”
“Pretty?”
“Devastatingly handsome?” I amended. “Ridiculously attractive? Pick your favorite.”
“I like pretty.” He kissed my palm. “It’s unexpected. Like you.”
“I’m unexpected?”
“You’re everything I definitely didn’t deserve but am going to spend forever trying to earn anyway.”
“You don’t have to earn me.” I shifted closer. “You just have to keep showing up. Keep being honest. Keep trying.”
“I can do that.”
“Good.” I kissed him softly. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”
