I force a snicker and change the subject. “Uh, so we’re playingUnoin the kitchen when you’re ready.”
He narrows his eyes at me. “Perfect. I’m fantastic atUno.”
I laugh again, not needing to force it this time. His confidence strikes me as funny. “Well, bring it on then, champ. Let’s see what you’re made of.”
His eyes darken, his eyes raking over me. “I can’t wait to show you what I’m made of, sweetheart,” he rumbles, the heat in his voice turning me liquid. Arousal blasts through me unexpectedly.
Well, that took a turn, didn’t it?
Chapter 32
He’s Available?
Archer
“Thankyousomuchfor dinner, Sheila. Everything was amazing.” I sent Phoebe to the living room to relax while I clean up after dinner so she can visit with her family. After that moment in Lincoln’s room, the one when she looked at me like she wanted me for dinner, she’s been a little off. When Eric came back for dinner, she seemed surprised to see him, but I swear she told me to invite him. It shouldn’t have been a shock to see him here. Besides, he fits in perfectly with everyone. One benefit of being an overgrown kid, I guess. People love it until you’re their responsibility.
“You’re so welcome, Archer, but I only handled the turkey. Phoebe took care of everything else. I have to say, though, I am a little disappointed you had your shirt on during this visit. I’ll have to remember to spill something on you next time.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. What’s this? You’ve seen him shirtless?” Charlie joins us in the kitchen while I help Phoebe’s mom clear up the plates after dinner. “How about you strip down now? Give me something to look at while I’m making dessert.”
“Oh, that reminds me.” I dry my hands on a towel and turn to the fridge. “I got you a small gift,” I call back over my shoulder as I reach in to grab the tray with the pies I brought. “My assistant and I found this amazing bakery that was doing a package of pies and handcrafted pie plates, and I thought of you as soon as I saw them.” I put the tray down on the counter and pass the information card to Charlie. “I got four different varieties: apple, pumpkin, peach, and, for something a little different, chocolate bourbon pecan.”
Charlie’s eyes narrow as she looks between the card and the pies and I worry I made the wrong decision. Maybe she wanted to use her own recipes and try to burn down the kitchen again. She has to realize she still could burn the kitchen down, right? Starting with prepared pies won’t make a difference. After a moment, she puts the card down and goes to the oven, turning it on.
“I can’t wait to taste that chocolate bourbon pecan,” she says. “Thank you.”
I blink several times. That was almost too easy. I wasn’t expecting her to give in without a little more convincing. But it’s not like I’m going to argue. I can’t afford to be on Charlie’s bad side. Not if I want to take this thing with Phoebe further.
And the more time I spend with her, the more I realize I really,reallywant to take this further.
“You’re welcome.” I step around Phoebe’s mom and run the hot water into the sink. “Now, why don’t you let me finish up with the dishes? You go sit in the living room with everyone else while I wash up.”
She cocks an eyebrow in question, and I nod. “Well, you’ll forgive me for not trying to talk you out of it.” She squeezes my shoulder, smiles, and opens her mouth, but instead of saying something, she closes her mouth, shakes her head, then turns and leaves the room.
Weird.
Charlie and I work around each other in silence, with me washing dishes, and her setting up cooling racks and getting the pies ready to go into the oven. Finally, the oven dings that it’s preheated to the right temperature, and she puts the pies in before going to join everyone else in the living room.
I continue washing dishes alone for a few minutes before Phoebe joins me in the kitchen.
“How are you doing in here? Can I help clean up?” She asks with a glance at the nearly empty sink.
“Nope. I’ve got it covered, thanks. I wouldn’t say no to some company, though.”
She leans back against the counter, crosses her arms over her chest, squinting at me and taking my measure. It takes everything in me to keep my gaze on her face instead of the swells of her breasts over her arms. Even without looking, my dick stirs in my pants.
“So, uh…” she twirls a strand of bright copper hair between her fingers. “Sex toys. That sounds…interesting.”
I snort a laugh. “It’s alright.” Hearing the wordssex toyscoming from her gorgeous lips sends a surge of lust to my dick, taking it from slight stirrings of interest to a more insistent hardening.Pay attention, idiot. She’s willing to talk about your work now. Don’t waste this opportunity.
“How’d you get into that?”
I scrub at a tough spot on the roasting pan while I think. Should I tell her? Does it matter? Will she care I was given my job rather than earning it? I don’t want to lie to her though, so I throw caution to the wind and tell her. What’s the worst that can happen? She thinks I’m basically a nepo baby and that I don’t deserve my position? She wouldn’t be the first to think that.
“Family business,” I say. “My father gifted it to me when he retired early, a little over a year ago.”
A look of surprise takes over her face. “He gave it to you? That’s generous.” There’s no judgement in her tone, only surprise, much to my relief. She wouldn’t have been the first to think I didn’t deserve my position, but it would have bothered me more if she had.
