“Sage,” I finally manage to squeak, my hand dropping just as Kinsley stands before us, thanking us all for coming. I suck a gulp of my Diet Coke in an effort to wet my throat and cool myself off.
My attention is pulled to the other side of me when a body fills the seat. The warm tingling feeling evaporates in an instant as if I’ve been doused in ice water—much more effective than my drink. I glare at my ex, who is now sitting on the other side of me. He gives me the slimy smile of his, I somehow once thought was charming.
I refuse to acknowledge him further and turn my focus to the front of the room. It doesn’t take long for my thoughts to drift to the two men on either side of me. One completely unwelcome, and the other, while not unpleasant, is a distraction from what I came here for.
It’s only when people murmur amongst themselves I realize I’ve missed something important. I concentrate on what Kinsley’s now saying.
“So everyone participating will need to have a partner of the opposite sex for the Jack and Jill team competition.”
My heart thunders at her announcement. This is not what I signed on for. Surely participation won’t be required.
“Looks like we’ll be partners again. What a way to make a fresh start,” Gary, my ex, exclaims excitedly.
What fresh hell is this? How could he possibly think we’d ever be partners again after what he did?
I panic as I watch everyone around us pair off. There’s no way on God’s green earth I will partner with the cheater. My arm brushes the boulder on the arm next to me, and I can only plead insanity for the words which come out of my mouth.
With a sharp shake of my head, I blurt, “If I’m going to be partners with anyone, it’ll be Archer. My new boyfriend.”
I don’t know what possesses me to tack on the last part. That’s not true. I know exactly why I said it. Gary is like a bulldog with a bone. He hasn’t been able to accept that we’re over, and I don’t have the energy to deal with his shit. I’m beyond ready to be done with him, and the man can’t seem to get a freaking clue we’re never going to happen again.
Gary narrows his eyes at me. “When did you start dating? I’ve never even seen this guy before. We were working things out.”
“No, we weren’t, and whoever I date isn’t any of your business because we’re not together anymore, nor will we ever be again. Don’t know how you can even begin to think that after cheating on me.”
“So this is the ex.” Archer’s deep voice rumbles while his thick arm drops around my shoulders.
His meaty hand rests on my bicep as a thumb sweeps across my skin just below my shirt sleeve. My body lights up from the touch, and I lean into the man, who apparently has been paying attention and is playing along, much to my relief.
“It is,” I confirm.
“Nice to meet cha. I’d say sorry, but I’m really not. Sage is my partner. Thanks for screwing up, so she was available for me.”
Satisfaction runs through me as Gary gapes at us like we’ve both sprouted second heads. We completely ignore him whenKinsley begins talking again. I thank the Lord and all the deities there might be for the man sitting next to me, who not only rescued me from untold misery, but still has his arm firmly around me.
Chapter Four
Archer
Running behind for the meeting Liam texted me about, I grabbed one of the last few chairs. When I caught sight of the pony-tailed brunette with thick curves I ended up sitting beside, I was happy to have been late. Her eyes widened as they traveled up my body, leaving a trail of heat. When her honey orbs met mine, the awareness in them had me smirking and winking at the beauty.
Her plump lips snapped shut at the gesture. I offered my hand, wanting an excuse to touch her skin to see if it was as silky as it looked. To my surprise, her palms were almost as calloused as mine, but the back of her hand was silky soft. The juxtaposition of the textures attested to a woman who wasn’t afraid of hard work, but who also has a feminine softness to her. The perfect combination, if you ask me.
She visibly tensed when the chair on the other side of her filled. The possessive look he sent her way was completely ignored. I had a feeling there was a story there.
My attention was split between what Kinsley was saying and the woman beside me. I perked up when it was announced there would be a Jack and Jill partner competition, wondering if Sage might be available. Disappointment quickly followed when the asshole on the other side of her announced they would be partners, but it didn’t last when I heard her response.
Grinning like the cat that ate the canary, I played right along with Sage when she countered she was already my partner. And fuck, if it didn’t make my dick hard when she tacked on I was her boyfriend. I wasted no time in making her claim look true. I didn’t miss the part where the dumbass cheated on her, so I made sure to rub it in that she was no longer available.
I kept my arm firmly around my new “girlfriend” the rest of the meeting, and not just because the asshole was side-eying us the entire time. No, I was truly enjoying the opportunity to have a reason to touch this woman. It has been a long time since any woman has piqued my interest the way she has, with barely a word spoken between us.
Her fire in standing up to her ex, her being here at the meeting for the show, and the calluses on her hands all paint the picture of a woman I’m eager to get to know better. The fact she’s got a body that has me thinking with my second head is icing on the cake.
The meeting wraps up with everyone volunteering for assignments. Sage and I will be contacting businesses about donations for the silent auction, which will be available during the show.
As soon as we’re dismissed, Sage grabs her things and heads straight for the exit, pausing only to deposit her empty cup in the garbage. I stay right with her to keep up pretenses.
Once we’re out of earshot, she glances at me, pursing her lips to the side. “Thanks for coming to my rescue back there. That was really nice of you. Sorry to put you out.”
