“Most people would have.”
“I’m not most people.”
She smiled at his echo of her earlier words. “Clearly not.”
A moment of silence stretched between them, not uncomfortable but charged with unspoken possibilities.
“My turn for a question,” he said. “Why did you want to touch my face earlier? The truth.”
Morgan’s cheeks colored slightly. “I told you. To make you real.”
“And?”
She bit her lip, considering. “And I wanted to know if you were as attractive as your voice suggests.”
The honesty snagged something in his chest. “What’s the verdict?
“Strong jaw. Nice lips. Stubble.” She shrugged with a playfulness that didn’t quite mask her genuine interest. “I’d need more data for a conclusive assessment.”
Archer felt a surge of desire that had nothing to do with the physical closeness between them and everything to do with the way she balanced vulnerability with strength.
In the boardroom, in business dealings, even in his limited personal relationships, people either tried to impress him or challenge him. Morgan simply engaged with him, neither intimidated nor antagonistic.
It was... refreshing.
“Would you like more water?” she asked, nodding toward his untouched glass.
“Actually, yes.”
When she stood to go to the kitchen, he took the opportunity to turn his back to her and lift his helmet enough to take several long gulps of water. By the time she returned, the helmet was securely back in place.
“I have a proposal,” she said, setting a fresh glass beside him.
Archer raised an eyebrow behind his visor. “I’m listening.”
“What are your plans for tomorrow?” she asked, a hint of boldness in her voice.
Tomorrow was Sunday—the one day a week he didn’t have to be Archer Sullivan. Every Sunday consisted of a long ride with his small circle of trusted friends. Kane, Viper, Hawk, and Diesel were the only ones who knew both sides of his life, fellow veterans who valued privacy as much as he did.
“I actually have a ride planned,” he admitted. “With a few friends. We try to do it weekly.”
“Oh.” Her face fell slightly. “Of course you have plans. Sorry, I just thought—”
“You should come,” he said before he could overthink it. The words surprised him as much as they seemed to surprise her.
Her eyes widened. “With your friends? Are you sure?”
Was he sure? Bringing an outsider into his tight circle was unprecedented. Never before had any of them brought someone, let alone a woman, with them on their rides. Yet the thought of introducing Morgan to a deeper part of his private life was oddly appealing.
“I’m sure,” he said with more confidence than he felt. “They’re good people. Former military, like me. You’d like them. Kane usually comes too, but tomorrow he has other plans, so he won’t be there.”
“And they wouldn’t mind some random woman tagging along?”
Archer chuckled. “They’ll be too busy giving me hell about our helmet arrangement to worry about you.”
Morgan’s smile returned, bright and genuine. “In that case, I’d love to. But..." she gestured vaguely at herself, “What does one wear for a motorcycle ride? I’ve never been and I definitely don’t own any riding gear.”
“I’ll take care of it,” he said without hesitation. “What size shoes do you wear?”
