“Perfect,” Archer said, removing his helmet with a sense of relief. The air felt cool against his face after the confinement.
He guided Morgan to sit at the table, taking care to keep his face hidden from the cameras that Kane installed today, then arranged their food and began the intimate process of feeding her. Each morsel he placed between her lips felt like a gesture of care, of protection. Her small sounds of appreciation as she tasted each dish sent warmth spreading through his chest.
“This is nice,” she murmured between bites. “Being taken care of.”
“You deserve it,” Archer said, allowing himself to stroke her cheek gently. Without the helmet, he could see her so clearly—the slight furrow between her brows that spoke of lingering stress, the way her lips parted slightly when he touched her, the trust evident in her relaxed posture despite her blindfolded state.
He fed himself between caring for her, enjoying the novel experience of sharing a meal without awkward turns or helmet adjustments. More confident now than he had been yesterday. When they’d finished eating, he cleared the containers while Morgan remained seated, blindfolded and waiting.
“What now?” she asked, a hint of anticipation in her voice.
“Now,” Archer said, returning to kneel in front of her chair, “We move to phase two of Operation Relaxation.”
He leaned down, his lips close to her ear. “I’m going to kiss you now. Is that okay?”
“Very okay,” she breathed.
His lips met hers, softly at first, then with increasing hunger as she responded. The kiss deepened, his tongue meeting hers, the metal of his piercing drawing a small gasp from her throat. Archer cradled her face in his hands, pouring his restrained desire into every touch, every stroke.
When they finally broke apart, both breathless, he made a decision.
“I want to take care of you tonight,” he murmured against her lips. “Let me help you forget everything else. Just for a few hours.”
“Please,” Morgan whispered, the single word heavy with need.
Archer scooped her into his arms, carrying her toward the bedroom, ducking his head away from the camera’s lens. She nestled against his chest as her arms held on tight. Her trust evident in every line of her body.
“We’re going to watch a movie,” he told her as they entered her bedroom.
Morgan laughed, the sound lighter than he’d heard all evening. “With me blindfolded? That’s an interesting approach to cinema.”
“Trust me,” he said, setting her gently on the bed. “I’ve been thinking about this all day.”
He positioned pillows against her headboard, then guided her to sit upright while he located the remote for her tv that hung on the wall across from her bed. “Keep the blindfold on for now.”
“Intriguing,” she murmured.
Archer selected a film they had both mentioned seeing—“The Thomas Crown Affair,” a favorite of his for its blend of heist elements and romance. With the movie queued up but paused, he returned to Morgan.
“I’m going to undress you now,” he told her, his voice dropping lower. “Tell me if you want me to stop.”
“I don’t want you to stop,” she assured him.
With a light chuckle and deliberate slowness, he removed her t-shirt, revealing a black lace bra that took his breath away.
“You look absolutely gorgeous,” he said, unable to keep the appreciation from his voice.
“I promised something special,” Morgan reminded him with a smile.
“Very special indeed.” Archer ran his fingers along the delicate lace edge where it met her skin, savoring her shiver of response.”I’ll have to make a slight adjustment to tonight’s plans.”
He continued undressing her, sliding her leggings down her legs to reveal the matching thong beneath. The sight of her nearly undid him—her body laid out before him, trusting and beautiful in the black lace that contrasted exquisitely with her skin.
“You’re stunning,” he told her, meaning every word. “Like a present waiting to be unwrapped just for me.”
After removing his own clothes down to just his boxers, Archer positioned himself on the bed with his back against the headboard. “I’m going to move you now,” he explained, guiding Morgan to sit between his legs, her back firmly against his chest.
When they were settled comfortably, her body cradled by his, he reached up and gently removed the blindfold.
