“I know.” His voice came from directly in front of her now. “And in that time, you’ve become more important to me than many people I’ve known for years.”
The naked emotion in his voice made Morgan’s chest tighten. Despite the blindfold, despite all the mysteries that still surrounded him, the sincerity in those words was unmistakable.
“I feel the same way,” she admitted softly. “But there’s still so much I don’t know about you.”
You know the parts that matter,” he said, gently squeezing her hands. “The rest... I plan to share very soon. It’s not about hiding from you, I promise. It’s about protecting what this could be.
Morgan wished desperately that she could see his face in this moment, read the emotions in his eyes. But the blindfold remained in place, and his features remained a mystery.
“Thank you for the key,” she said finally. “It means a lot to me.”
His lips found hers then, the kiss both tender and passionate. Morgan responded eagerly, her hands finding his shoulders, his chest, mapping the body she knew by touch but had never seen in full light.
When they eventually broke apart, both breathless, Archer rested his forehead against hers. “Stay tonight,” he murmured. “Sleep here with me.”
The invitation sent a thrill through Morgan’s body. “Yes,” she agreed without hesitation.
“I want to be deep inside you,” he whispered against her ear, his voice dropping to a level that made her shiver. “Completely inside you. No barriers between us. Just you and me.”
Morgan’s breath caught in her throat. “Yes,” she breathed. “I want that too.”
“I want to see you,” Morgan whispered, her hands cradling his face. “Please.”
Archer stilled, “I want that too,” he admitted. “But I’m not ready. Not yet. But I want you to see us together.”
She could hear him step away for a moment before the telltale sound of the helmet sliding into place made her pulse skip before he gently removed her blindfold, giving her vision back. The familiar shape of his helmet took on a new meaning as it would soon be the only barrier between them.
Archer reached for her hand and guided her toward a closed door she hadn’t been through yet, his bedroom—a spacious sanctuary dominated by an enormous bed facing floor-to-ceiling windows. The city lights created a dazzling backdrop, like stars fallen to Earth.
“It’s beautiful,” Morgan said, momentarily distracted by the view.
“You’re beautiful,” Archer countered, his voice deep and altered slightly by the helmet’s modulator as his hands found the zipper at the back of her dress. That distorted tone had once unnerved her. Now, it wrapped around her like silk.
Slowly, reverently, he slid her zipper down. The dress loosened and she let it slip from her shoulders, pooling silently around her feet. She stepped out of it and turned around, standing before him in a different set of lingerie. This set she purchased this afternoon since she had time to spare while being on leave from her job. The deep red of the delicate pieces were almost the same shade as the jacket he’d given her and highlighted all her assets.
She couldn’t see his eyes, but shefelthis gaze—like heat, like worship—skimming over her skin. She felt it in the air between them—the way his breath quickened, the slight tension in his fingers as he traced the lace over her hip.
“Gorgeous,” he murmured.
She reached for the buttons of his shirt, undoing them one by one. The crisp white shirt parted to reveal hard planes of muscle, scattered scars, and ink etched along his tanned skin. She ran her fingers over every inch she revealed, savoring the texture of skin, the warmth of him.
They undressed each other piece by piece, taking their time. His pants. Her bra. His boxers. Her panties. Each article removed with care, with aching intent, restraint that vibrated with tension.
Now fully bared—except for the helmet—he spun her around, making her laugh before he wrapped his arms around her waist, squeezing her tight. Her back against his chest as he pressed the side of his helmet against her cheek.
He whispered, “Look at us,” as he motioned towards the windows that showed their reflection along with the evening scene beyond.
Their combined reflection took her breath away. Her bare skin glowing in the city lights. His tall, dark form enveloping her from behind. The helmet. The contrast. The power.
The intimacy.
One of his hands slid slowly over her lower stomach, then between her thighs. Her breath hitched.
“Do you see how you come alive with me?” he whispered. “How your body answers to mine?”
She did. She watched herself arch into him, hips tilting, lips parting. The image was erotic and surreal. She’d never seen anything so explicit—or so beautiful.
“I want to feel you,” she said, her voice barely audible. “All of you.”
