He wasn’t expecting that.
“I jumped into that situation with both feet because there were two men interested in me.I thought it might work.At the very least, I thought we’d have fun.We did.At first.But ever since I got back from training, things have been goin’ downhill.Slade’s jealous, and Carson’s constantly disappearing.I knew it wasn’t workin’ out, but like I said, I thought maybe we could figure somethin’ out.”
Archer stared at him, waiting for more.
“I’m not upset that Slade kicked me out or that Carson doesn’t seem to give a shit one way or the other.I should be.But I know myself.Before them, I’d never been in a relationship.Not one.Maybe that’s the problem.Maybe I fucked up because I’m not sure how it all works.”
“I doubt that’s the case.Sometimes it’s just not in the cards.”Archer knew that firsthand.
“Slade accused me of cheating, and his insecurities kept getting in the way.I never did.Never even thought about it.I thought we were havin’ fun, but obviously I was wrong.”
Archer had to look away.He couldn’t take the intensity of those green eyes.He’d been intrigued by this man since the beginning, but he had to believe it was because he was excited about the prospect of a partner.He’d never had one.Not like this.And he seemed to mesh with Atticus.They worked well together.And yeah, he was easy on the eyes, which was a bonus.
“Archer?”
“Hmm?”
“Look at me, please.”
He did, noticing the way Atticus’s gaze shifted to his mouth.His dick twitched and swelled as the memory of that kiss flooded his gray matter.
“I want you to kiss me again.”
Archer’s breath lodged in his throat.
“But I know if that happens, we’re both gonna question what we’re doin’.”
He was probably right.
No, he was definitely right.
“And that’s not fair to either of us.”
“Okay.”
Atticus’s eyes lifted, locking with his.“We’re partners.We have to agree that anything else is … off limits.”
Archer nodded because he knew that was what Atticus expected.
“So we’re good?”
Another nod was all he could manage.
“Good.”Atticus exhaled and sat back in his seat.He repositioned the steering wheel, then put his seatbelt on.“Let’s recon the area, see what we’re dealin’ with.”
“Yes.Let’s do that.”
Maybe then, Archer could stop coming up with ideas on how to get Atticus to kiss him again.
