Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 29124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 116(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 116(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
I lean into him, letting his warmth chase away the lingering doubts. But even as I rest my head against his chest, I know this isn’t over. The pull of my past isn’t going to disappear overnight. But for now, in this moment, I’m choosing him.
And maybe, just maybe, that’s enough.
Chapter Eight
Archer
The low hum of the inn at night has a way of settling into your bones, making everything feel heavier. But working beside Bella? That’s an entirely different weight. Every time I look up, she’s there—close enough that I can feel the warmth rolling off her, close enough that the tension between us is a live wire ready to snap.
She’s standing next to me, looking at the exposed wires like she’s actually interested in electrical work, but I know better. “You keep staring like that, and I’m gonna start charging you by the hour for how much of my time you’re taking up.”
Bella crosses her arms, the faintest smirk playing at the corner of her lips. “You already charge by the hour, remember?”
I lean back on my heels, the pliers in my hand falling to my side as I give her a slow once-over. “Yeah, but this”—I motion between us—“this feels like overtime.”
She rolls her eyes but doesn’t move, doesn’t step away. That’s the thing about Bella—she pretends she’s unaffected, but the way she lingers near me says everything she’s not ready to admit yet.
I stand, brushing my hands on my jeans, my eyes locking with hers. “You sure you’re here to check the wiring, or are you just trying to get closer to me?”
Her cheeks flush, and she looks away, but not before I catch the flicker of desire she’s trying to hide. “Maybe I’m just trying to make sure you’re not going to burn the place down.”
I chuckle, stepping into her space, close enough that I can feel the tension crackling between us like static. “You worried about the inn or about us?”
Her breath catches for just a second—long enough for me to know I’ve hit a nerve. Good. I’ve been waiting for her to admit it.
“Archer, you don’t need to push,” she says, her voice quieter now, like she’s trying to convince herself more than me.
I reach out, my hand brushing lightly against her waist, feeling the way her body reacts to even the smallest touch. “Who says I’m pushing? Maybe I’m just showing you what’s already there.”
She tenses, her lips parting slightly, and I can see the internal war playing out in her eyes. It’s the same one she’s been fighting since the day we met—this thing between us that she can’t seem to control, no matter how much she tries.
I lean in, my lips hovering just above hers, daring her to make the first move. “You feel it, don’t you? This pull between us?”
She swallows, her gaze flicking down to my mouth for just a second before meeting my eyes again. “I… I don’t know.”
“Yeah, you do.” I brush a thumb along her jawline, my voice dropping lower. “You’ve been trying to fight it, but it’s not going away. You know that as well as I do.”
Her breath is shaky, and she’s close, so damn close to letting go, but I can still feel her holding back, her hesitations wrapping around her like armor. She’s terrified of what this could be, and I get it. But I’m not letting her run. Not this time.
I press my forehead against hers, the heat between us almost unbearable now. “Let me in, Bella.”
She closes her eyes, her breath coming faster now, and for a moment, I think she’s going to step away. But then her hands are on me, gripping my shirt, pulling me closer, and her lips are on mine, hot and desperate.
The kiss is like fire, burning through every bit of tension, every doubt. I wrap my arms around her, pulling her against me, feeling the way her body melts into mine, how she responds to every touch, every kiss. She’s not holding back anymore, and damn, it feels good.
I break the kiss just long enough to catch my breath, my voice rough and full of need. “You sure about this?”
Her eyes are dark, filled with the same hunger that’s been driving me crazy for days. “I’m sure.”
That’s all I need to hear.
I kiss her again, deeper this time, my hands sliding under her shirt, feeling the heat of her skin beneath my fingers. She gasps against my mouth, her nails digging into my shoulders, and I know I’ve got her now. No more holding back.
We stumble backward, knocking into the wall, the dim light from the work lamp casting long shadows as we move. I lift her up, her legs wrapping around my waist, and the way she clings to me, the way her body responds, tells me everything I need to know. She wants this as much as I do. She’s just been too scared to admit it.