Page 9 of Bang it Out

"Woah, I agreed to a date, not marriage," I tease, though I'm ninety percent sure if he proposed right now, I might say yes.

Archer chuckles, the deep sound resonating in my soul. “It’s not a ring. Not just yet, anyway.” My eyes widen in surprise, but I try not to overthink that last statement. Yet?

He hands me the box, and I untie the silk ribbon holding it together, removing the lid and gasping when I see what’s inside.

“Archer…” I choke out, tears rushing to the surface. It’s a silver necklace with a daisy charm that contains a yellow jewel in the middle.

“Most guys bring flowers on the first date, but you already have plenty of those,” he teases, though his voice is soft. “This is a different kind of flower that I hoped you might appreciate.”

I rub the charm between my thumb and pointer finger, swallowing back tears. “I don’t even know what to say,” I murmur. “Thank you. It’s… it’s perfect. I can’t believe…” I sniffle, looking up at Archer for the first time since he handed me the box.

Chocolatey brown eyes peer down into mine, a soft, tender look in them. “Can I put it on for you?”

I nod and turn around, gathering up my hair and moving it to the side so he can clasp the necklace on. Archer’s fingertips graze my skin, leaving behind goosebumps as he continues to caress me in gentle strokes.

Tilting my head to the side, I let out a breathy whimper when Archer’s lips follow the same path as his fingers. He presses light kisses to the back of my neck, working his way to the side of my neck until I can feel his warm breath tickle the shell of my ear.

“So responsive,” he murmurs, continuing to place lingering kisses on my heated flesh. I lean against his hard, muscular chest, surrendering to his touch.

Archer glides his hands down my body, resting them on my hips and pulling me closer. Is this really happening? Am I about to kiss the most handsome and surprisingly sweet man I’ve ever met?

My racing thoughts and questions come to an abrupt halt when he tightens his grip and spins me around in his arms, lifting me up seamlessly until I’m sitting on the counter with Archer standing between my spread thighs.

“God, Delilah,” he groans, resting his forehead on mine while his hands crawl up my thighs. “I’ve thought about you, about this, for so long.”

“Can’t be that long,” I say through shallow breaths. “We’ve barely known each other for a week.”

I’m trying to be sassy, but Archer is making it hard to breathe, let alone joke.

“Need to know what your lips taste like,” he all but growls. I nod my head once, and then he’s on me, his hands cupping my face while he fuses his mouth to mine.

Every one of my senses is invaded, from the feeling of his tongue gliding against mine to the smell of his woodsy scent filling my lungs. My hands rest on the defined muscles of his chest, sliding up, up, up, until my fingers tangle in his hair.

Archer groans again, the sound hungry and almost feral. I squeeze my thighs together, trying in vain to satisfy the throbbing ache there. As if sensing my need, Archer glides his hands down my body, taking time to rub his thumbs over my stiff and sensitive nipples. I moan in surprise at how good it feels, even through my bra and shirt.

He continues his exploration, his large, warm, and calloused hands kneading my flesh and pulling me closer, closer, closer as if he can't get enough. Archer hooks his hands under my knees, spreading my thighs apart even wider. He takes my lips again, this time guiding me to grind my sore, swollen pussy against him.

Oh, god. Oh my god…

I rub against his massive erection, more turned on than I’ve ever been. Holy hell, it feels amazing and yet it’s not enough. I’m agitated and restless, needing more from him, but not sure how to ask.

We finally break apart, both of us gasping for air.

“Fuck,” Archer rasps as he buries his face into the side of my neck. I nod, making him chuckle. “You’re incredible. Better than anything I could have imagined.”

Even though we’ve barely done anything, his praise makes me tremble in anticipation of what’s to come.

“So it was okay for a first kiss?” I say for some stupid reason. As if he isn’t already aware of our age difference, I have to go and point out the obvious.

“First…” Archer trails off, and for a moment, I worry he’s going to leave. Instead, he weaves his fingers through my hair and tilts my head back, grazing his nose up my neck and then nibbling on my earlobe. “I know it makes me a dirty old man, but fuck, I like knowing I’m the only one to see you like this. The only one to taste your sweetness. The only one to feel your heat, your passion…”

I swallow thickly, my heart kicking against my ribcage with each breath. “Is… is that okay?”

“Fuck yes,” he answers automatically. Archer presses his lips against mine in a kiss that’s over all too soon. I’m left wanting more, following him even as he takes a step back. The sinfully sexy man grins, knowing exactly what he’s doing to me. “Dinner first.”

I sigh dramatically and hop down from the counter. “Fine,” I say exasperatedly, though I can’t keep the cheesy smile off my face.

“I’ll help you close up and then I know exactly where I want to take you for our date.”

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