Page 81 of Shades of Silver City

My chest swells with affection, and I bite my lip. The warmth of his palm on my cheek heats me to the core, and I lean into it, reveling in his tenderness.

His smile grows, and he shifts closer to me.

Kiss me! I want to shout. Kiss me, Archer Acciai!

Suddenly, he drops his hand, pulls me into his chest, and wraps his arms around me. I let my dad’s journal clatter to the floor and give in to the hug, embracing him back.

Appreciation surges through me.

He shifts from a kneeling position to sit on the floor next to me, but he doesn’t loosen his grip. His arms tighten around me, and I follow his lead, straddling him and wrapping my legs around him. I try not to focus on how perfectly we fit together, how hard his cock is growing beneath me, as I bury my face in the crook of his neck, inhaling deeply. His earthy, masculine scent—with a hint of musk and ash—is a balm to my frayed nerves. I smile involuntarily, my lips skimming the tender skin on his neck.

My hips move, grinding against his hardness.

Fucking hell.

He shudders, then stills, murmuring, “Fantasia.”

The sound of my full name falling from his lips sends butterflies careening through my stomach. But instead of pushing for more, or letting carnal instinct take over, I melt into the embrace and let him hold me, there on the floor.

His breath tickles my earlobe, eliciting goose bumps. I can’t help but imagine how good that heat would be in other places. One of his hands slides up my back and starts rubbing in small, circular motions.

“Tasia?” Reed’s slurred voice cuts through the moment, spoiling something sacred.

For a moment, I forgot where we were. I lost track of time and space. I certainly did not hear the door open.

Disentangling myself from Archer, I glance up to see Reed standing in my doorway, face red and features pinched with irritation. I stand up, and Archer joins me, resting his arm protectively around my shoulder.

“What’re you doing here, Tasia?” Reed asks, keeping his eyes locked on Archer, who pulls me tighter against him.

My body relaxes. I’m grateful Archer came up to join me. Facing Reed doesn’t seem as emotionally draining with him by my side. In fact…looking at Reed is like looking at a stranger now.

“I live here,” I say, my voice void of emotion.

He scratches the back of his head, turning his attention to me. “You haven’t returned my—” His eyes flick to Archer’s hand, and he goes silent. “Holy shit.” He steps forward, then seems to think twice and goes still. “What the fuck you doing with a motherfucking Nightcrawler, Tasia?”

“Language,” Archer mutters. The humor he uses when he scolds me is nowhere to be found. With Reed, his tone is flat, unamused.

“You know excessive swearing is a sign of limited intelligence?” I say to Reed, quoting Archer.

Archer’s body shakes in silent laughter beside me. Reed blinks. His eyes dart back and forth between Archer and me. He must really be an idiot—or incredibly drunk—because he staggers forward, reaching for me.

Archer tugs me closer, angling his body so I’m behind him. It’s protective—not possessive—and my Gods it does something to my insides.

“I suggest you leave the lady alone,” he says, his voice deep and low. It’s a warning, no doubt, and it sends chills up my spine.

How could I have ever thought a man like Reed was attractive? He’s immature, inconsiderate, and selfish. Archer, on the other hand, is the epitome of hot. The way he considers my needs, checks on me, stands up for me.

My legs go weak for a moment, and I have to force all thoughts of my attraction to Archer to the back of my mind.

“That’s my girlfriend,” Reed sputters.

“You sure about that? Because it certainly wasn’t your name she was screaming when she came on my cock last night.”

My mouth drops open, and I blink a few times in shock. Heat burns low in my stomach at his implication. Reed has no way to know it’s a lie, and it’s going to make him wild with jealousy. Despite how sweet Archer is, I’m learning he has a spicy side to him too.

Too bad he won’t actually share that side with me.

“That’s our private business, honey,” I say through gritted teeth.

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