Page 32 of Archer

I nodded because he was right. He’d have to pay someone, and that would cost money, but he couldn’t keep going at this pace. He was going to burn himself out. “Who knows, maybe if you did that, you could add enough classes to cover the cost.”

“That’s what Aziza says,” he said with a sigh.

“She sounds like a very smart lady.”

“You’re just saying that because you agree with her, but you’re right. She really is the smartest, and the kindest, and an overall wonderful person.”

“Well, I hope I get the chance to meet her someday. Hitch has nothing but nice things to say about her.”

We talked a little more while we finished eating, and then, just like we had when we prepared the meal, we worked together to clean everything up. It didn’t take us but a few minutes, and when we finished, I was surer than ever that right here with me was where Crispin belonged. Now I had to find out if he felt the same way.

Crispin

Archer gripped my hand, tugging me from the kitchen and drawing me into the living room to sit with him on the couch. “So I suggested we needed to talk before we went further.”

My stomach dropped. This wasn’t usually a conversation that went well for me. I licked my lips, trying to think of a flippant reply that wouldn’t make me look needy, but I didn’t have to. Archer tipped my chin up, and his lips quirked. “Don’t go looking sad. This isn’t a bad conversation. At least, I hope it’s not, sweet boy.”

I gulped, and Archer leaned in, pressing a sweet kiss to my mouth. “I’m hoping this is a good thing for both of us,” he said as he sat back.

I inhaled sharply and nodded.

Archer raised an eyebrow. “You ready?” I nodded again. His skin wrinkled at the corner of his eyes as he smiled at me. “Crispin, I’d like to be your Daddy. Officially. Is that something you’re interested in?”

I kept myself from leaping into his lap, but just barely. “Yes!” I burst out. Then I giggled, slightly embarrassed.

Archer’s smile widened even further. “I’d very much like you to be my sweet boy, so I think this conversation is going pretty well so far, don’t you?”

“I do.” I bit my lip. “But I’ve never actually had a Daddy before.” I waved my hand in front of my face, needing him to understandwhat I meant. “I’ve had some guys who like to play with being my Daddy in the bedroom.” I giggled as Archer growled.

“Nothing serious, though.” But I needed to know how serious Archer was. I wanted it all. “What are you asking for? Is it like bedroom play or—”

“Full-time,” Archer said, cutting me off. He scrubbed his hand down his face. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt, but I’d like to be your full-time Daddy. That doesn’t mean you won’t have autonomy or that I’ll l interfere in your business—much.”

He quirked a brow, and I knew he was thinking about me running myself ragged, but since I didn’t know how to fix that, I asked, “You mean like helping me with my website?” I flashed him a sassy grin, wanting to distract him.

“Oh, so you’re going to be cheeky.” He shook his head, not buying what I was selling for a moment. “I’ll help you with anything like that, you know I will. But I’m worried about the fact you’re not taking care of yourself.”

Ugh. I knew this was coming. And if I could do things differently, I would. “I know, Daddy.”Gah. I really liked calling him Daddy. “And I really try, but there’s so much to be done.”

He reached over and gripped my hips, moving me closer to him on the couch, and wrapped an arm across my shoulders. My head fell onto his broad chest like it was the most natural thing in the world. Could this be my new normal?

“I realize that, but I want to set some rules to help you find a better balance.”

I groaned. I wanted help. I needed help. But what if I couldn’t do what he asked? I didn’t want to lose Archer, but I didn’t want to lose this opportunity to own Harmony and Joy, either.

“You don’t like the sound of that?” he asked with a hint of laughter in his voice.

“I do want that.” I huffed. “But I don’t want to start out on the wrong foot. We both know I’m going to break any rules you give me about not working so much.”

He barked out a laugh. “You really are cheeky tonight. Where’s my sweet boy?” I groaned again, and he snickered. “How about we start off easy?”

“What do you mean? Easy how?”

“I want you eating three meals a day.”

That wasn’t as bad as I was expecting. There was only one problem. “I’m not always hungry for breakfast.”

“You will be once your body expects you to get something into your stomach first thing in the morning. And I don’t mean just a lemon scone, either.”

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