Page 33 of Reckless Kiss

“Go back to sleep. I’ll be back in a bit,” Daisy said to someone behind her.

“I’m sorry, Daisy,” Archer said. “I should’ve sent a text first.”

“It’s fine. I’m going to put you face down a second.”

Archer heard feet padding around on a tiled floor, and then the phone was back, showing her face while she moved through the bedroom. When Daisy was settled with a glass of water, her knees tucked under her, she put her phone on a cushion.

“I’m all yours. Tell me everything,” Daisy said.

“Who is he?” Archer asked, referring to the man she had in her bed.

“I’ll send you his LinkedIn profile later.”

“Are you safe?”

“You taught me how to be safe. Have faith your skills are being put to good use.”

Archer took his overprotective nature for his baby sister to the extreme. Their relationship was tight, just like his brothers, but he ensured Daisy was more okay than the other two brothers. This was the first time the four of them were separated for more than a couple of days and the further apart they had ever been. It didn’t sit well that he wasn’t there. What if something terrible happened?

“You’ll tell me if you’re in trouble, won’t you?”

“Honestly, Archer, you’d be the first person I’d call. You’ve got to know that. You’re my big brother.”

Mollified by her words, he nodded.

“Tell me about her,” Daisy prompted.

“She’s agreed to be my wife. She even offered when I told her why I couldn’t kiss her.”

“Did you get your kiss?”

“Yeah. That’s the problem. I like her and don’t think I can fake the relationship. For me, this is going to be a real relationship.”

“What’s the issue?”

“For her, it’s a short-term thing.”

“She said that?”

“Not explicitly, but she understands the deal is only until I get the business. I’ve abundantly made clear that this doesn’t have to be long term.”

“You know she could actually like you and want to see where this goes.”

“I’m not so sure. She’s been married before, and comesacross as jaded about marriage. I don’t think she values the institution. For her, it’s a piece of paper to help us out.”

“From what you’ve said, you both like each other, as in like-like, so it won’t be a hardship. What is the agreement? How long? What happens when you get the business? Where will you live?”

Archer winced at her questions. They hadn’t discussed any of that. They were too busy kissing.

“I’ll probably have to iron those issues out. We didn’t talk about many details. I’m going all-in on this, and I think my all-in won’t be her all-in.”

“How long is she staying?”

“Her booking is for two months, but I need her to stay for at least three to make this ruse work.”

“What does she do for a living?”

“I think she’s a writer.”

---