Page 62 of Anything But Convenient

As if hearing my thoughts, he turned to me, face turned up. “I rinsed my mouth before we came over. Can I kiss you, husband?”

My mouth was on his before he even finished speaking. I didn’t care who else was in the room or how the situation might not have called for it. I needed to possess my husband now that he’d made it back safely.

I’d promised to never let him go again, and that much was true. I hoped he understood just how close we were about tobecome because I planned on spending every waking moment by his side.

Cohen’s voice broke through the calm I felt. “You know, this is really going to make proving that citizenship stuff a piece of cake.”

Silence followed his words for a moment before the group broke into laughter. Even Archie seemed amused at the offhanded comment from our goofiest team member.

“I’m just glad Carver was able to find me so fast. I never doubted you guys were coming. And though he wasn’t who I expected, I’m grateful all the same,” Archie said to the group once everyone calmed. “He’s a good guy, Tank. Well worth the favors he intends to ask.”

The man we now knew to be Carver grinned wide. “You hear that, Tank? No whining when I come calling those babies in. Archie here believes I’m a good guy.”

With that, he twirled out of the office like he was the happiest guy in the world. We watched him leave, none of us saying a word.

Tank broke the silence after we heard the chime of the elevator. “You need to see the doc to get your head checked, Archie boy. Carver is not a good guy. He’s one of the deadliest men I know with a temper to rival Ronan and Memphis combined. He doesn’t have friends or relationships. The only people consistent in his life are his club members.”

Archie shrugged before tucking himself further into my chest. “I’m just saying what I saw. He’s got a heart of gold beneath all that violence.”

My boss scoffed, though he didn’t push. Instead, we were all given our marching orders to head home and rest. It had been a long day of chasing leads. With Archie home, we could take a few minutes to get some sleep.

I looked forward to holding my husband all night long.

In our bed.

In our home.

Safe and sound where he belonged.

EPILOGUE II

ARCHIE

My husband was drivingme mad.

It had been a week since the kidnapping and imprisonment, yet he refused to touch me more than gentle kisses.

At first I thought it was because he was concerned about what happened to me while in that woman’s home. That thought vanished once we had our debriefing with Tank where I explained the entire story from beginning to end.

I hadn’t been assaulted or anything.

Sure, it was a traumatic experience, but I was doing better. I had a therapist lined up to speak with, and my body was fully recovered.

And I was horny.

So fucking horny.

I knew my husband well enough to understand he wasn’t going to be the one to cross that line just yet. He’d make me wait even longer, his patience was far greater than mine.

Thankfully, Cohen understood my plight after having to suffer through his own recovery period and getting together with Godric after the fact.

“Seduce him,” he’d told me when he caught me pouting during our ASL lessons. Since I’d returned, the crew demandedmini lessons throughout the day. They were almost like smoke breaks for them, where they’d bounce between talking NightShade business and then coming to me to learn the basics.

“How do I seduce him? I’ve never had to do that before.” At my words, Cohen chuckled and let me know he’d help me out.

Later that day, I got a list of options with a note telling me to choose one and he’d help run interference. All the planning led to this moment where I’m seated on the edge of our bed surrounded by candles and soft music.

Battery operated candles of course since we didn’t want to invite the fire department to our lovemaking. Yet another gem of advice from Cohen.

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