Page 23 of His to Claim

“Hold it just a little higher,” he tells me, reaching for my elbow and lifting it. His warm touch sends tingles shooting up my arm.

It isn’t long before the chocolate and marshmallow melt together and the graham is toasted just right. Archer checks his then motions for me to remove mine from the fire.

“All done,” he tells me. “It’s going to be really hot, so be careful. Let it cool.”

I lightly blow on my ooey-gooey treat. We carefully remove them from the stick then I take a bite off the corner. “Ohh, it’s good,” I murmur. “So who taught you how to make such kick ass s’mores?”

“My dad.” A sad smile lifts the edge of his mouth.

“Are the two of you close?”

“We were. He died a long time ago.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry.”

“Thanks. Both my parents passed away when I was only ten. A car accident.”

“Oh, no. That’s terrible.” I can’t imagine losing my mom and dad at once and being so young. I love my parents and brothers more than anything and something like that would be devastating. “Do you have any siblings?”

“No.”

I shift on the floor, studying him closely, and it occurs to me that Archer is a loner. A man who has been on his own for a very long time now. No wonder he doesn’t think he needs or wants a relationship.

“What happened after your parents died? Where did you go?”

“I went to live with my uncle. He wasn’t very kind or warm. As soon as I turned eighteen, I enlisted. Couldn’t leave fast enough. Spec ops became my life.”

I get the distinct feeling he doesn’t share too much of himself with other people and my heart swells. Scooting closer, I decide to be daring. I reach out and lay a hand against his stubbled cheek.

“Thank you for sharing that with me.” Without thinking, I lean in and place a soft, chaste kiss on his lips. As I’m pulling back, he growls, stops me and slams his mouth against mine.

Heat floods me, arrowing south, and I try to keep up as he devours me. Kissing Archer makes me go all melty and I become more gooey than the marshmallow I just toasted. Ever since finding out my true identity, he’s tried to keep his distance. But now that he’s giving in, I’m going to encourage him.

Because one thing is very clear to me. Archer is unlike any man I’ve ever met and he is making me feel things like I’ve never experienced before. I want to explore whatever is happening with him and see how deep this could possibly go. If it’s only one night then so be it. But if there’s the possibility of having more, I’m ready to take the chance and jump in feet first.

10

ARCHER

Oh, God help me.That one innocent kiss is all it takes to make me snap. The sweet way Carlotta pressed her lips to mine, and I’m a goner. All of my self-control disappears and, as she’s pulling away, I stop her, grab her face and kiss the ever-loving shit out of her.

I can’t get enough and, like a man possessed, I deepen the kiss, thrusting my tongue between her soft lips. She tastes divine. Like chocolate and marshmallows, and I can’t stop myself. Drinking deeply, I plunder her mouth, pushing her back onto the floor.

When she moans softly and slides her fingers through my hair, I adjust our positions, moving my knee between her legs. I know I shouldn’t, but I drag her down, placing her center against my thigh and encourage her to move.

“That’s it, sweetheart.” I guide her hips, helping her roll and find the right spot and rhythm that gives her the best friction exactly where she wants it. “Take what you need. Rub that sweet pussy just like that.”

The fact that she’s a virgin and has never done this stuff with another man makes me hard as hell. Her innocence is a huge turn-on and I’m so glad that douchebag she used to date fucked it all up. She’s in my arms now, riding my leg, and I’m going to make her feel so damn good. Make her realize it was worth the wait.

She’s wearing my sweatpants which are way too big for her and I reach down and untie them. Her breaths are coming faster and I decide I’d rather she come on my mouth than in her panties, rubbing against my thigh. She deserves more and I’m going to make sure she gets it.

Shoving my conscience aside, ignoring that little voice telling me not to touch her and to keep my hands to myself, I tug the sweats down. Fuck that little voice.This pussy is mine,I think. Then I move back, taking a moment to look down and admire her. She must think that I stopped because she reaches for me with a soft sound of disappointment.

“Hold on, sweetheart. I’m going to make this even better for you.”

My fingers hook in the elastic edges of her panties and I slowly pull them down to expose her sweet, pink pussy. Everything about Carlotta is delicious and I’m willing to bet she tastes just as sweet as I’m imagining. On my knees, I zero in on those pretty folds then urge her legs further apart.

“Archer,” she hisses, trying to twist away.

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