Page 97 of Gideon's Gratitude

Archer pressed our lips together for a short kiss. He pulled back, but only so he could lean in and press our foreheads together. “I thought I had a heart attack and…I just needed to get away from the city. I don’t know why I came here. Was a reckless thing to do. But I can’t regret it.”

I pulled back. “A heart attack? That’s really serious.”

“Which is why I’m embarrassed to say it wound up being diagnosed as a panic attack. But my doctor has read me the riot act about watching my diet. Red meat in particular, but I did some reading, and saturated fat isn’t great either.”

“Well, we’ll just study labels. And stick to healthy vegetables and fruit.”

Archer tried to pull away.

I held tight. “I only just found you. I don’t want to lose you. Not for anything.”

Our gazes clashed.

“Fair enough.” Archer placed a kiss to my cheek. “I’ll set the table while you sort the food.”

“I polished the silver, so we can use that.”

“You did that for me?”

Lie and say I did it for myself? Fuck no. Honesty from now on. “For both of us.” I swept my hand. “I tackled a bunch of the minor jobs that accumulated while I was busy feeling sorry for myself. Now they’re done.”

“I bet you feel a sense of accomplishment.”

“I do.” I ducked my head for a moment before looking back up and meeting Archer’s gaze. “I really do.”

I organized the food onto plates, and by the time I served, he’d set the table. We ate first in silence, but then interspersed conversation as the meal wound down. The discussion was again inconsequential, but the underlying tension permeated the room. I wanted this to happen. Whateverthiswas. But nerves were taking hold. I’d never been with anyone except Leo. And although the hand job last weekend had been amazing, I was ready for more.

Or I thought I was.

Archer snagged my chin. “We don’t have to do this. We can watch a movie and then snuggle in bed. I can hold you until morning. That works for me.”

“Or we can have sex.” I pressed a hand to his chest. “I want you. And I want this. I thought I was broken. I might still be. But this is a chance for me to be whole again.”

The grip on my chin tightened.

“Sex is not the be all and end all, Gideon.” His scowl eased, but his hold remained strong. “I love sex. But sex isn’t just intercourse. Plenty of ways exist to make each other feel good.” He winked. “And I intend to make you feel good tonight.”

Little butterflies exploded in my belly. Oh, the promise from those sexy dark-gray eyes. Nothing in life was a guarantee, but I was pretty certain there’d be multiple orgasms tonight.

“Look, why don’t you head upstairs? I’ll clean up the kitchen and take Lucky out for a final stroll. I also have to grab my bag from the car. I presume I’m welcome to stay…?”

Had I not explicitly offered the invitation during the past week? “Of course I want you to stay. Stay as long as you want.”

Talk about putting everything on the line.

He leaned in for a quick kiss. “I have to be back in the office on Monday, but I plan to come back. Again and again.”

Music to my ears. I rose, and he followed suit.

Lucky also poked his head up. He’d been well-behaved during the meal, apparently understanding he wasn’t getting table scraps tonight.

I held out my hand, and the dog stretched, then nuzzled the hand. “I’ll get you food.”

Those ears perked.

Archer and I laughed.

Within a few minutes, all the plates were in the kitchen and Lucky was plowing through his food.

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