Page 16 of Blake University HBCU Chronicles: Archer & Destiny

She never said it out loud, but ever since he started calling her every night, and scooped her up like she belonged in his arms whenever they did spend time together…her mind had been going to places she was too scared to admit out loud.

Now, she was sitting on a cold bathroom floor in a towel with nothing underneath, partly lying to get attention of the only man besides her father that ever made her feel like more than her condition. Her legs twitched beneath the towel, more from her frazzled nerves than pain.

Archer: I’m coming up now.

Destiny: Okay, the door code is C32305

Her stomach flipped after she sent the door code. She adjusted the towel tighter across her chest, cheeks hot with shame mixed with high anticipation. She didn’t even know what she was doing, she didn’t have a plan or know what to say when he got inside.

Moments later, she heard his heavy footsteps echo across her hardwood floor as he called her name.

“I’m in here.” She shouted back.

Seconds later, the door creaked open, and there Archer stood. His pale blue eyes were low and red from all the weed he smoked. His hood was up as he stared at her with an unreadable expression. He scanned her damp body then spoke.

“You alright?”

He stepped further in then crouched low beside her.

“My knees gave out again, the pain was worse than usual.” She bit down on the inside of her bottom lip.

He didn’t press her or question her; he sniffed then nodded his head.

“Okay, well I’m here to help you. No need to feel ashamed, stop looking like that.” He looked her right in the eyes. The look of concern and reassurance alone made her instantly melt.

Seconds later, his arms slid beneath her and he lifted her as if she weighed absolutely nothing. In his arms, she felt safe and more secure than ever. Her heart thudded so loud, it drowned out every guilty thought that she had about falling in the shower.I need to fall more often, in his arms feels so right!She simpered quietly as he carried her like he was her savior.

Archer made Destiny feel weightless — not just physically, but emotionally. To her, it felt like she could stop being strong for a while and stop pretending that her body didn’t betray her all of the time behind closed doors. Through it all, she kept pushing, never calling on anyone unless she had to.

Archer laid her gently on the bed, her body sinking into the plush comforter. Her towel was still wrapped tightly around her curves. Usually, she wouldn’t have laid against her pillows with damp hair, but right now, she didn’t care. She welcomed the comforting buzz of her AC vent, and the smell of vanilla and eucalyptus drifting through the space from her oil diffuser.

He knelt at the edge of the bed and reached for the bottle of lotion that she had on her nightstand. Destiny watched him through her natural curly lashes as he put a generous amount of lotion into the palms of his hands. He rubbed his hands together to warm it up slowly. His hoodie sleeves were rolled to his elbows, revealing strong forearms dusted with his ink and muscle.

When he touched her legs, Destiny’s breath hitched. It felt so good, the pressure of his hands eased some of the pain in her joints. He didn’t touch her like he was repulsed by her or like she was fragile. He wasn’t afraid of the tension that pulsed through her calves, or the trembling of her thighs that lingered from the fall.

The pads of his thumbs worked deep circles along her shin, just below her knee. She let out a soft breath that was too close to a moan. It felt so good to Destiny, she couldn’t stop her eyes from misting over. She turned her face into the pillow, embarrassed.

“You okay?” Archer asked, voice low and husky.

Destiny turned to face him, she batted her eyes and nodded her head slowly.

“I need to hear you say it.” Archer’s smile stretched the corners of his lips.

“It feels really good, Archer. I’ve never had a man tend to me the way you are.” She smiled softly.

He searched her eyes and nodded his head, he knew exactly what Destiny meant. In that moment, he decided that he was gonna tend to her and make her feel special. He didn’t understand why she never had this type of special attention. Especially when she was beautiful as hell. Despite being in a wheelchair, Destiny had a beautiful personality that was magnetic. If people gave her a chance, they’d want to be around her just as much as he did.

They didn’t deserve her, though, especially if they judged her before getting to know her.

“You gotta say something if it hurts.” His hands moved lower, more deliberate.

“It doesn’t hurt, it feels really good…I promise.” She whispered, relaxing under his touch.

Her fingers gripped the top of the comforter to ground herself. Her skin tingled with every stroke, it felt like he was painting her whole body back to life. He paused, his hands rested just at the curve of her upper thigh, his voice came out quiet and intimately.

“Is it okay if I take the towel off, so I can lotion the rest of you?” He asked, his eyes met hers like he wasn’t just asking for permission but her trust.

Destiny’s pulse slammed in her neck; she swallowed down hard. Her lips parted, unsure if the ache throbbing inside of her was fear…or desire.

---