Page 42 of The Soul of Archer
Alora’s eyes widened at his declaration. Lance felt his heart pounding a mile a minute as he waited. He got his answer five seconds later when her arms came up around his neck and she pulled his head down and kissed him. He held her tighter as he returned her kiss. Shifting his hold on her waist, Lance lifted her off her feet and felt her legs wrap around his hips. Alora broke the kiss first.
“Lance, I love you too. God I was scared to say anything. Scared you didn’t…”
“No baby, I do love you.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Tell me again Alora.”
“I love you Lance Archer. I love you so much.”
The couple were so engrossed in their moment that they never saw the camera pointed in their direction. The shudder clicked almost silently several times before the photographer turned and silently moved from the secluded garden. Tucking the camera away, the photographer made their way through the locals and tourists of Tyron Palace and stepped onto the sidewalk. Slipping on sunglasses, the photographer disappeared in the Saturday morning crowds.
Chapter 17
Alora felt like she was floating. She looked over at Lance as he drove them back to his parent’s house. They had spent the whole day in New Bern. After he confessed he loved her in the gardens at Tyron Palace, the day only got better. Lance had shown her all around the town. The antique shops, the historical buildings, the old-fashioned drug store where they shared a Pepsi at the drug counter. Yet the best part had been how he held her hand wherever they went. She smiled when he glanced over at her and sent her a wink.
“Think my mom will be happy?” he asked teasingly.
Alora laughed, “Yeah I think she will.”
Lance took her hand and kissed the back of it. He released it so he could shift gears and Alora slid her hand over, so she could rub the back of his neck. Something she discovered only a few days ago that he enjoyed. They had been out to dinner in Austin and on impulse, she had reached up and started rub the area where his neck connected with the base of his skull. His eyes had closed and he kind of purred. Like a big cat being scratched behind their ears. Since that evening, she rubbed his neck every chance she got. Lance turned onto the driveway and a few minutes later was backing his dad’s car carefully into the garage. Alora climbed out and she helped Lance pull the tarp back over it.
“What did you think of Marleen?” Alex asked, stepping into the garage.
“Oh Alex, she’s a dream machine. When Lance pulled off the cover I know my jaw hit the ground.” Alora praised.
“Yeah, she’s my pride and joy. About a year after my dad and I finished her, he died in the line of duty. He was a police officer in Swansboro. He had pulled a guy over for running a stop light. Turns out the guy was wanted in another county for robbing a jewelry store. He pulled out a gun and shot my dad,” Alex said.
“Oh Alex, I’m sorry.” Alora replied, giving the older man a hug.
“Thank you. They caught him within an hour and he’s now in prison. It was hard for me at first, but my mom said that dad knew the risks every time he put on that uniform. I guess that’s when I decided to be a cop. Funny thing is, I’m a fourth-generation cop but it used to be only my older brother Bobby that wanted to be the cop.” Alex continued as they left the garage.
“Uncle Bobby is the police chief out in Ashland.” Lance added.
“And you went and joined the Marines?” Alora teased, slipping her arm around Lance’s waist.
Lance and Alex laughed as they walked into the house.
***
Later that evening Alora sat between Lance’s legs as he leaned against one of the large oak trees in the back yard. His arms wrapped securely around her. She felt so loved in his arms. She sighed and leaned her head back against his shoulder. “I love you Lance.”
Lance dropped a kiss on her bare shoulder. “I love you too Alora.” He smiled before he spoke again. “Oh, tomorrow we’re taking a little trip and staying overnight.”
“Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.”
Alora giggled. “I like surprises.”
“Then you’ll like this one.”
Before they had left, Lance had gone to Tony. After Alora had told her of her little fantasy the night Gage and Ethan had picked them up at Q-Ball, his mind had been trying to figure out how to make it a reality without including another man. So, he went to Tony. Yes, he could talk to his boys about anything but regarding anything sex wise Tony was the one they all went to. That man was creative and had given them all advice over the years. Tony had come up with a plan and Lance had been all for it. Not to mention he had a buddy that would fit the bill for it. So, in the morning after breakfast he was taking Alora to Raleigh. He had called up his buddy before they left Austin and his buddy had told him he would handle it and told Lance where to go.
“What should I wear?” she asked.
“I’ve taken care of that. I had this planned before we left Austin.” He replied.
“So, you’re not only a bad ass, but you’re a sneaky bad ass.” She laughed.
Lance tilted her head toward him and kissed her. He purposely kept the kiss slow as he eased her down between the tree he had been leaning against and its neighbor. His parents were already in bed since they were leaving early themselves the next morning to go see his Aunt Shelby in Fayetteville. Lance rose over Alora and eased the skirt of her sun dress up to her waist. Slowly under the stars, he made love to his woman.
