Page 293 of Dirty Princess

Archer…

I step back.

He keeps coming toward me.

I begin to wonder if he’s actually real.

If this is really happening.

Or maybe thezazais working overtime on its job and I’m just in a deep sleep.

I finally manage to whisper his name.

“Archer.”

“Jaci,” his voice says.

My entire body tingles.

When Archer is close enough I jump into his arms.

Even if he doesn’t want me there.

I squeeze him tight, shaking as I do so.

His hands touch my sides and he peels me away.

“What was that for, sweet thing?” Archer asks.

“Are you kidding me?” I ask. “I thought you were dead!”

“Dead?” Archer asks. “Why would you think I was dead?”

“I haven’t seen you…”

“And you just assume I’m dead?”

“Well, yeah,” I say. “I mean, you know, what happened with Darby…”

Archer flexes his jaw. “There’s more to that story, isn’t there, sweet thing? Why did you think I was dead?”

I shake my head.

I don’t want to answer anything.

Archer inches closer to me.

I feel like my knees are going to buckle.

Archer is as sexy as he is scary.

“I followed you,” I confess.

“You did what?”

“I followed you,” I repeat. “I heard some things and I… followed you.”

“What did you hear?”

---