Page 66 of Maple Mountain
“Did you tell Brooks he wasn’t allowed to share it with anyone?”
Archer frowned.“No.I just assumed he wouldn’t.”
“Well, you know what they say about assuming.”
“What do they say?”
“Something about donkeys,” I jested.“Really, though.Why did you tell Brooks about a simple conversation we had?”
“It wasn’t so much about you and me,” he said slowly.“It was more about you and me talking about Lenni.That was the important part.I didn’t tell him I was shirtless, holding your dog, or that you looked at me like you wanted to kiss me ...”
My pulse galloped.
“I didn’t want to kiss you,” I lied badly.
Desire flashed in his dark eyes.“Liar.Besides, I wanted to kissyou.I want to kiss you right now, too ...”
“Archer,” I whispered.
He stalked toward me, and in three strides, he was caging me in against the counter.He cradled the back of my neck in his large hand and peered into my eyes.
“Tell me not to,” he murmured, the ghost of his breath warm against my skin.
I stared into his eyes ...
Grabbed the collar of his shirt ...
And tugged him forward.
His lips seized mine, his tongue invading my mouth.He slid his knee between my legs and pressed ever so slightly.Electric shocks pulsed through my core.
God, his mouth was sin and temptation, and everything I wanted.
It was also everything I was trying to avoid.
I wrenched out of his grip and turned my head, winded.
With a deep breath of his own, he released me.
“We shouldn’t have done that,” I whispered.
“I disagree completely,” he said, his tone low.“I want to do it again.Immediately.Preferably naked.”
I hastily shook my head and my lips trembled.“We can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because what happens in the morning, Archer?”I asked.“We can’t cross this line.It’s not fair to me.It’s not fair to Lenni.Hell, it’s not fair to you, either.”
He raked a hand through his hair in frustration.
“You know I’m right,” I said.
“Do I?”
He sounded ...almost heartbroken.
I clenched my hands at my sides.
