Page 98 of Archer

Harper pressed her palm against the glass. “Come and get me, you colossal piece of shit.”

“Harper.” I crossed the room, keeping to the shadows along the edge away from view. “You should get away from the window.” I had no idea if Webb had a gun, but memories of seeing other Marines on their feet one minute and on the ground the next, dropped by invisible snipers, raced through my mind in a gut-wrenching burst.

She turned, defiant expression crumbling. “I felt terrible saying all those things. I know we had a plan, but I can’t help thinking I shouldn’t have said I was single or that I’m out here looking for my soul mate.”

“You’re well protected.” We could take the interview down, but it was too late to take it back. Webb had already seen it and heard everything she’d said. “You were brave, and no matter what his next move is, you will be safe.”

Confusion rippled over her face. “I’ve never doubted that.”

“Then, what?”

Finally, she walked away from the windows and into my personal space. “I shouldn’t have told the world I’m looking for my soul mate, because I think I might’ve already found him.” Her voice dropped to barely a whisper. “And I don’t want to lose you.”

Desire rushed through my body. How could this moment be real? She was far too precious. Too talented and good to want me like this. Yet, if she’d allow me, I’d never stop trying to make her happy. I knew that in my marrow.

I cupped her face, immediately lost in those big hazel eyes. “I’m not going anywhere.” My hands slid into her hair, tangling in the soft strands. I kissed her softly, cradling her small body, careful not to rush.

Her words ran through my mind: she thought I was her soul mate, and she’d hated saying otherwise. God I loved that so fucking much. My arms wound around her, and her lips parted beneath mine. Our tongues met in a warm, sensual slide that pulled a soft moan from her mouth to mine.

“Archer,” she whispered, head lolling to give me access to her perfect ivory neck. Her breasts pressed into me as she arched, and my body hardened at the contact. Scents of her floral perfume rose around us, filling my senses and making me greedy.

“What do you want, angel?” I asked. I’d give her anything. She only had to name it.

Harper slid her hands beneath my shirt and traced the planes and ridges of my chest and abdomen, my shoulders and back. “Touch me.”

A set of unplanned curses fell from my mouth as I bent and swept her off her feet. She weighed nothing in my arms as I carried her down the hall to the bedroom, shouldering the door open and kicking it shut behind us.

Chapter 32

Archer

I set her on the bed and looked at her, still not quite believing my luck. To have met this woman by chance, and to be falling for her, harder and faster every moment.

To have her want me too.

“Archer?” She looked suddenly uncertain.

I opened my mouth to tell her we could take things slowly. Nothing had to happen that she didn’t want as much as I did or more. “You call the shots.”

She nodded sagely. “Take off your clothes.”

I stripped away my shirt and jeans, dropping them on the chair in the corner. When I moved closer, she pulled me down and kissed me.

My hand cupped the back of her neck, and I released her lips to kiss a path across her collarbone. My fingers found the hem of her shirt and slipped beneath, savoring the heat of her skin against my palm. I laid her back when she gasped and moved my kisses to her stomach, caressing each inch of her as I made my way over her ribs to her bra.

Harper arched as I tugged the wisp of lace aside, spilling her sweet flesh into my mouth. I licked and suckled each pink nipple until it was firm beneath my tongue.

I helped her out of her shirt and slid the straps of her bra over her shoulders. A moment later, she removed the garment completely and with haste.

Her skin was flushed and rosy as she settled back against the bed, urging me to follow, and kissing me slowly once more.

Harper was flawless. Beautiful through and through.

She was art.

My hands found the waistband of her shorts, and I peeled them over the perfect curve of her ass and down her legs to her ankles. I dragged my palm back up the insides of her thighs, earning another gasp when I reached her petal-pink thong.

She closed her thighs against my hands and flashed a wicked grin.