My heart fluttered. Every inch of my body ached for more.
“You taste so sweet,” Archer said, as his lips moved down my neck.
“It’s just the wine,” I whispered, slipping my hands around his neck. I curled my fingers into his soft hair, still finding it impossible that what was happening was real.
I deserved my moment with Archer. I owed it not only to myself but to every girl in the world who’d been ignored by the guy they wanted so badly it hurt.
Archer leaned into me, pressing himself against my thigh. I could feel he wanted me just as much as I wanted him.
I fumbled for the hem of his shirt and clumsily yanked it over his head. His skin was silky and perfect. Archer’s muscles were even more pronounced than I remembered.
Every girl, and probably some guys too, had sighed after the basketball games when he ripped off his shirt after high-fiving the other team before the showers. If only they could all see him now.
“You like what you see?” Archer asked, smirking.
“I do,” I said breathlessly. I couldn’t have lied about it even if I had wanted to.
Of course, there was no reason to lie about it. Archer was so freaking gorgeous, and it was nice to think about something other than the world falling apart around us.
“What about you?” he asked.
I nodded, and his hands slid down over my breast to the bottom of my shirt. My whole body tensed as he slowly dragged the fabric over my chest.
“Shit,” he said, still smiling.
I helped him get the shirt over my head, but he didn’t wait. His hands cupped my breasts as I tossed the shirt to the floor.
I jolted as his thumbs rolled and flicked. My skin prickled as I bit down on my lip.
His hands felt so good on my body. It was like he was erasing everything away. I felt normal. I felt powerful.
It was like I was in charge for the first time in my life. I bit back a moan as he slid my bra strap down my shoulder and kissed down my breast.
“Mmm,” I moaned as I melted into him.
“You feel so good,” Archer said.
I reached for the button on his pants. That was the green light he was waiting for. He wiggled out of his pants before frantically helping me out of mine.
Archer grabbed my legs and jerked my body. My back bounced as it slammed against the soft cushions.
His lips found mine. I gasped as he pushed himself into me.
My fingertips dug into his back. I held on to him as he crashed into me. The heat in the room caused our bodies to slide together.
I pulled down on his hips, bringing him down harder. He brushed the hair from my face and glided his hand around my neck.
Archer brushed his lips against mine as he quickened his pace. Our breaths were quick. The back of my head started to tingle.
I could feel fire pooling low in my abdomen as he rolled his hips. For a moment, time slowed, and it felt like I was falling.
My body dropped quicker and quicker until I couldn’t take it any longer. I dug my fingernails into his shoulder and pressed my lips together.
The explosion that ripped through me was like a bolt of lightning crashing into the earth. It was bright, shocking, and the whole room shook.
Archer groaned as his body dropped heavily onto mine. He took in several deep breaths before rolling to the side, keeping his arm draped over my stomach.
“Dammit, that was—”
“Yeah,” I said.
“Terrible,” Archer said, unable to hold in his laugh. “I was going to say terrible, and now I know you agree.”
I smacked him with the back of my hand. “Super funny. I can’t believe you 're single.”
“Who said I was single,” he said, chuckling. “Kidding! Kidding. In all seriousness, that was incredible.”
“Incredibly terrible,” I said.
He laughed as he looked into my eyes, stroking my cheek with his thumb. Archer placed a sweet kiss on my lips, holding it for several seconds before turning his head.
He popped up and started pulling on his pants. I heard the floor creaking above us. It was like we were about to get busted by our parents.
We got into our clothes and sat back down on the couch. There was a good foot between us.
I looked over at him, and he smiled. He slid his hand across the cushion and took my hand in his.
No one came downstairs. It wasn’t long before whoever was up stopped walking around.
“Close one,” Archer said, pulling my hand to his lips. He kissed the back of my hand, keeping his eyes on mine. “I’m not going to be able to leave you now, you know that, right?”
“You should definitely stay,” I said.
“That Erik guy doesn’t like me too much,” Archer said.
I chewed my cheek. I’d gotten the same feeling, but Archer didn’t need to know I agreed.
“He’s just apprehensive,” I said.
“If that’s what you want to call it.”
“You both have something in common,” I said, swallowing down the yawn that was trying to fight its way out of my mouth. I failed to hold it in.
Archer cocked his head to the side. “What’s that?”
“You both want to avoid the crazy people,” I said.
“It’s really bad out there,” Archer said, looking down at his hands.
“I know,” I said. “Sam and I went north, and the entire town was destroyed. There were dead bodies.”
I grimaced, remembering the smell. Archer slid closer and wrapped his arm
