to his, and his tongue slips into my mouth. I taste him while he devours my mouth—the flavor of his booze drawing me in. Picking me up, he steadies me on the edge of the desk, my ass slightly slipping off. He parts my legs and settles his large body between them.
“I need you,” he groans into my mouth. “I need to be inside you.”
Reaching down, he roughly tugs at the drawstring of my sweats, and just as he’s shoving his hand down them, I push him back.
“No. I refuse to be your distraction or how you cope with your loss.” I shake my head. “You’re not releasing your pain by screwing me.”
“Let me eat your pussy then,” he pleads. “Let me suck on your clit. Please.”
It’s tempting.
There’s nothing I’d love more than his hands, his tongue, getting me off.
He retreats a step when I slide off the desk and tie my sweats.
“I’ll be here for you, but I’m not sleeping with you.” I hold out my hand. “I’ll drive you home.”
“Nah, I’m sleeping here.”
“You’re not sleeping here.” I snap my fingers. “Let’s go, or I’ll call Lincoln to come get you.”
Speaking of Lincoln …
How’s he doing?
He captures my hand, his grip tight as though I’m his lifeline. Not a word is spoken while I lead him out of the building, lock up, and we walk to my car. I assist him into it, but he moves my hand when I try to buckle the seat belt and clicks it himself.
“Have you talked to Lincoln?” I ask, turning out of the parking lot.
“He’s with my mother.”
“Do you want me to take you there?”
He shakes his head. “She asked to be alone. I asked to be alone. Lincoln understood my request but was worried about Mom, so he’s there with her.”
He scrubs at his eyes with his knuckles and tips his head back, not muttering a word during the drive.
When I reach his building, he shifts and settles his gaze on me, torment in his eyes. “Will you stay?”
My eyes widen, and I shake my head.
“Not for sex. To keep me company, so I don’t lose my goddamn mind.”
“I thought you wanted to be alone?”
“It’s different with you. I like to be alone or with you. You put me at ease, giving me a peace I’ve never experienced.” He reaches out and strokes my face with the pad of his thumb. “Stay.”
“I told you—”
“I’ll sleep on the couch; you can have my bed. Just stay with me.” Silent tears fall down his cheeks.
“Okay, I’ll stay.”
His shoulders relax, and after parking, we walk into his building. Swinging his arm back, he snatches my hand and leads me to the penthouse.
I drop his hand when we walk in. “I need to text Lincoln and let him know you’re okay.”
He nods, kisses my forehead, and heads into the kitchen.
Me: He’s home, safe and sound. I’m so sorry about your dad.
Lincoln: Mom popped an Ambien and is sleeping. I can come home.
I join Archer in the kitchen and read him the text message.
“Tell Lincoln to stay his ass there.”
I follow him into the living room, and he collapses on the couch as I’m replying to Lincoln.
Me: He said to stay your ass there.
Lincoln: Not surprising.
Me: I told him I’d stay.
Lincoln: You’re amazing. Thank you, Georgia … for everything.
My next text goes to Cohen. I tell him the news and ask him to cover Archer’s shift tomorrow night. Archer might not like it, but he needs time to heal.
Sex, working too much, locking up your pain—it will only last so long. Archer has reached his breaking point.
“Can I get you something to drink?” I ask.
“Shit, sit down, Georgia.” He shakes his head and rubs at his eyes with the heels of his palms. “Here we are again, you coming to my rescue when it should be the other way around.” His voice cracks. “Do you see it now? Why you’re too good for me?”
I settle in the space next to him. “Archer, everyone has their issues. Right now, yours are more intense than mine, but I’m sure, somewhere along the road, I’ll need you too.”
His stares at me vacantly. “Lincoln is crashing in the guest room, so you can have my bed.”
“Okay,” I whisper, not pushing.
Now isn’t the time for relationship talk. He needs time to grieve. Despite his relationship with his father, he’s hurting. His wet eyes, broken voice, and desperation are clear.
He stands and jerks his head toward a hall. “I’ll show you where