Stripped Love (Guys Next Door #1) - Baylin Crow Page 0,75

twisted the lid off my beer and sucked back a quarter of the bottle before I pulled my notebook from beneath the couch.

Courting Echoes wanted a song that would rip their fan's hearts wide open. With Archer on my mind, I could almost feel the blood pouring from my own shredded heart, and I let it carry me through the lyrics.

19

Archer

Lightning cracked and thunder boomed as I stared down at Phoenix, his mouth parted as I rode him. I loved this position. The way I felt all of him deep inside me as I set the pace. His dirty words made my cock ache, and his whispers of devotion made my heart race. I loved him so much. His artistry, acceptance and the way he made me feel like I could take on the world with my books were only a few things that made me wonder if I could ever live without him. The physical connection was just a bonus. A big bonus.

He thrust up as I lowered and I cried out. "Phoenix!"

"That's it, babe. Ride me just like that." His grip on my hips tightened as a low groan rumbled deep in his chest.

"Touch me," I begged.

Without hesitation, he brought one hand to my cock, curling his fingers around my shaft. I moaned as he stroked me. "Like that?"

"Yes," I hissed. "Feels so good. I love the way you touch me."

"Come for me, Arch. Give me everything. I want it." He circled his thumb below my tip, and my already shaking legs seized.

"Phoenix!" My cock pulsed as my orgasm ripped through me, coating his stomach. He cursed and hammered into me until he found his release, my name a whisper on his tongue.

I slumped forward, lips brushing his. Hazel eyes burned into mine as the storm outside raged.

His fingers swept my hair from my forehead before cupping my cheek. "Arch?"

"Yeah?" I leaned into his touch.

A small grin tipped his lips. "I love y—"

A loud clap of thunder drowned out the sound, but I read his lips. I opened my mouth to say it back, but the storm was too loud.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

I sat up with a gasp. Sunlight streamed through the windows. My windows. I frowned as my mind was slow to process my surroundings. This wasn't Phoenix's bed. It wasn't even storming.

Disappointed that it had only been a dream, I fell back against my pillow and rubbed my eyes. Sorrow gripped my chest. In my dreams, Phoenix and I were together without the shadows of reality. The worst part was I'd imagined him telling me he loved me. Dreams could be cruel.

"Arch?" My uncle's voice came from the other side of the door followed by heavy knocks.

Sighing, I realized he'd woken me up. "Yeah?"

"I'm running out for breakfast. There isn't shit in the kitchen. Want to come with?"

If I stayed in bed, I'd just be haunted by my dream, so I jerked the covers back. "Sure. Give me ten minutes?"

"Nine." He chuckled and a small huff, not quite a laugh, escaped from my lips.

"Eleven," I countered and he groaned.

"I'm hungry," he grumbled. "So just get your ass outta bed."

His heavy steps retreated from the door, and I rolled out of bed. I was still tired. Emotionally drained. Turned out, doubting yourself was physically exhausting.

On autopilot, I went to the bathroom and took care of the necessities before slipping on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.

When I descended the stairs, I found my uncle standing at the door, keys in hand. He checked his phone. "Eleven minutes on the dot."

"Which means you're making us late unless you get moving."

"Why are you in such a hurry?" he asked as he opened the door and waited for me to come through so he could lock it.

"Seriously?" I shook my head and lowered my voice. "I'm hungry and I'm going to starve to death if you don't get out of bed."

He stared at me with wide eyes. "Did you…did you just mock me?"

I shrugged as my uncle gawked.

"I'll just have to assume I have Phoenix to thank for this new development." He smirked but my stomach dipped. Humor drained from his expression. "Hey, what's eating you, kiddo?"

Not able to help it, my gaze strayed to Phoenix's house. His car was parked in the driveway. He was so close. It would be so easy to walk over there and fix things between us, and I couldn't stop wondering if he was hurting too. And that killed me. I never wanted to