The Best Mistake - Cookie O'Gorman Page 0,47
not with him.”
Archer let out a breath and dropped his head. After nodding to himself, his gaze captured mine once more. “Then I think you should let me kiss you again.”
“What?” I said.
“Well, as your friend, I feel like I should be the one you experiment with. And if you want to increase your romantic experience, I figure now’s as good a time as any to start.”
I caught my breath as his hand moved to my cheek. “But I…I’ve been kissed before. You kissed me, remember?”
“Yeah,” he said, “but at the time, you thought I was someone else. Now, you know who you’re kissing. It might make a difference.”
Oh, it definitely would, I thought. Having been around Archer, knowing him better, seeing how he treated his family and his team downstairs, I’d fallen a little more. Knowing I was kissing Archer O’Brien would make it that much more powerful.
“Wait,” I said as he leaned in, hoping to talk some sense into one of us. He stopped a breath away from my lips. “This is crazy. No strings attached? No offense, Archer, but you don’t seem like that kind of guy.”
“None taken,” he said.
“And despite what I said, I’m definitely not that kind of girl,” I added, looking deep into his eyes. “I seriously have zero experience. Romance is not my thing. I’m sure I’ll be bad at it. The confidence and sexiness, the red dress and heels, that was all Charlie.”
“You looked great in those heels,” he cut in, “even if they did try to kill you.”
“But don’t you see? That’s not really me. Charlie gave me the clothes, even coached me on how to get a guy. I came here looking to hook up that night, but…I don’t know if I’m ready.” I took a deep breath. “So, if that’s what you’re after, if that’s why you’re offering, I just want to be honest. I’m not sure it’ll ever get to that point.”
After a moment, Archer’s lips twitched, and I noticed his eyes were smiling—which made me frown. I’d just poured my heart out, revealed my innermost thoughts, and he seemed…amused?
“What’s that look for?” I asked. “Are you laughing at me?”
“No,” he said—but a second later a real life smile broke through, and I pointed to his face.
“Yes, you are! I can’t believe you!”
I was trying my best not to be affected. But if Archer’s frown was sexy-as-hell, his smile was something else entirely. It made my heart ache to see it, even as I struggled to hold onto my indignation.
“I thought you never smiled, and you choose a time like this,” I said. “Friends shouldn’t laugh at friends—especially when they’re admitting heartfelt truths.”
“Sorry,” he said, “but it’s funny.”
“What is?”
“The fact that you’re so misinformed.”
I went to protest, but before I could, Archer had his fingers in my hair, pulling me so close, I could feel each word on my lips as he said them.
“Honor, can I be honest?” he said.
I nodded, unable to speak.
“I went along with the friends thing because that’s what you wanted. I’m absolutely willing to try no strings attached, if that’s what will make you happy.”
He paused, shook his head.
“But I want so much more from you than sex.”
I forgot how to breathe.
“I don’t want to scare you. I’m down for however fast or slow you want to take this. But that’s my truth. Are you good with that?”
“Mm-hm,” I said.
“Okay,” he said, dipping his head closer, “I’m going to kiss you now.”
God yes, please.
Archer’s lips had just touched mine, the barest brush of skin on skin—when the door to the room flew open.
“Arch, we found more bacon. Is there any more syrup? We need—oh sorry. Didn’t know you were busy.”
Pulling away from me an inch, his eyes closed, Archer said, “Yeah, Dex. There’s another bottle in the cabinet above the stove.”
“Great,” the voice said. “Well, I’ll just put the meat on then…?”
“Great,” Archer said back, but as the door closed, I saw his shoulders slump. “If I’m not down there in the next ten seconds, someone’s bound to start a fire. No one else cooks in the house.”
“Better get going then,” I laughed, though the sound was a little breathless. Okay, more than a little.
Archer looked at me a moment then stood. He had taken a step toward the door but turned back a second later, pressing his lips to my cheek.
“Like I said, we’ll do this however you want. No strings attached.”
“Sounds good,” I said.
“We’ll continue this later.”
I nodded and watched as