up when we travel, says it shows respect for the other team.”
My first thought was: God bless his mother.
My second: Bless whoever made that suit because holy hotness. How were women supposed to function in the face of such unmistakable male beauty? The sleek black suit jacket, the crisp white button down, those fitted slacks, and the man who was wearing it all like a second skin. It was so unfair.
I had to clear my throat. “Isn’t it uncomfortable? When you’re traveling, I mean?”
“Not really,” he said, unbuttoning the blazer, pushing a hand into his pocket. “We can change on the bus if we want.”
“Oh.” As much as I fought it, I couldn’t keep the disappointment out of my voice. “Are you going to change then?”
“Probably just take off my jacket.”
“Oh, that’s great.”
“Why do you say that?”
His eyes watched me the entire time as I struggled to find a coherent response. “You—you just look really nice. The suit…it looks good on you. That’s all.”
“Good,” he repeated and took a step toward me. I took one back, matching him step for step, until I felt my shoulders rest against cool metal. “You think I look good?”
I nodded. “You know you do.”
If I was being honest, Archer looked more than good in that suit. He was every woman’s dream personified. Or maybe that was just me.
“Now, I feel underdressed,” I said.
His hand came up to my cheek. “No, you look perfect.”
I raised my brows, trying to keep it light even though all I could think of were his fingers running along my skin. “You probably didn’t even notice what I’m wearing.”
Without looking away, Archer said, “Dark blue sweater, red t-shirt that says, ‘All I do is read, read, read, no matter what,’ jeans that fit you like a glove, red sneakers.”
My jaw dropped.
“I notice you, Honor.”
“You do?”
He nodded, his eyes dropping to my lips. “How could I not?”
If I wasn’t already melting, that turned me into a puddle, my heart stuttering behind my ribs. He could’ve asked me anything right then, and I think I would’ve said yes. Without any forethought, I leaned up onto my tiptoes and pressed my lips to his.
Like Archer had said: How could I not?
His lips were warm and soft, and if he was surprised, he didn’t show it.
Archer’s hand cupped my face while his other hand went to my waist, his body pressing into mine. But I couldn’t seem to get close enough. My hands automatically went to his shoulders, feeling his muscles as they tightened, then moved up to his neck, playing with the hair at his nape. This seemed to set something off within him. In the next second, Archer’s hands had traveled down to my hips, gripped behind my thighs and lifted. On instinct, my legs wrapped around his waist. At this, he let out a purely masculine sound of approval.
And all that time he never stopped kissing me.
My whole body felt completely attuned to his. It wasn’t like any kiss I’d ever experienced. I sighed into his mouth as he deepened the kiss, his hands tightening on my legs. Surely this couldn’t have been as earthshattering for him as it was for me, I thought, my self-doubt kicking in. I had no idea what I was doing. My fingers traveled through his hair, and once again, he made that noise of approval in the back of his throat, so I knew I’d done something right.
“Archer,” I gasped as his lips moved to my neck.
“Again,” he murmured.
“What?”
Lifting his head, he pierced me with eyes so intense, I couldn’t look away even if I’d wanted to—which I didn’t.
“My name,” he said. “Say it again, just like that.”
I must’ve taken too long because dropping his head, he placed another lingering kiss against my mouth.
“My name,” he repeated, and then added almost as an afterthought, “please.”
Not knowing where the courage came from, I leaned so my lips were right next to his ear.
“Archer,” I whispered, smiling when I felt him shiver. “We should get on the bus. Anyone could walk by and see us.”
His voice was dark as he said, “If one of my brothers tries to interrupt again, I swear I’m going to kill someone.”
I laughed, couldn’t help it.
Archer leaned back, searching my face, then he kissed me once more before setting me on my feet. His frown was back, but I could tell he wanted to smile. His eyes were bright as he looked me over, and I wondered what he saw. He didn’t