Brazen and Breathless (Untouchable #6) - Heather Long Page 0,46

we were alone. Ian had done much the same thing.

“We trust you,” Jake said from the hall. “It’s bad meatloaf we don’t trust.” He and Archie shared a look, and I sighed.

“Okay, we have to dial this back some. I know you guys are worried, but my nerves have nerves…”

“C’mon,” Archie said with a kiss. “We got you something.”

Jake paused us in the hall with a hand to my waist, then pressed a kiss to my cheek before he tugged me from Archie and gave me a proper kiss. Thankfully, I hadn’t bothered with cosmetics beyond the absolute bare minimum that I’d snapped a pic of and sent to Rachel. She’d given me a thumbs up and suggested a nude gloss. I’d put that on after I left so the guys wouldn’t kiss it right off me.

The faint clearing of Archie’s throat didn’t slow Jake’s deep exploration of my mouth, nor did it quiet my sigh as he dug his fingers into my hips. At this rate, I would not only not be going into the office, I was going to be naked and back in bed.

Not that I was complaining.

But still…

I groaned as Coop whistled. “Yo, we need to give her a present.”

“I’m giving her a present,” Jake murmured, and I cracked up. He smiled against my lips, then waggled his brows playfully.

Coop gagged, then socked him gently. I say gently because Jake still had a hold of me. Archie tugged me away, and Ian ran interference when Coop and Jake started shoving each other.

They stumbled into the living room and right into the coffee table.

“Don’t wreck the table,” I said at the same time Archie snapped, “Watch the table, guys.”

The table shuddered and slid a few inches, but they did not, in fact, break it again.

So, win?

In the kitchen, Archie tugged me over to the table where we’d had breakfast a little earlier. They’d all insisted on eating here rather than at school, since I wasn’t going in with them. There was a lunch bag on the table and a travel mug with a photo of all of us from Colorado printed on the side of it. It was from skiing and we were in the snow, all grinning like idiots.

Opening the bag, Ian showed me an apple, a sandwich, a bag of chips and a couple candy bars.

“There’s also a few twenties because you need a real lunch,” Archie murmured against my ear. “Or at least money for coffee. Don’t hit the coffee shop in the lobby, they suck at steaming milk properly, go outside and across the street and less than a block down. There’s a great place, and I know they make fantastic pastries and hot sandwiches, too.”

“Also,” Coop said, sliding his arms around me. “We got you this.” Then he held out his palm in front of me and there was a briefcase charm.

I burst out laughing, and they all grinned. Yeah, Archie didn’t want me to go, but he was also being amazing about it, too. “Thank you,” I said, kissing each one of them, and Archie scooped up the briefcase charm. I didn’t have my charm bracelet on today, but I did have my ring and I had tucked the charm necklace on under my blouse.

“I’ll get it added for you,” Archie offered. “Knock ’em dead, babe.”

“Love, you,” Ian told me.

“Love you more,” Jake murmured.

“Love you most,” Coop said. And then we were all walking out. It was a little ridiculous that they all walked me to the car, but Jake even made me wait while he slipped me into my coat. My last sight of them was waving to me as I pulled away.

I didn’t even make it one block before my phone buzzed.

Archie: Love you best.

My grin didn’t falter once on the drive.

The butterflies, which had quieted during the farewell, roared back like helicopters as I pulled into the parking garage. Instructions told me to collect the stub and take it in for validation. I’d finished my coffee on the way to the office, and I pressed a kiss to the mug and left it in my car. I didn’t want to risk losing it.

Then I collected my stuff, including my backpack, and headed inside. I checked my phone.

Archie: Tell me when you’re there. Also ask for Steve or Jim when you get to security, that has to be your first stop. I asked them to look after you.

Jake: Archie’s losing his mind, Baby Girl. Don’t worry, we’ll look after