Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 63068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
The red dress had an open back and a halter neckline that tied at my neck, and he quickly untied it, giving the adhesive breast cups I was wearing a puzzled look.
“Just peel them off,” I said, not wanting to explain I was wearing them instead of a bra because of the cut of the dress.
He removed the cups and pushed the dress the rest of the way off. His dress shirt had a maddening number of buttons, and after I’d unfastened just a couple of them, he pulled the shirt off over his head.
We were both on a mission, removing each other’s clothes as quickly as possible. Tonight was it for us, and I didn’t want to waste time on tentative foreplay.
I put my hands on the bed, turning around to give him a look he’d understand.
He did. Archer brought my dream to life, filling me with his length. He moved all my hair over one shoulder and kissed the bare one as he fucked me, and I greedily took every thrust and begged for more.
I moaned when he stopped, pulling out of me and turning me around.
“Lie down,” he said, his gaze dark and hungry on my body.
I did, and he followed, kissing his way up my thighs. He licked me gently at first, making me whimper for more. When he pushed his tongue inside me, I cried out and tugged on a handful of his hair.
I was so close to finishing when he stopped, pushing up on his arms and looking down at me.
“Did you mean it?” he asked me.
“What?”
“After I found you in the ravine, you said you still love me. Did you mean it?”
Of course I meant it, but was this really the time to talk about it? I opened my mouth, trying to come up with an answer.
“It’s okay,” he said, kissing me.
He buried himself in me again, and our conversation was forgotten as he rocked his hips into mine, his mouth on my lips, my neck, and my chest.
“Oh, god,” I cried. “Don’t stop, Archer. Don’t stop this time.”
He didn’t, and I came long and hard, his gaze never leaving mine as he came, too.
I wanted to tell him that I’d meant what I said. But that would add a bittersweet note to our final night together. All I wanted was for us to revel in each other with every minute we had left together.
So instead, I kissed him, already thinking about what I wanted him to do to me next.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Archer
We weren’t leaving the resort today. I’d decided that around three this morning, when Lauren was sleeping soundly beside me while I stared up at the rotating ceiling fan above the bed.
I’d drifted off to sleep eventually, having come up with a plan that would keep us from going our separate ways.
Lauren and I were just too damn good together. I wasn’t walking away from that. When everyone else from the show left the resort, I was going to check us into the resort under my name and stay until we decided how to move forward.
I’d date long distance if that was what she wanted. We had to find a way to be together. It was more important to me than anything else.
I rolled over in bed, eager to ask her to stay here with me, but her side of the bed was empty. Sitting up, I looked at the bathroom door to see if she was in there. It was wide open.
“Lo?”
I moved the covers aside and got out of bed. She wasn’t here, and the folded note sitting on the desk with my name on it made my stomach sink. I picked it up and read the message she’d left me.
Dear Archer,
I’m sorry I left, but I decided to take an earlier flight home because I just can’t say goodbye to you. There are too many memories of the last time we said goodbye. When I look back at our time on the island, I don’t want painful memories, only good ones.
Saying thank you isn’t nearly enough. You took care of me in so many ways you didn’t have to, because that’s who you are. You believed in me and helped me believe in myself. Being on the show was life changing for me. I came here thinking it was for the money, but I got more out of it than money could ever buy.
I’m grateful for this experience, and for you. We have our friendship back. I’ll always be rooting for you, in hockey and in life. You deserve nothing but the best.
Lauren
I read it again, too stunned to believe it after the first time. She’d stolen out of here after I’d fallen asleep. So much for my plan to spend a couple of blissful weeks here together.
“Fuck.”
I dropped the note on the desk and sat down on the end of the bed, putting my head in my hands. What now?