Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 31228 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 156(@200wpm)___ 125(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31228 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 156(@200wpm)___ 125(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
“This about me staying here?” I ask as I walk up the stairs of the small porch and open the screen door.
“It’s about Mr. McGuire’s estate.” We both turn at the sound of gravel crunching. Another vehicle is coming down the driveway. This one is in fact Archer. I wondered where he'd been. I didn’t work today, so he hadn’t been around.
Since Archer came into my life a few weeks ago, he’s made his presence known. I tell him that I want nothing to do with him, but he keeps showing up. Even on the days I have work. Normally I get a ride from my best friend Ollie or I call for a Lyft.
Archer has made it a point to take me to and from my job. There was no fighting him on it either 'cause he’d show up and scare off any Lyft driver I hired. It was annoying but maybe a bit sweet in a weird stalker way. I don’t understand the man’s persistence. It’s not like he doesn’t have a million and one other options when it comes to women. They literally fall at the man's feet. Not that I can blame them.
“Hmm.” I chew on my bottom lip, not sure how to handle this. Archer’s SUV barely comes to a stop and he’s out of it. He looks as handsome as ever. Today he’s in jeans, boots, and a plain white shirt that stretches across his broad chest. I lick my suddenly dry lips as I take him in.
He’s got classic blue eyes and short blond hair. He has that charming all-American man thing going on, but I’ve seen him go from charming to something else altogether in the blink of an eye. He can cut people with a look that has them shutting down. But to me he’s been nothing but sweet. Also annoying.
“Mr. Myers,” Nick says, standing up a bit straighter.
“Nick.” Archer clips out his name.
“What are you doing here?” I reach up to smooth out my hair but remember that I braided it this morning.
“Why am I always here?” he asks and then answers before I can try to respond. “For you.”
“I have some personal things I need to discuss with—”
“Then you set up an appointment and you do it at the fucking bank. Not in her home where you weren't invited.”
“We couldn’t find a number. We only had an address.”
“Well, you have mine, and if you want to reach her from now on, you call me.”
“Hey, I can—” Archer's cool blue eyes flick to me. For a second I forget my train of thought. But then I scowl at him for acting as though he’s in charge of me. I’ll keep my mouth shut for right now so this man gets going, but Archer will be getting an earful once he’s gone.
“We’ll call you later and set something up. Don’t show up here again.” The man looks like he wants to argue but doesn't.
“Of course, Mr. Myers. My apologies.” The man scurries back down the stairs getting into his car and taking off. The gravel flies up behind him as he makes his escape.
“What the heck was that?” I smack his giant chest.
“You invite men you don’t even know into your fucking home?” Archer bellows at me.
“He said—”
“He could be a fucking liar! He could have done anything to you. Get into the damn house right now,” he shouts at me.
“Thor,” I call to my dog, who finally jumps to his feet to follow me into the house. A lump starts to form in my throat as I try to make my escape. My attempt is short-lived because Archer catches the door before I can slam it closed in his face. He has no problem letting himself in.
I don’t turn around and demand he leave because it would be useless. Instead I go to my bedroom and lock that door. I don’t let one tear fall until I am safe behind my closed door where he can’t see me. Truth is I’m not sure if I’m mad at him or myself because he’s right.
3
Archer
Fucking hell. She doesn’t even slam the bedroom door on me. I grip the back of my neck and squeeze. I’m terrible at this shit. I didn’t have to be such an asshole, but fuck me. She’s so damn innocent. The man could have done anything to her. She’s out here all alone.
Part of me wants to storm back there and scare the shit out of her. Another part of me knows I was drawn to her because of her innocence. I decide I’ll go with a middle ground. I stomp back toward her bedroom. I turn the doorknob, finding it locked. I give a hard yank, and it pops easily in my hand. This whole place is a damn joke. The only reason I’ve let her go on living here is because I’ve had someone watching out for her when I can’t.