Page 173 of Three Reckless Words

Fuck, it’s already gouging our expenses like a hungry bear.

Yes, we can afford it, but that doesn’t mean I want to hemorrhage money for months thanks to Carroll goddamned Emberly.

The office door creaks open.

I sit up in my chair.

“I’m on it,” I start, but when I see Winnie’s fiery mass of curls, I stop.

She’s pale in the midday light, but just as beautiful as ever. Seeing her knocks the air from my lungs.

It’s incredible how she still does it, even after we’ve been to bed more times than I can count.

If I ever stop and wonder why the hell I’m suffering this torture, there’s my answer, writ large in big green eyes and hair that teases at a glance.

“Sorry to barge in. I know you’re busy,” she says, hands tucked behind her back.

“Not for you, Sugarbee.” I reach out an arm, and when she comes over, I settle her on my knee.

She fits there too perfectly. I take a good, long breath of her, inhaling honey and something floral and delectable.

This woman always makes my mouth water while my dick turns to diamond.

For her, I’m insatiable, never too upset to not want to be balls deep inside her.

I kiss her neck, feeling her melt into me.

For a second, I actually relax, trailing one hand up her side.

“You came to distract me?” I whisper. My cock swells in my pants at the thought of bending her over this desk and fucking her right here.

Let the phone calls from hell wait.

“Actually, I came to ask you a question,” she says breathily, shifting on my lap and making my hard-on pure steel.

“Can’t it wait, Winnie?” I nip the tender skin under her ear and she gasps. God, she’s sexy. I’ll never get over how gorgeous she is. “Ten damn minutes. That’s all I’m asking.”

“Archer…”

“Use your mouth first and it’ll be five.”

Laughing, she squirms away from my lips, straddling me as she turns to look up at me seriously.

“No, I mean it. I need to ask you something.”

Too bad.

A sweet distraction would’ve helped, but I sigh and nod, settling both hands on her thighs. She’s wearing hip-hugger jeans today and they accent her shape. I’m sure they look even better on her ass.

“Okay, go,” I tell her.

“Have you heard from the conservation people?”

“Conservation people?” I frown at her, honestly perplexed. “You mean the specialist from the state? She called earlier, wanting to come out and look at the bees, but I figured it was your doing.”

Her face whitens. The slim hand on my shoulder tenses so much it hurts.

“Are you kidding?”