Page 23 of Three Reckless Words

Only, his fingers are surprisingly gentle as he tugs my hands away from my face, hiding the pathetic mess I’ve become.

When I dare to look, there’s something almosttenderin his eyes. An empathy I don’t expect.

No way. I have to be misreading things in my own scrambled brain.

This is Archer, Mr. Heartless Incarnate. King of Silent Threats and Barked Orders.

Jesus, Winnie, stop crying.

“Hey.” His voice crackles like a warm fire. Not fair. “Winnie, shit. I’m sorry about the bee.”

I want to tell him to let go, to walk away and leave me with my crazy self, but instead I choke on another sob. It’s so disgustingly wet I make a noise that’s half mewling cat and part parrot.

Yep. I’m about to die from mortification.

If the ground could open up and swallow me right now, that would be cool. I think I could start over in India or China on the other side of the world.

Wherever Dad has no reach.

But the ground doesn’t open, of course.

And when Archer releases one hand, I don’t even fight to free the other. There’s something comforting about the way his huge fingers envelop my skinny wrist.

“We’ll work something out,” he tells me. “Whatever the hell I think, it’s not a hard rule. I could be convinced.”

There’s something so weirdly reassuring about his promise, this steely-eyed stranger bending rules for me in my darkest hour.

All I can do is nod as he leads me back to the cabin.

4

ALL BEES-NESS (ARCHER)

Ishould have fucking known this would happen.

First Dexter, with Haute and Junie and that whole fake fiancée mess. Then Patton and Salem with his surprise son and an unthinkable betrayal that brought them together.

Two marriages.

Two ridiculous, dangerous situations that could’ve torpedoed the company and a whole lot more.

Now, it’s my turn at the drama wheel.

All over a damn woman.

Thankfully, I’m immune to falling in love.

Been there, done that. Mistakes made and lessons learned.

That’s what happens every time, though, whether we like it or not. Maybe it’s some weird curse on the men in the Rory family.

After witnessing my brothers’ chaos, I always figured trouble might find me again someday.

Still, I never expected it to come from a woman this young and troubled.

Not from this annoyingly strange, beautiful, wounded, bee-obsessed weirdo who’s currently wiping her face and trying togather her thoughts. At least she’s using tissues now instead of my sleeve.

I can’t decide if she’s an easy paycheck or somebody who’ll lose it and light this place on fire. Total wild card.

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