Page 56 of Three Reckless Words

I sniff back the ugliness, wiping under my eyes. “That’s crazy generous, but I’m no expert. I don’t have a degree in entomology or anything. I just love bees.”

“False modesty. You’re a bee nerd and you ought to be proud of it.”

“No, really, I…” I finally figure out what he’s doing. “Oh. Well, I mean, I guess I’m notnotan expert.”

“There we go.” Just like that, he slides an arm around my shoulders and tucks me against him.

I look up to find his eyes fixed on my face. Such warmth, such fire, it curls my toes and sends heat flooding my veins.

Twisting to get a better look at him, I balance myself with a hand on his arm. It feels way too natural, too easy, too close to a real attraction.

If we’re not careful, this could get very weird. Especially if I can’t make myself care whether or not it’s right and—

“Dad! Hey, Dad!” Colt comes pounding through the kitchen to where we’re standing.

Archer springs back, releasing me like I just burned him. His cheeks are heated and mine are definitely torched.

Why do they always say karma’s a bitch?

Because I think déjà vu might be worse.

Colt stops and looks between us, but his eyes are wide with whatever news he’s brought, demanding his dad’s attention.

“Um, just thought I’d let you know Mom’s here,” he says urgently.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh, flaming crap. Thewife.

How could I forget?

Just thinking a man like this would be alone with a kid, that’s the height of insanity.

About as crazy as almost kissing a married man and then blubbering all over him.

Archer takes another step away from me and clears his throat as I stare numbly at the cake, feeling like I’ve had a bucket of cold water tossed in my face.

Archer has a wife. Colt’s mom.

Of course, of course.

And while he was comforting me, all soft and sexy and tender, I let my idiot brain fly off into fantasyland, where men built like oak trees and richer than sin magically fall in love with girls who have nothing but honey to their names.

I willingly forgot there must be a woman in his life.

It all makes perfect sense, though.

But for some reason I don’t dare focus on, the thought of a wife stings. It’s becoming a huge effort to breathe for a different reason now.

Congratulations, Winnie Emberly.

You just won the Too Stupid To Live award.

8

BEE IN YOUR EAR (ARCHER)

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