Page 24 of Shots Fired

Archer’s sitting on a king-size bed, typing something on his phone when I walk into the dimly lit room.

“Hey,” I say, holding the door handle with a shaky hand. I have no right to be this nervous. I turn my back on him and push the door closed, taking a second to get ahold of myself.It’s just Archer.“Sorry, I got caught up, talking with Jenna.”

A hand lands on my shoulder, twisting my body around to face the room and, consequently, him. Any calm I managed to gain in the last few seconds completely dissipates.

“I don’t have a girlfriend.” Archer cuts through the small talk.

He’s only inches from me, and I can feel his body heat as it radiates into mine.

This boy is intense.

Swallowing thickly, I look up into bright blue eyes. He takes full advantage of our height difference, cupping my chin in his warm and slightly rough palm.

“I don’t have a girlfriend,” he repeats, his voice gruff and serious.

“Umm, okay,” I stammer, pressing my back into the door.

He moves another inch closer, and my lungs tighten, like he’s crushing me. Yet, aside from his hand on my chin, we aren’t touching.

He grins, but I can’t tell if it’s driven by happiness or something else. It feels like there’s no air in the room as I grapple to form coherent thoughts. There’s that look he had in his eyes a few days ago, piercing and wanting, and it settles between my thighs as he holds me captive while I wait for him to elaborate on his relationship status.

A few pieces of dark hair fall over his forehead as he looks down at me, his platinum chain shining in the glow of the room. “That’s all you’ve got to say about it?”

My chest grows tighter. “I don’t know what to say, Archer. I’m confused. Jack just said you’re seeing a girl called Abbie.”

He shakes his head, still grinning. “She doesn’t exist, Doll.”

I hear his words and process what he’s saying, but my brain can’t push past what he just called me.

“Doll?” I whisper. It’s more of a question than a statement.

“Doll,” he repeats. “You’re my doll, Darcy.”

My head spins, and the floor lamp on the other side of the room—the only source of light—begins to blur under the intense weight of information.

“Say something.” Archer is the first to speak, his delicious breath fanning my dry lips.

I run my tongue across my bottom lip, and he tracks the movement, imitating my action.

“Did you buy me the tote bag?”

His head falls forward on a deep chuckle, and he releases my chin, resting his on my forehead. “You’re so fucking cute—you know that?”

I feel antsy and confused, and it shows in my tone. “Did you gift me the bag or not?”

His laughter trails off. “Yes. Did you bring it with you tonight?”

He did buy it for me.

More tingles shimmer down my spine. I’m not experienced when it comes to guys. In fact, I’ve only ever slept with Liam. So far, my quest to have fun and play the field has not been particularly lucrative. And all of a sudden, in this darkened space, with one of the most confident guys I’ve ever met, I feel every bit of that inexperience, along with all the butterflies he elicited in the bar.

I try not to let it show. I don’t want Archer to think that being here, alone with him, isn’t what I want. I can try and convince myself it’s not, just like I’m sure so many other girls before me have done. I’d only be lying to myself though—the disappointment I felt when I found out about Abbie only evidences that.

“I did. Was I not supposed to?”

He lifts his head and looks at me again, darkened eyes only deepening. “I want it to be your new favorite bag, so, yeah, I’d say you did exactly right.”

I’m convinced he’s going to kiss me. He looks like he wants to as he presses his leg between my knees, his jeans rubbing deliciously against the sensitive skin on my thighs.

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