Page 49 of Shots Fired

DARCY

The way this boy undresses me—like it’s his birthday and I’m the only gift he’s ever wished for. It’s all-consuming. I sense he’s trying to hold back from tearing the clothes from my body, determined to savor each part of the process.

I feel the same way. I would be lying if I said I didn’t. Archer is a work of art—every curve to his abs exquisite and refined over years of gym work and conditioning.

And now that I’m seeing the man beneath the bravado and beautiful body, I can’t help but get sucked into him further. He might’ve slept with more women than he can remember, and he might want to bury the memories of those he can recall, but I’m confident the man before me is not the version the rest of the world has seen. The trouble is that realization both excites and terrifies me. Even though he isn’t asking for it, I know I’m not ready to put my heart on the line and go for more. With anyone.

He’s kneeling between my feet as I sit on the edge of my bed, palms flat to the mattress and supporting my weight. Just like when he ate me out and tasted us both, I want to watch thecareful way he peels down my tights. He tosses them across my bedroom, along with my cardigan, and then brings his hands to the hem of my dress. I sit up straighter and lift my arms, allowing him to pull it off in one motion.

Now I’m only wearing a lacy pink bralette and matching thong, but Archer remains kneeling, running his hands up my thighs on a deep exhale.

“What are you thinking about?” I ask quietly.

He shakes his head, though it isn’t negative, more in awe. It’s possible he doesn’t realize he’s looking at me in this way, or maybe I’m being sucked in even deeper. But getting naked with the Blades goalie is one of my favorite things.

“Reconsidering my religious beliefs,” he whispers against my navel between kisses.

“What do you mean?” I half laugh.

He works his way up my body, kissing past my sternum before finding the underside of my jaw. “Because I think I just found a reason to pray.” He reaches my mouth, sweeping his tongue against mine. “You know you’re incredible, Darcy. And if you don’t, then you should start believing it, right the fuck now.”

I hold my breath, tingles dancing along my skin, all in response to his mouth.

He leans into me, and I collapse onto the bed, scooting back so he can climb on while we continue to kiss.

“Are you sure you’re up to this? You’ve been really sick.” He asks the question, although I can see the same desperation in his eyes that I feel deep in my core.

We’ve been vulnerable with each other, and I trust him to go gentle—not just with my mind, but with my body also. Even though I’m exhausted, I’m needy to relive the orgasms he gave me in his bed.

“Just go easy with me.” I’m already panting, my shallow breathing has nothing to do with the infection I’m recovering from.

He smiles into my mouth, tongue running along my bottom lip. “Lie back on the pillows, Doll. Let me look after you.”

A second later, I’m exactly where he wants me, watching as he pops the button on his jeans and pulls them down his thighs. Naturally, my eyes fall to the tattoo, and I pull in a breath when his boxers go as well. Somehow, his dick looks even bigger than it did last time.

Next, he removes his shirt until he’s fully naked in front of me. Archer pulls down my damp thong, and I reach behind my back, unclipping my bralette and tossing it onto the floor.

He lazily pumps himself, lying down beside me. “Roll onto your side for me.”

“But then we won’t have eye contact,” I reply, remembering what he said the first night we hooked up.

Archer kisses my shoulder. “This is very different. Tonight is about going slow and being gentle. I promise I’ll make you feel special like this.”

My stomach flips in the best way, and I do as he asked, facing away from him as he pulls me into his body. His hard cock presses into my ass, the cold metal piercings a delicious contrast to my burning skin.

“I’m obsessed with your hair.” He pulls it away from my neck, wrapping it around his fist. Next, his lips caress just below my ear. “I’m obsessed with your skin.”

He kisses me, and I moan quietly.

Archer slides his arm underneath us both, placing his warm palm over my heart. “But mostly, I’m obsessed with this right here. Don’t let anyone break it again, Darcy. It’s too kind and trusting and all the things a real man would never take for granted.”

For a brief second, he pulls his hips back before entering me slowly.

He releases a low moan I feel against my back.

“Is that good?” he whispers against my already-pebbled skin. “Your heartbeat tells me it is.”

I answer his question by hooking my leg over his, spreading me wider.

---