Page 36 of The Sounds of Her
I turn to look at him, standing square on. It’s dark out here, his face cast in shadows, but the sparkle of his eyes is strangely visible. I don’t miss how they sweep over my body. I lost the cardigan a while ago, so am only wearing a tank top and shorts.
“It’s warm.”
He chuckles and looks out to the ocean. After a few moments, he gets to his feet and walks to the pool. He reaches out and takes my hand, his palm is cool from holding the glass. With a gentle tug, he pulls me out of the water and leads me inside the villa.
My heart is galloping a mile a minute. I squeeze my thighs as best I can while we’re walking, my chest heaving as I try to take deep breaths. Am I going to let this happen? It’s wrong, but there is an ache growing between my legs, a desperate need to feel something. To have him touch me.
Archer walks me to the bed and sits me down on it, then takes a step back.
I blink a few times, watching him. I can see it in his face, he’s withdrawing. If it was ever his intention to do something in the first place. I’m not so sure. My face flushes. Fuck.
I’m irritated and embarrassed that I read him so wrong.
“Get some sleep, Brooke,” he says. “Things will be better tomorrow.”
“Not so sure,” I mutter, silently adding an orgasm or two would have been nice.
Archer looks at me as if he knows what I’m thinking, a smirk crossing his lips. “Drink some water before you go to bed.”
“You’re too fucking sensible for my liking, Harris.”
“Yeah, it’s a curse, Hannon,” he stares at me for a long moment, his brow crinkling as if he’s questioning his decisions.
My lips part and his eyes track over my mouth. Then he clears his throat, sets his glass on the bar and walks out the door, making sure it closes behind him. I flop back on the bed and stare at the ceiling.
I’m not here for a fling. I’m here for my best friend’s wedding.
I should call Meg and let her know I’m already here. It’s around five PM in New York, so I grab my phone.
“Hey, all set for the big vacay?” she asks in excitement.
It’s nice to hear the joy in her voice. Not too long ago, I’d listened to Megan tell me all the awful things her ex put her through, while staring at the bruises, swelling and cuts on her face.
“About that,” I say, walking into the bathroom.
There is a skylight, and before I can turn on the lights, I glance up and see the darkness of the sky with a sprinkling of stars. It really is beautiful here.
“I got an earlier flight. I want to be here to help Jenna with the preparation and figured why wait? Hope that is okay?”
“Of course it’s okay. How is she?”
“I’ve not seen her yet, it’s the middle of the night here.”
“Sorry, I should let you get some rest.”
“I called you Meg,” I laugh, and she reciprocates. “I’ll see you when you get here. The villas are gorgeous, and they have their own private pool.”
“Wow, I can’t wait. I’ve never left the US.”
“You’re gonna love it.”
“Joey says it’s our honeymoon.”
“He’s such a gooey teddy bear.” I reach into the shower to turn it on. “I’m kind of disappointed.”
Meg laughs. It’s not the first time I’ve made a comment about Joey ‘The Slayer’ being a big old softy. We say goodbye and I set the phone down, strip off my clothes and step into the shower. The water pressure is perfect, and the complimentary toiletries smell delicious.
After I’ve wrapped myself in a fluffy white towel, I drink a whole glass of water and brush my teeth, then head back to the bed. Tossing the towel, I drop naked between the sheets.