Chapter 28: : Chapter 28

“God, I’m so tired,” Theo tells me as I pack my bag, glad our workday seems to have flown by for once. I nod absent-mindedly, my mind on Ezra and finding a way to see Archer tonight without making him suspicious. He got back home yesterday and doesn’t have a trip scheduled for another two weeks. It makes me feel terrible, but I kind of wish we weren’t living together, so I wouldn’t have to explain my absence.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when Archer and I started seeing each other, but I definitely never expected him to make me feel so cherished and wanted. I didn’t think he’d fulfill emotional needs that I didn’t even realize I had.

“Serenity?”

“Hmm?” I murmur, snapping out of my thoughts to find Theo staring at me, his chair close to mine.

“Did you even hear a word I said?” Theo asks, frustrated.

“I’m sorry,” I tell him, realizing I’ve been entirely unable to focus on him because I was thinking of Archer. “What were you saying? I just didn’t really sleep well last night, and honestly, I’m ready for bed.”

I managed to sneak out of the house late last night, surprising Archer in bed. Having to wait till I’m sure Ezra is fast asleep is exhausting, and having to sneak back in early in the morning leaves me with very little time to actually sleep.

Theo stares at me, his gaze conflicted. “You’ve been like this for a while now, a bit absent-minded. Even when you came over for dinner, you were mostly on your phone.” He hesitates, and my stomach drops. I’m not sure I can lie to him if he asks me anything outright. If Kristen hadn’t interrupted at dinner, I probably would’ve admitted who I was texting then.

“Come to think of it, I forgot to thank Kristen that day,” I rush to say, eager to change the topic as I rise to my feet. “That pasta she made was incredible, and the wine was too. I had a great time.”

He blinks in confusion as he falls into step with me. “You did?” he asks, his voice tinged with disbelief.

I grin at him. “Of course,” I lie. “I got to hang out with two of my closest friends and have some of my favorite food. What’s not to love?” The lies come easier now, the words feeling lighter. This is exactly what I’d hoped to be able to do someday—at least pretend I’m happy for them. If not for Archer, I may never have managed it.

“I see,” he says as we pause in front of the elevator, his tone not quite what I expected it to be. He sounds conflicted. Does he realize I’m merely pretending?

“Serenity. Theo.”

I look up to find Archer walking up to us, and my heart skips a beat as I take in the pinstripe three-piece suit he’s wearing. All day, I expected to catch a glimpse of him, only to be disappointed. I didn’t think I’d see him until tonight, if at all, and I can’t help but smile despite my fluster.

“Mr. Harrison,” I say, loving the way his gaze darkens as it briefly roams over the red dress I’m wearing today. He keeps his face impassive, but I’ve learned to read his eyes, and I know he likes what he’s seeing.

“On your way home?” he asks, his tone polite and friendly, even as he steps between Theo and me.

“We are,” Theo says, sounding a little frustrated. “I thought maybe we could go grab that ice cream you said you wanted to try on our way home?”

Archer’s fingers brush against mine, and my heart begins to beat a little faster. “Maybe some other time,” I tell Theo just as the elevator doors open. Ezra is still in a meeting, so Archer and I only have an hour or so before he gets home, and I’d like to make the most of it.

He leans back in the elevator, still standing between Theo and me, a surprisingly smug smile on his face. “Can I offer you a ride, Serenity?”

My gaze cuts to his, and I bite back a smile as heat rushes to my cheeks, my mind replaying what he texted me an hour ago. I need you to ride my cock, darling.

“I’d love that,” I tell him, reveling in the way he smirks, the two of us enjoying our little inside joke.

“How about tomorrow?” Theo asks. “Let me buy you some ice cream tomorrow. You used to love getting ice cream together, and I don’t want to let that tradition die.”

I tense, longing emanating from my chest. He’s right. Those were moments I really looked forward to, when it’d just be me and him after class, and we’d talk about anything and everything. “Sounds good,” I tell him.

Archer tenses beside me and places his hand on my lower back. “Let’s go,” he says, his tone a little colder now as he leads me to his car. He holds the door open for me as usual, but he doesn’t quite look at me.

“You’re mad,” I murmur when he still hasn’t said a word halfway home.

“No,” he says, denying it. “I’m jealous.”

I turn my head, my lips parting in surprise. “What? Why would you be jealous?”

He reaches for me and places his hand on my thigh, just under the hem of my dress. “I told you that I don’t share, Serenity. I wasn’t referring to just your body. I hate the idea of you sitting next to him, having ice cream together and pretending it’s a fucking date.”

I place my hand over his, unsure what to say. “He’s got a girlfriend. I’m not delusional, Archer. I know I can’t have him, that it’s not a date. The reason I’m trying so hard to get over Theo is so I can preserve my friendship with him. Avoiding him altogether isn’t going to help.”

He pulls his hand away as he parks the car. “I see,” he tells me, throwing me a polite smile before getting out of the car and walking around it.

“Archer,” I murmur as we step into the elevator together. “Don’t be jealous…” He raises a brow when I push against his chest, until I’ve got him pressed against the wall. I move to stand between his legs and rise to my tiptoes, our eyes locking before I lean in and kiss him. He groans in approval and cups the back of my head as he deepens our kiss, his movements languid, teasing.

I squirm against him, and he chuckles against my lips. “Darling,” he whispers, just as the elevator chimes. I step back, and he reaches for my hand with a smile on his face. I grin at him as he pulls me to his door, letting go of me to unlock it.

We walk in, only to pause when we find Ezra standing in Archer’s living room, a beer in his hand. He frowns when he sees me, and my stomach drops.