Chapter 39: : Chapter 39

“Let’s try that bistro around the corner for lunch,” Theo says as we finally walk out of our design meeting. I hesitate, not sure I want to take a lunch break at all when there’s so much work left to do.

“I just want to quickly tweak my CAD based on the feedback we just received,” I tell him. Throughout the last couple of weeks, both Archer and Mark have given me an increasing amount of autonomy and responsibility, and I don’t want to let either of them down.

“Don’t even think about not eating,” he replies, his brows furrowed. “Besides, there’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about, and you’ve canceled on me at least half a dozen times now. If you won’t let me take you out for dinner, at least have lunch with me.”

I purse my lips, my eyes roaming over his face. Ever since my mother’s birthday a few weeks ago, he’s been trying to get me to have dinner with him, but something continuously comes up. Usually, it’s work, and a few times it’s been because Ezra needed help with things related to the apartment flooding.

“Sure, let’s go out for lunch,” I murmur, my tone conveying a hint of reluctance. It hits me then—in the past I’d have gone out of my way to make time for him, but I don’t feel that urge to accommodate him anymore.

“Bit late for lunch, isn’t it?”

My head snaps up at the sound of Archer’s voice, and my face instantly heats. He just looks between Theo and me, his expression conveying what I’ve come to recognize as jealousy.

“Mr. Harrison,” Theo says, smiling politely.

“Serenity,” Archer says, his tone curt. “I need a word about the design plans you submitted. Follow me.”

“Oh, mind if I join?” Theo asks, his eyes on me.

“Yes,” Archer snaps. “I mind.”

My eyes widen, and I look down as I bite back a smile, not wanting to overstep at work when what I really want to do is throw Archer a warning look. “I’ll fill you in later,” I tell Theo before rushing to catch up to Archer.

He doesn’t say a word all the way to his office, and I begin to worry something truly is wrong. “Everything okay?” I ask as soon as we step into Archer’s office.

He closes the door and reaches for me, his hands wrapping around my waist as he pushes me against the wall in one smooth move. “Do I look like I’m okay?” he asks, his forehead dropping to mine. “You know I get jealous when he looks at you with those damn puppy-dog eyes. I hate it.” A thrill runs down my spine when he tilts his head and leans in, his lips brushing against mine. “It just makes me want to remind you that you’re mine.”

I groan and slide my hands up his shoulders and around the back of his neck. “We’re at work,” I remind him in the seconds before our lips meet, my touch as eager as his. “Ezra is just a few doors down.” At work, too, he has a penchant for walking in whenever he pleases.

He kisses me like he’s desperate for me, like the distance between us has been killing him too. “I don’t care,” he groans, capturing my bottom lip between his teeth as he lifts me into his arms. My legs hook around his hips as he carries me to his desk, swiping everything off it before placing me down on top. “I need you,” he growls, his hands settling on my hips just as I push his jacket off his shoulders, breaking my own rules. Archer grins at me when I move to his slacks next, his gaze dark. “Not even going to bother with my waistcoat? You just want my cock, don’t you, darling?”

“Shut up,” I murmur as my hand wraps around it, my heart thumping wildly. “Just shut up and give it to me. It’s been so long, Archer.”

He chuckles as he spreads my legs, his eyes on mine as he shoves my panties aside, his eyes falling closed when he realizes I’m already wet and ready for him. “Missed this pussy,” he tells me as he slips a finger into me.

I shake my head and pull him closer, desperate and impatient. We haven’t managed to sleep together at all since Ezra and I moved in with Archer, and I’m at my breaking point. Each time we think we’ve got a few moments alone, we’re interrupted. The endless edging is driving me up the wall.

“Please,” I whimper when his thumb circles my clit, his eyes cataloging my every expression.

“Please what, darling? Tell me what you want.”

I tighten my grip on his cock and pump up and down the way he likes. “I want you to fuck me, Archer.”

He inhales sharply and pulls his fingers away, grabbing my hips instead as he pulls me forward so I’m perched on the edge of his desk. Our eyes lock as he lines up his cock, his grip on my hips tightening as he pushes in slowly.

“Oh God,” I moan, loving the way he stretches me out, the way he feels inside me. “More. Please, I can take it. Just give me all of it.”

He looks into my eyes, his expression a mixture of lust and adoration. “You have all of me,” he whispers right before he thrusts all the way into me, pushing into me hard and fast, his movements a little less controlled than usual.

I moan his name, and his eyes light up, his desire blazing a little brighter. There’s something about the way he looks at me that makes me weak. He looks at me like I’m his whole world, like I’m all he needs.

My head falls back when he pushes his thumb against my clit, his free hand cupping the back of my neck as his lips find mine. He kisses me like he can’t get enough of me, and I bury my hands in his hair, needing him closer.

Archer swallows down every single one of my moans, his fingers as rough as his thrusts, bringing me to the edge rapidly.

“Serenity,” he groans, pulling his mouth off mine. “I need to see you come for me. Need to hear you moan my name.” He watches me intently, his movements slower now, more intentional. “Come for me, darling.”

I give him what he wants, and he bites down on his lip as he watches me unravel, his name on my tongue. Moments later, his forehead drops against mine, the sexiest groan leaving his mouth as he comes right along with me, the two of us lost in each other, in this stolen moment.

My arms wrap around his neck, and he kisses my forehead and then my nose. “You have no idea how much I needed you,” he whispers before kissing the edge of my mouth. “Needed this.”

I cup his cheek and lean in, kissing him softly. “I do,” I whisper back, my lips moving against his with every word. “I needed it too.”

He pulls back a little and shakes his head, a hint of frustration crossing his face. “No, you don’t understand. I think I’m addicted to you,” he tells me, his gaze roaming over my face. “I’m counting down the seconds until Ezra leaves to finalize the handover of his project to Emma.”

My heart begins to beat a little faster, and I nod before I lean in to kiss his neck, quietly reveling in his words. “Three more days,” I whisper, inadvertently admitting I’m counting down the seconds until we get some alone time too.

My feelings for him have evolved into something new, something I’ve never felt before, and I’m starting to hope I’m not the only one who feels this way.