Page 5 of Archer (Dirty Misfits MC 3)
“Why do I get the feeling you’re a health-nut that always tries to find healthy options to genuine fast-food cravings?”
And when he answered me, his eyes sparkled. “Because you can peg me as easily as I peg you.”
I smirked. “A guy who likes a good pegging. That’s a first.”
He barked with laughter and the sound filled me with joy. For some reason, I knew I’d be okay with this man. I knew he’d protect me and keep me safe, even though I’d only been in his presence for an hour, tops.
“Okay, I’ll go with you. But only if you whip up this amazing, healthier Chinese food meal for me. Got it?” I asked.
His laughter slowly tapered down, and he took my hand in his. “It’s a deal.”
I squeezed his hand. “But we need to head back to my place to get some of my things. I’ll need to pack some clothes, some toiletries, and just generally bring some of my things from home that give me comfort.”
He nodded. “I’ll have Porter and Astrid follow us so they can help out, because the quicker we get in and out, the less risk we take on. You think you’re strong enough to ride on the back of my bike?”
“Yeah, I can cling on hard enough as long as you take it slow.”
“No drifting around turns. Got it.”
I giggled and shook my head. “You’re a real doozy, aren’t you?”
And when he winked at me, my heart fluttered in my chest. “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”
After catching my breath and resting for a little while, Archer let Astrid back into the room. Breaking the news to her was easier than I expected, but when Porter appeared at the door—looming over all of us—I knew he had spoken with her. I wanted to thank him, but I also didn’t want to call him out on something that was probably supposed to be kept between himself and my best friend.
So, I simply thanked Astrid for understanding before we all headed out.
Holding tightly to Archer as we rode off toward my apartment filled me with a warmth I couldn’t explain. He was comfortable despite his chiseled muscles, and the rumbling of his bike soothed my soul rather than hurt my bruised bones. I pressed my helmeted cheek against his back and closed my eyes, allowing the warm summer wind to wrap around me as we blazed a trail toward my home.
And when we pulled into my complex, Astrid helped me up the stairs.
“Why did I get the impression that you still lived in your childhood home?” she asked.
I giggled. “Because I do still spend a lot of time there. It’s just hard for me to keep living there after so much happened.”
“So, you still own the place?”
I nodded slowly. “Yeah. I haven’t had the stomach to rent it out, but I can’t live in it, if that makes any sense.”
Porter scoffed. “She sounds like Brooks.”
Astrid giggled. “Hey, I’m not judging. To each their own.”
I’d never known her to be so nonchalant about things, and I figured Porter was rubbing off on her in a good way. Still, once we got into my apartment, I set my sights on packing. My place hadn’t been tossed and it didn’t look like anyone had been in there, so that made me feel a bit more secure with things. I still felt weak, though.
However, hanging onto a hot ass guy on the back of a motorcycle helped me to feel not so pathetic.
“You tell us what to pack and we’ll pack it for you,” Archer murmured.
He helped me over to my rocker recliner and helped me to sit down. “You sure? I’m not so beat up that I can’t help.”
He stared into my eyes. “Rest. Now, where are your suitcases?”
I pointed down the hallway. “Door at the end, suitcases are in my closet. You can leave the clothes that are hanging up there, but everything in my dresser drawer needs to be packed up.”
Astrid walked into the conversation. “What about toiletries? Everything in your shower and around the sink?”
I nodded. “And grab an extra set of my shampoo and conditioner. It’s below the bathroom sink.”
Porter made his way into the kitchen. “Got any snacks, vitamins, or shit like that you want to take with you?”
I paused. “Actually, there’s coffee and snacks in the pantry, if you’d like to pack those up.”
Archer pulled away from me. “So long as they’re healthy snacks.”
Porter chuckled. “She doesn’t need a diet, man. She needs food.”
Archer corrected him. “She needs healthy food to repair her injuries. Her body is going to use a lot of energy to—”
I waved my hand in the air. “Blah, blah, blah, just pack it up, will ya?”
Archer peered over his shoulder at me and tossed me a look that told me we’d revisit the topic, but then he winked again. And I swear, a warmth unlike anything I’d ever experienced before filled me from my toes to my nose. It was as if a tidal wave of pure energy knocked me clear off my feet, carrying me away to a sweet paradise where I wasn’t covered in stitches and bruises.
