Page 75 of Whisper Sweet Nothings
“I’m tryingreal hard to do the right thing. And trust me when I tell you, it’s proving to be the most challenging thing I’ve ever done.”
This man made no sense, and my drunk ass was done with the games.
“Please. Just admit that you don’t like me that way. I get it. We kissed, and now it’s awkward for you because we work together. But this isn’t Wall Street. I’m a part-time nanny. There’s no board of directors coming for your ass.” I fell back on the bed. I was drunk, and I couldn’t look at him without seeing three Archers.
And trust me, one Archer was more than I could handle.
“I’m aware of our professional situation,” he said with a smirk. “But it’s a hell of a lot more complicated than you just working for me.”
“Explain it to me, then.” I exhaled sharply. I wanted answers. And I had the liquid courage to ask for them tonight.
“You told me that you weren’t willing to settle, and I couldn’t agree with you more. And trust me when I tell you, you’d be settling if we let things go any further.”
I shot back up to a sitting position. “I meant that I didn’t want to kiss a man who didn’t want to kiss me. You clearly ran with that one.”
His lips turned up in the corners. “What I mean is, we’re in very different places, Winnie. You’re twenty-four years old.”
“Twenty-five in a few weeks.” I wriggled my eyebrows. “Why are you so hung up on my age?”
“Well, for starters, I’m a decade older than you. At least for a few more weeks, that is.” He sighed. “But it’s not even about your age. I have a child. I’ve got nothing to offer you. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you. I’m sure you want to get married and have a family and the whole white picket fence bullshit. That’s not for me. I’m on a different path.”
I gaped at him. “That’s what you took from me saying that I wasn’t going to settle? For goodness’ sake, Archie, that’s a lot. For starters, I already got married. I’m ahead of you on that one. And look how that ended for me. So the last thing I’m thinking about is marriage and children and white picket fences. I don’t even like front yards with fences. I prefer open spaces.”
He chuckled. “You’re good for Melody, and you’re good for me. And if we let things go further, we would fuck that up.”
“Because you think I expect it to lead somewhere?” I shook my head. “From where I’m sitting, you’re the one who’s going far into the future. I just liked making out with you.”
He studied me, a wide grin spreading across his handsome face.
Damn. This man was so freaking gorgeous. The broad shoulders and tousled hair. The emerald green eyes and the peppered scruff around his jaw. He had this masculine scent of amber and cedarwood that made it difficult to think straight when I was around him.
“I liked making out with you, too.” He tucked my hair behind my ears. “I just don’t want to do anything to mess up what wehave, you know? Having you in our home has been really great, Winnie. And if I take things too far, if I hurt you, if I hurt Melody—I’d never forgive myself.”
“You put a lot of pressure on yourself. I don’t have any expectations, Archie. I’ve been divorced for seven months. I’m happy to be single. I was in a horrible relationship for a long time. I haven’t had sex in two years.” I blew out a breath. “Two years. And this”—I motioned between us—“it’s the first time I’ve felt anything. And it feels good to feel something again, you know?”
His gaze softened. “Two years?”
I laughed that that was the one thing he’d focused on. “Yes. We separated a year ago, and that last year of our marriage, we slept in separate rooms. I’m fairly certain he wasn’t faithful. He was out all the time. We were both miserable. And I poured myself into my books and my words. I came here for a fresh start. Not to find a husband or have a child. Hell, Melody is the first child I’ve even been around, and she makes a good argument for children of course, but I’m certainly not thinking about a baby of my own.”
“I’m sorry for making assumptions.” He looked away before turning his attention back to me. “I didn’t expect to be raising a child on my own, but I wouldn’t change anything. I love my daughter fiercely, and I’m used to being on my own. Sure, I go out occasionally, and I certainly haven’t gone two years without having sex, though it’s been a while for me as well. But having you in my home, in my life—it’s been nice, Winnie. And that’s terrifying for a multitude of reasons. And I don’t want to do anything to let you down, because I don’t have much to give. Not in the traditional sense.”
I laughed. And once I started, I couldn’t stop.
“Is something funny?”
“Did it ever cross your mind that I don’t want anything from you other than your lips on mine, and maybe access to your body,” I said with a chuckle, because I couldn’t believe how blunt I was being with him. “I mean, I’m grateful for your friendship, too, of course, but you’re incredibly sexy, and you make me feel things I haven’t felt in years. So I don’t have anything to offer you, either, other than my impressive nannying skills and cooking skills, and maybe I could make you feel as good as you make me feel.”
I fell back on the bed and covered my face with my hands because I’d really just said it, hadn’t I? Obviously my buzz hadn’t worn off yet to be able to admit all this. Ugh.
He fell back to lie beside me. “That’s a very impressive offer, Winnie.”
I rolled on my side. “I can’t believe I just said all of that. I clearly feel comfortable with you.”
“I mean, it’s probably because you find me incredibly sexy.” He smirked, and I swatted at his chest.
“Maybe you stop making it into more than it needs to be, Archie. We like hanging out. It doesn’t complicate things for me with Melody. And I like our friendship. I’ve never been so open with someone before.”
He ran a thumb over my little gold bow earring. “You should always say what you think.”
