Page 129 of Resist

His words stagger me. My blind acceptance of them even more so when I’ve always bucked anything to do with being with someone.

Trust is hard for both of us, but we’re both trying.

He’s right. Right when I never noticed it. Right when I lowered my guard and started trusting without ever telling myself it was okay to.

“So no defining, then?” I ask.

“No defining.”

“And here I thought you invited me here to make me your sex slave,” I murmur, needing humor to abate the overwhelming wave of emotion surging through me.

“Sex slave, huh?” The heat of his breath warms my skin and pulls me to the here and now. “That might have its benefits.”

“You’re insatiable, Mr. Lockhart.”

“Lucky for you.”

“Lucky for me,” I agree.

And we sit like this with smiles on our lips, completely content and comfortable in each other’s silence as we just enjoy being with each other for some time.

“Now . . . about that licking . . . ,” I say after a bit.

“Mmm. I thought you’d never ask.”

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

Ryker

“Vaughn Sanders? Is that you?” The voice catches me off guard, and I know it sure as hell catches Vaughn unaware by her reaction.

“Archer?” Her face lights up in a smile as she pulls the owner of the voice into a bear hug. They look at each other for a second, both grinning stupidly.

“Ryker Lockhart, nice to meet you,” I assert and reach my hand out.

The man turns to face me. He’s my height, good build, and as polished as money can buy but with a hint of edge to him that screams that he definitely did not do what his mom and dad paid for his Ivy League education to do.

“Oh,” he says, looking at me and then back to Vaughn with a lift of his brows. “Archer Collins, and no, I’ve never dated and have no interest in dating your woman, so you can calm that alpha male thing down some and realize I’m not a threat.” He winks and shakes my hand.

He’s either gay or blind if he has no interest in Vaughn.

“That makes me like you but question your judgment all at the same time.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time my judgment’s been questioned,” he says with a pat on the side of my arm and a laugh.

“You’re here?” he says to Vaughn. “You brought her here?” he asks me.

“Yes,” Vaughn says. “In fact, I feel like we’ve been everywhere today.”

“Let me guess,” he says. “The lighthouse, the winery, a walk on the beach—”

“And now some lobster rolls,” I complete for him as I try to make the connection. “I’ll go order some while you guys chat.”

“Well, aren’t you the perfect guy,” he says with a flair that makes me shake my head and laugh.

It takes a few minutes for me to order the food and find a table on the busy patio. I can hear Vaughn’s laugh every now and again as I wave hello to a few residents I know by name. Others stop by the table and ask how long I’m in town or about my mother, who frequents the Hamptons often.

Just as Vaughn sits down at the table, the food is delivered.