I shook my head, my mouth itching to break out into a grin. “I’ve had to learn to live with the constant bullshit you’re on. I’m also curious about this romantic date.” My voice was serious but that little flame of excitement in my belly came back to life. No matter how much of a grumpy bastard I pretended to be, being the object of Easton Archer’s attention was apparently one of my new life goals.

He pushed up to kiss me and then pulled my hand as he started going down the metal spiral staircase. Once we were downstairs, he started wiggling like he was so excited about this date, he could barely contain himself. “Well, I don’t want to brag, but it’s pretty amazing.”

I went to grab my coat as he flashed me those perfect teeth. “I don’t even know when you would’ve had time. You’re in the middle of a trial.” As soon as I said it I regretted it because the light in his eyes went out completely.

“We’re trying to take one day in the week to recharge.”

Fuck, now I’d made him feel guilty. I hurried over to him as it sunk in that seeing Easton unhappy even for a second had now become unbearable for me.

“Of course you should take a day. I’ve seen all the late nights you’ve been pulling.” I bent down to kiss him, sliding my tongue with his, that immediate and complete connection powerful as always. Sometimes it felt like we’d been giving each other comfort forever.

When he pulled back he had that addled look he got sometimes, the one that made me feel ten feet tall, and I decided to say exactly what was on my mind. “I’m honored you’d want to spend your day off with me.”

He lifted a shoulder then, a cheeky smile on his lips. “Well, everyone else was busy, so I figured I’d take you.”

I walked by him to the door and smacked his ass. “Come on, let’s go get your plan to sweep me off my feet on the road, Mr. Archer.”

Easton

“So what other books have you been reading? What Chris Hayes is breaking down isn’t exactly light reading,” Patrice asked, as we drove to the stable where I’d arranged our date. The closer we got, the more concerned I got that the frigid weather was going to mess up my plans. So I turned my attention to Patrice’s questions.