“Abso-fucking-lutely! Mimi’s dumplings are the world's greatest,” she claims, taking a huge bite out of a fat piece of dough. “Don’t tell Belinda I said that, but hers don’t touch Mimi’s. She gave me the recipe to make my own, but they didn’t turn out the same. I swear she uses a secret ingredient.”

I chuckle. “I’m so relieved you’re home.”

She leans into me. “I’ve missed your warmth.”

“I’ve missed your leg being dead weight on top of mine. And grabbing your ass in the mornings.”

“I’ve missed your cock inside me.”

I nearly choke. “About that...”

“Oh, you better not be breaking it off with me. I’ve been through enough bullshit already,” she warns.

“Never. But it’s another reason you need to take it easy and recover quicker.”

“So you can break me all over again?”

I smirk. “You better believe it, sweetheart. No sex until you recover.”

She gives me a look of disapproval. “We’ll see about that.”

After we’re finished eating, Everleigh asks if we can watch a movie. Sassy jumps on the couch, and we cover up with a blanket. She snuggles in close to me, and I gently hold her.

“Scary or funny?” she asks, clicking on the Netflix app.

“Lady’s choice.”

She gives me an evil grin as she starts the first episode of a Ted Bundy documentary. I chuckle at her choice, but then my mind wanders. I think about the woman who stabbed Everleigh, then my thoughts move to Krystal—who I’m still concerned about getting her revenge.

I press my lips to her forehead and she lets out a small sigh of contentment. “This won’t ever get old.”

“What’s that?”

She snuggles a little closer. “Being here with you, just like this.”

“I’ll never leave you, baby,” I say, hoping it’s a promise I can keep.

“You better not,” she scolds.

I press my lips to hers, running my fingers through her hair, and she moans against my mouth.

“If I wouldn’t have gotten shanked, you’d be naked right now,” she blurts out when we pull away.

“Be a good girl, and follow the doctor's orders, and we might be able to arrange something soon.”

Everleigh gives me an evil grin and slides her hand over my cock. “This is harder than I thought. Literally.”

Chapter Three

EVERLEIGH

It feels good to be home and sleeping in Archer’s arms again. The last few days since I was released from the hospital have been rough. My body lets me know when I’m exhausted, and I have to slow down. It’s been a wake-up call, and I’ve learned that I can’t go, go, go. I get fatigued easily, which is annoying, but I’m trying to follow my doctor’s orders.