So far, the hardest thing has been not being at work. Thankfully, Lexie keeps me updated with everything going on at the shop, which helps some of my anxiety about not being there. She’s loving the extra hours, but I also don’t want her to burn out. I owe her a raise and so much more for keeping the boutique running.

As I peel myself off the couch, my phone vibrates. It’s a group text from my besties. If it weren’t for Netflix, Archer, and my friends keeping me company, I might’ve already gone crazy. Though, I’ve been loving the alone time with Archer.

Gemma: So enough time has passed. Spill the fucking beans on what’s going on with you two.

Katie: Yeah, we’re tired of waiting! At this rate, I’ll be a grandma.

Everleigh: OMG. You two are so dramatic!

I laugh and go to my room to grab some clothes before I take a shower.

Archer’s in the kitchen, shirtless and eating yogurt.

“Damn, you’re just gonna tease me like that?” He scans his eyes down my ripped shirt and baggy yoga pants.

I snort. “Wait. You think I’m the tease? No, look at you, sir. Might as well be walking around naked showing off your tats like that.”

He places a thumb in the band of his boxers, lowering them down to show his hip bone. “I think I can make that happen.”

“Ugh,” I groan, tempted to do very bad things to him. “Stop it, or you’re gonna give me lady blue balls again.”

He nearly chokes on his food. “You gotta watch what you say when I’m eating because I don’t think you could give me the Heimlich.”

“Oh, that’s true. I’ll make sure you’re done swallowing next time.”

With a brow popped, he asks, “Going to shower?”

I lean against the doorframe. “You know it. Wanna help? I don’t want to slip and fall or anything...”

Archer throws the empty yogurt in the trash, then moves toward me in long strides. My eyes gravitate toward his abs and his sexy V that I want to run my tongue up and down. He notices my mood shift and runs his fingers through my hair when he’s close. Before dipping his mouth down, I tilt my head up, giving him the perfect angle to gently slide his lips across mine. I moan against him, wishing I had the strength to please him in all the ways he deserves.

“Let’s get you clean, dirty girl,” he growls against the shell of my ear, playfully patting my ass.

I swallow hard, then lead us to the shower. Archer carefully undresses me, pulling my shirt above my arms because I still don’t have full range of motion. I haven’t worn a bra since I was released, so my breasts are on full display.