Chapter Ten

CHAPTER TEN

Archer

M y body is good at automatically waking up on time. I’ve never been the type who needs an alarm clock, my internal one kicking in early every morning.

I’m surprised that East didn’t pull out of my hold all night. He doesn’t seem like he’d be a real cuddly guy. I take a moment to look at him. He’s on his side, facing away from me. His eyes are closed, his features softer than usual. Like normally he’s trying so damn hard for something—what, I don’t know—but in this moment, he’s not fighting anything.

I wanted so bad to fuck him last night, but I also want to be careful with him. I want him to know that as much as I desire him, it’ll always be important to me to do what’s right for him too. Not in a way that says I don’t believe East can take care of himself—he’s been doing that for too long—but in a way that he knows he doesn’t have to. That no matter what, I’ll be good to him.

I kiss his shoulder, and his eyes pop open. He stiffens for a moment, and then his brows pinch together in this cute way they do when he’s thinking about something.

“I fell asleep.”

“People tend to do that at night.” I kiss his temple, let my lips linger there a moment. As soon as I pull back, East sits up on the edge of the bed.

I move over behind him so my legs are on each side of him, my chest against his back. “This okay?”

“Who knew you were like a fucking starfish?”

I laugh. The thing is, I’m usually not. It just feels right being close to him. I hope it’s soothing something inside him, and in doing that, it will soothe something inside me too. “I gotta head out. I have work, but I need to go home first.” My uniform is there, and my firearm is locked in my safe. “Can I see you tonight?”

“You have eyes, don’t you?”

“Someone is grumpy in the morning,” I tease.

“If you haven’t realized I’m grumpy all the time, you’re not paying attention.”

“True, but inside I think you’re a big old marshmallow.”

He chuckles. “Whatever. You know I’ll be here. Get some condoms so you can fuck me this time. If you’re gonna be here, I should at least get an orgasm out of it.”

I’d be an idiot not to see what he’s doing, that East is using sex as a way to allow himself to spend more time with me, that if he can come up with a reason for us to hang out, it will be easier for him. Maybe I’m just full of myself, but I think he wants me around. He called me last night, and that had to be so fucking hard for him…and the way he clutched me, the way he wanted me inside him so damn much, makes me feel like he’s touch starved, and when we’re together, he allows himself to get something he needs.

I want to be that for him, and not just because I want to fuck him, but because he’s East and he’s already got me wrapped around his damn finger more than he’ll ever believe. It’ll be a fine line to walk, but I can find a way for us to lose ourselves in each other’s bodies, while also showing him that’s not the only reason I’m here. That his friendship, or whatever the fuck this is, means more to me than just that.

“I can do that. And if you want, we can also get tested. I need to anyway.”

He shrugs like it doesn’t matter to him, but then says, “That’d make things easier.”

My heart jumps, getting lodged in my throat. That sounded like he’s acknowledging it will be more than a tonight thing. It’s on the tip of my tongue to thank him, which is some wild shit. I’ve never thanked someone for sex before, but this is East, and everything is different with him. Every step with him feels like he’s giving me this gift he doesn’t give others.

I sure as shit won’t allow myself to let him down.

He stands up, and I watch him—his sinewy body as he goes to his dresser, grabs a pair of boxer briefs, and tugs them on. “I thought you had to go.”

I can’t help but laugh. “I don’t know why it’s so cute when you’re prickly.”

“You got some strange kinks.”

“Yeah, well, blame yourself for that. It’s only with you.”

He crosses his arms, studying me as I grab my clothes and get dressed. We head downstairs together, Pretty Girl and Casanova dancing around and waiting for us.

“They’re used to sleeping in my room,” he says as I bend down and give them loves.

“I had a sleepover with your daddy. We won’t lock you out next time.”

His gaze burns against my skin. Not in a bad way, but one that tells me he’s curious. Easton is always watching me, like he’s waiting for me to turn on him, on them.

“I’ll see you guys tonight,” I tell the dogs before putting my shoes on and turning to him. “I’ll see you tonight too.”

“Go to work, Archer.”

“Bossy.” I hold his chin and kiss him. “We’ll talk tonight.”

“Who said anything about talking?” he calls out to me, but I just snicker and slip out the door.

I have a dumbass smile on my face the whole way home, while I shower and get ready for work too. I’m… giddy , which is strange and a little embarrassing.

I can’t say being a patrol officer in Birchbark is an exciting job. That’s a good thing in all the ways that matter. We want calm and steady. I’ve always been a calm and steady guy, but sometimes I can’t help feeling like I’m not doing the kind of good I’d hoped to put into the world.

There are three other officers in the station when I get there, talking to each other.

“I can’t help wondering who will be mayor when Gregory Swift retires at the end of this term,” Jones says.

“We all assumed it would be Rhett. I feel like something is going on with that family,” Martinez replies.

Craig looks up and sees me. He’s a dick. I’ve never gotten along with him. He’s a smug bastard who thinks he’s better than everyone else. “And then we have Thorn over here, who has appointed himself keeper of the youngest Swift. I can’t figure out why you bother with him.”

“Hey, back the fuck off, man. You don’t need to be talking about him or anyone else that way.”

Craig holds up his hands. “I didn’t mean shit by it. I just don’t get it. You know it doesn’t look good for you to be…whatever the fuck it is you are with him.”

“Friends? There’s no reason I can’t be that.” But really, in some ways, there is. I know how this works, and it doesn’t look good. And it sure as shit could stir up trouble if they knew I was sleeping with him. An officer of the law spending time with someone who has a record is obviously frowned upon. Plus, what if East messes up again and someone says I’m giving him preferential treatment?

Realistically, I already have.

“All I’m saying is, be careful. He’s trouble. Everyone in this town knows it. You don’t want that to look bad on you, is all.”

Damn, I hate that mindset, hate writing off people the way Craig is doing with East. I’d hate it with anyone, but the way my pulse slams against my skin and my gut tightens even more is because he’s talking about East. “He was protecting a woman.”

“That time,” Craig argues.

“He’s not trouble.” It’s probably stupid of me to argue like this, but I don’t care. I’m not going to let him talk down about East.

“I don’t really care if he is. Was just trying to give you some friendly advice, is all. Ignore me if you want.” Craig shrugs. “I’m gonna head out.”

After Craig leaves, Martinez says, “Forget about him, Thorn. You know how he is.”

“He just likes to hear himself speak,” Jones adds.

They’re right, but a lot of people will look at the situation with East just like Craig does.

It’d be smart to nip this in the bud, to pull back from spending time with him and to keep our relationship on not only a platonic level, but more of an acquaintance as well.

But there’s no use even considering doing that because I won’t…and I don’t want to either.