Chapter 45

The water was warm against my skin. Archer's arms wrapped around me. I couldn't help but lose myself in the heat of the moment. The weightlessness was a new layer of excitement. His skin brushed against mine. I hooked my leg around him, pulling him closer.

Archer's touch left me with a burning desire that threatened to consume all reason and restraint. Every kiss, every caress, felt like we were discovering each other for the first time. I could feel his heart beating against mine, our connection transcending mere physical intimacy. In that instant, I knew that this man was meant for me, that our souls were intertwined in ways I couldn't explain.

With my body clinging to his, he slowly moved toward the edge of the pool. I was suspended in the water with only his body pushing against mine keeping my head above the water.

Our bodies entwined in a dance of desire. Archer's eyes bored into mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. I knew at that moment that this was more than a fleeting attraction. It was something deeper, something profound that defied all logic and reason.

The water around us seemed to hum with energy as our lips met in another searing kiss. I gave myself over to the moment completely, reveling in the raw passion.

His hand slid between us, grabbing my breast and cupping it gently, his thumb brushing over my erect nipple. I moaned softly as his fingers traced a path down my stomach.

He pulled back slightly, his eyes dark with desire and need. "You know how sexy you are?" he asked.

"You make me feel sexy," I replied.

"When I'm sitting in that corner at the library, watching you buzz around, all I think about is getting my hands on you."

Feeling his rough fingers trail down my body, I couldn't help but blush at the thought. "Really?" I asked, trying to keep my composure.

Archer's mouth curved into a devilish grin. "Oh, absolutely. I've fantasized about doing this to you for days. Maybe not just this. You keep giving me those books to read and I get some pretty wild fantasies going."

"Tell me," I whispered, reaching down to grab his erection.

He smiled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I've thought about tying you to that desk, taking you right there. I've imagined you bent over the counter, your ass in the air, moaning my name as I take you from behind. I've dreamt of us making love on the library floor, surrounded by all those books." He breathed the words into my ear, sending shivers of excitement and anticipation coursing through me.

His erection twitched as I continued to stroke it, my fingers wrapped around its length. "What would you do?" I asked breathlessly, my heart pounding with desire.

Archer's eyes locked with mine, a fierce intensity in their depths. "I would do anything to make you feel the same pleasure I do," he whispered, pressing his body closer to mine, his erection hard against my thigh.

I could feel his desire, the pulsing need that matched my own.

With a trembling hand, I reached up and wrapped my arm around his neck, pulling him down to me for another searing kiss.

I released a moan as my body arched into his, my desire to consummate this intense connection becoming too strong to resist. Archer's hands slid down my back, gripping my hips as he urged me to straddle him.

The water swirled around us as our bodies moved together, each touch sending waves of pleasure through us. Our tongues danced and our breaths mingled, creating a symphony of passion that echoed in the quiet of the pool.

As we continued to kiss, my hands found their way to his chest, feeling the firm muscles beneath his skin. I could feel his heart pounding in sync with mine, as if we were one being.

He broke the kiss and looked into my eyes, his own filled with a mixture of desire and longing. "I want you so much right now," he murmured, his voice hoarse with anticipation.

"I want you, too," I murmured.

"Stay the night."

We had been fooling around in the pool for what felt like hours, but as much as I wanted him, I knew I had to put a stop to things.

"I can't," I sighed.

"Sure you can," he replied, teasing my lower lip with his teeth.

"I have to work in the morning," I murmured against his lips, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'm tired. This past week had been a whirlwind of wedding preparations and looking for an apartment. I'm exhausted. I have the wedding coming up and we both have the fundraiser looming on the horizon. We both need to be well rested for everything."

Archer's hands trailed along my skin, his touch sending shivers down my spine. "I know. I don't want to stop, but I understand."

"I'm sorry," I said, suddenly feeling guilty for getting him all fired up. "We can, you know, just a quickie."

He chuckled. "No. I can wait. You're worth the wait."

"I promise you I will make it worth it." I grinned.

"I know you will." He pulled away and helped me out of the pool. "There are towels in that cupboard."

Water slid down his naked body. I was suddenly rethinking my need for sleep. I could survive without it.

He grinned, clearly knowing what I was thinking about. "Nope, sorry, this body is closed for business."

He strutted across the cement patio and pulled out a couple of towels. He tossed one to me and kept one for himself. The air was cool against my damp skin as we dried off, but the heat between us still lingered.

"Archer, are you always this," I gestured to his clearly impressive package and nearly licked my lips, "you know, awake?"

He chuckled and toweled off. "Only when I'm around you."

"You're making this very difficult," I told him.

Archer looked at me, his eyes raking over my nudity. "Then maybe it's time we got you home," he suggested, a playful smirk crossing his lips. "I don't want to continue to tempt you."

"Now you're just being cruel," I retorted, taking a playful swing at him.

He caught my hand, gently pulling me close. "One more kiss," he whispered. "And then that's it."

"You're such a tease, you know that?"

"And you love it," he replied.

I melted into his embrace, my skin against his. Our lips met in a final kiss. It was full of desire, passion, and promise. But it was also bittersweet, knowing that we would have to resist the temptation for now.

With one last lingering look at each other, we separated and dressed ourselves. He walked back to me and pulled me into his arms. Once again, we were kissing. The passion was still there, but it wasn't about sex. It was about something more profound, something deeper. We were connecting in a way that went beyond just physical desire. This was what led to genuine relationships that withstood everything. I got a glimpse of me and him at eighty, rocking in our chairs and shouting because we were both hard of hearing.

We continued kissing and whispering sweet nothings as the soft lighting of his backyard cast us in a warm glow.

Archer finally put a stop to things. "Okay, okay," he said with a sigh as he pushed me away. "I need to get you home. It's late. I've already kept you out way too late."

He was right, but I didn't want to walk away.

"Fine," I sighed.

We walked to the garage, getting back into his car. I looked over at him and smiled as he backed out of the driveway. "You are so handsome," I said.

He chuckled. "Thank you."

Headlights blinded me for a brief second. I assumed it was the neighbors either coming or going.

"I had a good time tonight," I told him. "The dancing and dinner and the pool. It was a lot of fun."

Archer smiled at me, his eyes twinkling in the low light of the car. "Me too," he said.

My body felt like a live wire, every nerve ending on fire with desire. Archer reached out and put his hand on my thigh. The touch sent waves of pleasure coursing through me. I covered his hand with my own.

When he pulled up to my house, I didn't want to get out of the car.

"I'll walk you to the door," he said.

"The perfect gentleman." I smiled.

He walked me to the door where we lingered a little longer. Archer's lips met mine in a gentle kiss that left me breathless. "Have a good night's sleep," he whispered against my lips. "Get lots of rest."

"I'll be dreaming of you," I whispered back, unable to resist the urge to tease him. I pulled him back in for one last kiss.

The kiss was long, slow, and passionate, leaving both of us breathless as we parted ways.

He chuckled softly, his eyes dark with desire. "Stop torturing me," he said, his voice thick with need. With one last lingering kiss, he reluctantly pulled away. "Go inside before I take you right here."

I chuckled. "Wouldn't want to give the neighbors a free show."

"Hell, I'll give them a free show, but I don't think it will be a question of whether you find a place to live. You're going to be evicted."

"We definitely don't want that," I replied.

"You know I'm serious," he said. "Right here. Right now."

He leaned in and gave me one last kiss, a slow, deep press of lips that left me breathless. "I'll see you soon," he murmured against my mouth, and then he was gone.

I walked inside and locked the door behind me. I couldn't help but smile at the thought of what the future might hold. Maybe I could have a man like him.

As I climbed the stairs to my bedroom, I felt an overwhelming sense of contentment. The night had been perfect. I quietly went into my room and quickly changed into my pajamas. My hair was still damp. I looked in the mirror, my reflection smiling back at me. Never would I have thought I'd be the girl getting to be with a man like Archer. He was perfectly imperfect and he was mine.

I climbed into bed, the comfort of my sheets surrounding me. I closed my eyes and could still feel Archer's touch, his warm lips on mine and his hand on my thigh. My body was still buzzing with desire. I knew I was going to dream of him. I hoped he had dreams about me as well.

I drifted off to sleep thinking about him. His warm smile, his soft lips, and the way he made me feel alive.