Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

B ella

The gravel crunches under the tires as I pull up to Archer's cabin, the headlights casting long shadows against the big, wraparound porch. My heart is still racing from everything that went down with David, but this time it's for a different reason. The adrenaline might still be there, but it's nothing compared to what's pounding inside me now—this need to finally tell him the truth.

I cut the engine, gripping the steering wheel for just a second longer, trying to steady myself. Everything is clear now. I'm not just running from something anymore. I'm choosing something, choosing someone. And it's him.

The cold mountain air bites at my skin as I step out of the car, pulling my coat tighter. The familiar cabin looms ahead, nestled in the quiet of Copper Mountain, solid like Archer himself. The man who's been right here, waiting for me to figure my shit out.

I knock once, but I don't wait for him to open the door. I push it open, stepping inside, the warmth of the place wrapping around me like a safety net. Archer's there, leaning against the kitchen counter, beer in hand, watching me with that lazy, knowing grin. It's like he's been expecting me all along.

"Well, look who decided to show up," he teases, raising his beer to his lips. "Couldn't stay away, could you?"

I roll my eyes, but there's a smile tugging at my lips despite the nerves knotting my stomach. "You have no idea."

Archer leans back, arms crossing over his chest, eyes gleaming with that playful heat that always makes me feel like I'm walking into a game I don't quite know the rules to. "Oh, I think I do. You came all this way, Bella. It's gotta be important."

The words are bubbling up inside me, but he's making this harder with that damn cocky grin. I step closer, the intensity of everything I need to say pressing against my ribs, but before I can speak, he cuts me off.

"Let me guess. You're finally ready to admit what I've known all along?"

I narrow my eyes at him, trying to keep my composure, but it's impossible when he's looking at me like that—like he already knows everything. "And what's that?"

He sets the beer down, pushing off the counter, stepping closer until he's right in front of me. His eyes lock onto mine, and I can feel the weight of his presence, the heat that always simmers just beneath the surface between us. "That you're in love with me."

I freeze, my heart stuttering in my chest, and suddenly all the teasing, all the playful banter—it's not enough. Not for what I need to say.

"I am," I breathe, the words slipping out before I can stop them. "I'm in love with you, Archer."

His grin fades, replaced by something deeper, something real. For the first time, I see a flicker of surprise in his eyes, but it's gone just as fast, replaced by that steady confidence that drives me crazy. "Took you long enough."

I laugh, even though my chest is tight, everything too raw, too real. "Yeah, well, I had a few things to figure out."

Archer reaches out, his hand sliding around my waist, pulling me closer until there's nothing between us but air and the heat we've been dancing around for weeks. "You're here now. That's all that matters."

I look up at him, my heart pounding, the weight of everything I've been holding back crashing down around me. "It's more than just being here. I realized something today—when I finally cut ties with my old life. It's not just about leaving him behind. It's about choosing what's in front of me. And that's you."

His thumb brushes along my jaw, his eyes darkening, but there's no more teasing in his voice. "What are you saying, Bella?"

I swallow, my voice soft but steady. "I'm saying I want a life with you. Not just this… not just the passion. All of it. I want a future with you."

For a moment, he just stares at me, and I swear my heart stops beating. But then he lets out a soft chuckle, his lips curving into that infuriatingly sexy grin. "Not into relationships, huh? I knew it all along."

I roll my eyes, trying to hold onto some semblance of composure, but it's impossible when he's looking at me like that. Before I can respond, his lips crash down on mine, hot and demanding, swallowing every protest, every doubt.

The kiss is fierce, more than just passion—it's everything I've been holding back finally breaking free. His hands slide up my back, pulling me closer, and I melt into him, my body responding to his touch in a way that feels inevitable. Like we were always meant to end up here, tangled together.

But this time, it's different. There's more at stake. More between us than just desire.

He breaks the kiss, his forehead resting against mine, his breath coming out in ragged gasps. "You're mine now," he murmurs, his voice low and possessive, sending a shiver down my spine.

I nod, my hands fisting in his shirt, pulling him closer. "I'm yours."

He pulls back just enough to look at me, his eyes burning with that intensity that always leaves me breathless. "You're not going to run again, are you?"

I shake my head, my voice steady. "Not anymore. I'm done running."

His smile softens, but the heat between us never fades. "Good. Because I'm not letting you go."

He kisses me again, slower this time, savoring every moment, and I feel it—this is real. This is what I've been fighting against, but now that I'm here, now that I'm all in, I don't want to fight anymore.

I want him.

He pulls me closer, his hands sliding under my shirt, and I gasp as his fingers graze my skin, sending a jolt of heat through me. "Archer…"

He grins against my lips, his voice low and teasing. "You're not backing out now, are you?"

I laugh, breathless and aching for him. "Not a chance."

With a growl, he lifts me off my feet, carrying me toward the couch, and I cling to him, my heart racing as the reality of what we're doing—what we're building—finally sinks in.

This is it. The start of something real. Something lasting.

And I'm all in.

He lays me down on the couch, his body pressing against mine, and the weight of him, the heat of him, makes everything else disappear. It's just us, tangled together in the soft glow of the firelight, and for the first time in forever, I feel like I'm exactly where I'm meant to be.

His lips trail down my neck, his hands exploring every inch of me, and I arch against him, my breath coming out in short, desperate gasps.

"I love you," I whisper, the words slipping out before I can stop them.

He freezes for a second, then looks up at me, his eyes burning with something deeper than desire. "Say it again."

I smile, my heart pounding in my chest. "I love you, Archer."

His grin is pure heat, and he leans down, his lips brushing against mine. "Good. Because I'm never letting you forget it. I love you too, Bella, with everything in me and more."

And as he kisses me again, slow and deep, I know he means every word.