Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve

A rcher

The sun is barely up, the early light slipping through the windows of my cabin, casting long shadows over the floor. But I'm not paying attention to the sunrise. I'm watching Bella, her body tangled in the sheets beside me, her hair a wild mess of curls splayed over the pillow. She's everything I never thought I needed, and now that I've got her here, I'm never letting her go.

She stirs, her lashes fluttering open, and those warm, dark eyes lock onto mine. A lazy smile spreads across her face, and I feel something deep inside me settle, like this is exactly where I'm supposed to be.

"You're staring," she murmurs, her voice still heavy with sleep.

I grin, leaning closer, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "Can't help it. I've got a good view."

She laughs softly, but there's a blush creeping up her neck. "You're ridiculous."

I shrug, pulling her against me, her body fitting perfectly against mine. "Maybe. But I'm also right."

Bella rolls her eyes, but I catch the way her breath quickens, the subtle tension that never really leaves between us. I love how even now, after everything, she still gets flustered around me.

"You know," I say, my voice dropping, "I've been thinking."

She raises an eyebrow, teasing. "That's dangerous."

I chuckle, my hand trailing down her spine, feeling her shiver beneath my touch. "Maybe. But I think you'll like where I'm going with this."

"Oh?" She arches an eyebrow, trying to act like she's not curious, but I can see right through her.

"Move in with me," I say, my voice steady, leaving no room for hesitation.

Her breath catches, and I can feel the weight of my words settling over her.

"Move in?" she repeats, like she's testing out the idea in her mind.

"Yeah," I say, pulling her closer, my lips brushing against her ear. "Today. Tomorrow. Hell, now if you're up for it. I don't want you spending another night anywhere but here. With me."

She stares at me, the conflict in her eyes clear, but there's something else there too—something like excitement. "Archer…"

"Look," I interrupt, not wanting to give her a chance to talk herself out of it, "we both know what this is. It's not just a fling. You feel it too. So stop making it complicated."

Bella bites her lip, her fingers twisting in the sheet, and I can see she's still holding on to the last bit of doubt she's got left. But I'm not letting her walk away from this.

"I'm not asking for a big speech," I say, my voice softer now, but firm. "I'm just telling you what I want. And what I want is you. Here. Every day. Every night."

Her eyes search mine, and I can see the walls she's built around herself slowly starting to crumble. "You really think we can do this? Live together? Build a life?"

"I don't think. I know," I say it with certainty, because there's no question in my mind. She's it for me.

There's a long pause, and for a second, I think she's going to back away, throw up those walls again. But then she lets out a breath, and I see the shift happen—the way her body relaxes, the way her lips curve into a small, real smile.

"Okay," she whispers. "I'm in."

The words hit me like a shot of adrenaline, and I don't waste a second. I kiss her, hard, pouring everything I'm feeling into it. There's no more hesitation, no more holding back. She's mine, and she knows it now.

Her hands slide up my chest, her nails digging into my skin, and it's like she's telling me with her body what she's just told me with her words. She's all in, and I'm not letting her pull away ever again.

I flip us over, pinning her beneath me, and the way she arches against me, the way her breath hitches—it drives me wild. "You're mine," I murmur against her lips, my voice rough with need. "Every damn inch of you."

"Yours," she whispers, her voice breathless, her fingers tangling in my hair.

That's all I need to hear. I kiss her again, harder this time, my hands moving over her body like I'm memorizing every inch of her. The heat between us builds fast, but this time, it's different. There's more to it than just physical desire. It's about everything we've been building toward, the life we're going to create together.

I pull back just enough to look at her, my breath coming hard and fast. "You're not gonna run again, right?"

She shakes her head, her eyes locking with mine, filled with that same certainty I've been waiting to see. "Not this time."

I grin, my hand sliding to the back of her neck, pulling her closer. "Good. Because I'm not letting you go."

We move together, the tension between us electric, and I lose myself in her—her taste, her touch, the way she fits against me like she was made for me. There's no doubt anymore, no fear. Just us.

When it's over, we're tangled in the sheets, the firelight casting a soft glow over the room, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I feel completely at peace. She's here. She's mine. And I'm not letting her slip away.

She rests her head against my chest, her fingers drawing lazy patterns on my skin. "You really mean it, don't you? You want me here… for good."

I press a kiss to the top of her head, my voice steady. "More than anything."

She's quiet for a moment, and I can feel the last of her hesitation melting away. When she finally speaks, her voice is soft, but sure. "I think I'm ready for that."

I tighten my arms around her, my heart swelling with something deep and solid. "Good. Because I'm not letting you go."

She lifts her head to look at me, and I can see it—the certainty, the trust, the love. It's all there, written in her eyes, and I know she's not running anymore. She's here. With me. For good.

I pull her in for another kiss, slow and deep, and as her lips move against mine, I know this is it. This is everything we've been building toward, the start of something real, something lasting.

And I'm ready for it. We both are.