Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

A rcher

The low hum of the inn at night has a way of settling into your bones, making everything feel heavier. But working beside Bella? That's an entirely different weight. Every time I look up, she's there—close enough that I can feel the warmth rolling off her, close enough that the tension between us is a live wire ready to snap.

She's standing next to me, looking at the exposed wires like she's actually interested in electrical work, but I know better. "You keep staring like that, and I'm gonna start charging you by the hour for how much of my time you're taking up."

Bella crosses her arms, the faintest smirk playing at the corner of her lips. "You already charge by the hour, remember?"

I lean back on my heels, the pliers in my hand falling to my side as I give her a slow once-over. "Yeah, but this"—I motion between us—"this feels like overtime."

She rolls her eyes but doesn't move, doesn't step away. That's the thing about Bella—she pretends she's unaffected, but the way she lingers near me says everything she's not ready to admit yet.

I stand, brushing my hands on my jeans, my eyes locking with hers. "You sure you're here to check the wiring, or are you just trying to get closer to me?"

Her cheeks flush, and she looks away, but not before I catch the flicker of desire she's trying to hide. "Maybe I'm just trying to make sure you're not going to burn the place down."

I chuckle, stepping into her space, close enough that I can feel the tension crackling between us like static. "You worried about the inn or about us?"

Her breath catches for just a second—long enough for me to know I've hit a nerve. Good. I've been waiting for her to admit it.

"Archer, you don't need to push," she says, her voice quieter now, like she's trying to convince herself more than me.

I reach out, my hand brushing lightly against her waist, feeling the way her body reacts to even the smallest touch. "Who says I'm pushing? Maybe I'm just showing you what's already there."

She tenses, her lips parting slightly, and I can see the internal war playing out in her eyes. It's the same one she's been fighting since the day we met—this thing between us that she can't seem to control, no matter how much she tries.

I lean in, my lips hovering just above hers, daring her to make the first move. "You feel it, don't you? This pull between us?"

She swallows, her gaze flicking down to my mouth for just a second before meeting my eyes again. "I… I don't know."

"Yeah, you do." I brush a thumb along her jawline, my voice dropping lower. "You've been trying to fight it, but it's not going away. You know that as well as I do."

Her breath is shaky, and she's close, so damn close to letting go, but I can still feel her holding back, her hesitations wrapping around her like armor. She's terrified of what this could be, and I get it. But I'm not letting her run. Not this time.

I press my forehead against hers, the heat between us almost unbearable now. "Let me in, Bella."

She closes her eyes, her breath coming faster now, and for a moment, I think she's going to step away. But then her hands are on me, gripping my shirt, pulling me closer, and her lips are on mine, hot and desperate.

The kiss is like fire, burning through every bit of tension, every doubt. I wrap my arms around her, pulling her against me, feeling the way her body melts into mine, how she responds to every touch, every kiss. She's not holding back anymore, and damn, it feels good.

I break the kiss just long enough to catch my breath, my voice rough and full of need. "You sure about this?"

Her eyes are dark, filled with the same hunger that's been driving me crazy for days. "I'm sure."

That's all I need to hear.

I kiss her again, deeper this time, my hands sliding under her shirt, feeling the heat of her skin beneath my fingers. She gasps against my mouth, her nails digging into my shoulders, and I know I've got her now. No more holding back.

We stumble backward, knocking into the wall, the dim light from the work lamp casting long shadows as we move. I lift her up, her legs wrapping around my waist, and the way she clings to me, the way her body responds, tells me everything I need to know. She wants this as much as I do. She's just been too scared to admit it.

But here, now, in the quiet of the inn with the storm raging outside, she's mine. At least for now.

I press her against the wall, my lips trailing down her neck, tasting the salt of her skin as she arches against me, her breath coming in short, sharp bursts. "God, Bella… you drive me crazy."

She lets out a breathless laugh, her fingers threading through my hair. "Good."

I grin against her skin, kissing the curve of her shoulder, letting the moment build until there's nothing but the sound of our breathing and the soft hum of the work lamp in the background.

But as much as I want to take this further, to let the passion between us burn out every hesitation, I can still feel it—the faint flicker of doubt in the way her body tenses every now and then, the way her hands hesitate before fully letting go.

I pull back just enough to look into her eyes, my hand cupping her cheek. "What are you so afraid of?"

Her eyes flicker, and for a second, I think she's going to pull away again. But then she surprises me.

"I'm afraid…" She bites her lip, her voice shaky but honest. "I'm afraid that this won't be enough."

Her words hit me hard, but I don't let it show. Instead, I press a soft kiss to her lips, my voice low and steady. "It will be."

She looks at me, her eyes searching mine for any sign of doubt, but there isn't any. I know this is real. I know we are real. She just needs to believe it too.

"Trust me," I whisper, my lips brushing against hers. "You and me… this is more than enough."

And in that moment, I see it—the crack in her walls, the part of her that's finally ready to let me in. It's not everything, but it's a start.

And that's all I need.

My primal instincts take over as I lick her neck, marking her as mine. My hand travels down her thigh and pulls up her skirt, exposing her skin.

"Do you really think anyone else can make you moan like I do? Have you begging for their cock like a good little girl?" I push aside the delicate lace of her panties, my fingers plunging between her warm folds.

"I swear I don't know if I hate you or…," she seethes, trying to push my hand away.

"What? Say it." I demand, but she remains silent. "You hate me so much your pussy is quivering around my fingers." I grin. "Is that why you're about to come all over my hand?" I growl, sucking on the skin under her ear. "I promise you, that's not hate you're feeling, sweetheart." I continue to pleasure her. "Let go for me."

I thrust in and out of her, my thumb working circles on her swollen clit, my fingers seeking out every sensitive spot inside of her. She moans and pants, unable to resist the pleasure I'm giving her. I nip at her collarbone and squeeze her breast through the fabric of her shirt.

In this moment, she can't deny the desire she feels for me. And even though she may hate me, she can't resist the intense pleasure coursing through her body.

"I love watching you explode for me. Make that sexy little moan that I know means you're coming for me, because only I can do this to you. Only I can fuck you like this with my fingers." I slide my pinky finger further down her slit, teasing the sensitive flesh just below her entrance. "Make that noise you make when my cock slides into your sweet pussy."

Her body convulses with pleasure at my words. She arches her back, gripping the countertop, one hand tangled in my hair and pulling hard enough to make me wince. When her body finally relaxes, her limbs limp against me, I pull my hands out of her panties and spread her thick juices over her clean-shaven lips. Grabbing hold of the lace fabric, I tug it between her heated folds and rub against her still-sensitive clit. She gasps and squirms against the fabric, her nipples straining against her shirt. With eager hands, I dip back into her panties and gather more of her arousal before spreading it all over her skin–from her hips to her stomach, up along the matching lace of her bra, and even dotting it along her collarbone and neck.

Meanwhile, my other hand unzips my jeans and frees my aching cock to glide against her slick entrance. I need to feel her, bare skin on skin. She's the only one who makes me feel this way, and I can't hold back any longer. She's been avoiding me all morning, and it's been driving me crazy.

My bare cock slides through her hot lips as I growl and wrap my palm around her neck. My thumb brushes along her jaw as I press her against the wall. With my hips pinning her in place, I thrust into her with a voracious hunger. She groans and rocks against me, reveling in our wild morning tryst.

With one hand clutching her thigh and the other steadying us against the pantry door, I ravish her with powerful thrusts. The reminder of who she truly belongs to only intensifies our pleasure.

Her fingers tangle in my hair as she holds me close, relishing every moment of ecstasy we share together. And when she finally comes undone around me, it's like an explosion that sends waves of pleasure coursing through both of us. I take in the intoxicating scent of our passion mingled together on her skin and it only spurs me on to reach my own climax.

My heart races in my chest as we ride out our orgasms together, our bodies entwined and our connection unbreakable. In this moment, there is no one else in the world but us.

"Fuck, babe," I whisper before pulling out of her slowly. I rest my forehead against hers and we pant heavily, sharing the same air. The scent of our lovemaking fills the small kitchen, our skin damp and pressed together.

"Yeah," she moans and her fingers tangle in my hair. She did this the last time we made love, and I find it so comforting. Her touch has become addictive, especially after I release inside of her.

I swallow the lump in my throat as I slowly withdraw from her. She whimpers softly, not wanting me to leave. I don't know what to say, so I remain silent as I pull up my pants and zip them. Running a hand through my hair, I watch as she fixes her skirt and smooths out her soft waves.

"You look freshly fucked and absolutely adorable, Bella." I smirk, wanting everyone within a five-block radius to know that I've just made passionate love to her at every angle in every position and I plan on doing it every day for the rest of our lives.