Risky Pleasures (4 page)

Her eyes were smoky with passion as she watched him, her full lips slightly swollen and open. Archer had never wanted a woman more than he did at that moment. Sliding his hand from the back of her neck to her cheek, he brushed his thumb from his other hand along her lower lip.

“The answer to your question is yes, Delicia. Anytime. Anywhere.”

He kissed her quickly once more then returned to his side of the booth and picked up his fork. Her gaze dropped to her plate and she began to eat again. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Rose leaning on the counter watching them, her expression amused.

Well, that is going to be around town before too long. Rose can’t keep her mouth shut.
Not to mention the other people in the diner. He’d already seen the looks when he and Delicia had entered together.

“Can I ask you something, Archer?”

Immediately he placed all his attention back on Delicia. “You can ask me anything.”

“What’s with you and Justin?”

He took a deep breath. “He and I have never gotten along. It started back in high school when our school played his in football. Since then, it’s seemed to intensify.”

Delicia leant forward, elbows on the table. The look on her face told him she wasn’t buying it. “That’s it?”

“Does it really matter?”

“Yes. After you left he told me you weren’t right for me. I want to know why he thinks that.”

Rage grew in his belly, but he kept it contained. “You should ask him.” Archer reached across the table and briefly touched her hand. “I happen to think I am just perfect for you, Delicia Wright. And I have for a long time.”

She pursed her lips and drank some coffee. “Could be risky.”

One side of his mouth lifted into a grin. “Risky pleasures are usually the best kind.”

Her brown eyes sparkled. “Isn’t your nickname Risk?”

He leaned in. “Yes.”

“And you got that how?”

“Football.”

Her cell rang and he frowned when she answered it. He listened to her gentle, dulcet tone as she spoke. When she snapped the phone shut he waited. She didn’t say a word.

“Everything okay?”

“Yes. That was my sister. She’s waiting for me at the house.”

“Do you need to go?”

“After breakfast. She can wait. I’ve got you now…and forget it. I can’t talk.”

Archer smiled with pleasure. It may have been years in the making, but this breakfast was the beginning of something special for the two of them. He just knew it.

Chapter Three

Delicia pushed open the front door and walked inside. She could almost feel Archer’s lips pressed upon hers. A satisfied smile lifted the corners of her mouth. They had stood outside the diner and kissed for about five minutes before she’d finally left. Not that she’d wanted to. She longed to go with him and do things she’d been dreaming about for years.

“Well, you look all kinds of satisfied. Who is he?” Her sister’s voice snapped her from the daydream.

After dropping her bag on the floor, she hurried to Arissa’s side and pulled her in close for a hug. “Why didn’t you say you were coming? How long are you here for?”

Her sister returned the hug and said, “I’m back for good.”

She frowned and drew back. Staring into her sister’s light brown eyes, she asked, “You’re home for good and didn’t tell us? How long have you been back? Where are you staying?” There was something going on with Arissa. And she let it go, knowing her sister would speak on it when she was ready.

“I didn’t tell
everyone
I was coming back. I did send an email to the direct family—which includes you—along with a few people. If you would pay more attention to my emails you would have known. Been back for a few months. I’m staying at Deyon’s for now. I’m surprised you haven’t heard through the gossipers about my return and a few other things.” Arissa smiled ruefully.

“Sorry. For the last few months between work and training I haven’t been able to keep up with things. Figured for anything urgent I would get a call from someone.” Delicia shrugged then continued. “What few things?”

“It’s nothing. Enough about me. Tell me about you. Or do you need to sleep?”

Exhaustion had taken a back seat the moment she’d seen Archer this morning and she had two days off. “I’m okay. I’m good.”

“You look good. When’s the triathlon?”

“Three months.”

“I’m so proud of you, Delicia. Now, tell me who this man is who put the sparkle in your eyes.”

She hesitated slightly. Her family had a tendency to try and run her life at times, luckily she’d been so busy they’d left her alone. And having them interfere before she could even say there was something there didn’t sit well with her. Plus, there was the way Archer had talked about her sister.

“Lis?”

“Archer.”

Arissa frowned slightly. “Archer…Archer Bennett?” Her frown turned upside down and a huge grin filled her face. “You and Archer? Well, hell, it’s about damn time.”

“What do you mean it’s about damn time?”

“Please, Lis. I’ve known you had a crush on him since you were in middle school. He was the only man I ever saw your eyes light up for.” Arissa tugged her to sit on the couch. “Now, tell me all about him and you two.”

“There isn’t an
us
yet. I just had breakfast with him for the first time this morning. Jeez, Arissa. I can’t even be around him without saying something stupid. I asked him this morning if he’d sleep with me.”

“Nothing like getting to the point.”

“It’s not funny. He said he hadn’t seen you in a while. When’d you see him?”

All the humour drained from Arissa’s face. “I saw him in Chicago.”

She furrowed her brow. “What was he doing there?”

Arissa shook her head. “I don’t think it’s my place to tell you. I was working when I saw him but, Lis, if you want to know more, you’re going to have to hear it from him.”

“Did something happen to him?”

“Not physically, no.” Arissa reached out and squeezed her hand. “I’m happy for you, Lis. Give him a shot and don’t let people tell you otherwise. Now, go get some sleep. We can catch up more later, have dinner, I want you to meet someone.”

Delicia opened her mouth, but Arissa cut her off. “You’re too tired and I rather you meet this person than tell you. I’ll call you to set it up.”

After hugging her sister one more time, she headed for her bedroom and was asleep moments later. The house was silent when she woke and with a groan, she rolled to her feet and padded to the kitchen to take care of her growling belly. With that crisis averted, she sat down on her couch and closed her eyes.

Ding dong
.

Sitting up, Delicia realised she’d dozed off. She pushed to her feet, walked to the door then opened it. Christie Parker, a child from next door, stood there. “Hi, Christie. What can I do for you?”

“Sorry to bother you, Miss Delicia. But we’re supposed to have a game today and the man, Mister Mike, who was gonna be our doctor there, got called away. Are you free?”

Stifling her yawn, she nodded. “I sure am, Christie. Give me a few moments to grab my stuff. You can come in if you want, or I can come to your house when I’m ready.”

She grinned. “I should go home and tell Daddy you said okay. I’ll be over there.” Christie turned then faced back to her again. “Thanks so much, Miss Delicia.” After a hug the child left, blonde ponytail bouncing with every step she took.

Rubbing her hands over her eyes, Delicia closed the door and went to her bedroom where she made her way to the adjoining master bath and took a quick shower and dressed. Bag in hand, she walked out to her Jeep and tossed it in the back. Then she jogged to Christie’s house and rang her doorbell. Her father, Chad, answered.

“Thank you for doing this, Lis,” he said with a smile. “I know you probably had things planned.”

“I’m happy to do it. The kids have been looking forward to this game for a while. I’ll meet you there.”

“Thanks again.”

“My pleasure,” she said, heading back to her Jeep and climbing in.

She drove to the field and not too long after, she sat on the bleachers, watching the girls play soccer with her EMS medical bag at her feet. By the end of the game, she’d treated a few cuts and scrapes but thankfully nothing serious.

Christie hugged her again and stared up at her with brilliant blue eyes. “Thanks, Miss Delicia.”

Looking down at the child, she smiled. “Glad to help. Congrats on the win.”

“We’ve got the championships next month. Will you come watch and cheer for me with my parents?”

“If I can make it, I would love to. But I have my triathlon I’m training for as well as work, so if I don’t make it, just know I’m cheering for you.”

“Love you, Miss Delicia.”

“Love you too, Christie. I think your team is waiting for you. Probably have a victory party to go to.”

“Yes. Thanks again.”

The young girl ran off. Chad looked back at her and smiled his thanks. She waved then zipped up her bag. Grabbing the handles, she walked slowly to her Jeep and stowed the bag.

“What’s this I hear about you kissing Archer Bennett?” Justin demanded, incensed.

Grinding her jaw and rolling her eyes, she prayed for patience before turning to face her cousin. “Hello, Justin. I’m fine thanks. How are you doing?”

“Cut the crap, Lis. Answer me.”

“One, I’m not in diapers, so who I kiss isn’t any of your business. Two, you’re not my parent, so again, it’s not any of your business.”

Justin stepped close, his face ugly in his anger. “Listen to me, little cousin. That man is not right for you. Stay away from him.”

Lifting her chin, she held his gaze. “What is your problem with him? What did he do to you?”

“He’ll hurt you, Lis. That man is violent. That’s why he’s divorced.” He leant down. “Stay. Away. From. Him.” Justin turned and walked away.

She couldn’t believe what she’d heard.
I didn’t even know he’d been married. But violent? I don’t see Archer as being a violent man
. Unsettled, she slid behind the wheel and began to drive. Her mind raced with the news. Instead of going home, she drove by Bennett’s Towing. She kept going when she didn’t see his truck there.

Delicia knew where he lived but stopped short of driving there. Instead, she headed out of town. She stopped at an area she was familiar with from rockhounding and got out. Sitting on the tailgate, she swung her legs in the slight breeze and wished she could forget about Justin’s words.

Everything else faded to the back when she heard the call for an ambulance come across her cb radio. After jumping into the seat, she started the motor and sped away as the location and further explanation came. Dust flew out from behind her Jeep as she careened from the dirt road onto the paved highway.

Flipping some switches and lowering her visor, she shifted and gunned the engine. The flashing head and taillights, along with the lights upon the visor, would hopefully get people to move out of her way.

At the scene, Delicia left her lights on and hopped out, grabbing her bag as she hurried to offer her assistance. She stayed until well after the ambulance arrived and left. Part of her had hoped it would be Archer who came to get the disabled vehicle but it wasn’t.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” Thom asked materialising beside her.

“I heard the call. Was a first responder. What about you?”

“Saw your Jeep and pulled off behind you. Shouldn’t you be sleeping or something like that?” he asked, draping an arm around her shoulders.

“Something like that. I slept some.”

“Yeah, I also hear you did the game since Mike couldn’t make it.”

“What can I say, I live to serve.”

He squeezed her. “Get some sleep will you? I don’t want to lose my partner.”

She rested her head on his shoulder. “I promise. I’m good. In fact, I’m on my way home now. I’m gonna rest before I go biking.”

He pointed to the sky. “We’re going to get some storms.”

“Stationary bike today. I won’t leave the house.”

Thom dropped his arm and they walked to their vehicles. Behind hers, she saw the lights flashing on his as  well. “Make sure you don’t. I’ll see you in two days.”

“Bye, Thom.” She tossed her bag in the back, climbed in and shut off the lights, then waited for a clearing to merge onto the highway so she could head home. An hour after she got home, she rode her stationary bike as a rainstorm dropped a deluge on McKingley.

* * * *

Archer couldn’t explain his anger when he saw Delicia alongside the road with Thom’s arm around her. He knew she didn’t even see him, but he sure saw her. Grinding his back teeth, he took a deep breath and went home. A few hours later, he picked up his phone and called her.

“Hello?” Delicia’s voice wound around him like a warm blanket.

“Hello, Delicia,” he responded.

“Archer. How are you?”

“Fine. I saw you at the accident. How are you?”

“I’m fine, thanks.”

“Are you free for dinner tonight, Delicia?”

“Well, it’s in the oven as we speak, but you are more than welcome to come by if you’d like.”

“I’ll be right over.”

He hung up and was on his way to her place in no time. His heart clenched when she drew open the door to admit him to her house. Her hair was unconfined and she stared up at him from beneath her thick black lashes.

“Hi,” he murmured.

“Hey, yourself. Come on in.”

She stepped back and he followed, entering her home for the first time. He cast a quick glance around then put his attention back on her face. Leaning in close, he kissed her lightly. “You have a beautiful home.”

“Thank you. We can eat in about fifteen minutes. I hope you like shepherd’s pie.”

“Anything is fine.”

She worried her lower lip and asked, “Can I get you anything to drink?”

“Whatever you have.” He followed her into the kitchen and smiled at the grape motif throughout. She handed him a glass of Coke with ice. “Thank you.”

“No problem.”

He sat at the table and looked at her. “Is there anything going on with you and Thom?”