The Fall (4 page)

A date?
Archer mentally cursed himself.

He was in the middle of a thorough mental scolding when Addison walked in. Logical thoughts became impossible. She was wearing distressed jeans that flaunted her shapely thighs and flashed small expanses of her long legs, paired with a tight black shirt. Black boots went halfway up her calves. She looked delicious. Out of habit, Archer stood as she approached, gesturing to the chair next to him. He sat down awkwardly. His mother had taught Jake and him how to treat women, albeit over two thousand years ago, and they continued to do so out of routine and deference. Still, he didn’t want to give Addison the wrong idea.
What idea do I want to give her?
he thought with confusion.

“Can I get you anything, Addison? Coffee, or maybe something to eat?”

She nodded. “A cappuccino would be lovely.”

Archer got up, went to the counter, and returned with a cup in his hand. He handed it to her, looking at her for a few seconds before he took a deep breath and started talking again.

“Well, we found out a little more about the guy. His name is actually Malachi, and he’s a nasty piece of work. We don’t know what his endgame is,” he lied. “But we do know that he’s in some deep stuff.”

“But what does he want with me?” she asked, frowning deeply.

“Addison, I don’t know. Look, I know this is sudden but I want you to come stay with my brother and I for a few days or until this is sorted. We don’t know why this guy wants you yet, but while we figure it out, I want to make sure you’re safe. Jake and I will protect you.” Archer wasn’t sure where this had come from, but as he said it he was convinced this was the only way to keep her safe from Malachi.

Addison almost choked on her cappuccino. “You want me to live at your house? I don’t even know you! What about my classes? What about work?”

Archer went over the details in his head quickly, a plan forming. “I’ll accompany you to work and Jake will watch over you at school, or vice versa. Either way, someone will always be guarding you. We won’t be strangers long.” The last comment held a hint of a promise, and Addison’s faint blush suggested she didn’t miss it.

“Look, I appreciate your concern, I really do. But this is just crazy! Haven’t you heard of stranger-danger?” she joked. “I’m not going to move in with two unknown men because of a threat I’m not sure even exists!”

Archer took a deep breath and thought carefully about how to persuade her. Before he could try, she cut him off. “Look, I appreciate your concern, but I’m staying at my place. I’ll keep your number in case anything else happens, okay?” Her eyes were filled with determination, her resolution evident, and Archer knew when to quit.

“Okay, but please, be careful.” She gave a warm smile, so gentle it made his heart hurt.

“Don’t worry. My roommate will protect me,” she said with a wink, standing up with her purse in hand. She kissed him on the cheek before turning to leave.

This woman is dangerous
, Archer thought before jealousy sparked through him.
Who the hell is her roommate?

***

Addison was having a terrible day. She was late to class after having to go back home to get her forgotten phone. When she got to school, she realised that she had left her backpack when she’d gone back in the house and had to go back to retrieve it. She was finally in the lecture theatre, hopefully with all her things, only to find that the room was completely empty. She looked around in confusion. Nothing. She pulled out her phone, and checked her student email. “Class cancelled” read the subject of the first email in her inbox.

“Damn it!” she blurted out, drawing the attention of various passers-by. She closed her eyes and looked to the sky, trying to draw some kind of inner-strength from the powers that be. Shaking it off, she made her way over to the library. At least she’d be able to get some reading done.

Two hours later, she felt somewhat satisfied with her progress and called it a day. Making her way over to the bus stop, she saw a familiar figure standing against it. She froze, terrified. Malachi was casually leaning against a pole, scoping girls that passed him with a slimy grin. She reached for her phone, calling the only person she knew who could help her.

“Hello?”

“Archer, Malachi’s here.”

“What?” Archer asked, his voice laced with panic. “Where are you? What happened?”

“Shh, just calm down. I’m at uni. He hasn’t seen me yet. He’s waiting for me at the bus stop.”

“Addison, stay out of sight and get away from there. Tell me where to pick you up from.” I took a deep breath, appreciative of his concern.

“No, it’s okay. I’ll, um, go back to the library or something, and wait it out.”

“Don’t be stupid, Addison,” he said impatiently. “Let me help you.” She bristled at the stupid comment, but his sincerity made her realise he was right.

“Okay. Come get me from the entrance outside the administration building. There should be signs if you get lost.”

“It’s okay, I know where it is. I’ll be there in ten. Be careful.” He cut the line, and Addison let out a sigh. She kept an eye on Malachi as she backed away with tentative steps.

Once she’d made good distance, she increased her pace, almost jogging. She rounded a corner, right into someone’s hard body.

“Shoot, sorry,” Addison said, turning around but trying not to gain Malachi’s attention. She saw the face that belonged to the body and smiled.

“Sorry, James.” He smiled back at her, his green eyes glittering with amusement. She and James had shared a few classes over the years.

“No worries, Addison.  You alright? You seem kinda jumpy.” Brushing her hair from her face, she lowered her shoulders and took a deep breath, doing her best to relax.

“I’m fine, just late for work, so I’ll have to catch you later, ‘kay?”

James gave her a gentle squeeze on her shoulder. “Alright Addy, see you around.”

Addison turned around, facing the car park. She saw Archer immediately, parked right in front of the building in a big 4WD. She ran over and jumped in, relief flooding her body.

“Who was that?”

Archer’s lips were a thin line and his body was tense. “Huh?” she said. “James? A guy from class. Why?”

Archer shook his head, as though he was gathering himself. “Nothing. Is everything okay? Did Malachi see you?”

“No, he didn’t. I hope he moves the hell away from my school, though.” Her annoyance seemed to amuse him, and the tension in his body seemed to seep out.

“I’ve got Jake on it. Don’t worry.”

“Shouldn’t you call the cops or something, if this guy is that dangerous?” Addison was still confused about what the whole situation had to do with Archer and his brother. She planned to find out.

“It’s complicated.”

***

Oh God
, Addison thought.
How did I get myself into this?
Somehow she was sitting on Archer’s couch with him, and Jake was sitting across from her. The house was gorgeous. Minimalistic, but still comfortable. She was convinced Archer must be wealthy, and she was curious about where that income might come from.

“I’m sorry, Addison. I know this is probably an inconvenience for you, but we’ll do what we can to make it as easy as possible,” Jake said sympathetically. When he’d gone to the bus stop, Malachi was gone. They had no idea where he was, or what he was up to.

“I just don’t understand why you can’t call the cops. I’m sure they could figure this all out. Moving in with you guys seems a little over the top.” Her head was in her hands, her eyes closed. She wondered how she’d ended up sitting across from these two men, who were essentially strangers, discussing the situation that was leaving her shit out of luck.

“We can’t do that, Addison. But I promise you we will protect you with our lives. We aren’t sure what this man wants from you, but we’ll make sure he doesn’t get it. Or get near you.” He reached across and touched her hand. She glanced at it questioningly, and Archer jerked his hand back, looking almost embarrassed.

“Fine,” she said in surrender. “But no funny business.”

***

Addison couldn’t think of anything more awkward than moving in with two sex gods, but as Archer said, staying alive was quite the incentive, and it was only temporary. She was seriously questioning her sanity, but she couldn’t explain it. She trusted Archer and knew that he would keep her safe.
He makes me feel warm,
she thought. She did her best to assure herself that she was following her instinct, not her libido. Still, it wasn’t going to be comfortable being around him all the time. Just looking at him made her want to weep, she constantly had to stop herself from reaching out and touching him.

They drove to her apartment to retrieve some of her belongings. Archer opened the car door for her, waiting until she was inside before closing it for her as well. Hmm, and she had thought chivalry was dead.

They arrived at her apartment. She unlocked the door and let Archer in.

Kitty was home, and she yelled from her room, “Addster! That hot, blond, sex-on-a-stick guy was looking for you again. You said he creeped you out, so I told him about that time I walked in on you doing your thing to get rid of him. Strangely enough, it didn’t seem to work. It kinda made him more interested.”

Addison paled and avoided Archer’s gaze. He raised an eyebrow at her but said nothing, a slight smile curling his lips. Kitty walked out wearing her usual attire, and a big grin spread across her face when she saw Archer. A spike of irrational jealousy went through Addison before she mentally slapped herself. Kitty made approving sounds as her gaze roamed over Archer.

“You finally getting some action, Addster?”

Addison made a frustrated noise before going to her room, deciding not to respond. After throwing some things into a suitcase she went back out into the kitchen, where Kitty was trying to make Archer try her latest food atrocity.

“Kitty, leave him alone. I’d rather have him alive, if you don’t mind.” Archer mouthed a
thank you
at her. “Listen, I’m gonna be gone for a few days. I’ll come by to drop the rent off.”

Kitty smiled and waggled her eyebrows suggestively. “A few days, hmm? Is that how long it takes to sate this man? No problem, Addy. Maybe you’ll come back less grumpy.”

Addison let out a groan, and noticed Archer was failing miserably at trying to conceal his laugh. He came over and took Addison’s bag, ignoring her scowl.

“Nice meeting you, Kitty,” he said before walking out the door. Addison hugged Kitty goodbye then trailed after him, staring at his butt the whole way to the car. And what a butt it was; truly exceptional.

“I can feel your eyes on my ass, Addison,” Archer said, not sounding as though he was offended by the news. In fact, he seemed elated by the very idea of it. Addison blushed but said nothing.

Well, the next few days were certainly guaranteed to be interesting.

***

Chapter 6

Archer got Addison’s suitcase out of the truck and walked her up to his apartment. She had been quiet on the drive over, stuck in her thoughts. It was not lost on Archer that she was trusting him with her life. He felt humbled, although he hadn’t really done anything to earn it. He gave her a quick tour then showed her the guest room, placing her bag on the middle of the four-poster bed

“Goddamn,” she said as her eyes travelled over teal-coloured walls, bare of any decoration. She sat down on the white chaise lounge positioned at the end of her bed. “I can work with this.”

“I’m glad.” His lips quirked into an adorable smile. “Are you hungry, Addison? I can make something for you.”

Addison raised one of her finely arched brows. “You can cook?”

Jake walked past her door in nothing but a towel, wrapped far too low around his lean hips, cutting off Archer’s reply. Jake grinned, not the least bit embarrassed by his lack of clothing.

“Addison, nice to see you again. Please make yourself at home. My room is just over here if you need … anything,” he said, dropping his voice on the last word as if to be intentionally sleazy.

Archer growled in Enochian, their native tongue, “Brother, leave her be.” Jake smiled a huge toothy smile and walked into his room to get dressed, careful to drop his towel and show his ass before shutting the door with a quiet
thunk
. Although Addison blushed slightly, it seemed to be more from surprise than desire. Archer was yet to meet a female not affected by Jake’s charms. Archer would not share Addison by any means. He, and he alone, would have her. He mentally reprimanded himself for being so ridiculous. He would not have her. But neither would Jake, he decided.

***

Addison blushed at the sight of Jake’s toned bare ass. Wow, that man was beautiful, she thought. However, he was no Archer. Archer was more masculine, more aggressive. Archer made her heart race, not Jake. Of course, she wasn’t blind, and Jake was amazing eye-candy. Kitty would have had a grope-fest. She glanced at Archer who was watching her intently.

He looked angry, his lips in a tight line. He regained his usual calm demeanour almost immediately, which convinced Addison that what she had just witnessed was his equivalent of a mental breakdown.  She was quick to realise that Archer was the type to remain calm and controlled.

Addison followed him into the large, modern kitchen. The apartment was beautiful, everything very contemporary and expensive-looking. The colour scheme was monochromatic: whites, blacks, and greys working harmoniously with each other.

I don’t fit in here
, Addison thought. Everything was so clean and modern, so unlike her apartment. She was always uncomfortable with new people and new environments. Add one scrumptious tall, dark, and handsome man, and you have quite the equation. With too many solutions that popped into mind.

“Uh, Archer, I’m gonna go have a shower and then do some studying.”

“Of course. I put a towel on your bed. I’ll cook dinner in the meantime,” he said, his tone a little sharper than usual. He was still acting distant, she thought. She couldn’t decipher his attitude. She frowned and went into the room that would be hers for the next few days, desperate to escape his overwhelming presence.