“Nice, right?” Gage murmurs in my ear as we follow Archer. “I spend all my money on cars. Archer spends it all on his house.”
“Not that I’m ever here,” Archer says, revealing he spied on our conversation. No surprise. Since our encounter out on the terrace, I feel like he’s hyperaware of me. And I’m hyperaware of him. “I spend most of my time at Hush.”
“Do you have a room there?” The resort is treated as some sort of secret amongst my brother and his friends. At least, they keep it a secret from me. Always made me wonder if there are kinky secrets going down at that place.
Wouldn’t put it past Archer, at least.
“I keep a suite there, yes.” Archer slows so he can be closer to us. His scent reaches me, filling my head, reminding me of what it feels like to be wrapped in his arms, his broad shoulders beneath my palms. His hair is still a mess and he’s shed the jacket and tie, the first couple of buttons on his shirt are undone and revealing a sliver of bare chest that I have the sudden urge to lick.
I really need to get a grip.
“So you stay at the resort most of the time?”
“Not as much as I used to. When it was being renovated I never left. I didn’t even own a home then. Hush was my home. Now that the resort has been up and running for the last few years, I finally feel confident enough to leave it on occasion and actually have a life.” Archer flashes me a smile, making my heart flutter.
Stupid heart.
“Hush is his baby,” Gage adds like I don’t know this, though it’s fairly obvious. Considering Archer and I don’t see each other much, let alone talk, it makes sense Gage would make that assumption. “He created it out of nothing but his own sick and twisted mind.”
“Shut the hell up. I met a need that wasn’t being filled. Pure and simple.” Archer presses his lips together and his eyes narrow. He looks a little angry.
He also looks a lot sexy.
Stop!
“I’m intrigued. I’d love to see it,” I say, pleased when his expression eases. “Maybe you’ll take me on a quick tour of it tomorrow?”
“I thought you had to get right home tomorrow,” Gage starts just before I jab him in the ribs with my elbow.
Yeah, Gage is right. But I’m curious to see this side of Archer’s life that I know absolutely nothing about. I mean, come on. Not even an hour ago this man had his tongue down my throat and his fingers working me straight into oblivion. Any woman would want to know more about a guy after that sort of experience, right?
That’s what I’m telling myself.
“I’d love to give you a tour of the resort,” Archer says, his voice warm, his gaze hot as he rakes it over me. My skin ripples with awareness. It’s as if he just physically touched me. “We’ll have brunch and then I’ll show you around.”
“Sounds great.” I smile, he returns it, and for some strange reason it feels like we’re all alone, grinning at each other like idiots.
But then Gage clears his throat, bringing us both into reality, and I jolt at the sound, clasping my hands together to keep from reaching out and grabbing Archer.
I can’t grab Archer, especially in front of my brother. No matter how badly I want to. Gage knows all of Archer’s secrets, all of his faults. He loves his best friend, but Gage would never really want us together. At least, I don’t think he would.
Better to pretend there’s nothing between us rather than risk Gage’s disapproval. And there’s nothing going on with us. Between Archer and me. Really. A hot kiss and an orgasm. That’s it.
That’s sorta major.
I ignore the rotten little voice in my head and try to focus.
Regaining his composure, he shows us the guest rooms, which are directly across from each other, and I can’t believe how beautiful my room is. The colors are soothing blues and grays, the bedding lush, the furniture dark and sleek. The entire room reeks of sophistication. I take it all in, fixating on the bed covered in plush fabrics since I’m so tired and I can’t wait to collapse in it.
Or maybe the idea of Archer coming to this room later and making me come again and again is what really gets me going . . .
Overcome with a coughing attack at the thought, I wave Gage away when he shoots me a strange look. “I’m fine,” I say as they both head toward the open doorway. “Show him his room, Archer. Good night.”
Not giving either of them a chance to reply, I shut the door behind them and slump against it, thumping my head against the solid wood once, twice. Trying to knock sense into my brain, because clearly, I’ve lost it.
Sighing, I push away from the door and glance about the room, noting the open door that leads to a small connecting bathroom, and I go inside to check it out. All the amenities are here with the exception of what I might wear to bed. Not that I want to change into something left over from one of Archer’s sexual conquests, but still. I’m surprised there’s not a fresh, clean nightgown waiting for me to change into for the night, considering he has all the amenities. I guess I could wear my bra and panties . . .
Or wear nothing at all.
A little smile curling my lips, I find a plush terry cloth robe hanging from a hook on the back of the door. Running my hand over it, I contemplate taking a shower and start to shed my clothes, kicking off my shoes and letting the dress, my panties, and my bra fall into a pile on the floor.
I’ll look like I’m doing the total night-after walk of shame tomorrow morning at Hush wearing the semiformal dress I wore to the wedding. Something I never considered until now and I chew on my lower lip, staring at the gigantic glass-enclosed shower calling my name.