Chapter 12
She didn’t go looking for Archer, but he found her in her study some time later. Just when she had settled in to take an accountancy class. That was the only way she figured she could get her mind off Leon, and his behavior.
“Hi.” He said softly, entering the room without knocking.
Ivy flipped around in her chair, startled by his presence. But she was immediately comforted by the kind look in his clear blue eyes. He looked handsome, still with his stubble, and looming in the room. He stood in front of her with his cowboy hat in his hands. He looked like he had something to say, but didn’t have the words for it.
“Hi.” Ivy replied, forcing a smile on her face.
It was a pleasant change to be in Archer’s much calmer, easy going presence. Especially now, right after Leon had lashed her with an onslaught of cruel coldness.
“I was wondering if we could have a chat.” Archer said, walking closer to her. She had to crane her neck to look up at him from her sitting position, and a sudden flash of memory returned. Of Archer’s face between her legs, his lips on her wetness, his tongue stroking her. She blushed, and he must have noticed too, because he smiled. Those dimples appeared on his cheeks. He was thinking about it too.
“Yes, I would like that. I tried talking to Leon, but he wasn’t interested.” She said, looking up at him from under her heavy lids.
Archer gave a sort of snort. Like he didn’t expect his brother to entertain a chat in the first place.
“I don’t think Leon is the chatting type.” He suggested, with a weary smile on his face. Ivy could barely look at him without her cheeks burning up. He had made her feel so good. She couldn’t get that out of her mind.
“No, he’s not.” She said meekly, and Archer snorted again.
“I’m guessing he was mad at you.” He said, shrugging his shoulders. Ivy nodded her head, thankful that at least one of the two brothers was more understanding.
“Yeah, like I had done something wrong.” She was quick to say.
“Yeah, he’s acting mad with me too.” He said, drawing even closer to her.
“But I thought you two had done this before. You seemed so comfortable together. With me.” She said, still blushing, and now also a little confused.
“Yeah we have. Several times, with other girls.” Archer replied, and shrugged his shoulders again. He seemed as exhausted with his brother as Ivy was feeling.
“Then what was the problem now?” She asked him, standing up from her chair.
“Who knows? It’s not like Leon will ever talk about it. It’s difficult to know.” Archer said, stepping closer to her. Their bodies were inches apart now; she could smell the musky scent of him. He smelled great, like the outdoors. She had a sudden urge to feel his breath on her face. To have his lips on her neck, for his breath to blow her curls away.
She felt like she hadn’t enjoyed Archer fully. There was still so much about him yet to discover.
“What are we going to do about it then? He told me it’s never going to happen again.” Ivy had clasped her hands together. She could feel her distress rising, but she was thankful at the same time that Archer was there to talk it through with.
“Did he actually say that?” He asked, meeting her green eyes with his own soft blue ones. He looked concerned when she nodded her head.
“Do you think he means that he doesn’t want to share or none of us are…well…going to be with each other again?” She was fumbling with her words. Archer looked at her calmly, smiled and placed one of his hands on her shoulder affectionately.
“It doesn’t matter what he wants, Ivy. What do you want?” He asked, staring straight into her eyes.
She could barely meet his gaze, not without her cheeks flushing.
“I enjoyed last night. That’s what I want.” She managed to say, and Archer’s smile grew. He was pleased with her answer.
“Me too. Well, I want that because I want you.” He said and she felt the goosebumps on her flesh appear again. He had a tantalizing effect on her. Just his voice reminded her what he was able to do with his tongue. She felt like she was going to drown in his eyes, and that she needed support if she wasn’t going to buckle down.
“What are we going to do then? Leon said no.” She said, still fiddling with her fingers. She felt nervous, excited, afraid…all at the same time.
“Like I said, it doesn’t matter what he wants. He isn’t the boss of us. He’s only my brother.” Archer said and Ivy’s head jerked up to look at him. Where was, he going with this?
“Come away with me.” He said, suddenly, almost defiantly and she sucked in her belly. He couldn't be serious!
“I’m going back to Minnesota. I have to go back home in a few days. Just come with me. What are you going to do cooped up in this place with Leon anyway?” He continued, when she hadn’t replied to him. What he was proposing wasn’t a mad idea, but she hadn’t thought about it. She hadn’t thought about leaving Leon. She hadn’t realized that she could.
But the more that she thought about it now, the clearer it seemed to her. There was nothing holding her back. Especially now, after he had made it clear to her that he was displeased. That he wanted to make some changes. That things were going to work on his terms, and his terms alone.
“Ivy?” Archer asked, squeezing her shoulder as he tried to catch her gaze again. She wasn’t looking at him anymore. She was only thinking about how her life might change if she left this ranch. If she left Leon. What was he giving her anyway? Nothing that Archer couldn’t give her too.