“Yeah. I have to check out in a few hours.”
Archer nodded and glanced away. “It’s been good.”
“It has. I’m glad I met you.”
“Me too and who knows, we might run into each other.”
Cain gave Archer a closed lipped smile. “Yeah, who knows?”
Archer stretched then sat up, the sheets pooling around his waist. “We knew it would end.”
“We did, but I don’t...”
“I don’t either.” Archer looked at him and asked, “We could meet up when you’re settled. I’ll give you my number.” He shrugged, and Cain pursed his lips.
“Okay. It won’t be right away...”
“I know. You have a lot to do when you get back. Me too. I’ve had a couple of subs running the practice, so who knows what I’m going back to.”
“At least the building will be there.”
Archer snorted. “Hopefully.” He grinned at Cain, and Cain returned it.
“Shower?”
“One last time?” Archer threw the covers back and stood naked in front of Cain. “Come on. I want to taste you on my tongue one last time.”
Cain groaned and got out of bed, following Archer and his tight ass into the bathroom. He was going to miss everything about this man when he got home, but he’d have his number so maybe it wasn’t goodbye.
Archer leaned into turn the shower on, and Cain stroked his hands over Archer’s ass, still slightly surprised at how easy it had been to sleep with a man and touch him like this. “You have the best ass.”
“Please.” Archer snorted. “Yours is better. Why do you think I spend so long down there?”
Cain grinned. “Not complaining about your fixation on my ass.”
“Get in here so I can taste it again.”
Cain jumped in the shower. He might not want to leave but what a way to go.
Archer watched the cab pull away and slowly walked back to his room. The emptiness inside him was a strange sensation, but one he welcomed. How could he feel like this after such short period of time? He’d known Cain two weeks and now he felt like a part of him was leaving without him.
Watching him get into the cab, seeing his face one last time had Archer rubbing his chest. After the shower and the rush to pack, Archer had completely forgotten to give Cain his number.
Sighing, he fell back on the bed, his eyes landing on his own packed bags. Maybe it was for the best. A vacation fling that would leave Archer with some amazing memories.
It wasn’t long before he checked out and caught a cab to the airport. He knew by the time he got there, Cain would be long gone, and maybe that was for the best. They both had their memories, and this way, he wouldn’t have to watch Cain walk away.
No, he’d watched the cab drive him away instead.
Sighing, he checked the time, and picking up his backpack, made his way over to boarding. Time to go home and get back to real life. Who knew what tomorrow would bring?
Chapter Six
THE CHURCH WAS bustling with people Archer knew and some he didn’t. Fortune was on their side, and the sun was out, shining brightly in the sky. Lydia smiled, her pale cream wedding dress with diamonds catching the sun and making her glow. The dress matched her. She shone just as brightly, happiness radiating from her face.
It was a great look on her, and Archer smiled as she hugged one of her friends who’d just arrived. He was happy for her. She deserved to be loved, and it was clear Robert worshipped the ground she walked on.
“How long before the bar’s open?”
“Jesus, Knox. We’ve only just got here, and it’s Mom’s wedding day.”
“I know, but I need a drink.”
Archer glanced at Knox, furrowing his brow when he saw the paleness of his Skin. “What’s wrong?”
“Late night arguing with Betsy.” He waited then added, “The ex.”
“What?” Archer turned and stared at Knox, his eyes widening in surprise. “You dumped her?”
“Nope, she dumped me. I can’t meet her needs.” Knox snorted derisively. “She means money. I won’t let her have access to my accounts, so she dumped my ass.”
“She can fuck off then, can’t she?” Archer folded his arms over his chest. Fucking gold digger.
August, Archer’s sister, walked over and stood with them. “Good turnout. Dad would be happy.”
“He would.” Archer agreed and watched Lydia smile as she greeted more guests.
“How was the vacation?” August looped her arm through Archer’s. “Meet any nice men?”
“Are you fishing?”
“Of course, I am. I’m single.”
“Get a man then.”
August tugged on his arm, and he grinned down at her when she pouted. “Too much plumbing to maintain.”
Archer reared back, grimacing. “Thanks, Aug.”
“For fuck sake, I didn’t need to know that,” Knox muttered, glaring at August.
“Why not? I hear all about you and Betsy.”
“The ex.” Knox shoved his hands in his pockets, rocking on the balls of his feet.
“Since when and why would she get rid of you? You’re the best thing to happen to her.”
Archer smiled, listening to August defend her brother. She might be the youngest sibling, but she was fierce in defending her family.
“She loved something more than me: cold, hard cash,” Knox spat out.
“Bitch,” August muttered, and Archer agreed.
“Here comes Granddad. Anything I need to know about? Anything you’ve forgotten to tell me since I got back?” Archer needed to be prepared in case Walter said anything.
“No nothing, which means he’ll be asking you lots of questions.” August arched a perfectly manicured eyebrow at him.
Archer heaved a sigh of relief and saw his sister Starr with Walter. From the panicked look on Starr’s face, Walter was being his usual self. He grinned when he saw her mouth drop open. Yeah, Walter was speaking his mind again.
He heard tires crunching on the gravel and turned to see a number of cars arriving. “There’s Robert now.
August shielded her eyes and nodded. “Yeah. I like him, and he makes Mom happy, but if he hurts her, no one will find his body.”
“He does know you’re ex-Marine, right?”
August tugged his arm again. “I may have mentioned it.” She grinned and waggled her eyebrows. “He knows not to cross me.”
Knox snorted. “Please. I thought he was gonna piss himself. You were playing with knives when you told him.”
Archer chuckled then choked when he saw a man step out of the second car. He looked familiar, but it was hard to tell from where he was standing. It looked like... No. It couldn’t be. Could it?
He stepped back, moving into the shadows, and August furrowed her brow at him, but he shook his head. He watched, and when the man turned around, he inhaled sharply. “Fuck.”
“What?” August stepped in front of him, pulling her arm free.
“I know him.”
“Like know him as a friend or something else.” Knox chuckled until he caught the look on Archer’s face. “You fucked him?” His eyes widened, and he glanced over at the people standing by the cars. “Which one?”