Until You're Mine (5 page)

Tabitha scoffed around the rim of her glass. “Jesus, you can’t keep your hands off of her can you?”

“That’s the idea. We’re in love, remember?” Maddie grinned.

“The newness will fade with time. Then you’ll be ready to kill each other.”

“Tabitha,” Maddie scolded.

Shrugging, she made no apologies. The girl had been severely hurt, way worse than me apparently, because now she was just bitter. 

“I’m sorry Holden, I need your girl for just a few more minutes.”

“No problem, just don’t keep her too long. One more dance and we’re outta here, babe.” Holden landed a kiss to her bare shoulder before letting her go. 

“Listen, the only way you’re gonna get him to realize how good you two can be together is to show him. Telling his hard headed ass hasn’t worked, which doesn’t surprise me one bit. That man is ridiculously intense. You’re gonna have to pull out the big guns, sweetie. It’s time to tame the beast.”

“Sex is a powerful weapon, honey. Use it. Speaking of taming beasts, I see two that need to be caged right now.” We followed Tabitha’s gaze. 

“Mason and Finn?” Maddie gasped. 

“So that’s their names? Good to know since I’ll be screaming them later. Those two corn bread fed hotties are about to get the ride of their life.” Tabitha finished off the rest of her wine. “You want something Katy, you take it. Don’t let anybody ever take from you. Good luck.” Wiggling her fingers, she walked away.

Shaking my head, I turned back to Maddie. “I’m not sure I can do this. If this doesn’t work…”

“Katy, it’s obvious he’s crazy about you. I see it. Holden sees it. Everybody sees it except him. The only advice I can give you is follow your heart. It might end up broken, but then how will you ever know?”

“I’m not sure I can survive the heartbreak he’s capable of.”

Maddie placed both hands at the top of my arms, gripping them firmly. Her bright blue eyes shining with the kind of happiness I so desperately wanted for myself. “Yes you can. You’re an amazing woman. There is no doubt in my mind that once Archer gets his head out of his ass, he’ll see that too. And if he doesn’t, I’ll get Holden to kick his ass.” Pulling me in for a hug, I wrapped my arms around her waist. “Fight, that’s all you can do with a man like that. Fight like hell.”

Releasing me, she kissed me on the cheek and walked away. I took a slow, steady breath. This was it.

Do or die.

Just as Holden had promised, he led Maddie around the dance floor one final time. Reckless Heart sang a beautiful rendition of
Who
You Love
, and my eyes filled with tears. They were so perfect for one another. Maddie had finally found her happily ever…

“I still can’t believe my baby is a married woman now.” Grace Waters said, stepping up next to me. Maddie’s parents had always treated me like one of their own. My parents loved me, but Big E and Grace
got
me. They accepted me for who I was and loved me unconditionally. Unlike my parents, whose love came with unreasonable conditions.

“Holden’s a good man.” Grace stated, gazing at her new son-in-law.

“Yes, he is. He’ll take good care of her.”

“So where’s your man?” she asked, searching the remaining guests. 

Coldness penetrated my blood, replacing the previous warmth.

“Oh, he’s not mine.”

“Hmm, that’s not what I see.” Wrapping my arms around my waist, I turned to face her. “I see a man lost, a man who needs to be found.” She reached out, cupping my cheek. “Don’t give up on him. He’s a good one too. Stubborn fool just needs you to show him how to love again.” With a kiss to my cheek she was gone. Grace was a wise woman, but even she couldn’t predict the future or the man that stood just ten feet away from me. 

We bid farewell to Maddie and Holden with sparklers, as they dashed into Elly- destination unknown. Holden had wanted to surprise her. Maddie promised she would call as soon as she could. The suspense was killing us both.

I found Archer leaning against the passenger side of his blacked out Hummer. One foot crossed over the other, exuding sex, danger, and so many other things I loved and craved.

“I know exactly what you’re tryin’ to do, and it won’t work.” I said. His arm caught my waist, pulling me to his chest.

“And just what is it that I’m
tryin’
to do?” he smirked, knowing damn well what he was up to.

“Trap me. Put me in a position where it’s impossible for me to say no.” The shameless glint in his eyes spoke the truth.

“How ‘bout this…I promise not to do anything you aren’t beggin’ me to do. Work for you?”

I’d never seen him drink as much as he had tonight. His body was loose beneath my touch. Not the tense muscle it normally was.

“Nothing is gonna happen.”

“We’ll see.” he whispered, releasing me.

The reality of it was my body was already begging. But I wasn’t sure I could go through with it. Could I have sex with a man who had no intentions of ever loving me? I needed him in ways I never thought possible. How had I become so desperate?

Twenty minutes later, we arrived at his house. The enormous estate was nestled in a thicket of oak trees about a mile off the main road. I’d only been here once, and I was just as overwhelmed then as I was now. I knew he had money. But how much Archer Brooks was worth still remained a mystery. Not that I cared about any of that, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t the least bit curious. The sprawling mansion looked like something you would see on an episode of MTV cribs. All fancy brick and plush manicured landscape, screaming wealth beyond my comprehension.

Pulling into the four car garage, I parked next to his vintage Porsche, just like the one Jake Ryan drove in Sixteen Candles. Next to it were his Ducati, ATV, and covered boat. My family had a nice home. My brother and I had never wanted for anything growing up, but we were far from rich. Hell, this wasn’t even rich. This was a whole new realm of comfort.

This was “
aire”
status with a big ole fat
B
.

Following him through the hall from the garage, landed us in the kitchen. “Make yourself at home.”

I found it hard to shut my mouth as I stepped further into the massive space. “Your house is fuckin’ huge.” There was no other way to put it.  

He sucked a sharp breath through clenched teeth. Invisible heat swarmed all around us, igniting the dormant fire. “When that sweet mouth of yours spits out dirty words like that, it makes me wanna fuck it. Do us both a favor and keep it in check- will ya?”

The images he evoked made my body tingle with need. “Sorry,”

“I’m gonna change. There’s a bedroom down the hall there if you need it.  Meet me back here in ten.”

“Then what?” I asked his retreating back.

He looked over his shoulder, his dark green eyes full of desire and promise. “Then it begins.”

“What begins?”

“Our next battle.”

“Fuck,”

“Careful sweetheart,” With a smirk that would rival the devil’s own, he walked away.

After locating what he called a spare bedroom, I quickly changed back into the clothes I’d worn before the wedding. My father had not been pleased with me when I’d shown up at the church with my black leggings, my Jack Daniels t-shirt that I’d cut up and customized myself, and my ankle shackle platform heels. Ok, so maybe I went a little overboard at his expense, but that was the only way I could ever get him to see…
me
.

The room was like the rest of the house, vast and completely unnecessary. Why would anyone want a house so big unless you had a large family to fill it? Archer never spoke of his family. Except for Holden and an uncle he mentioned a few times. He was good at keeping people away, especially me. I’d thought about quitting my job several times because the physical pull between us was just too powerful and impossible to ignore. Then he kissed me, changing everything.

Walking into the large bathroom, I set my cosmetic bag down on the counter. I dug for my makeup remover, remembering our first kiss. That life altering kiss had made me forget about all the other kisses that came before it.

We’d been arguing. One of the waitresses had shown up late for her shift and Archer chewed her out nine ways to Sunday. He wasn’t disrespectful, just rough and gruff like he always was. He was way too hard on her. Especially since she’d called and told me that her boyfriend had just broken up with her via text, and she was having a hard time keeping it together. That excuse sent Archer through the roof. There were certain things he would not tolerate. Excuses were just one of them. So when I spoke up to defend her, he was none too pleased. He pulled me into his office, slamming the door behind him.

“What have I told you about talkin’ back?”

“I didn’t talk back. I simply told you in not so many words that you were being a huge ass.” I folded my arms across my chest while blood simmered in my veins.

“That’s back talk. Insubordination, actually, and you did it in front of another employee.” he seethed.

“Hey, if you don’t want me to voice my opinions when you discipline another employee, then don’t have me present when you do it.”

“You’re her supervisor,” he said, stalking forward two steps.

“That’s exactly why I spoke up. She called me and told me she would be late. She’s only been late once in the six weeks she’s been here. She’s a hard worker.” I softened my voice, trying for reason.

“I don’t give one fuck how many times she’s been late. You don’t show up two hours late for your shift on our busiest night of the week. Period.”

“Her boyfriend of five years broke up with her in a fuckin’ text message.” My anger was back full force.

He was impossible!

“Don’t. Fuckin’. Care.”

Tears stabbed my eyes and I found it hard to swallow. “I see that.” I managed before moving toward the door. I didn’t make it two steps before his arms were wrapped around my waist.

“Let me go asshole,” I ordered, shoving at his strong arms.

“What’d you just call me?”

“Asshole!” I grunted. “Are you deaf?”

Spinning me around, I stumbled on my feet before he righted me. Both hands shot to the side of my face, holding me in place.

“What have I told you about this fuckin’ mouth?”

His lips crashed against mine, sucking the air right out of me. His peppermint tongue plunged deep inside my mouth and his hands moved up to fist the hair at the nape of neck. He didn’t pull hard, just enough to render a tingling bite. My hands found his back, pulling him closer.

I wrapped one leg around him, clawing at his back. “What I wouldn’t give to feel those nails diggin’ into my skin,” he mumbled before he angled his head the other way, demanding my mouth once more. “All you gotta do is say the word sweetheart and I’m fuckin’ yours,”

I knew that wasn’t true. Not the way I wanted him to be anyway.

Only by the grace of God and one busy Saturday night was I able to walk away from him. Too many times I’d found myself in that very same situation, only to be reminded that I could never have him. Lifting my chin, I resolved for the hundredth time since I’d met him.

He will be loved.