Archer had always had a special bond with his mom. And as fate would have it, she also did a lot of pro-bono work on the side for those in need of a good attorney but little financial support to cover the cost.
He didn’t spend time pondering what Freud would say about how similar Cassie was to his mom. Because this wasn’t about some twisted psychoanalytical mumbo jumbo.
This was about him choosing a woman he wanted to be with. A woman who felt right, and who made him feel…whole.
That’s how he’d felt while losing himself inside Cassie. It’s how he still felt while snuggling in bed while further bonding through meaningful conversation.
And later, after another round of soul-reaching sex, Archer lay with her wrapped up in his arms, watching with a smile as she drifted off to sleep.
God, she truly was a magnificent creature. One he’d been charged with protecting. But now that he’d had her…now that he knew exactly what he’d be missing if he lost her…
My life for yours, sweetheart. If that’s what it takes to keep you safe, so be it.
Dramatic or not—certifiably insane or not—Archer made the silent vow without hesitation. Somehow, some way, in only a few short days, the woman beside him had gone from being his client to so much more.
As far as he was concerned, Cassie was his. And anyone stupid enough to come after her would pay for that mistake with their lives.
13
The next morning…
Cassie hummedas she sifted through the stack of manilla folders in an office she hadn’t been to in nearly two weeks. Between the conference she’d attended and then her arrest shortly after, she felt almost out of place in a firm she’d helped to build.
But here she was…back in a place where she no longer felt welcomed doing work for another attorney whose licensewasn’tsuspended pending a murder trial. And she was still smiling like a giddy teenager with her very first crush.
Gee, I wonder what’s so different about today.
There wasn’t a lot, really. Russ was still dead. The cops still thought she did it. She was momentarily out of a job, and the real killer was still out there somewhere, probably waiting for their chance to strike again.
So yeah, her life was still a mess, and there was a very good chance she was going to prison. But there was also a possibility that the man who’d given her multiple orgasms only a few hoursbefore would figure out a way to prove her innocence before that happened.
Albeit a small chance, but still. After last night, Cassie was banking on Archer and his team to save her ass.
She slid one of the thick folders free and sat down at her desk, doing her best to ignore the welcomed soreness between her legs. They only had a couple of hours before their meeting with Detective Knox, and there were several files to get through.
“You hungry?”
The rumbled words brought her focus from the papers in front of her to the man filling her office doorway. Muscles that should be more than satisfied by now clenched at the sight, and when his dark, knowing gaze stared deep into hers, Cassie realized she was in big, big trouble.
I could stare into those eyes forever.
“Cass?”
“Huh?” She blinked, having forgotten he’d asked her a question. “Oh, food. Right. Um…yeah, I could eat.” A quick nod.
“Figured I should probably order some take-out now, since we don’t know how long the meeting with Knox is going to take.”
“Good idea.” She smiled up at him.
It was such a strange feeling, talking with him about normal, every-day things like ordering lunch. Because itdidn’tfeel strange in the least. It felt natural, just like nearly every other conversation they’d had.
Whether discussing her case, his past, his work, her work…it didn’t matter what the topic of conversation was. Or if they were simply sitting in the same room without talking at all.
Being with Archer—in bed or out—simply felt right. As if she’d known him her whole life.
“You sure you’re okay?” Concern flashed across his ruggedly handsome face.
Get it together, woman!