Archer Read Online Free PDF Page A

purring under a beautiful, chrome-plated hood. A woman would have to buckle in to get a ride out of him.”
    “It’s not like that.” Jane sighed, shaking her head. “He’s just doing Garrett a favor. You know how all of the boys are. I’m not the same person they knew before I left for college. I won’t involve them in my life.”
    Charlene looked at her. “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve heard. No one can help you, because you refuse to talk about what you’re going through and think you can handle it yourself. You can’t.”
    “I am.”
    “You are not.” Charlene lowered her voice. “Besides, Kage isn’t looking at you like you’re Garrett’s little sister. That man wants you, and he’s tired of waiting.”
    “He does not w—”
    “Look at you.” Charlene straightened. “Wavy, full hair with natural ginger highlights women can’t even pay their stylist to create, eyes the color of whiskey that intoxicate Kage whenever he looks at you, and boobs that I wish I had in my younger years. You have enough spirit inside of you to keep a man on his toes, and that’s what every man wants. Kage’s not immune to it.”
    “You’re biased, because you’re my friend,” she said. “I’m trouble.”
    “I love you. Don’t be talking down about yourself. Sure, you lost yourself for a while, but you’re back. Kage knows it. He’s always known it. That boy has had his eye on you before you even knew he was looking. I’ll tell you, a man who’s waited that long isn’t going to sit around while you pull yourself out of the pond of self-pity you’ve thrown yourself in. Mark my words, Kage’s marking his territory.” Charlene lifted her brows and leaned closer. “Big-time.”
    Jane swallowed and stared across the room in disbelief. “No…”
    “Yes, darling. That man wants you in his bed and in his life. He’s not someone who changes his mind.” Charlene laughed, squeezed Jane’s hand, and then glided down the bar to help a customer.
    It’d always been Kage for her. Even clear back when she wanted her first kiss to be with him. She’d planned, dreamed, and patiently waited until the timing was perfect. Or, so she thought.
    She’d curled up on the couch with Kage when he crashed in the living room at her house after attending a bachelor party with her brother and had drunk too much to drive home. She’d been seventeen, trying to assert her newfound womanly feelings on the one man who made all those emotions explode inside of her.
    He’d turned her down cold.
    To add hurt to the humiliation she experienced, he’d kissed her forehead, turned her toward her bedroom, slapped her ass, and sent her away.
    A deep hidden part of her wanted to jump up and go to Kage, ask him if everything Charlene said was true. But, having lived in hell the last four years, she knew she would only be setting herself up. No matter what Kage wanted, or she wanted, a relationship of any kind was out of the question.
    Garrett and his friends wandered toward the pool table. As long as she could remember—even before they were of legal age—they’d gathered at table 3 and relaxed over a couple games of pool a few nights a week. She swiveled her stool to put her back toward the room. She’d eat and go home, hopefully with Garrett. From here on out, she’d be more careful and not let Kage catch her alone.
    Just as the thought crossed her mind, Kage pressed his hand low on her back, sat beside her on the empty stool, and swung her around until she faced him, her legs inside his. “Whatever you’re thinking, stop it.”
    She ducked her chin. “None of you were supposed to know. Garrett promised. I didn’t want you to find out…”
    He placed his hands on her thighs. “That was your first mistake. It’s our job. You’re our job, because we’re friends. We all have a history together, and I care about you.”
    “I know,” she whispered.
    “We’re experienced and trained to handle situations like the one