Crave (Billionaire Bachelors Club #1)(47)

“What if they hate it?” she blurts out. “The interiors? All of it? I’ll never be able to forgive myself.”

“They’re not going to hate it. Everything looks f**king amazing.” It does. She did a phenomenal job. We did a phenomenal job together. Proving to me yet again that we make a great team.

“Really?” She’s looking at me, really looking at me, and I know she needs my reassurance now more than ever.

“Really.” I kiss her again, this one a little longer, leaving her breathless when we break apart. “I wouldn’t lie to you.”

That in itself is a lie. I’m keeping something from her right now. Like that stupid bet. It’s the most juvenile thing I’ve ever participated in, and I don’t want her to hear what Matt and Gage had to say. How she didn’t count. How none of them think I could possibly be interested in her.

I need to come clean before Gage or Matt ruin it and tell her first. They’re both supposed to be attending tonight, but they won’t get a chance to talk to her alone. I’ll make sure and keep her by my side the entire evening.

“Archer . . .” She breathes deep, as if gathering strength, and I squeeze her closer, not wanting to break this physical or emotional connection we have. “What’s going to happen after tonight?”

“What do you mean?” I know exactly what she means. I’m just stalling for time so I can come up with a logical answer.

“Between us. I—I have to go back home. I need to go back to my job.” She drops her head, pressing her forehead into my chest, and I wrap my arms around her waist, holding her close. “I don’t want to leave you,” she whispers.

My heart constricts. This has happened so damn fast. And I let it. Enjoyed it, really. “I don’t want you to leave either,” I admit.

She sighs, and I feel all the tension leave her body as she melts against me. “You don’t know how glad I am that you said that.”

Slipping my hand beneath her chin, I tilt her face up, see the tears shimmering in her pretty hazel eyes. They’re more green than brown at the moment and I kiss away the tear that drops on her cheek, my heart aching at seeing that physical display of emotion coming from her. “I’m falling in love with you, Ivy.” I’ve already fallen. And there I went, f**king admitting it. What is wrong with me?

I’m in love with Ivy. That’s what’s wrong with me.

“Oh.” She presses her lips together and closes her eyes, but another tear falls onto her cheek. I kiss that one away too. “God, Archer, I—I’m falling for you too.”

She didn’t say love, not that I’m going to hold it against her. For once, I’m laying it all on the line for a woman. For this woman—the woman I love. The woman I think I’ve always loved, I just never knew it until this very moment.

“We need to go, baby.” I kiss her again, because after making such a confession from the deepest, darkest part of your soul, you have to be reassured your woman is on the same page.

The responsive way she kisses me, clings to me, tells me that yes, indeed, she is more than on the same page. We’re writing the same damn book. Together.

“Can we talk later? Tomorrow? About . . . us?” she asks when I finally, reluctantly pull away from her.

“Whatever you want.” I cup her cheek, staring into her eyes. Feeling myself fall more and more in love with her.

“I CAN’T BELIEVE how much you transformed this place.” Matt glances around the lobby, his eyes wide as he drinks it all in. “It looks incredible, Archer. You should be proud, man.”

I am. So damn proud, I feel like I’m going to burst. “Yeah, you saw it in its barest, ugliest, pared-down state, didn’t you?”

It had been a dilapidated, falling-down-around-my-ears building that had once housed a premiere spa. Before the recession came along and took down the previous owner’s business with a mighty, ugly fall. The building stood empty for about four years, allowing looters and whatever other bums came through to completely trash the place and gut it of anything valuable.

But I’d known from the moment I walked inside, it had potential. I’d purchased the building and land for pennies on the dollar. Best decision I ever made. Not only did I have a new business to be proud of, but creating this resort brought Ivy and me together.

“I sure did and I thought the place looked like something out of a horror movie. Might’ve tried to discourage you from buying it too, not that you would have listened to me. But you’re the one with the vision, not me.” Matt shook his head, his gaze still sweeping the interior. “And Ivy helped you with it all, huh?”

“Yeah, more like she chose everything. The furniture, the art that covers the walls, the light fixtures, the accessories, all of it is Ivy’s vision, which complements mine, thank God. I just signed off on all the invoices and didn’t bother arguing with her. Everything she chose totally works, don’t you agree?” I want to hear him praise her. I need someone to join in with me, since I sound like an overeager boyfriend too proud of his woman.

Which I sort of am.

“I do agree. The place is gorgeous. And there was no arguing between you two, huh? That’s rather unlike you and Ivy,” Matt jokes.

“I know. We uh, work well together.” Understatement of the year. Ivy and I do everything well together.