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words.
    “You didn’t get along with him?” Addison asked. Apparently, Archer hadn’t hid it as well as he had hoped.
    “I barely remember him,” he said, hoping it would be the end of the conversation.
    “So what do you do for a living?” she asked. “Your house is stunning.”
    “Thank you. Jake and I provide security services,” he answered. That was not a complete lie, if not only a partial truth. “Would you like something for dessert?”
    “Oh, yes please,” she said shyly. Damn, that smile will let her get away with murder , Archer thought.
    “I’ll be right back,” he said.
    ***
    Trying to let go of her mortification over the ‘fripples’ incident, Addison uncovered her arms and attempted to act natural. She had gotten so used to living with Kitty that she had forgotten to put on a bra. Not particularly desirable when you have large breasts. To make things worse, all she wanted to do was reach over and touch Archer, so when he went to the kitchen, she tried to collect herself.
    Archer came back with two bowls filled with chocolate mousse and strawberries. Despite the feast she’d just devoured, her mouth watered for a taste. Archer smiled knowingly and passed her a bowl. Spooning some into her mouth, Addison let out a low groan.
    “Archer, I have never tasted anything as delicious as this. You are amazing.” She took another huge spoonful.
    “I can think of one thing that would be much more delicious,” he said, his tone low. Addison almost choked before drinking water to soothe her spluttering. Archer merely raised a brow at that before Addison ducked her head and resumed eating more systematically than before.
    After she had finished and all but licked the bowl clean, she started collecting the empty plates and dishes from the table. The food was almost finished, and she was rather embarrassed to realise that was thanks to her. Oh well. Archer had said he loved a woman with an appetite. Addison was just hoping hers remained with food, because an appetite for something else was suddenly growing.
    Archer stopped her and said, “No, let me.”
    She merely slapped his hand away and pointedly told him, “The cook doesn’t clean.”
    He looked somewhat baffled, yet amused by her behaviour. Addison told him to go shower while she cleaned up. It took him a bit of convincing, but eventually he conceded. Praise be to small victories.

 
    Chapter 7
     
    Addison was inattentive even on her best days, but today she did her best to stare at the lecturer and not the fine specimen seated next to her. Archer was wearing a black sweater that did nothing to hide his broad shoulders and muscled arms. Black jeans were tucked into black leather combat boots, and the effect was devastating. Every woman in the room was sneaking glances at him, but from the corner of her eye, Addison could see Archer was oblivious. She made sure to stare at the lecturer, knowing that if someone asked her a question on what was being said she would only be able to mutter unintelligibly.
    He had been insistent that he or Jake accompany her when she left the house. Jake had plans for the day, so now Archer was her designated babysitter.
    She began doodling on her notebook absentmindedly. The forms started taking shape, and soon enough two startling eyes, framed with thick black lashes, stared back at her. After shaping sensual lips she realised who she was drawing and screwed the paper up immediately, sliding a glance at Archer who had been staring at the desk where the paper had been. Addison’s cheeks burned, and she went back to looking at the lecturer. 
    At the end of the lecture Addison was gathering up her things when her professor came up to her.
    “One moment, Miss O’Donnell. I hope you don’t mind, but I submitted your paper on the Separation of Powers doctrine to a few law journals,” Professor Kintag confided. “One is interested in publishing your work and would like your permission to do so.”
    Addison stood