A Lifetime to Learn

Chapter 10: You Took A Stick For Me So I Guess That's The Same

Open one eye at a time, maybe it will help. I slowly opened my left eye and instantly shut it as the stream of light began to burn my retina. Maybe just keep them closed. But I need to figure out where I am. One. Two. Three. My eyes both shot open and the burning sensation passed after about two minutes and I was finally able to see everything clearly. 

A snoring Archer lay with his arm draped over my hip and his head in the crook of my neck. I smiled at how cute he looked when he slept before coming to my senses and shoving him so hard he rolled off the bed and face planted into the cheap motel carpet. I chuckled a little at the fact he didn't move before getting up and looking at myself in the mirror. Instant regret washed over me as I realized that my hair was literally a rat's nest and my mouth tasted like vomit and mint. How is that even possible. "Why am I on the floor?" A groggy Archer asked, spitting out the carpet that must have found it's way into his mouth as he spoke. "I didn't know you liked it rough." He explained as he pushed himself up and made his way towards the bathroom. 

I must have not realized the lack of a shirt on his bare back earlier, because as he passed me I swear I got hot flashes. Come on Carmen, get it together, you're too young to be going through menopause. I slapped myself to see if I was still sane, and of course, I wasn't. I mean, I did just slap myself after all. "Hurting yourself won't make me less shirtless." He winked, returning to the main section of the room and obviously reading my mind. 

"I uh slapped myself to make sure I wasn't um. Dying." I made up quickly, the urge to slap myself rising again as I realized how truly stupid that sounded.

"How about you let the Doctor check hmm?" He suggested, making his way over to me and placing his hands on my hips. 

"You're still an intern so technically you're not a Doctor." I pointed out, proud at the full sentence I was able to muster as his hands made their way up and down my side. 

"Well even an intern could tell you that you're not dying." He whispered into my ear, "But you're heart is beating a little too quickly. Maybe I should speed it up." He smirked before pressing his lips onto the edge of my neck, sucking softly. I gasped at the touch causing his smirk to widen as he nibbled the skin slightly and made his way over to the base of my chin. 

He placed small kisses up until he reached my mouth, moving swiftly passed it and kissing up my nose until he stopped at my forehead. "Now slow it down a little." He chuckled, backing away from me and walking over to where his shirt was laying on the edge of the bed. 

"Hey Archer?" I said really quickly, hoping that my next question wouldn't be stupid. I mean, girls in books asked it all the time so why shouldn't I be allowed to as well? 

"Carmen." He laughed as he pulled the layer of fabric over his defined chest and turned back to me, scuffing up his hair a little with his fingers. 

"I was just uh-" I was about to ask him where last night left us in terms of friends, enemies, etc., but the motel's phone started to ring, cutting me off.

"Hold that thought." He smiled, holding up his index finger and walking over to the phone. "Hello?" That was all he said when the yelling across the phone began and he held it a little away from his ear. I couldn't blame him though, the person was so angry it probably would have burst his ear drums. "Calum calm down. Yes. No nothing happened I wouldn't let it. He's back in the hospital? Well I guess jail is the right place for him. Yea. Don't worry I'll bring her home today. Okay I'll tell her. I'll see you soon." With that, he hung up the phone and made his way back over to me, grabbing my hand and bringing me out of the room and down the stairs until we reached his car. 

"Are you going to tell me what that was all about?" I chuckled as I buckled my seat belt, my seat shaking with the roar of the engine as he brought it to life.