Absolute Darkness - A CME Survival Thriller Read online

  “Good afternoon!” the man chirped. “I come in peace.”

  Erik hid a hand behind his back. Even though I couldn’t see it, I knew his fingers were wrapped around the handle of his gun.

  24

  “Stay where you are,” Erik said sharply.

  The man’s enormous smile faded only slightly. “I don’t want any trouble.”

  He held up both hands to show he wasn’t armed. The only things he appeared to have were a backpack and a heart-melting smile.

  “You know who that is, right?” Dorian said, looking at me over his shoulder.

  My eyes narrowed, and it hit me like a fist to the gut. The acid in my stomach swirled, and it was like I was a freshman in high school all over again.

  It wasn’t just me that had a crush on Archer Ellis… it was every girl in the school. Dorian rolled his eyes at me. The swooning must have somehow made its way to my face.

  “Yeah, you know,” Dorian said.

  I drew in a breath and bit back my sigh. He had barely changed, but Archer wasn’t that slick, sporty thin kid. He was a grown man with muscles that bulged against his tight-fitted shirt.

  “Who is it?” Erik asked quietly without taking his eyes off the man.

  “A guy we went to high school with,” Dorian said.

  “What’s he doing out here?” Erik grumbled.

  Dorian snorted. “How the hell would I know that?”

  “Seems a couple of my friends know you,” Erik said. “What are you doing out here?”

  “They do?” Archer squinted his eyes. “Just passing through. Saw the smoke. Mind if I come a little closer just to say hi?”

  Erik stepped back, gesturing toward the group. He didn’t relax his hand at the back of his waistband.

  Archer approached and looked us over one at a time. “Hey.”

  “You probably don’t remember me,” Dorian said.

  “Or me,” I added.

  “You definitely don’t know me,” Sam said, getting to her feet. She carried the bottle with her as she walked over to him and stuck out her hand. “Samantha Dodds.”

  He shook her hand and smiled at her. A smile Archer had given every girl in school but me.

  “Dori—”

  “Yeah, I remember you,” Archer said, shifting his eyes to me. “Should I remember you?”

  I wanted to stop the smile, but I couldn’t. “Oh, probably not. I was a freshman when you were a senior.”

  A smile grew on Archer’s face. “Seems you remember me.”

  “Everyone knew who you were,” I said, nervously wiping my palms on the back of my pants. I cleared my throat. “I’m Mel Carter.”

  “I wish that rang a bell,” Archer said, holding my gaze for a few seconds before turning to Erik. He thrust out his hand toward him. “Archer Ellis. Are you from around here too?”

  Erik reluctantly shook his hand. “Not exactly. Erik Price.”

  “This is your place?” he asked with a laugh. He pointed to Dorian. “I know it’s not yours.”

  “Yes,” Erik replied quickly. “So, what are you doing snooping around my yard?”

  “Oh, hey, that’s not what this is,” Archer said, holding up his hands. “I was seriously just passing through, hoping to make it up to Washington Island.”

  Dorian mumbled something as he turned back to the grill. Archer narrowed his eyes at him for a moment, but brought his attention back to Erik.

  “You’re so tall,” Sam said, lightly touching his bicep.

  Archer looked at the bottle and her glass. His lips curled at the ends with interest.

  “Thanks,” Archer said, staring into her eyes.

  Sam giggled as she poured more wine into her half-full glass. Erik slowly exhaled.

  “What’s at Washington Island?” Erik asked.

  “Nothing as far as I know,” Archer said, turning his attention back to Erik. “I’m just trying to get away from all the crazy.”

  “What have you seen?” I asked.

  Archer shrugged. “People fighting over food, fighting over where to go, who to listen to. Stealing, vandalism, killing.” He ran his finger through his short, wavy hair. “I think you are the first people I ran into that aren’t fighting about something.”

  “How do you plan to survive on the island?” I asked, pointing at his oversized backpack.

  “Camping, hunting, fishing, foraging,” Archer said, with a half-shrug. “It’s like it’s kill or be killed, and instead of either of those options, I’m going to choose to hide. If that makes me a coward, then so be it. I’ll be an alive coward instead of a dead fool.”

  Sam sighed as she leaned toward him. “Maybe you should stay with us. We don’t want to be around the crazy either.”

  “Except you’re going to walk right into it,” Erik said.

  “I don’t know what that means, but I’d love to stay the night. I’ve been only walking for a day, and my legs are killing me,” Archer said. “It would be nice to catch up with some old classmates and rest my legs. I won’t be any trouble.”

  “Yeah, you should totally stay,” Sam said, bumping into him. “It’s okay, right, Erik?”

  The muscles in his neck jutted out. “I suppose it’s fine.”

  “Awesome,” Archer said, setting down his backpack. “How do I get hooked up with some of that wine?”

  “I’ll get you a glass,” Sam said, stumbling as she walked backward toward the house. “Don’t disappear now.”

  Archer laughed as the door to the house closed. “She’s well on her way, huh?”

  “Indeed,” I said, glancing toward the house over my shoulder.

  “You know,” Archer said, eyeing me. “You do look familiar. What’s your last name again?”

  “Carter,” I replied.

  He repeated the name several times. “You’re not Ezra Carter’s little sister, are you?”

  “That would be me,” I said.

  “Oh, hilarious. You sure have grown,” Archer said, looking me over.

  Erik walked over to Dorian. They both had their backs to us while they busied themselves with the grill.

  “Thanks, I think,” I said, hoping he didn’t see the heat that was undoubtedly coloring my cheeks. “How did you know my brother?”

  “He’d buy us cigarettes and beer.” Archer laughed. “The bastard would buy the cheapest and keep the change. The joke was on him though, we didn’t care.”

  “That sounds like Ezra.”

  Archer ran his fingers slowly through his hair, glancing over at Sam as she sauntered toward us. “What’s old Ezra up to these days?”

  “He moved to Florida years ago. Works in advertising, I think, or maybe he’s retired now. We don’t really keep in touch,” I said.

  “You don’t seem too broken up about that,” Archer said.

  I looked away, twisting my fingers into my hair. “He has his own life and family now.”

  “Hey, I get it,” Archer said, taking my hand in his. He slowly lowered it away from my face. “My sister and I haven’t talked in years.”

  “I’m back!” Sam sang loudly as she handed Archer a glass. “Wait until you see Erik’s basement.”

  It sounded like Erik groaned, but if anyone else had noticed, they ignored it.

  “It’s a complete bar, and Erik makes the absolute best cocktails, right Mel?” Sam said, jabbing me with her elbow.

  “Ow! Yes, yes, he does.”

  “If you think Erik’s cocktails are great, just wait until you taste these veggie patties,” Dorian called over his shoulder.

  I smiled.

  “Veggie patties, huh?” Archer asked.

  “That’s right. It’s amazing what they can do with that grill,” I said, pressing my lips together.

  “Anything would be better than the protein bars in my backpack,” Archer said. “I think that’s all I’ve eaten in the last four days. And a few blackberries I found today.”

  I clapped my hand together. “Oh my God! I forgot about the wild black
berries. So good.”

  “I want some,” Sam said, puffing out her lower lip. “Let’s go get some.”

  “No,” Erik said, turning sharply. “We stay here. We stay together.”

  “It’s not far,” Archer said. “I can keep an eye on them.”

  Erik turned. “If you want to stay here, then you follow my rules.”

  “Okay,” Archer said, holding up both hands. “Maybe another time.”

  “Boo!” Sam said, sticking out her tongue. “You’re such a dad sometimes, Erik.”

  He ignored her. Erik was doing what he believed was right. I was thankful for everything he’d done so far.

  It was weird, but I trusted Erik with my life even though I didn’t know him very well. There was just something—gut instinct, maybe—that told me he was going to keep us safe.

  After we finished eating and the sun went down, we all gathered in the basement. Archer was impressed with Erik’s house and especially the bar. I could tell that Erik wasn’t even the slightest bit impressed with anything Archer did or said.

  Sam passed out not long after dinner. Dorian and Erik carried her up to her room, leaving Archer and me alone in the basement.

  Erik came back down, cleaned up, but retreated up the stairs shortly after. The house was warm from the heat, and my body was hot from all the wine.

  I couldn’t stop staring at the man I had a crush on for an entire year of my life. He was the guy I’d look down the hallway, hoping to see. The guy I’d stare at during lunch. He was the reason every girl attended every basketball and football game.

  Everyone wanted to be noticed by Archer. He’d probably worked his way through half the school twice.

  I wasn’t someone he had ever noticed, so to be sitting there with him felt very… very… nice. He’d look into my eyes when I talked and laugh if I said anything mildly funny.

  Archer finally noticed me.

  “So, what did you do after high school?” I asked, pulling my legs up onto the large, fluffy couch.

  “Visited Germany for a few months, and then backpacked through Ireland,” Archer said. “When I got back, my dad made me the manager of his hardware store.”

  “That’s right,” I said. “I forgot your family owned that place.”

  Archer shook his head. “Not much of it left anymore. It’s been looted.”

  “Your dad must be pissed,” I said.

  “He would have been, but he passed away last year,” Archer said. “Snowmobile accident.”

  “I’m sorry,” I said.

  “Thanks,” Archer said, scooting closer. “How have you lived here, and our paths haven’t crossed until now?”

  His eyes lowered, landing on my lips. He reached over and slid a finger across the back of my hand.

  “I don’t live here,” I said, my voice fading as my pulse quickened. “I came to clean my mom’s house.”

  “Oh,” Archer said. “Where did you come from?”

  “Massachusetts. Sam wants to go back,” I said awkwardly.

  Being close to him was making it hard for my brain to work properly. It was hard to believe that he was actually this close to me. That what was happening was real.

  I wanted to call up everyone I’d ever talked to in high school and tell them I was with Archer. Everyone needed to know.

  “Too bad you’re stuck here,” Archer said, reaching over to tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear. He smiled, and my body slumped closer to him. “I can’t believe we never hung out in high school.”

  “You’re were busy,” I said.

  “You’re so fucking beautiful,” Archer said, gliding his thumb down my cheek. “I’m kicking myself right now.”

  I swallowed hard. My breaths were hitting me so fast. “Well, we’re here now.”

  25

  Archer’s hand slid around my neck, sending a shiver up my spine. He inched closer and closer—the electricity between us vibrated through my entire body.

  He looked into my eyes, and I was suddenly jolted back to being a freshman in high school. The longing I felt toward him was overwhelming.

  I was sweating. Shaking. And I felt incredibly awkward.

  All I could think about was how badly I wanted him to kiss me. How amazing it would be to feel his lips on mine.

  It was like he could read my mind. Archer’s mouth curled into a mischievous grin as he glued his eyes to my lips.

  “You are so right. We’re here now,” Archer whispered. “We really need to make up for lost time, don’t we?”

  I felt as though I was about to burst into a million little pieces. The wine had gotten to me. I really shouldn’t have drunk so much wine, but if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have ended up on the couch with my first real-life crush.

  Sure, there had been actors and other completely unattainable hot guys I’d dreamed about, but Archer had been different. It wasn’t just me that wanted him, it was every girl who ever laid eyes on him.

  A haze surrounded me as he brought his lips toward mine. It felt as though I’d been whisked into a dream. I didn’t know what to do… how to act… what to say as I tingled with anticipation.

  My muscles relaxed as he pressed his lips to mine. His tongue lazily brushed against mine, savoring me as if I were a delicate dessert.

  The skin on my neck sizzled as he slid his fingertips below my ear and into my hair. My head dropped back at the unbelievable pleasure that ripped through my body as his other hand slid up my thigh.

  It all felt wrong. I didn’t know Archer. I only knew the person he was in my head. But at the same time, it felt so incredibly right.

  No one ended up in a moment like this with their crush, and yet, here I was with mine. I couldn’t deny myself the one thing I’d wanted so deeply at one point in my life.

  My heart fluttered. Every inch of my body ached for more.

  “You taste so sweet,” Archer said, as his lips moved down my neck.

  “It’s just the wine,” I whispered, slipping my hands around his neck. I curled my fingers into his soft hair, still finding it impossible that what was happening was real.

  I deserved my moment with Archer. I owed it not only to myself but to every girl in the world who’d been ignored by the guy they wanted so badly it hurt.

  Archer leaned into me, pressing himself against my thigh. I could feel he wanted me just as much as I wanted him.

  I fumbled for the hem of his shirt and clumsily yanked it over his head. His skin was silky and perfect. Archer’s muscles were even more pronounced than I remembered.

  Every girl, and probably some guys too, had sighed after the basketball games when he ripped off his shirt after high-fiving the other team before the showers. If only they could all see him now.

  “You like what you see?” Archer asked, smirking.

  “I do,” I said breathlessly. I couldn’t have lied about it even if I had wanted to.

  Of course, there was no reason to lie about it. Archer was so freaking gorgeous, and it was nice to think about something other than the world falling apart around us.

  “What about you?” he asked.

  I nodded, and his hands slid down over my breast to the bottom of my shirt. My whole body tensed as he slowly dragged the fabric over my chest.

  “Shit,” he said, still smiling.

  I helped him get the shirt over my head, but he didn’t wait. His hands cupped my breasts as I tossed the shirt to the floor.

  I jolted as his thumbs rolled and flicked. My skin prickled as I bit down on my lip.

  His hands felt so good on my body. It was like he was erasing everything away. I felt normal. I felt powerful.

  It was like I was in charge for the first time in my life. I bit back a moan as he slid my bra strap down my shoulder and kissed down my breast.

  “Mmm,” I moaned as I melted into him.

  “You feel so good,” Archer said.

  I reached for the button on his pants. That was the green light he was waiting for. He wiggled out of his pan
ts before frantically helping me out of mine.

  Archer grabbed my legs and jerked my body. My back bounced as it slammed against the soft cushions.

  His lips found mine. I gasped as he pushed himself into me.

  My fingertips dug into his back. I held on to him as he crashed into me. The heat in the room caused our bodies to slide together.

  I pulled down on his hips, bringing him down harder. He brushed the hair from my face and glided his hand around my neck.

  Archer brushed his lips against mine as he quickened his pace. Our breaths were quick. The back of my head started to tingle.

  I could feel fire pooling low in my abdomen as he rolled his hips. For a moment, time slowed, and it felt like I was falling.

  My body dropped quicker and quicker until I couldn’t take it any longer. I dug my fingernails into his shoulder and pressed my lips together.

  The explosion that ripped through me was like a bolt of lightning crashing into the earth. It was bright, shocking, and the whole room shook.

  Archer groaned as his body dropped heavily onto mine. He took in several deep breaths before rolling to the side, keeping his arm draped over my stomach.

  “Dammit, that was—”

  “Yeah,” I said.

  “Terrible,” Archer said, unable to hold in his laugh. “I was going to say terrible, and now I know you agree.”

  I smacked him with the back of my hand. “Super funny. I can’t believe you 're single.”

  “Who said I was single,” he said, chuckling. “Kidding! Kidding. In all seriousness, that was incredible.”

  “Incredibly terrible,” I said.

  He laughed as he looked into my eyes, stroking my cheek with his thumb. Archer placed a sweet kiss on my lips, holding it for several seconds before turning his head.

  He popped up and started pulling on his pants. I heard the floor creaking above us. It was like we were about to get busted by our parents.

  We got into our clothes and sat back down on the couch. There was a good foot between us.

  I looked over at him, and he smiled. He slid his hand across the cushion and took my hand in his.