Twelve
Like an innate reflex, Archer's eyes open when he feels sunlight on his body. He licks his lips and swallows as he realizes Maddy is still up against him. Wrapping his arms around the mass under the blankets, he quickly becomes aware of the fact that the Maddy he feels against him is just a row of pillows. He snaps to an upright position and scans the apartment. Solomon is still asleep in Maddy's bed. The sun is just beginning to filter in through the apartment windows. Maddy is nowhere in sight.
He shoves the blankets and pillows away from him as he gets up and stretches his arms over his head. His back feels stiff from sleeping an entire night on his side. He spots a pack of cigarettes on the edge of the counter in the kitchen and he pounces on it like a lion would on fresh meat. He rips the pack open with a precise bite and pulls a cigarette out with his teeth. He pulls his lighter from his pocket and inhales until he feels the hot nicotine caress the back of his throat. He sucks in another deep drag as he rubs the side of his face.
Archer hears movement in the bathroom. His first instinct is to reach for his holster, but he reminds himself that he is in Maddy's apartment in New York and that the rummaging he hears is probably Maddy. Still, his muscles tighten and his fists clench. He approaches the bathroom door just as it opens and he bites down hard on the filter of his cigarette. Maddy rounds the corner and looks up at Archer. Her face is dewy and pink and her eyes are as clear as glass. Even the gash on her cheek looks clean.
"Good morning," she greets him with a small laugh.
Every muscle in Archer's body loosens and he pulls his cigarette from his lips as he breathes out an audible sigh of relief.
"At ease soldier," she teases. Her smile doesn't falter for a moment. "My name is Maddy Bowen, I own this apartment."
"Ja ja, I know who you are," he grins.
Maddy smirks and licks her wet lips.
"What were you doing in there, huh?"
"Well first, I did laundry. Then I showered and put on some clean clothes to go about my day in."
He nods.
"What are you doing awake so early?"
"I should be asking you the same question, huh," he scoffs.
"I asked you first, Archer."
"The sun is up," he cocks his head towards the windows.
"I see you found the cigarettes I bought you."
He looks down at the offending object pinched between his fingers and nods.
"Are they okay? I don't know what you smoke."
"A cigarette is a cigarette."
"I'm going to start on breakfast," she tells him as she walks by him.
Archer follows Maddy into the kitchen. He leans over on the counter, his elbows pressed against the cool granite. Maddy puts a small bowl in front of him.
"What's this for?"
"Your ashes."
"Huh." He flicks the end of his cigarette into the bowl.
"How did you sleep last night?"
"Fine."
"I slept well too, thanks for asking."
Archer laughs and raises his eyebrows. "I was getting around to it."
"Of course you were."
"I was, Maddy," he tells her adamantly.
"Is Solomon still asleep?"
"I think he might be dead, actually."
"Archer," Maddy hisses, looking at him with furrowed brows.
He raises his shoulders.
"What do you want for breakfast?"
"What can you cook?"
"I'm quite proficient in the kitchen."
"How about a coffee?"
"I can make that happen."
Maddy grinds the beans and fills the espresso maker with her back to Archer. His eyes don't leave her frame as she works and he watches the way her shoulder blades move underneath her t-shirt, the way they poke out and roll as she lifts her arms and moves her hands. Solomon rouses to the sound of her grinding the beans and he gets out of bed to walk over to the counter where Archer is leaning. He greets the man with a nod.
"Good morning, Mister Archer."
Maddy hears his smooth voice and she turns around with a bright smile on her face. "Good morning, Solomon!"
Solomon bows his head. "Miss Bowen."
"How did you sleep last night?"
"Very well, thank you," he says courteously. "I had a lot of space when Mister Archer got out of bed."
"Ja, ja," Archer nods as he stubs his cigarette out in the bowl. He licks his bottom lip before jutting his jaw out.
"What would you like for breakfast this morning, Solomon?"
He opens his mouth to answer but Archer holds his hand up. "How about an omelet, huh Maddy?"
"I can make omelets," she nods, looking to Solomon, who nods as well. "Two omelets, then."
Maddy turns back around to get her frying pan and the eggs and butter from the fridge. While she begins taking care of breakfast, Solomon moves closer to Archer and lowers his head to speak.
"Mister Archer, what is omelet?"
Archer lets out a low grunt of a chuckle. "It's eggs, bru."
