Wreck Me (Savage Bosses)

Chapter Six

Tahani

So Many Questions

By the time eight p.m. rolls around, my brain feels like mush. It’s been one of those days where my mind has been juggling too many tasks, and my body is finally catching up to the exhaustion. I shoot a quick email to Ava, letting her know that her designs look perfect, no changes needed. She replies almost instantly, thanking me and mentioning she’ll review them again in the morning. I can practically see her checking emails from home, since Mr. Gates let her leave at seven to take care of her kids.

I glance at my screen, mentally debating if I should text Contessa about the fallout she had with Mr. Gates. I flick through my phone and fire off a quick text, curious if they’ve patched things up. Her reply comes in fast: He still hasn’t reached out. Good luck with ‘the boss-hole’. I smirk, shaking my head. Contessa’s never one to mince words, and right now, I could use the laugh.

It’s 8:15 p.m., and I’ve officially hit my limit. I let out a yawn that feels like it’s coming from my toes and reach into my drawer for my purse. Time to head home. My brain’s too fried to handle anything more tonight, and I can already hear my bed calling my name.

As I turn off my computer, Mason’s voice catches me off guard. “Leaving already?”

I pause mid-step, peeking into his office. “Mason? I didn’t realize you were still here.”

He gives me his typical grin, always one to squeeze in extra points with the higher-ups. “Just burning some late-night oil. Tight schedule, you know.”

I roll my eyes slightly, but smile. “I’m out for the night, but I’ll be back first thing in the morning.”

He leans back in his chair with a mock salute. “Of course. See you then.”

The building is eerily quiet as I make my way to the elevators. It’s one of those silences that presses in around you, amplifying every little sound. By the time I reach the garage and slide into my car, I’m on autopilot, barely registering the drive ahead. My mind is already at home, already imagining the warmth of my covers.

I barely notice the traffic light. One second, it’s red, then it’s green, and just as I start to pull forward—BAM! The world spins, metal crunching, glass shattering. It all happens in a blur, and the next thing I know, I’m stumbling out of my car, the acrid scent of gasoline thick in the air. My head pounds, my thoughts a mess as I try to steady myself.

What just happened?

I blink against the bright headlights, my car’s front end crumpled beyond recognition. The steam hissing from the hood doesn’t feel real. None of this feels real. I don’t even remember the impact. Just the sickening spin of my car as everything veered out of control.

"Tahani!"

The voice pulls me back to reality. I turn, and there’s Mr. Gates, running toward me, panic etched on his face. It’s a strange sight, his usual cool, untouchable demeanor completely gone.

"Are you okay?" He grabs my shoulders, his hands trembling slightly as his eyes rake over me, searching for any sign of injury.

I nod shakily, the adrenaline still clouding my thoughts. "I think so. I don’t… I don’t remember it."

He exhales a breath, and there’s guilt written all over his face. His hands are still on me, but for once, he’s not the commanding, controlled businessman. He’s just… human. And shaken.

"I’m sorry, Tahani," he says, his voice rough with guilt. “I don’t know where my mind went. I was rushing back from a late meeting, speeding into the parking lot, and I wasn’t paying attention. I crashed into you. This is my fault.”

His words echo in the air, but I can’t fully process them yet. We stand there, surrounded by broken glass and crumpled metal, and the realization of what almost happened sinks in. My boss, the man who never seems to lose control, is standing in front of me shaken, remorseful, and for once, vulnerable.

I shake my head, still a bit dazed. "I probably wasn’t paying attention either."

Archer frowns, his eyes narrowing. "Don’t try to take the blame for this. I’m at fault, and I’ll pay for the damages. I’m just glad you’re okay."

I glance up at him, struck by how different he seems in this moment. His usual smooth confidence is replaced by something raw and real. His vulnerability catches me off guard, and my heart swells with an unfamiliar emotion I can’t quite name.

"Thank you, Mr. Gates," I say softly, reaching out to touch his arm, accepting his apology with a nod.

His eyes meet mine, and suddenly the air between us feels heavy, thick with something unspoken. "Archer," he corrects gently. "Call me Archer."

“Okay… Archer.” His name rolls off my tongue too easily, like I’ve said it a thousand times. His smile shifts, and for a second, it’s like we’re not standing in the aftermath of a wreck, but in some strange moment of discovery. There’s a connection here, and it feels dangerous.

I quickly remind myself that he’s a ruthless businessman who takes over companies and moves on without looking back. He’s not someone who sticks around or lets anything, or anyone, tie him down. I can’t let this moment fool me into thinking it’s more than what it is.

"You said your mind was somewhere else while you were driving," I say, trying to pull the conversation back to safer ground. "You need to get some rest. The long hours are catching up with you."

His hand cups my cheek, and his thumb traces slow circles against my skin, sending sparks down my spine. "I’m just glad you’re okay," he murmurs, his breath brushing against my lips. “I don’t know what I’d have done if something happened to you.”

My heart races, confusion and adrenaline battling for control. The nearness of him, the warmth of his touch—it’s overwhelming. I can feel the heat rising between us, and for a moment, everything else fades away.

Archer’s hand drops, and he clears his throat, stepping back awkwardly. "I should call a tow truck."

He pulls out his phone, turning away, and I’m left standing there, my thoughts spinning. There’s more to Archer Gates than the slick businessman I’ve heard about, and tonight, I’ve seen it—something softer, something real.

The wail of sirens cuts through the night air as emergency vehicles arrive. Archer finishes his call and turns back to me. "The tow truck will be here soon. I’ll handle everything and make sure your car’s fixed. In the meantime, I can have a rental delivered for you with mine."

“Thanks for taking care of the tow, but I’ll handle the rental tomorrow,” I say, trying to regain a sense of control. "I’ll just call—"

“Is everyone okay?” a police officer interrupts as he approaches us.

“We’re fine, just shaken up,” I reply, still feeling the lingering effects of the accident.

The officer takes down our statements, handing each of us a copy of the incident report. After being checked by paramedics and cleared, I watch as the tow truck hauls my car away. My heart sinks as I stare at the wreck until it disappears around the corner.

“Let me give you a ride home,” Archer offers quietly, his voice low.

I hesitate. Accepting means more time alone with him, and the idea sends a shiver through me. “I’ll be fine. I’ll call my father to pick me up.”

“There’s no need for that,” Archer insists, his gaze steady on mine. “A-One Luxury Fleets just delivered my car. I can take you home.”

I search his eyes, unsure of what I’m seeing. I know I should say no, but something holds me back. "Okay… thanks."

As we walk toward the sleek black Mercedes parked nearby, I shake my head with a small laugh. "A rental delivered right to the scene? That’s some rich people stuff."

He chuckles, the tension breaking for a moment. "I guess it is. Are you sure you don’t want me to have one delivered for you?"

“I’ll be fine getting a rental tomorrow,” I say, trying to sound more confident than I feel.

He nods and gently places his hand on my elbow, guiding me to the car. I try to ignore the tingling sensation his touch leaves behind, reminding myself that this is just a ride home—nothing more.

I give Archer my address as we pull away from the chaos of the accident scene. The silence in the car feels heavy, weighed down by everything left unsaid. I sneak a glance at his profile. His jaw is clenched, knuckles white against the steering wheel. He’s tense, but so am I.

I stare out the window, watching the city streets blur past. What can we even say after tonight? The fact that we walked away from that wreck with barely a scratch is still settling in, and yet, there’s more than just relief on my mind.

As we turn onto my street, the air in the car thickens with unspoken tension. This man, the one I had written off as detached and self-centered, has shown me there’s more to him. He’s not just a corporate shark. He’s someone who takes responsibility and offers a flicker of tenderness. And that unexpected side of him has me questioning everything.

Archer pulls up outside my townhouse, but neither of us moves. The engine hums, and I feel his eyes on me, though I keep my gaze fixed straight ahead. After a long moment, the engine cuts off, and the silence between us echoes louder than the crash ever could.

I finally turn to him, and his gaze meets mine—intense, unreadable.

"Let me walk you up," he says, his voice softer than I’ve ever heard it, almost hesitant.

I should say no. I should keep this professional. But before I can even think, I nod. “Sure.”

We step out of the car, and my heart hammers as we walk up to my front door. Under the soft glow of the porch light, Archer moves in close, and I feel his presence all around me. My breath catches as his hand comes up, gently tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers grazing the line of my jaw.

"Tahani..." His voice is low, rough, making my pulse beat at an insane rate as he leans in.

I sway toward him without even thinking, my eyelids fluttering closed as his lips hover above mine, teasing what could be. For once, I’m not overthinking, not calculating. I’m just feeling . Every electric moment we’ve shared has led to this, and I’m ready—ready to give in, ready to let him wreck me in ways I haven’t even imagined.

But just as I move to close the gap, Archer rests his forehead against mine, stopping short of the kiss I suddenly crave. "I should go," he whispers, his breath warm against my lips.

He’s right. I know he’s right, but it still feels like I’ve lost something. I step back, fumbling with my keys, my heart pounding in my chest. I unlock the door, but before I step inside, I glance back at him. He’s still standing there, watching me with that same intensity, torn between desire and restraint.

“Do you want to come in?” I ask softly, offering him the chance to break every unspoken rule between us.

He hesitates, clearly wrestling with himself. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea right now.”

A pang of disappointment shoots through me, but I understand. This... whatever this is, it’s new, fragile. And it could upend everything we’re both working toward at Iconic.

“If we’re going to do this,” he says, his voice gentle as his hand comes up to caress my cheek again, “we should take it slow. Do this right. You deserve that.”

His words sink in, and warmth floods through me. There’s something about the way he says it that makes me believe him. Makes me want to trust him.

I smile, feeling steadier than I did moments ago. "Good night, Archer."

"Good night, Tahani." He lingers for a moment before turning back toward the car. I watch him walk away, closing the door behind me as he drives off.

Leaning against the door, I let out a shaky breath, my mind reeling from the near kiss, from the way Archer looked at me, touched me, told me I deserved to be treated right. Everything feels different now, and that realization both exhilarates and terrifies me.

As I get ready for bed, I can’t stop replaying the scene on the porch—the soft brush of his forehead against mine, the unspoken connection simmering between us. I crawl into bed, still thinking about how much has changed in just a few days. Archer Gates went from being an enigmatic boss to someone I feel a strange, undeniable connection with.

But can I trust it? Does he feel the same way, or is this just physical attraction? And how could pursuing this change everything between us, especially at work?

These questions swirl through my mind as I drift off to sleep. The only thing I know for sure is that Archer Gates isn’t just living rent-free in my head anymore. He’s starting to take up a little space in my heart, too. And that thought, no matter how scary, feels like the beginning of something I can’t ignore.