As expected, I wasn't surprised to find out that Archer had a house in Duport. From the outside, it resembled a two-story grand art gallery, with its modern architectural design. However, as we entered the house, I was met with a fascinating and unusual sight. The foyer boasted a high ceiling and expansive space, adorned with decorative stones and glass walls. Instead of the typical stairs leading up, a unique design caught my eye – the stairs descended underground.
I couldn't help but be intrigued as I followed Archer down the wooden stairs, which curved into an underground sitting room. One side of the wall, an extension from the foyer, mimicked an enormous rock with a jagged surface reminiscent of a mining cave. It was both natural and artistic, creating a mesmerizing visual.
The living room's flooring was an extensive black marble, accented by thin white stripes, which took on a striking appearance under the soft glow of the candlelight from the elegant light fixtures. The room was adorned with two bed-like couches, one in gray resembling a two-seater but spacious enough to function as a mini-bed, and the other in a luxurious champagne gold color designed as a daybed – long and inviting. Lantern-like table lamps were thoughtfully scattered around the room, and a few hung from the ceiling, adding to the unique ambiance.
Just below the stairs, an extended area led to a modern kitchen and bar, completing the extraordinary underground space. I couldn't help but be captivated by the sheer artistry and creativity that Archer's house exhibited.
"Would you like to sit here, or should I show you to the room?" Archer asked, pulling me out of my head.
"Hmm?" I mumbled, before giving him my full attention.
"Never mind, come…" he said, ushering me towards the extensive daybed couch and piling up pillows behind my back to make me comfortable.
"You have a beautiful home…" I whispered.
"It's okay," he mumbled absentmindedly, gently wrapping his fingers around my ankles to help me place my legs on the couch. The warmth of his touch made me briefly shut my eyes, savoring the sensation.
Archer left briefly and returned with a blanket, draping it over my legs. Then, he sat on a small space beside me, one arm resting on the back of the couch as he leaned forward to gently brush his fingers against my temple.
"Tell me how you are feeling?" he asked, his voice soft and caring.
"I'm not going to crack open like an egg, Archer, quit fussing," I said playfully.
He smiled. "You just love pushing my buttons, don't you?" he remarked, his words tinged with affection.
"Or it might just be because you are… What word did you use earlier? Oh, 'infuriating'," I teased back.
His chuckle filled the room, and our eyes locked in a meaningful gaze. "Despite what you've gone through in the past hours, you look amazing…" he said, his tone sincere.
"Bullshit," I replied with a playful smirk, though his compliment made my heart race.
"I've missed you, Adele," he suddenly confessed, causing my heart to skip a beat.
"I thought you didn't want to see me…"
"I never said that," he whispered, leaning closer. "I just didn't want you to have some kind of illusion about me. I didn't want you to be disappointed when you realized I am not the ideal man for you."
"How do you know what I consider an ideal man, Archer?"
"I imagined you've lived a shattered life…. And could easily guess that a girl like you would want a good man. And I am not a good man…"
"Do you think it is possible for you to let me decide on that as an adult?" I said, returning his intense gaze.
He chuckled a hint of self-mockery in his tone, and drew back, rubbing his face with his hands. "Let me make something for us to eat," he said, getting up to walk away.
I wished I possessed the power to read minds and decipher the secrets lurking behind those arresting eyes, but unfortunately, I wasn't a psychic. Archer's mixed signals were confusing, and I knew they could only lead to one direction - me getting hurt again. It was clear that I needed to leave.
Sitting up, I scanned the room but couldn't find him. I quickly put on the slippers he provided, making my way toward the exit door. As I reached the door, I felt a little light-headed, and I took a moment to steady myself. Pulling the doorknob, I discovered it was unlocked and carefully opened it. Peering outside, I heard the voices of Archer's men, but they seemed preoccupied elsewhere. I seized the opportunity, hugging my back to the side wall, and began to move away slowly, blending with the tall decorative plants.
Crouching and moving cautiously, I aimed to make it to Archer's parked car as my escape route. The guards didn't anticipate anyone trying to sneak out, and that worked to my advantage. As I reached the car, I opened the back door and slipped inside the Jeep, lying down on the carpeted floor of the trunk. I waited, anticipating that Archer would soon discover my absence and start searching for me. If they couldn't find me, I hoped Archer might get angry enough to drive to my place to look for me, or maybe he'd just let me be. Then, when they were all distracted, I planned to hotwire the car and make my escape. However, my plan didn't quite work out that way.
Before even ten minutes had passed, Archer appeared and pulled the Jeep door open, catching me in the act. "Shit!" I cursed under my breath, feeling caught red-handed. "Will you quit this silliness and come back inside, Adele?" he demanded. "I just want to go home," I replied, trying to assert my desire to leave.
"You can't," he said firmly, reaching for me. I attempted to fight him off, but he effortlessly lifted me over his shoulder and walked back into the house, with his men trying hard not to laugh at the scene.
"My head hurts, Archer!" I cried in frustration. He gently placed me back on the couch I had occupied a few minutes ago and leaned in, with his arms flanking me protectively. He had changed into a raglan sleeve shirt and cargo pants, and his damp hair fell loosely around his face, suggesting he had just taken a bath. He looked as handsome as ever.
"What are you doing? What the hell is wrong with you, Adele?"
"I want to go home!" I reiterated, hoping he'd understand my determination to leave.
"I told you, you can't!" He growled, his frustration evident in his tone.
"Why the hell not?! It's not as if you want me with you, Archer. Let me go!" I pleaded, my emotions getting the better of me.
"I want you to be safe and well," he said with effort, trying to keep his composure.
"Whatever obligation you think you have, I absolve you from it, okay? Just let me go."
"You can't go."
"Why?"
"You can't go!"
"Why? Damn it! I can't be here with you like this! I can't play this game with you, Archer! I'm hurting, can't you see! I can't do this… my love, let me go, please!" I tried to reach for him, but he drew back as if he couldn't bear my touch. "Archer, damn you, let me go!"
"I can't!" He snapped, turning his back to me, running his fingers through his hair in frustration.
"If you keep me here against my will, I am going to hate you, Archer!" I cried out, feeling desperate to escape.
"Oh, Adele…" he groaned, evidently torn between his feelings and the situation.
In a moment of distraction, I seized the opportunity and ran for the stairs. But he caught me before I even reached the landing. With one arm wrapped around my waist, he carried me back to the couch, and I fought him with all my strength, ignoring the throbbing pain in my head. When my resistance seemed unyielding, he kissed me, causing me to whimper in confusion. "Fine!" he growled against my lips, "Don't say I didn't warn you…"
"Let me go," I cried, my heart and head in turmoil, torn between the pain and desire I felt for him.
"Be my girlfriend," he muttered against my lips, the words catching me by surprise.
"What?" I whispered, still unsure of what I had just heard.
"Be my girlfriend. Let me be your man," Archer whispered, his eyes searching mine with intensity. His emotions were raw, and I could see the turmoil he was going through.
"You don't want to be with me…" I yelled, shoving him in the chest, he didn’t relent. My heart was aching with the fear of being hurt again.
"Oh, I want you, Adele, you have no idea how desperately I want you… but my need for you to be safe is stronger than my desires, that's all," he explained, his voice filled with sincerity.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I heard and felt the pain in his words. "Archer…." I cried, unable to hide my emotions any longer.
"My beautiful Adele," he murmured and crushed his lips against mine, the passion in his kiss overwhelming. With shaky hands, I framed his jaw, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath my touch. He nibbled on my lower lip, and I willingly parted my lips, allowing his tongue to explore my mouth. The taste of mint mingled with his masculine scent, driving me wild with desire, and I knew at that moment that I was completely lost in him.
I kissed him back fervently, my passion matching his as I cradled his head in my hands. With a sense of urgency, I reached for the hem of his shirt and pulled it off, feeling the heat of his skin beneath my fingers. He trembled under my touch as I traced my fingers over his taut stomach and bulging pectorals.
Lowering to the floor, he allowed me to crawl onto his lap, and with each movement, our lips remained locked in a passionate embrace.
In the heat of the moment, he pulled down his pants, and I raised my dress, never breaking the kiss. He held me close as I felt him probing my wet opening, and with a deep growl, he said in desperate need, "I want to be inside you." sending shivers down my spine.
He gripped my thighs firmly, his nails digging into my flesh, overwhelmed by his own need and desire. "Now, Adele, please!" he pleaded, his voice filled with desperation.
I rose slightly, allowing him to slide inside me, and the sensation sent waves of ecstasy through my body. He hoisted me up and down over his lap with every thrust, and I couldn't help but lose myself in the fire of pleasure he ignited within me. It had been months since we were together, and all I wanted was to drown in the frenzy of passion he was unleashing.
"I'm not going to last… it's been too long," he warned, but I was already lost in the pleasure he was giving me. I felt myself drowning in ecstasy, my body responding to him with a hunger that matched his own.
He pressed his face to my chest, taking one of my nipples into his mouth and suckling gently, sending shockwaves of pleasure through me. I moaned his name, overwhelmed by the intensity of the sensations he was evoking.
"Oh, Archer!"
"Oh, God, I have missed you," he growled, his voice laced with emotion and desire.
"I have missed you too," I whispered, wrapping my arms around his neck, pulling him close for another passionate kiss. At that moment, nothing else mattered but the intense connection we shared.