As I stirred awake, I felt Archer's warm breath caressing my ear, his naked skin against mine felt divine, and I pressed against him, rubbing my back against his front like a moth drawn to a flame. He whispered my name again, his voice sending shivers down my spine.
"Hmm," I mumbled, feeling his hand cupping one of my breasts, teasing the hardened peak with his finger. Slowly, I circled my waist, pressing my backside against his hardened cock. He gripped my hip, preventing me from stopping, and continued to press against me.
"I'm going to be late, and it's going to be your fault," he growled, flipping me over to lie face down. My breath hitched as he leaned over me, his body still pressed against mine. He lifted my hips, making me arch my back as he entered me.
"Hmm," I moaned, biting my lip to stifle my cries of pleasure. The familiar rhythm took me back to our time together at his cabin in Brooks, where we slept and woke up entwined in each other's love.
His thrusts grew deeper, and I couldn't help but cry out at the explosion of ecstasy that engulfed me.
"My love!"
"Oh, shit!" Archer muttered in an impassioned tone, seemingly fueled by my words. His movements became more urgent, and both our moans grew louder as pleasure consumed us.
"Don't stop!" I pleaded, overwhelmed with bliss, feeling it surge with each thrust until I was lost in the throes of ecstasy.
"Oh! Oh!" Archer breathed harshly as he climaxed, and we collapsed together, riding the waves of pleasure. He gripped my thigh and turned me around while still connected, then leaned over to tease and please my nipples. I moaned, feeling his lips on my skin before he raised his head to hover over mine and kissed me deeply.
"Good morning, my love," I whispered against his lips.
He smiled. "Good morning, beautiful. Rest assured, I'll tell Victor Donovan you're the reason I'm running late," he said playfully.
I giggled, wrapping my arms around his neck and running my fingers through his silky hair, framing his face.
"Hmm… if I'm to take the blame, you better put more effort into the next two rounds," I teased, and he burst into laughter, a rare sight that filled my heart with joy.
"Is that a challenge?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with happiness. Looking into his eyes, I felt the depth of my love for him.
"I love you, Archer," I said sincerely.
His smile deepened, and his joy was evident. "I'll always be grateful you feel that way, Adele," he rasped before kissing me again, sealing our love in a passionate embrace.
Archer had given me exactly what I asked for – one straight hour of pleasure, but he had to dash out afterward, leaving me in a state of bliss and warmth. Chad was scheduled to take me to join Archer and his father at the prestigious Hotel Royal, known for its opulence and rumored to have interiors made of pure gold – though I found that hard to believe.
Standing in front of my wardrobe at home, I felt anxious about what to wear to meet one of the most powerful men in the world. I called my friends, Jade and Tiffany, on a conference call for their fashion advice.
"I swear to God, Adele! I am going to wring your neck when I see you!" Jade exclaimed as soon as she saw me.
"That makes the two of us, you are dead, dead I say, Missy!" Tiffany added tearfully.
Confused, I started to speak, then remembered the fire incident at my work.
"Oh, shit!" I exclaimed, realizing why they were upset.
"It is 'oh, shit' alright! Why didn't you call us? We were worried sick," Jade said, wiping her tears angrily.
"We couldn't reach you," Tiffany added with accusation in her voice, wiping her own tears away.
"I'm so sorry. What happened was …." I went on to tell them about the accident and waking up in the hospital. "I'm calling you with Archer's spare phone. And I had to gimmie my lock. I lost my car, my phone, my house keys…"
"Oh my God…" Tiffany exclaimed with concern and horror.
"So sorry you had to go through that. How are you feeling now?" Jade asked.
"I'm fine. The doctors said I was really lucky."
"Yes, you are. I saw the building before they sealed the site for reconstruction, and I just started to cry…" Tiffany said.
"Yeah, it was quite a frightening sight. The fact that you made it out was a pure miracle!" Jade added.
"Reconstruction?" I repeated in bemusement. It hadn't even been 48 hours since the incident. I must have lost track of the hours.
"It's insane how fast the place was cleaned up; one would think it was just a new construction site. But then it's PharmaMed. They are not the leading brand for nothing."
"With my phone destroyed, I haven't been able to reach out to any of my colleagues. I will check my mail and see if there's any news and at least let everyone know I am fine."
"I know you forbid us from ever speaking about your eye candy, but it sounds like he's back in your life…." Jade said, wiggling her eyebrows playfully.
"Hearing the news must have shaken him," Tiffany added.
"I woke up to find him beside me in the hospital," I said.
"Aww…" the two gushed. I laughed. "I spent the night with him, and now we are officially dating," I announced.
"Oh, my God!" Jade exclaimed.
"Yes! I won, I won!" Tiffany said, dancing about in front of her office desk.
"What?! You made a bet?!" I exclaimed.
"Yup, I knew he wouldn't be able to keep away from you. That man who caught Anthony Morozov off the way he did would not let you go. He was insanely jealous!" Tiffany declared.
"Well, my argument was he stayed away too long!"
"Yeah, right. And the first chance he got to integrate himself back into your life, he took it. My guess was he never left; he was just waiting." Tiffany defended.
"Okay, okay," I said, laughing at being the center of such a passionate debate and steering the conversation back to why I had called.
"He wants you to have lunch with Victor Donovan?!" Tiffany exclaimed, squealing with excitement.
"That's it. You are married. We are picking purple for the color theme for the bridesmaids' dresses!"
"Girls, focus! What do I wear now!"
Chad arrived to take me to the lunch appointment, and I was ready, thanks to my friends' advice. They suggested a fitted knee-length dress with a matching jacket that exuded simplicity and class. I accessorized with an elegant necklace and wore one of the gold wristwatches Archer had gifted me. My hair was elegantly styled in French braids, and I had a few locks dropping down the back of my head, partially hiding the thin plaster on my temple.
I took a selfie and sent it to my friends for approval, and they both loved it.
Chad greeted me with a warm smile. "It's nice to see you again, Miss Adele."
"Happy to see you too, Chad," I replied, playfully leaning up to give him a peck on the jawline. His reaction was priceless, as he turned white as a sheet.
I giggled and walked past him, sliding into the backseat of the huge Prado Jeep. The driver closed the door, and I thanked him before settling in. As the car made its way to our destination, my heart raced, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. "It's going to be fine. Just count to ten and repeat," I muttered to myself, trying to calm my nerves.
The back door of the car swung open, and I stepped out, flanked by Chad and another imposing man, both of them exuding an air of confidence and readiness. As we walked into the hotel lobby, I was immediately taken aback by the sheer opulence and grandeur of the place. The lobby was a breathtaking sight to behold, it certainly lived up to its reputation.
Massive crystal chandeliers adorned the high ceiling, casting a warm and inviting glow over the marble floors below. The walls were adorned with intricate gold leaf patterns, and large, ornate mirrors reflected the elegance of the space. Plush velvet couches and chairs were strategically placed, offering comfortable seating for the hotel's esteemed guests.
A distinguished, average-height gentleman rushed over to greet us, most likely a hotel staff member. However, Archer's men, ever vigilant, prevented him from getting too close. Despite their sternness, I managed to offer a polite nod of acknowledgment to the man.
Chad and the other guard ignored him and continued to guide me toward the elevator, and the sight of its shiny doors triggered memories of the traumatic incident at my workplace. I tried to hide the sudden fear welling up inside me, but Chad spoke up, his reassuring voice breaking through my anxious thoughts, "We are here with you, Miss Adele."
"Thank you, Chad," I muttered, finding some comfort in his presence. As we stepped inside the elevator, the two guards positioned themselves in front of me, almost like a human shield, as the doors slid shut. I closed my eyes, trying to contain my fears as the elevator began to move. Thankfully, the ride didn't take long, and the doors opened on the third floor.
Stepping out of the elevator, the two men led the way, gesturing for me to follow. The floor itself seemed like a reflection of the opulent gold-themed color scheme I had seen in the lobby. Every surface was adorned with gold plating, even the pristine marble floors, adding an air of regal extravagance to the place.
The hotel restaurant on this floor was designed with family or group dining settings in mind, with about six tables each elegantly set for a group or family of five. The tables exuded a royal-like dining setting, complete with comfortable chairs, buttoned leather Chesterfield sofas, and vases with fresh flowers placed beside them. Each table served as a spread for international delicacies, artfully arranged to tantalize the taste buds. The walls were adorned with floor-to-ceiling glass windows draped in gold damask drapes, completing the luxurious ambiance.
To my surprise, as we reached the corner table, I spotted Archer sitting with a man and a lady whom I immediately recognized as Archer's stepmother. I had anticipated a meeting with Archer and his father, Victor Donovan, but it seemed that he had brought his wife along as well.