We remained in our own little bubble of happiness for the rest of the day. I sat on the back deck, enjoying the sunshine and light breeze, while Archie worked quietly beside me. Occasionally, he’d ask me a question, but just being beside him, enjoying the comfort of his body next to mine, was perfect.
“Hershey Kisses weren’t on the sheet that Grace sent me,” I told him. We sat next to each other on an outdoor sofa, my head leaning against Archie’s shoulder while he held my hand.
“What are you talking about?”
“Grace sent me information about you. She didn’t mention you liked Hershey Kisses.”
“I don’t like them, Layne. I love them. My mom used to buy them for me when I was a kid whenever I did something that made her proud. Whenever I win a case, I celebrate with a bag.”
Archie and I had known each other professionally for years, but these personal details were new and exciting. I loved that his home was big and modern but felt like him. It felt lived in and comfortable. And I especially loved knowing that he celebrated his triumphs in the courtroom with something so simple, a Hershey Kiss.
“You should probably take me back home,” I said after another long stretch of conversation on the deck. The sun was beginning to set, and the air had chilled. Tomorrow, I had to be in court bright and early.
“I don’t think so,” he said nonchalantly.
“Archie, I can’t stay here tonight. None of my things are here.”
Archie simply stretched his arm across the back of the couch and then wrapped it tightly around me. “Nope. That’s not going to happen.”
“Oh my god, you’re being so unreasonable.” I squirmed and struggled to get out of his hold, but he was a lot stronger than I was, and after a few minutes, I gave up. “You could always stay at my place tonight,” I offered.
“Now there’s a compromise that I can live with.” Getting used to Archie’s overbearing nature was going to take some time.
Before we left for our respective offices the next morning, Archie made me dig around my junk drawer for my spare set of keys. There wasn’t time to stop at a hardware store to make a copy, and he wasn’t going to wait until after work. When Archie said he didn’t want barriers between us, he also meant doors in addition to condoms and birth control.
I spent most of my morning in the courtroom, and even though it was pretty easy, it still took up a good chunk of time. I had to sit through two other cases before it was my turn, and once I was in front of the judge, it was smooth sailing because he immediately approved my motion to dismiss the case brought against my client. It was an effortless victory.
Before I left the courthouse, I checked my phone. Sure enough, there was a text from Archie asking me to meet him for lunch.
What he really meant was that he wanted me for lunch. The moment I set foot in his office, he swiftly shut and locked the door before spreading me across his desk and hiking my skirt up to my waist. My mind was spinning with confusion and desire.
“Oh god,” I moaned as his talented mouth sucked on my clit.
“Shh, Layne.” He stopped briefly to cover my mouth with his hand. “Keep it down, or I’ll have to gag you.”
I nodded and promised to be quiet. But it was hard when Archie’s mouth and fingers were providing me with indescribable pleasure. My body tensed as I got closer to total bliss until I couldn’t take it anymore. I clamped a hand over my mouth and stifled my moan as my body shook with pleasure. Archie kissed the insides of my thighs before standing up to his full, impressive height.
“It’s my turn, and I want you to fuck me.” He shrugged off his suit jacket and pulled his pristine white shirt free from his pants before unbuckling the metal clasp of his belt. He shoved his pants down his thighs and sat down on the leather couch before freeing his hard cock. “Come over here, Layne.”
He stroked his shaft while I walked over to him with legs made of jelly. I straddled him and sank slowly down onto his impressive length. He hissed as I slowly took all of him until his cock was firmly rooted inside me. His hands gripped my hips tightly as I started to slowly move.
“Yes,” he groaned softly. “Fuck me.”
I steadied myself with a hand against his chest and started to rock my hips back and forth. Archie hummed with approval and let his head fall back against the couch. He closed his eyes and sank his teeth down onto his bottom lip as his hands remained steady on my hips, holding me tightly. A familiar tension crept through my body. Archie lit the match that started the fire now raging inside me, and I wanted to keep throwing gasoline on it until we were both a raging inferno.
I leaned back, dragging my hands down Archie’s chest, and then steadying myself with one hand on the arm of the couch while the other hand slipped between our bodies. My fingers stroked my clit while I continued to rock against Archie. When he felt the brush of my fingers against his cock, Archie’s eyes flew open, and his grip tightened until he controlled my movements. “Harder,” Archie demanded. “Fuck me harder, Layne.”
“Yes,” I moaned. I raised my hips and slammed down on his cock over and over.
He bared his teeth and sucked in a sharp breath. He was going to explode, and all he needed was a little encouragement. I leaned forward and pressed our lips together, kissing him hard and deep. I nipped at his bottom lip before sucking on it. He growled and slid his hand over my hips to my backside. We broke apart, both of us breathing heavily. “Fill me, Archie,” I encouraged him. “I want to feel you explode deep inside me.”
“Oh, fuck!” He bucked his hips below me and buried his cock deep in my pussy. I felt him swell, and then with a groan, he let go. He held me tightly as he shook with his own release, groaning and gritting his teeth.
Archie brushed his lips sweetly along my cheek and thread his fingers through my blond locks while we remained connected. “Don’t make any plans tonight,” he said hoarsely.
“Why?”
“Because we’re going ring shopping.”
“What the fuck is that?” Kate exclaimed the moment she caught sight on the ridiculously large diamond that now took up residence on my left hand. She scrambled from behind her desk and grabbed my hand. “Is that what I think it is?”
Even though Kate was my secretary, she was also a friend and probably knew more about my life than anyone else. I quickly withdrew my hand and motioned for her to follow me into my office.
“Yes,” I admitted. “It’s probably what you think it is.”
“You and Archie Reed?” Her eyebrows shot up, and her grin widened.
I nodded. “Me and Archie.”
“How did it happen?”
That was a good question. How did I find myself engaged when all I wanted was someone temporary to be my date to my sister’s wedding? “He just told me that we were getting married. That’s it.”
Her jaw dropped. “Are you kidding me?”
“Sorry to disappoint you, Kate. There wasn’t some big romantic proposal.”
“I’m not disappointed! I’m happy! So happy for you.” She surprised me by wrapping her arms around me and hugging me tightly. She started rambling about engagement parties and wedding showers and then peppered me with questions about the date and the venue. I let her talk endlessly because none of that mattered to me. I didn’t want any of it. All I wanted was to stand before a judge with Archie and become his wife.
“Holy shit,” I whispered.
“I know, it’s a lot to take in,” Kate said, taking a moment to pause her rambling.
“No, Kate. I don’t want all that. Or any of that. I just want it to be him and me.” I stood and rushed toward my desk. “Kate, I need you to clear my calendar today. And see if Judge Specter is available.”
Judge Alan Specter presided over my very first case, the one where Archie annihilated me. It only seemed right that he be the one to marry us.
“Let me know if he’s available,” I told Kate as I rushed out of the office. If I was going to get married today, I needed a dress.
>
Kate called while I was in the back of an Uber to let me know that Judge Specter was available at three that afternoon. “Perfect,” I said before hanging up and texting Archie.
“Meet me in Judge Specter’s chambers at 3.” And then I called my father because while I didn’t care about the glamorous society wedding, engagement parties, and wedding showers, I still wanted him to be there when I married Archie.
When he answered the phone, I greeted him sweetly. “Hi, Daddy. How’s your day going?”
“I’d tell you but based on the amount of sugar in your voice, I don’t think you actually care. You have ulterior motives.”
“Are you busy this afternoon?” When it came to my father, I was practically transparent. And I was starting to get that way with Archie too.
My father hummed for a bit before he said, “I could move some things around if you need me for something.”
“Could you meet me at three o’clock today?” When he agreed, I gave him the address of Judge Specter’s office and ended the call.
My Uber driver dropped me off at one of my favorite boutiques, and as soon as I stepped into the store, I saw the dress. The perfect dress. It was traditionally white with layers and layers of Swiss dot lace and a scandalous plunging open back. After I purchased it, I headed home and spent the rest of the morning getting ready.
When Archie saw me enter Judge Specter’s chambers, he stood, and from the way his blue eyes widened, he realized what I planned. I expected him to break out in a sweat; instead, he grinned.
“You’re full of surprises,” he whispered in my ear. I simply smiled.
Judge Specter looked pretty pleased too. “I’ve been waiting for this day.”
“You have?” I asked, surprised.
The judge rocked back on his heels. “Oh, yes! Archie told me long ago that he was going to marry you. I don’t know what took him so long.”
But Archie didn’t have the chance to answer because there was a knock on the door, and a moment later, my father appeared. I rushed toward him because I knew there was a chance he would object.
My father looked at me, and his eyes became glassy. “Are you sure this is what you want? How you want it?”
I nodded vigorously. “Absolutely. The only thing that matters to me is that you’re here.”
My father placed his large hand on my cheek. “I’ve always wanted you to be happy, Layne.” Then he looped my arm through his, and we walked toward the front of the room.
The ceremony itself was short and simple, and when it was over, my father insisted on taking us out for a late lunch to celebrate. There was still so much for me and Archie to figure out, but it could all wait because we had time. And we had each other.
“Your mother and Sadie will be furious when they find out,” my father said, bringing a hint of seriousness to our joy.
I shrugged and took a long sip of champagne. “That’s okay. Sadie is doing things her way, and I’m doing things my way.”
Archie grabbed my hand and kissed the back of it. Without any advance notice, he still looked dashing in his perfectly tailored navy-blue suit with matching slim navy tie. Silver cufflinks twinkled from the ends of his sleeves, and his black shoes were polished to a shine. I mentally patted myself on the back. My husband was fucking hot.
“Sir, I know that they’re your family, but I won’t allow your wife and daughter to speak to Layne like that again. Layne might not be Samantha’s biological daughter, but she is yours, and that should mean something.”
My father looked uncomfortable and shifted in his chair. “You’re absolutely right, Archie. I’m ashamed that I let them treat her poorly for so long, but I did my best to make sure that Layne always knew that I loved her.”
I reached across the table and covered my father’s hand with mine. “You did, Daddy. I always knew that you loved me and supported me. But Archie is right, Mother and Sadie need to change. And if they can’t, then I have to change.”
Suddenly, my wedding day took a serious turn. “What do you mean?” my father asked.
“No more Sunday dinners. And sticking up for myself more.” Archie squeezed my thigh under the table, and I gave him a reassuring smile. “I deserve better.”
The serious tone was cut when the dessert cart was brought out. There would be no wedding cake for Archie and me, or a first dance, and I was a little sad about that. But when I looked over at my father and Archie talking, their heads bent conspiratorially toward each other, I couldn’t have been happier.
“Are you ready to go?” Archie asked. There was a devious glimmer in his eye, and I knew he planned to keep me in bed for the rest of the night.
“Absolutely,” I replied.
He latched onto my hand and pulled me close. “You’ll get exactly what you deserve tonight,” he whispered softly. Heated anticipation surged through my body. God, I hoped so!
Instead of heading back to my condo in the Central West End or even to Archie’s house in Ladue, we headed to the Four Seasons.
“When did you arrange all this?” I asked as we pulled up the valet.
“I had Deborah arrange everything,” Archie stated matter-of-factly. He gave me one of his devilish smirks that soaked my panties. “Did you really think that the first time I fucked you as my wife, it would be in your bed? Or my bed? Layne, you’re my wife, and I intend to fuck you and make love to you and then fuck you again for the next three days.”
“Three days? I have court tomorrow!”
“No, you don’t. Kate cleared your schedule. You’re all mine for the next three days.”
We both hurried from the car, eager to begin this new chapter in our lives together and, of course, to consummate our marriage. Archie checked us in, and then we raced to the elevator. When we arrived at our floor, I realized he somehow managed to book the presidential suite. My husband was a magician.
“We’re going to do this right,” Archie stated as he lifted me into his arms and carried me into the room. Gently, he set me down on the plush carpeting of the suite. “You look beautiful. That dress is something else. I hate to ruin it except I’ve always fantasized about fucking my wife in her wedding dress.”
“Where do you want me, husband?” My voice was husky and filled with desire because our marriage changed everything. I couldn’t wait for Archie to fill and stretch my pussy as my husband.
He cupped my chin with his hand. “On your knees, wife.”
I sank to my knees, and the skirt of my dress fanned out around me. I tilted my head up and waited. Every second Archie took was a second too long, and by the time his suit jacket was draped over the back of the couch, his tie removed and his shirt untucked, my pristine white lace panties were a mess.
“Are you wet?” he asked me as he slowly unbuttoned his shirt.
“Yes,” I answered.
“Show me. I want to watch you make yourself come.”
One hand disappeared below my skirt. I swiped my swollen clit and sucked in a sharp breath. I rubbed my fingers through my drenched center, spreading my juices along the seam until I finally sank one finger deep in my hole. I moaned, but it wasn’t enough. I added a second finger, but it was no match for the pleasure of Archie’s cock as he filled and stretched my pussy. I looked up at him with expectant eyes and pouting lips. My pussy throbbed with need and desire, but my fingers weren’t enough to satisfy the deep longing that burned inside my core.
“Please,” I whimpered.
Archie’s shirt was gone, and he towered impressively over me. “Please what?”
“Make me come.”
In a split second, Archie lifted me from the floor and had me bent over the back of the sofa. He piled the layers of fabric up around my waist and peeled my panties down my thighs.
“I can smell how aroused you are,” he said, inhaling deeply. “You smell so fucking sweet and delicious. I might need a taste.”
Archie’s tongue dragged along my slit and up to my asshole. Shivers ran up and down my body
, pebbling my skin with goose bumps. I heard the clink of metal as he unfastened his belt and the rustle of fabric before the head of his cock nudged my entrance. He plunged swiftly and deeply inside me. I came immediately.
“Oh god,” I moaned. Archie pulled out all the way before repeating his actions and plunging his cock quickly inside me until he was completely buried.
“Too much?” he asked.
“Not enough,” I groaned. He chuckled and started to fuck me relentlessly. At this rate, neither of us was going to last long.
“I want you to come again, Layne. Hard. All over my cock.” His thumb pressed against my puckered hole as he drilled his cock into me over and over. Familiar tension filled my body, winding it up tight until at finally Archie’s thumb pressed just inside the tight ring of muscle, causing me to explode.
“Oh fuck,” I yelped.
A feral roar escaped Archie’s lips as he plunged one final time, deep inside my pussy. “Goddamn,” he growled. He straightened but held my waist, letting his fingers softly brush my skin. I squirmed from the sensation. “Ticklish?”
“No,” I lied because absolutely, I was ticklish! Archie didn’t believe me because he dug his fingers into my waist, causing me to buck against him. His cock was still buried inside me, and it hardened the moment my ass pressed against him.
With a firm hold on my waist, we fell to the plush carpeted floor. Sitting atop Archie, I seemingly had all the power. I was dead wrong. He reached behind me and unzipped my dress before tugging the arms down and letting the bodice pool around my waist. His hands reached for my bare breasts, kneading them and tugging at the dusky pink nipples. Electric currents surged through my body.
“Mmm, you like having your nipples played with, don’t you, Layne?” Archie’s voice was husky and full of desire. He tugged on them again, harder, and I moaned with satisfaction. His hands on me, playing with me, using me, felt absolutely heavenly. I rocked against him, rubbing my soaked pussy slowly along his length.
Archie sat up slightly and used his hands to guide my breasts toward his mouth. He sucked one nipple deep into his mouth while pulling hard at the other. Oh god. I wanted to die; it was too good.
Dear Mr. Temporary (The Matchmaker Series ) Page 5