by India Kells
“I will request three specific assignments from you at precise moments. And you will need to accomplish them. I won’t blow your cover, I need it too much. And you better not either. Do everything I say, succeed, and in five days, you can return to your life and nobody gets hurt.”
Slowly, she clenched and unclenched her fists on her lap, trying to come back to the present and get a sense of what was going on. So, you’re not interested in Archer’s company. I need to remain close to him for the duration of the sale, if you need me elsewhere…”
“No, my dear. Everybody in my little scenario is exactly where they need to be. If you do as I say, it will be seamless. And you may even come away unscathed from my plan. Only if you follow my orders. Remember that I have eyes on you. You try to tell your boss or anybody about it, the man following your brother will act on my call. Am I clear?”
Closing her eyes, Zoe nodded and finally returned her gaze to him. “What’s your purpose in all this? If you don’t want to buy the company, what do you want?”
“Don’t bother your marvelous brain with it. Just be ready. And remember that I have eyes on you.” Getting up, he threw some bills on the table and walked away without a backward glance.
Chapter 14
Zoe couldn’t draw a full breath. It was as if her chest was compressed so tight, she was about to have a heart attack. She couldn’t remember how long after Finch left that she had left the restaurant. Zoe was lost, like a ship drifting at sea. Her first reaction was to go to Lucas, but to what extent was Finch’s threat real? Was it just a gamble? How would he keep eyes on her? Did he know about Gabrielle, Kai, Lance?
The worst-case scenario popped into her mind and there wasn’t any solution other than being Finch’s pawn. Despite the warm summer night, she was shivering, her feet hurt from walking so long and she was tired of watching over her shoulder all the time. Despair subsided to panic and now her only goal was to go home, close the door and crash. Maybe after some sleep she would see a way to get herself out of this while protecting Lucas and her friends. And Archer.
For a very long while, as much as it was necessary to gather her wits and feel in control of her emotions, she wandered the streets, walking aimlessly as the sun went down. Having ditched her high heels, she now carried them in her hands, the sensation of the warm pavement under the soles of her feet grounding her, inching up until her entire body was steady again. Zoe knew she was resilient and strong, and her brain was her greatest asset, they all just needed to be aligned. The woman she was would find a solution, go through the ordeal, and save Lucas. That simple determination helped to bring back her hope and her inner power, along with a much-needed sense of calm and purpose.
Turning the corner, Zoe was glad to see her apartment building. Her body felt like lead, but her spirit was resolute. As she made her way up her alley, an engine roared behind her. Turning, she immediately recognized the Harley and the man she had seen earlier that evening. Had he been hired by Finch to make sure she behaved? Was he a threat?
Frozen into place, she saw him park and get off his ride. When he removed his helmet, her knees gave out in relief.
Archer was immediately by her side. “Zoe! Dammit! What’s going on?”
But she couldn’t breathe. It was as if all her fear, panic, and stress she had pushed down was trying to get out of her at the same time. It seems that she would have to work a little more on her self-control. Archer hovered over her as she was desperately trying to catch her breath. His hands were on her head and back and she could feel the warmth of his skin and the scent of him mixed with leather. It somehow instilled a sense of peace she desperately needed. After listening to his voice telling her to breathe, she could finally speak.
“I’m fine. I’m fine, sorry about that.” She could have laughed hearing her trembling voice. Could she sound any less convincing?
“You’re definitely not fine, and you’re lying.” The anger in his voice amused her, bringing her a sense of normalcy. But it was short lived. She put a hand on his chest, a vain attempt at reassuring him and pushed herself back up again. Archer was quicker and, as she finally found balance on her heels, scooped her up in his arms.
“Put me down, Archer, you’ll hurt yourself. I can walk.”
The look he gave her was a clear warning not to say another word. Tired, she decided to remain silent as he carried her up the stairs. His strength, the power emanating from him, was like a balm, restoring even more of her balance. At the top of the stairs he put her on her feet, requesting her key, keeping a protective arm around her waist as he opened the door. Zoe took a step inside, looking apprehensively at the dark corners of her apartment for the first time. This whole mission was taking a toll on her psyche.
Archer flicked up the light switch, and it reassured her somehow, as if he had looked for monsters under the bed.
“Thanks, I’ll...”
But words fled her when he half-carried her to the sofa and made her sit on it before heading for her small kitchen. Blinking, Zoe didn’t know what to say. He opened her cupboards until he found a glass and filled it with water. He then returned in front of her and crouched at her feet, handing her the glass.
“Drink.” Some of her stubbornness was starting to react to his constant orders, which was a good sign in her opinion. The tightness had dissipated, and the cool water finished soothing her raw throat.
“Thank you.”
He took the glass from her hand and returned his burning gaze to her again. “Now, what is going on?”
Oh, how desperate she was to tell him. “I’m fine. Is everything alright at work? Is it the reason you came here?” Blatant diversion, but it was worth a try.
The look he gave her told her it was a bad tactic with him. There’s nothing else wrong. “I’m fine.”
This time, the snarl he gave her made her stop. “You are not fine, what’s going on?”
“Nothing. It’s nothing.”
“So that nothing made you collapse on your front lawn.”
“I must be overworked.” Another lie, and one she probably wouldn’t get away with. So, she added rapidly, “I know you don’t want to be here. I’m sorry, I had left word with Ellen, though. Thanks for helping me up. I think I’ll head to bed now.”
As she pushed herself up, Archer put a hand on her thigh and she shivered. He was genuinely concerned about her, and that realization was jarring.
“Zoe. I’m here because I want to be here. Nobody makes me do something I don’t want to. Not even the mighty Miss Somersby.”
“But the other night, after... you fled. I know you didn’t want to be there, you regretted...”
His hand went to her face, forcing her to look at him. “You took me by surprise. I’m not used to it.”
Zoe didn’t know how to interpret that. “I didn’t mean to surprise you. I’m just... me.”
A ghostly smile tugged at his kissable lips. “I know. That’s even worse. Since... since my late wife died, and our unborn daughter with her, everything turned cold inside me. That’s why I like to control everything. And everyone. To be the opposite of you. Until you.”
And the reality of what he was saying dawned on her. “Impossible. I can’t believe a man like you has been... celibate all this time.”
This time, his smile was real and highly amused. “A man like me?”
Stuttering, she tried to find the words, but it seemed she was walking on quicksand. “Rich, successful, high society, handsome.”
Now with both his hands on her knees, Zoe found she had trouble breathing but for a totally different reason. She pushed the dark thoughts aside, only feeding on the lust and rise of temperature between them. Tomorrow would come soon enough, and she needed to focus on something else, someone else.
“You find me handsome, Miss Somersby?”
“And you’re not answering my question, Mr. Blackwood.”
The gleam dampened a little. “I told you. All the warmth was gone, and I had no interest
in finding it again. Women were interested, but I was not. It became some sort of an issue over time, and that’s why I made every female employee sign that contract. At least I would have peace. Until now.”
His hands didn’t move, but his fingertips were caressing over the hem of her skirt. She dared not move.
“In the shower, I would take myself in hand and jerk off, thinking of the past.” Now his hands slid up but an inch, and Zoe shivered in anticipation. “But lately, in the shower, it’s a stubborn, lush redhead that’s made me lose control.”
Inch by inch, the hem revealed her legs until he reached the hem of her pink lace panties. Zoe had never felt so exposed in her entire life.
Archer licked his lips. “You have the most perfect taste in lingerie, Miss Somersby.” And he pressed a chaste kiss on her skin. One, then another. On her left thigh, and then her right. Moving was impossible, as if frozen in place by the mere presence of the man at her feet. When he looked up again, a lock of dark hair had fallen on his forehead and she was amazed how it changed his appearance. It was stupid, she knew, but Archer now looked wilder, mischief transforming his face. He said he was cold inside, but the heat she was feeling from him was blazing. She reached for his hair and ran her fingers into the dark strands, messing it up, but he didn’t seem to mind.
Using the couch as leverage, he pushed himself up, his face so close to hers, his breath fanned her lips. His metallic eyes locked onto hers and she was lost.
“I will know what upset you, don’t get me wrong. I knew you were with Finch this evening too. Adding the two up is not that difficult. But now, you need to make a decision. Do you want to...”
Zoe didn’t give him time to finish his sentence before she pulled him into a kiss. The deep sigh that came from him unleashed all her reservations inside her, and she took his face in her hands, angling her head to deepen the contact. It turned wild and all-consuming in seconds. Without breaking the connection, Archer put a knee on the couch, between her open legs. Towering over her, with both his hands free, he shed his leather jacket, revealing a white t-shirt molding his upper body which he quickly removed. She then saws sleeves of tattoos running from his elbows up his shoulders. Some adorned his muscled chest and even down his ribs. She barely had the time to look at them when his lips trailed down her cheek to lightly bite the crook of her neck. Her hands slid over the expanse of skin, her fingers exploring all the hard muscles, defining his quivering abs before sneaking into his waistband.
He caught her wrists and gave her a quick peck on the lips, a devilish grin on his face. “You go for the prize right away and I won’t last.”
Teasing, she arched an eyebrow. “You? The man who personifies control? I doubt it.”
A twinkle of mischief lit his eyes. “Oh, you’re playing with fire here insulting me, Miss Somersby.”
To prove a point, she cupped him over his jeans and massaged his encased hardening erection. The desperate sound coming from him, made her clit throb. “Am I insulting you now, sir?”
Giving her a half laugh, he backed away from her reach. “You’re deadly, Miss Somersby. But I doubt you will win this round. Get rid of the dress.”
Her heart hammered in her chest, out of anticipation mixed with desire and a hint of self-consciousness. She wasn’t used to stripping in harsh light. But she wasn’t the type of woman to shy away from a challenge either. And it was exactly what she saw in his eyes. A show of dominance as he was standing there, with her half-sitting, half-lying down on the couch. Channeling her inner wanton woman, she pushed her doubts aside and focused on bringing the man to his knees.
A good thing her dress was a wraparound, tied at the waist with tiny buttons on her left shoulder and waist, so no need to move. Her skirt still bunched high on her thighs, she let her hand trail up her body, circling her belly, rasping over her covered breasts before reaching for the buttons. Zoe took her sweet time undoing them as she looked at Archer. His face was still impassive, but his body was screaming at her. He was breathing harder and harder, and his fists clenched and unclenched by his side. No doubt he was using his hard-earned control at this very moment.
When part of the fabric opened, she slid a hand in, caressing her breast, slightly pushing it onto her hand.
“Zoe...” His voice was raspy... a warning. At that moment, she felt more powerful than the man standing at her feet. And it was exhilarating.
Removing her hand, but not speeding up, she slid it over her body again, toward her waist tie. Archer’s eyes were now glued to her hand, his pupils so dilated, they were almost black. As she fumbled with the buttons, he took half a step in her direction before restraining himself. The way he held himself back, made Zoe even more brazen. Pulling the fabric, she snaked her hand under the dress once more. She was overheating in anticipation.
“Zoe... you’re pushing me. Be careful, I’m not a good guy.”
“Since when are you so impatient, Mr. Blackwood? And I find my position quite unfair, don’t you think?
“You’re still dressed, damn it.” And at his harsh words, she shamelessly opened her thighs, the fabric parting over her legs, revealing a hint of pink lace and pale skin.
When he hesitated, Zoe feared she’d pushed too far, but when he shuddered, she knew they were both in the same crazy state of need. The sight of his body made her pant and open her legs even more. Gone was the cold and calculating businessman. The man before her was a tattooed beast, rippling with muscles, barely held back by the strength of his will. There was nothing soft about him, his entire being demanding control as he had control over his own body. He toed his boots away now barefoot, with low-slung jeans hanging precariously on his hips.
He had regained his self-assurance and control again, and Zoe was determined to make him lose them completely. Lose his composure in a way that would allow her to see the real man concealed underneath the suits, money, and business meetings.
Opening her dress completely, she revealed her pale pink underwear to him, and his low exhale told her he approved. Without waiting for his move, Zoe leaned forward and removed her dress, now only wearing her pink lace bra and panties, and let herself fall to her knees before him. Her hands on his fly, she unzipped him and let his cock free. Locking her eyes with his silvery ones, she pulled his pants to his ankles and licked the length of his cock in one full sweep. He didn’t make a sound, but his body spoke volumes. As her hands trailed up over the twitching muscles of his legs, she continued lavishing him from balls to tip at a slow but steady tempo. After a while, his hips followed. As her fingers reached the inside of his upper thighs, she delighted at how he shivered and started moving back and forth ever so slowly, a clear indication of what he craved. Done teasing, Zoe circled his girth with her hands and took him inside her mouth, moaning loudly as her tongue swept languidly over his underside.
“Shit!” His eyes were still on her, but now everything was colored with lust, need, and hunger. His hand came to her hair, massaging her scalp, but not guiding her in any way. When she increased the suction, he cursed again, and his grip augmented the tempo. Swirling her tongue once more, he must have reached his breaking point, because Archer stepped back, out of reach. His breath was ragged and sweat covered his skin. Still on her knees, Zoe yearned for his touch on her, but there he stood, hesitant. Damn him, if he refused to bring her to orgasm, she would do it herself. Her hands touched her rounded stomach and slipped inside her soaked panties. The sensation of her fingers between her folds blurred her vision for an instant, pleasure flashing between her legs. Simply teasing wasn’t enough anymore and her touch became more insistent, a bit rougher, circling her quivering hole before strumming her clit.
Zoe forced herself to open her eyes, and Archer hadn’t moved an inch. His cock was stiff and high, and slightly bobbing. What made her moan was the look in his eyes, how his lips were moistened and slightly parted. Overcome, she let her head fall back. His lips came to her, hot, hard, demanding, and she gave her all to him, without st
opping pleasuring herself. Archer didn’t intend to let her finish, as he hauled her up against him and devoured her mouth. Zoe’s feet dangled as he moved to finally plaster her against the wall, trapped by stone hard muscles. His hands flexed on her hips, his desire pressed hard against her stomach. When his hands pushed her bra down, his heated mouth immediately sucked her nipples, making her arch both in pain and pleasure. Her hands tugged at his hair before she started pushing her panties down her legs. Almost naked, Zoe hooked her leg as high as she could around his waist. Naturally, one of his hands came to her knee, blazing a slow path toward her ass and back.
She didn’t want slow or soft now, way past the point of rescue. Her only thought was to have him hard and deep inside her as he used the wall as leverage. Before she could think, Archer let go of her sensitive breasts and grabbed the back of her thighs before lifting her up. The movement was so sudden, Zoe yelped on the way up, but the moan on the way down was not due to surprise. Poised at her entrance, Archer impaled her painstakingly slowly, and no amount of wriggling accelerated the process.
“Inside me. Now,” she said panting, her nails digging deep in his shoulders.
The irritating, but sexy man, just grinned. “Well, who’s impatient now, Ms. Somersby.” And to prove his point, he retreated an inch.
Her fingers ran up his slick neck and gripped his hair. “I’m the one who’s impatient. Deal with it!”
And again, he pushed back in a little, not nearly enough for Zoe who growled and gripped his steely arms with her nails. Now calm and collected, Archer was in his perfect role, the cold bastard he was, and enjoying it tremendously. On the verge of calling it quits and finishing alone, the infuriating man, kissed her, his tongue invading her mouth, conquering her as if he was the only one who knew how. As breathless as she was, he bruised her lips before pulling back, his voice deep, animalistic.
“Say my name, Zoe.”
Blinking, she shook her head. “Why is it so important to you?”