30. A Pawn in Archer’s War
CHAPTER 30
A PAWN IN ARCHER’S WAR
Paloma
I’m still riding the high of my orgasm when Archer sits up and captures my mouth again in a heated kiss. His body beneath mine is hot to the touch, smooth and muscular. Everything about Archer—his intense gaze, his alluring scent, and his all-consuming strength—demand my surrender. And I’m too far gone to even consider fighting back.
“I want to do that again,” I whisper on his lips, while he fists the hair at the back of my neck, his tongue coaxing mine.
“Which part?” he asks amused.
“I want your cock in my mouth,” I confess.
“Jesus.” He wraps his arms around my waist. “I’m never going to say no to that.” He deepens the kiss. “But I need a minute.”
“Okay.” I roll my hips into him, rubbing my breasts on his chest. “I love how you feel.” I hug him to me.
He chuckles, squeezing both my butt cheeks. “You truly are insatiable, Little Dove.”
“Is that bad?” I ask.
“No. I love that about you.” He nuzzles my neck.
“I bet your family thinks I’m a basket case.” I let my forehead fall to his shoulder. “I’m sorry about that whole Freya being my mom fiasco. I don’t know what came over me. Her face just seems so familiar. I wish I could show you Mom’s portrait.”
“Don’t worry about that. They understand.” He cups my face. “Paloma, tomorrow we need to sit down and have a long conversation.”
“Why not now?” I furrow my brows at him. “You’re scaring me.”
“It can’t be today. I have work to do.” He kisses my lips softly.
“If you’re busy today, then maybe I can go see Dad. He might still be at the hospital. That’s a public enough place for us to meet.” I pull back to look at him. “I need to talk to him about the portrait. I don’t care if he’s mad at me. This is too important.”
“It is.” He glances upward. “Do you trust me?”
“I do.” I smile at him.
“Then, give me until tomorrow morning. We can go see your dad if that’s what you want.” He slides his hands from my face down to my breasts. “Just promise me that no matter what, you’ll come home to me.”
“I promise.”
I can tell he wants to open up to me, but something is holding him back. Instead of talking, he fondles my tits. I know he’s only doing it to distract me, to get me to stop asking questions that he’s not ready to answer. But his long fingers playing with the fullness of my breasts is something I find very arousing. His size and my size; we shouldn’t go together. But we do. We fit so perfectly.
“I should probably go back downstairs and try again with your mom. I’m so embarrassed.” I kiss his shoulder.
“That sounds like a good idea.” He bends down and captures my nipple with his mouth. “Or we could stay here, and you can suck my cock again.” He wraps one hand around my waist and flips me so I’m on my back. He lands between my legs his lips still around my taut bud. “It’s been a minute.”
He doesn’t wait for my response. Instead, he climbs over me so his knees are on either side of me and his steely erection pushes past my teeth. He braces his hand over my head and glides all the way in. It’s an erotic dream to watch him use me like this. I suck on him eagerly while he fucks my mouth.
“I miss visiting your room at night to watch you sleep.” He pumps his hips into my face. “I miss making you take my cock while you dream. Do you miss it, Little Dove?”
Hot adrenaline like honey washes over me, burning every inch of me before it settles at my clit. I nod, pulling him to me as I rub my legs together to ease the throbbing at the apex of my sex. He continues to swell into me. And just when I think my body is going to catch fire, he releases me and moves down to claim my pussy.
He rides me hard until he finds his own climax. As always, watching him come is enough to send me over the edge. I fall along with him, holding him tight. I’m never going to stop wanting him.
An hour later, I’m showered and dressed in a pair of jeans and a cashmere sweater, ready to meet Archer’s mom again. Archer escorts me downstairs where Freya and Gardenia are in the living room having tea. Freya welcomes me with a smile, not at all perturbed by my outburst from before.
“I have a few phone calls to make. Are you okay by yourself here?” He kisses my temple.
“Yes.” I nod.
“Join us.” Freya points to the settee across from her. “Would you like some tea?”
“No, I’m good.” I venture away from Archer and take the seat she offers me.
“Play nice.” Archer cocks his eyebrow at Gardenia then kisses the top of my head before he saunters toward his study.
“I didn’t think you guys would leave your bedroom today.” Gardenia reaches over and pours more tea into her cup.
Heat rushes to my cheeks. Of course, they know we were upstairs having sex. Could they hear us? No, the walls in this house are thick and we’re two floors up.
“I wanted to apologize for earlier. You must think I’m crazy.” I sit up a little straighter.
“We know the Senator.” Gardenia shrugs. “Trust me. It all makes perfect sense to us.”
“Gardenia.” Freya pats Gardenia’s leg.
Looking at her face is very confusing to me, but I’m also curious to see the portrait that has been hanging in my room for years come to life. She’s beautiful and moves with so much grace and patience. Archer has her blue eyes, but he’s different in the way his composure is more calculated and determined.
She regards me intently over the rim of her teacup. “Archer.” She swallows, furrowing her brows. “Archer explained. You don’t need to worry about that.”
“Thank you.” I smile.
“You do look familiar though.” She studies my face, and there’s so much gentleness in her demeanor, I find myself wishing she was my mother. “Was your mother a ballet dancer as well?”
“Yes.” I scoot forward on the cushion. “She also danced with the same ballet company I’m with.”
“What’s her name?” Gardenia asks.
“Clara Davis.” I meet her gaze. “Well, de Armas was her maiden name.”
“Hmm.” Gardenia nods. “Was she any good?”
“Gardenia.” Freya flashes her an admonishing look.
“What? I’m just asking.” She rolls eyes, sipping her tea.
“Yes, she was.” I glance down at my hands. Despite Gardenia’s bluntness, I feel at ease around her. “She was also the Swan Queen.”
“That is wonderful.” Freya beams at me. “I don’t know if my son told you, I was also a dancer. Never made Swan Queen.” She lets out a small chuckle.
“He did mention it. He said you’re an instructor now?” I ask.
“Yes. It’s not dancing. But it’s very rewarding. I like teaching little kids. It keeps me grounded.” She winks at me. The gesture reminds me so much of Archer. Though unlike Archer, Freya has a serenity about her that’s so contagious.
I didn’t know what to expect Archer’s mom to be like. She suffered a great loss twenty years ago. But looking at her, she doesn’t seem as tormented as Archer. Somehow, she recovered from the trauma of losing her husband and almost dying in a fire.
“Aunt Freya, now that you’re here, we can go into the city and see a show.” Gardenia jumps to her feet and sits next to me on the settee. “I bet you know a lot of places to visit. Do you know any good clubs? It’s so boring here.”
“Um, no, not really. I don’t usually leave the art centre when I’m in the city.” I shake my head. “It’s a security nightmare for Dad.”
“Why? Does he have a lot of enemies?” Gardenia cocks her head to look at me.
“He’s a senator. There’s always someone who isn’t happy with his policies.” I study her features.
I’d never seen her up close like this. She’s beautiful. The light in her eyes is intriguing. And now that she’s not angry at me, she’s not as intimidating. Did she really stop being in love with Archer? Or was Archer right in thinking she was just shocked at the news that he’d gotten married?
She looks at me with equaled curiosity. Her gaze drops to my lips then flick up to look at something over my head. “Archer.” She beams at him. “Aunt Freya is taking us out.”
“I didn’t agree to anything, Gardenia.” Freya chuckles.
“I could use a night out in the city.” Jacob ambles into the living room and grabs a biscuit off the plate on the coffee table. “There’s really not much to do out here.” He pops the treat in his mouth and looks to me. “What do you do for fun around here?”
“Oh.” I smile, looking at Archer. “I’m not sure. I don’t really do anything outside of ballet.”
“Hey, remember when Gardenia dragged us all to the Dr. Who Experience in London?” Jacob points at Archer, laughing. “You hated that.”
“Yeah, I remember.” Archer shakes his head.
“Oh, come on. That was fun.” Gardenia jumps to her feet to greet Fisher. “Dad, you liked Dr. Who, didn’t you?” She hooks her arm under his.
“Well?” Fisher makes a face. “It was an experience, I can say that.”
“You guys are no fun.” She pouts.
“I thought it was a wonderful outing.” Freya beams at Archer and Gardenia.
“Thank you, Aunt Freya.” Gardenia motions toward her. “We all need to get out and enjoy the city before we go back. Wicked is not Dr. Who, but I hear it’s awesome. Or we can ride one of those handsome carriages around Central Park.”
“Go back where?” I ask, glancing up at Archer.
“She doesn’t mean us.” Archer guesses my concern.
I assumed that since he was renovating his home that he had plans to stay in the States. But now that Gardenia mentioned it, I realize I never asked if that’s what he wanted to do. Or why he’s even here in Bedford of all places when his business is in the city.
“I’m here to stay.” He sits next to me. “But Mom wants to return to her kids.”
“This old house has way too many conflicting memories for me.” Freya smiles at me. “But I’m happy that you two will be building new ones. That’s what this place needs.” She looks at Archer. “You’ve done a wonderful job restoring this house to its former glory. I mean, it’s even better than I remember. I’m certain the two of you will be very happy here.”
Flutters roam in my belly and my chest at the idea of building a life with Archer in this beautiful house. Jacob, Fisher, Freya and even Gardenia don’t bat an eye at the idea of Archer and I having a real marriage. Do they think of me as family?
I turn to Jacob and Gardenia, who are fighting over the last mini scone on the plate. Fisher ignores them and goes to sit next to Freya who’s still sipping her tea despite the chaos Jacob and Gardenia have created. Archer called them rowdy. And now I see why. I smile at them, enjoying their laughter as Jacob chases Gardenia out of the living room, only to come back a second later eating scone crumbs off his shirt.
“You know there’s a whole kitchen full of pastries, right?” Archer shakes his head, laughing.
“Yeah sure. But the spoils of victory are much sweeter.” Jacob winks at me then plops himself on the chair across from Freya.
“Teatime is supposed to be a time of reflection and civility.” Gardenia returns, wiping jam off her cheek and glaring at Jacob. “Don’t you have work to do?”
“Me?” Jacob squints at her. “Car is loaded and ready to roll.”
“Alright.” Archer puts up his hand to get Gardenia and Jacob to stop bickering, then shifts in his seat to look at me. “Do you want to go for a walk in the gardens? It’s not too cold today.” He rises to stand and offers me his hand.
“I would love that.” I beam at him.
“Me too.” Gardenia pulls Fisher from his seat next to Freya. “We all need some fresh air. Come on, Dad.”
“I guess we’re all going.” Fisher braces his hands on his knees and stands before turning to Freya to help her up. “What is it about the young ones just always on the go.”
“We’re not that old, Fisher.” Freya chuckles, patting his shoulder. “Gardenia just happens to have more energy than most.”
“That’s true.” Jacob skips ahead and opens the terrace door to let us through. When Gardenia steps out, he pulls her to his side. “How about you let the two lovebirds walk alone?”
I press my body to Archer and stroll out onto the terrace. By the time we reach the bottom of the stone steps, Freya and Fisher are already on the garden path.
“You would think they’re a couple, huh?” Archer wraps his arm around my waist. “They’re not.”
“Why not? They seem well-suited.” I laugh when Gardenia rushes past, chasing after Jacob.
“She never got over Dad.” Archer shrugs. “But I think if she did, she would definitely start something new with Fisher.”
“How did they meet?” I look up ahead as the sun rays bathe the gardens with a warm light. Spring is almost here. Some trees around us are covered in buds ready to bloom, while others are budding with green leaves. I cut a glance to Archer. “They seem like really old friends.”
“They met in school before Mom and Dad were married. After they graduated, Mom joined a ballet company. Fisher joined the Marines.” Archer pauses to look at me.
“The Marines? Like black ops stuff?” I ask.
“He never talks about it.” He shoots a peek at his mom and Fisher up ahead. “They didn’t reconnect until Dad called him a few days before he was killed. I think Dad had a feeling things were not going to go his way.”
“Oh Archer. I’m so sorry.” I hug him. “So did Fisher just move to the UK with you?”
“Yes. He quit the Marines and helped us get out. Years later, Gardenia’s mom showed up at our doorstep, saying she could no longer take care of her daughter. Fisher was shocked to find out he was a dad.” Archer lets out a laugh. “I was fifteen at the time. Gardenia was five and a total terror.” He points at Gardenia who’s chasing Jacob with a stick. “Picture that, but much shorter.”
“She’s funny.” I giggle. “I envy her sense of freedom.”
He puffs out a breath. “I hope by now you understand you’re not a prisoner here.”
“I know.” I wrap my arm around his waist. “What about Jacob? How did you meet him?”
“I met Jacob through Chuck.”
“My brother?” I stop to face him. “Jacob doesn’t seem like the type my brother would hang out with.”
“They weren’t friends. Chuck liked to terrorize Jacob for being poor. He didn’t think Jacob deserved to be at Oxford. Full ride or not.” Archer’s jaw clenches.
“Yeah, that sounds like Chuck.” I purse my lips. “Dad blames Chuck’s lack of judgment on losing his mom when he was so young.”
“We all make our own choices, Paloma,” he says through gritted teeth. And I wonder how Chuck and Archer ever became friends.
“Anyway, one day, I invited Jacob over to the house to apologize for Chuck’s behavior. After that, we became close friends.” He peers at the gardens and all the happy faces. “Over the years, we became the family you see now.”
“I’m glad you have them.” I rest my head on his chest.
“You’re one of us now.” He holds me tight, meeting my gaze. “You’re safe here. We protect our own.”
“Paloma,” Gardenia calls out. “Come with us. We’re going to show Aunt Freya where you fell in the frozen pond.”
“Oh my God.” I press a hand to my forehead, my cheeks hot. “Do we have to?”
“Yeah, it’ll be fun. Come on.” She waves us over.
“Okay.” I smile at Archer. “I need a coat though. I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll come with you.” He makes to walk with me.
“No. Stay.” I gesture toward his mom and the others. “I’ll be right back.” I stand on my tippy toes and kiss him. Before I can pull away, he wraps his arms around my waist and deepens the kiss. By the time he releases me, I’m a puddle of want.
“Go on then.” A smirk pulls at his lips.
“Yeah.” I turn to leave.
“Hey, you’re going the wrong way,” Gardenia yells after me.
“Two minutes.” I put up two fingers and dart back to the house.
I’m still smiling thinking about Archer, his family, and how they all came together, when an idea hits me. Oh crap. His mom is in my old room where I left the crystal swan. I laugh thinking of the last time Archer made me rub against it until I came. He wanted me to think of him every time I saw it. Mission accomplished. I get to the second floor and linger on the landing.
Even if Freya doesn’t know what the swan means to me, I know its story and where it’s been. With one last look at the quiet downstairs, I rush to my old room and push the door open.
The suite smells of roses and burned wood. Now that she’s here, even the bedding is different. I rush to the bedside and pull the drawer open. The crystal swan is exactly where I left it. I snatch it and stuff it in my pocket, letting the long neck stick out.
Once I make a mental inventory to make sure I’m not leaving anything else behind, I head back toward the door. I place my hand on the knob, and the vision finally registers in my brain. Did I just see…?
Slowly, I turn to face the writing desk that Freya is using as a vanity. And that’s when I see it…the pink diamond sitting in a glass jewelry box next to a pearl necklace and a pair of diamond earrings.
I feel like I’m floating as I amble toward it. Maybe it’s not the same one. Maybe it’s not even real. I pick it up and put it against the light. Its brilliance and perfect cut is like no other. It’s why it’s worth more than six million dollars. The piece is one of a kind in the world. Why does Freya have it? How did she get it?
The room sways, and I stumble backward as I try to puzzle it all together. Fragments of that night when I saw Archer for a second time swim in my head. A single thought pushes through, even though I don’t want it to. I don’t know why the pink diamond is in Freya’s room. I don’t care.
A sob escapes my lips, and I cover my mouth. Archer stole the diamond from me. Even after I begged him for help, when he saw how much trouble I was in, he didn’t come forward with the truth. He let me take the fall for it. He let me stand in front of a bunch of men while they bid on my virginity. And for what? So he could play the hero? So he could swoop in and save me at the last minute?
I shake my head as tears stream down my cheeks. No, that’s not the Archer I know. Maybe he bought it off the real thief later, much later, after we were married.
“I’m so stupid.” I sob.
None of it makes sense. Why steal it if he had the money to pay for it? Dad was more than willing to sell it. Everyone knew Archer had the winning bid. If he wanted it so badly, he just had to wait a few days to get it. Why steal it from me then?
Why?
A myriad of really bad ideas and even worse suppositions inundate my mind. Archer wouldn’t do this to me. He wouldn’t put me through hell just to watch me suffer. But what about Dad? What about Archer’s inexplicable hatred for Dad?
The two dots waiting to be connected flash in front of me—Archer in my room that night, Freya’s portrait, the diamond, the forbidden wing. It’s all connected. I fist the pink diamond tighter and refuse to jump to conclusions. The truth is too ugly. And I hate that I’m in the middle of it like some stupid pawn. Is that all I am? A pawn in Archer’s war. But against whom?
Only one person can answer all my questions. I can’t trust Archer anymore. He knows exactly how to manipulate me, how to make me forget the right questions to ask. I glance around the room and spot Freya’s phone sitting on the charger on her bedside table. I amble toward it, grab it, and stuff it in the back pocket of my jeans.
I leave the room with my heart racing. Dad owes me an explanation. And it can’t wait until tomorrow.