31. Thirty-One
31
THIRTY-ONE
MILA
I grabbed a drink from a passing waiter, settled center stage, and looked out at the crowd, tapping a few times on the mic to ensure it was on. Someone shone a bright spotlight on me while I took a quick glance at Archer, his parents, Kai, Theo, and my father.
I cleared my throat before speaking and let my words spill out like molten lava. "Hello, everyone! Sorry to interrupt your night. I am Winston Grey's daughter, Mila. I know the official speeches are about to begin, so I will be quick. I first want to thank all of you for being here. It means so much that you are here showing your support and pulling out your pocketbooks to help fund the candidate of your choice, and I know my father and his opponent, Mr. Cassian King, appreciate all of you. It's wonderful to see how supportive they are of each other. New York needs a strong and loyal candidate who puts New York first and can't be bought or owned by anyone but the great citizens of this state. I am confident that you will all get out and vote when election time comes. With that being said, I want to thank my father for always doing what he needed to do to ensure I was taken care of. As some of you may know, my mother passed away when I was very young, and most of you may not even know this, but the Grey and King families were extremely close prior to that. So close that my mother hoped that Mr. Grey's youngest son, Archer, and I would be married. We spent much of our youth playing together, and unfortunately, when my mother passed, we lost touch ." I paused and looked at Archer, hoping he would go along with what I had planned. "Archer, will you come up here real quick?"
The spotlight fixated on Archer as he strode toward me, a curious expression on his face. He stopped inches away, his smirk filled with dark enjoyment. His lips brushed against my cheek before settling near my ear.
"What are you up to?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his tone.
I smiled at him without answering and turned back toward the crowd. "One of the things I love about my father is how accepting he is and how he always makes the best decisions for me, even if I can't see it at the time. And one of those decisions was letting fate decide if my mother's wish came true. My mother passed along her strength and grace, and I am proud to be even half the woman she was. Archer and I are so excited to announce that we are officially engaged. No matter who you fine people decide to be your governor, rest assured that our two great families will forever be connected, fulfilling my mother's wish. And I have you to thank for that, Daddy. Cheers to you."
The room erupted in applause and cheers as everyone, and I mean everyone, processed the shocking announcement. I looked down at my father and lifted my glass mockingly, relishing the way his face turned red and his eyes narrowed. I knew he was furious, but he kept his composure in front of everyone. After all, appearances mattered more to him. My father's eyes met mine, cold and hard, and I could see the fury simmering within him.
Archer held my hand tightly, his eyes full of admiration as he tilted his glass toward my father, who, in response, reluctantly raised his glass in a toast.
"To your mother's legacy and the bond between our families," he said through gritted teeth .
Archer turned back toward me with a smug smile and pressed his lips against mine. " My girl has talons."
A sly smile spread across my face as I pressed my lips against his, relishing in the electricity that sparked between us. He pulled me closer, deepening our kiss. Surprised by his reaction, I braced myself for his anger and disappointment.
"You're angry at me?" I asked breathlessly when we finally pulled apart.
"I'm torn between rewarding you or punishing you," he murmured against my lips.
Archer's grin widened, his emerald eyes full of mischief and dark promises. He didn't answer directly but instead took my hand and led me off the stage toward his parents and our friends, eagerly waiting for answers and offering congratulations on our impending marriage. I didn't have time to think about his reaction, not with everyone circling us and asking questions all at the same time.
"Archer, why didn't you tell us about your engagement?" Eleanor asked, pulling me into a tight embrace.
" We wanted to keep it a secret, but now seemed as good a time as ever to announce it," he lied, keeping his eyes on me.
Eleanor's eyes filled with tears. "Your mother would be so happy. We are so happy, aren't we, Cassian?"
"Yeah. We are elated," Cassian responded, eyeing both Archer and me suspiciously but smiling like a kid in a candy store.
My father was nowhere to be found, and I was glad for it. If he came near me again, Archer may very well decapitate him. Eleanor rattled off plans to take me shopping and how she would help fill in since my mother couldn't. But only if I wanted her to. She discussed wedding colors and ideas for venues. I swear she didn't take a breath.
I felt sick.
What have I done?
I just lied to get back at my father, and now I had to keep up with this lie or risk disappointing my mother's best friend. I looked at Archer, and he could tell that I was getting overwhelmed so he pulled me from Eleanor's grasp .
"I am taking Mila home with me. Mom, we will call you soon."
He gave Kai and Theo a warning glance to go along with our lie and led me out of the ballroom and out to the limo. I didn't take a full breath until we had left the city. Archer watched me, waiting for me to say something. On the contrary, I waited for him to tell me how he felt—anything to quiet my racing heart and keep me from vomiting all over the back of the limo.
But he didn't.
He remained silent, his arms resting on the top of the seat in a deceptively calm manner. As we pulled up to the mansion, I was tempted to run away from him, remembering the last time he punished me. He did say that he wasn't sure whether to reward or punish me, which made my mind run through a wide array of potential scenarios. My stomach threatened to purge itself of the copious amounts of alcohol that I had ingested that night. He opened the door and waited for me to leave the car.
Run or follow him?
I was startled when he said, "Get out of the car, Mila."
I hesitated.
"Now."
Stepping out of the car, he pulled me close to him, leading me into the house, his arm tight around my waist. The closer we got to his room, the more it felt like Simone Biles was performing her Olympic routine in my stomach. Archer locked his door behind us and released his hold on my waist. I stood rooted in my spot while he casually strolled to the bed. He removed his shoes and his socks and threw his jacket to the ground. I watched him loosen his tie and pull his shirt out of his pants, all while keeping his attention on me.
"What have I done?" I said, more to myself than to anyone else. "Archer, I wanted to get back at my father, but I lied, and worse, I brought you into my lie. I am so sorry. I wasn't thinking."
"Come here," he demanded, his voice stern.
"Wh-what?"
"Come here, Mila. "
I raised my tear-filled eyes to meet his gaze, and I shivered at the intensity of his stare. I pulled my heels off and walked over to him.
“Get on the bed.”
"Archer, I'm sorry. I shouldn't?—-"
“On the fucking bed, Mila,” he growled, grabbing my neck.
I lifted the hem of my skirt and sat down on the bed. I focused on a spot on my dress, afraid to look at him.
"Look at me," he commanded, and I did, my eyes pleading with him to understand my motives and justify my actions.
“I am sor?—”
“Don’t,” he interrupted me.
“But I am. I let my father get under my skin, and now everyone thinks we’re engaged, and your mom is making plans to take me dress shopping.”
“Goddamnit, Mila. I said don’t.”
“Don’t what, Archer? I humiliated you. I humiliated myself. I told everyone we’re engaged!”
“Lay back on the bed.”
I paused and stared at him, confused.
“Lay. Back. On. The. Bed,” he enunciated each word.
I did what he said.
“Spread your legs.”
I opened my legs. I felt his weight on the bed as he lifted my dress. I shivered when his warm hands ran slowly up my thighs, hooking into my underwear and gently pulling them down. He lifted one of my feet first, then the other, and set them and the vibrator next to me.
“You have the most beautiful pussy I’ve ever seen,” he said.
My heart pounded in my chest, turned on by his praise. He lowered his head between my legs, his breath hot against my skin as he began to kiss and lick my inner thighs. I whimpered softly as his tongue made slow, deliberate circles around my sensitive clit. I moaned loudly, arching my back, and gripped the bed sheets as my body began to tremble with pleasure.
“Archer,” I whispered, my voice hoarse from the intensity of my feelings and the copious amounts of champagne I drank. “What are you doing?”
“I realized something tonight,” he replied, his voice slow and measured.
His tongue delved deeper into me, swirling around my sensitive nub, teasing every nerve ending.
“You did?"
“I realized I don’t want you to be sorry, Mila. That’s not what you’re meant for.”
“It’s not?”
“No.” His tongue danced around my clit, exploring every inch as I writhed beneath him. “You’re meant for me. And no queen of mine will ever apologize for taking what’s hers.”
His fingers slipped into me, finding my sweet spot, making me scream out in pleasure as he thrust them in and out, hitting just the right place.
“Wha—what does that mean?” I panted, my body trembling with need.
“It means, Mila,” he said, his voice low and commanding, “that you are mine, and I am yours. We were always meant to be together. Your father tried to interfere with that, and you showed him and everyone else that you are an unstoppable force. And I’m here, by your side, waiting to show you that you don't need him or anyone else. You only need me."
“You aren’t angry at me?”
“I’m angry at myself for not asking you to marry me the first time I laid eyes on you.”
My heart skipped a beat at his words. "Wait, are you saying...you want to marry me?"
“I’m saying you and I transcend time and space. We are one, bound together by a sacred and profane love, a love that knows no bounds and no mercy. We'll become something unholy, something beyond everything and nothing. You will crave my touch, will want my pain, will need my dominance. You will become the perfect vessel, the perfect host for my darkness. Nothing and no one will be able to stop us."
I was breathless, not knowing what to say or do. Archer looked at me like he could see right into my soul, and I wanted him to. If he could see into my soul, he would find that I was willing. Willing to be everything and nothing to him. To lose myself entirely in his darkness and feel it, know it, and become one with it.
He leaned in and whispered in my ear, "You have no idea how much I love you."
I nodded slowly, feeling my desire build within me. This was more than just a physical connection, it was a soul-deep bond. I felt possessiveness and longing wash over me as I watched him, my heart pounding.
"You're mine," I whispered, my eyes never leaving his.
He nodded, a satisfied smile crossing his face. "Then claim me," he said, his voice dark and commanding.
I reached up and cupped his face, my fingers trembling slightly as I traced his jawline with my thumb. "I'm yours," I repeated, my voice thick with emotion.
Archer leaned down and pressed his lips against mine, his kiss deep and possessive. I felt his hand slide up my thigh, his fingers grazing the edge of my entrance before pushing one inside of me again.
I moaned into his mouth, my body arching toward his touch. He slipped another finger inside, slowly at first, then gradually increasing his pace, his thumb rubbing against my clit in a steady rhythm.
"Need you," I breathed against his lips.
He pulled away from me, his eyes dark. "Then take me.”
I reached down between us, fumbling with the buttons of his pants, sliding them down to reveal his erection, the tip glistening with pre-cum. I positioned myself above him, feeling his hard length against my swollen entrance. Slowly, I lowered myself onto him, his thickness stretching me wide open. I gasped as he filled me, my body adjusting to the sensation of him .
He groaned, his hands gripping my hips as he thrust up into me. “You’re so fucking tight and wet for me,” he murmured, his voice a low growl.
I moaned, loving the way he talked to me. “Fuck, Archer,” I panted when his thrusts became more urgent.
His hands tightened around my hips, lifting me up and then slamming me back down onto him. I cried out, my eyes widening as he forcefully took me.
“You take my cock so well. You’re my heart, my soul, my everything.”
His words resonated deep within me. This wasn’t just sex. It was something more intimate, something sacred. Neither of us would survive without the other. Our souls were molded together in this life and the next. Wherever he went I would follow. We were no accident. We had been one and the same since we were children, and tonight showed us that time meant nothing. We would always find each other.
He pulled me closer, our bodies sliding against each other, the friction creating a delicious heat between us. He kissed me again, his tongue darting into my mouth, exploring it hungrily. His hands slid around to my back, holding me to him as he thrust up into me, his hips moving at a relentless pace. Our bodies were slick with sweat, our skin touching in a way that felt both intimate and wild. We moved together like a force of nature, determined to conquer and be conquered by each other.
“Come for me, Mila,” he whispered against my mouth, his breath hot and ragged. “Let me feel you shatter around me.”
His words were the last straw. I moaned into his mouth as my orgasm ripped through me, my body shaking as I came. Archer thrust into me one last time and then stilled, his release filling me completely. I collapsed onto him, our breaths heavy and our souls intertwined.