RubyWaking up in Archer’s arms is divine. He smells like pine and man, and it’s intoxicating.During the night, we turned, with my back to his chest. I could feel his morning wood pressed against the back of my thighs. His strong, thick arm was thrown over my body, holding me down, and I luxuriated in the feeling.I blush furiously as I try to get out of his embrace without waking him up. A part of him is up all right, and I can’t help but smile.I raise his arm as delicately as I can to drape it over his thigh, then move to get away. My mission is successful when a hand around my waist draws me backward into bed.Archer turns and lays his torso on mine, promptly closing his eyes and starting to snore softly. It feels so good to feel his skin against mine, but I need to use the restroom.“Archer, I’ve got to use the restroom,” I say, squirming under him.Archer groans but finally lets me get up. The moment I get up, he rolls back to his stomach and starts sleeping again. I chuckle. A
ArcherThe elevator opens while I’m working on my laptop. I don’t bother looking up. The only person allowed up without calling is Ruby.When I hear the clicking of her heels, I get curious and look at her. Damn! I feel like I’ve won the lottery every time I see her. Today is no different.She’s wearing a black dress with a red bow that gives me ideas. Her red heels make her already long and straight legs even sexier.I stand and lean back on the table as I watch her strut towards me. She’s wearing makeup today, which tells me she must have had meetings with suppliers.In one of our many conversations, my Princess confided in me that she feels like she’s not taken seriously by people outside her family’s company. They look at her and see a young lady and not the smart, intelligent worker she is. Ruby has started using makeup to make herself look more mature.Today, she’s wearing red lipstick, as red as her heels, and has her hair in a twist. It makes her look sultry and gives her a fe
RubyI’m excited to meet some of Archer’s friends. I’m instantly charmed by Jordan, but Sophia appears to be a tougher nut to crack. I don’t mind the challenge. Making friends, especially female ones, isn’t my strong suit. In my world, most women see each other as competition. It’s all about who can marry the richest, who’s the slimmest, who has perfect skin, whose husband is cheating, and who’s having an affair. Their friendships always seemed false to me, so I’d steer clear of them.The only real friend I have is my sister, and I miss her a lot right now. Jorydan is a cute guy with dark hair and blue eyes, and he’s quite charming. Sophia, on the other hand, has blond hair, dark eyes, and a bronze tan that suggests she regularly basks on a beach somewhere.When Archer excuses himself, I feel a moment of panic. What should I do? What should I say? Entertaining guests can’t be that hard.“Can I get you something to drink? I’m sure the flight must have been tiring,” I say with a smile.
ArcherAndrea enters the elevator as it opens, turning toward us.“I’ll be in touch,” she says before the doors close. I exhale in relief.“Whew. That’s the last of it, right?” I ask my fiancée, who’s standing beside me.“Yes, Archer.”“Thank God. I didn’t think I could bear another session.”After weeks of these meetings with Andrea, the wedding preparations are finally on their way. We’re no longer required to meet regularly since she already knows what we want, although I expect she’ll be in touch as she said. Surprisingly, even though she’s young, Andrea is very competent.Ruby laughs, and I inquire, “What’s funny?”“Well, you weren’t exactly participating in these sessions. I like to think you were there for moral support. And to make sure you don’t get married in pink,” she teases while straightening my tie.“Well,” I say, putting my arms around her, “I’m definitely here for moral support. It’s an important job. And tiring too. Besides, I know you wouldn’t dress me in pink. Like
RubySince arriving at work this morning, I’ve been incredibly busy, so much so that I even skipped lunch. Harvest season is approaching, and it’s crucial to clear out the old wines before the new ones come in. Everyone is working tirelessly to ensure a smooth transition into the harvest season.While I’m in the middle of signing some documents, I hear a knock on the door.“Come in.”Papa enters my office, and I stand up to greet him. It’s unusual for him to come to my office or this side of the building. We’ve always been careful not to give the impression that I receive preferential treatment just because I’m his daughter.“Sit, sit.”As he steps into my office, Archer follows him. This is a new development; Archer has never visited me in my office before. I assume he might have come to see my father and decided to stop by my office on the way.“Good afternoon, Archer,” I greet him, trying to maintain a composed and formal demeanor, as if I hadn’t been intimately involved with him j
ArcherAfter a long day at work and a lavish dinner, I’m driving Ruby home again. I hate this part of my day, having to leave her after spending the whole day with her. I’ve become used to her presence; when she’s not there in my arms at night, I don’t sleep well.Our wedding is in less than two months, and we still haven’t found a place that suits us. We’ve decided to be patient instead of just picking any building. I’ll continue staying in the penthouse for now, though.When I get to a red light, I stop and look at my girl. She looks deep in thought, no doubt cross-checking her to-do list. These past few weeks of shadowing her have exposed me to another side of her – a shrewd businesswoman and a compassionate boss. Ruby is passionate and intentional about the family business. Looking at her, one would expect a diva who shops, parties, and just spends unnecessary money. Ruby is anything but that, and any father would be proud to have her as a daughter.When the red light turns green,
Ruby Not long after the elevator closes behind Archer, Sophia comes strutting out in a short singlet. She goes straight to the fridge and brings out an orange juice, pouring herself a cup.I’m curious about why she doesn’t like me, but I’m not in a hurry to find out or try to be friends with her. It’s crazy how she looks so perfect just waking up from sleep while I probably look like a madwoman.I feel self-conscious enough that I try to pat my hair down without calling attention to myself. After that, I continue eating, waiting to see what she’ll do next.She puts the juice back in the fridge, then turns to where Archer’s unfinished breakfast is. She picks up the fork and takes a small piece of egg and puts it in her mouth. She does this slowly, and when the fork is in her mouth, she moans and swirls it, bringing out her tongue to play with its tines.“What’s wrong with you? Why would you do that?” I ask, feeling disgusted.She shrugs and laughs, maniacally. “You wouldn’t understand
Archer“Sophie, get off of me,” I say sternly, then push her off me. The last thing I want is for Ruby to come home and find her like this.When I came back from the meeting, I was welcomed by loud music coming from Sophie’s room. Jordan had opted to stay back to finalize some arrangements. I could tell that Ruby wasn’t in. I tried calling her on my way back, but she didn’t pick up, so I sent her a text.I walked to Sophia’s room to tell her to turn the music down. I didn’t wait for her to reply; I turned and walked to my room. I dropped my jacket on the bed and was taking off my tie when Sophie entered behind me.The next thing I know, she’s pushing me onto the bed and sitting on me.“I never made any promises like that to you. I might have mentioned that I didn’t want Ruby, but that was before I met her. That was before I found out that you were sleeping with your neighbor,” I say, disgusted with her attitude.She stands up and tucks her hair behind her ear. Wearing a transparent sa
Archer“Really?” Ruby asks while she continues what she’s doing. She stops for a while and looks up at me, giving me a naughty smile.“What are you thinking?” I ask.“Anything you’re thinking, that’s what I’m thinking,” she says while letting out a light giggle.I look at her, still marveling at how she got to be so beautiful. Her hair falls off from her shoulders, and it is silky and dark. It smells of fresh olives, which turns my insides on.“So, tell me, what are you thinking? I want to know,” she inquires.“I’m not a man of many words, I’d rather show you what I’m thinking than say it out,” I reply back.“How will you show me?”“Just let me do my thing. You’ll know when I’ve shown it fully,” I say with a wide grin“Well, I just can’t wait already,” she says as she giggles and lays her head on my chest while I still hold her firmly by the waist.My nose picks up the scent of her perfume as I draw her closer to myself, and it is like a warm hug.It is soft and subtle, but it is unmi
RubyMany women want flashy or flamboyant weddings, not me. I always want to have the opposite, a quiet wedding with a few close friends as guests. I have also always imagined getting married to a man who would be head over heels in love with me.Today, I am getting one out of those two wishes. I am going to have the quiet, serene wedding of my dreams but to a man who can’t stand me, Archer Petraki. Most women would give anything to be in my position right now. They would be happy and excited to be his wife, not fidgety and nervous like I am.I stare at my reflection in the mirror, thinking I look pretty enough. The white wedding gown snugly hugs my shape, then tapers down and flows out. I have white roses braided into my hair. A tiny necklace with an A initial nestles on my chest.I am happy with how the makeup turns out. I told the guy I wanted something natural. I turn around to get a better look at the back just when the door swings open without a knock, and my sister walks in.“Y
RUBYMoist heat trailed up the side of my neck. I sigh, more asleep than awake. A gentle suction just under my ear draws a shudder from my body. I give myself over to the feel of his mouth against my skin and the warm strength of his hard body behind me. The backs of his fingers brushed over the bare skin just beneath my navel. My body tense with need. His fingers slid beneath the waistband of my panties, teasing curls of hair as he seeks my clit. I'm so hot and swollen. How had he gotten me so worked up so quickly? His fingers stroke me with the speed, pressure, and rhythm required to bring me to orgasm in seconds.“Oh God!” I cry as her body convulse with release. I have never climaxed so quickly before. I turn my head to seek his mouth with mine. I reach for him, my hand finding the warm skin of his arm. He must have removed his shirt while I was sleeping. A little more exploring finds him still wearing his pajama bottoms. Damn. He kisses me, and then shifts me back against his che
ArcherI tried to convince myself that my steadily tapping feet were not an indication of my excitement at her return. Yes, I was angry, furious even, but also relieved.I glance at my watch again.“Why isn’t she here yet?” I mutter irritably.Her sister said she’d be here an hour ago.I stand from the couch, pacing around, then sit down at the thought of her walking in and seeing that I was not totally aloof to her absence, that her running away had bothered me more than anything had ever bothered me before. Someone like her didn’t deserve to know she had that kind of power over me.I cross and uncross my leg for the sixth time. I’d missed her. I could admit that to myself alone, but to no one else, especially not to Ruby. Another thing I’d never admit was staying home just because she was coming back.The doorbell rings, and I stand up, hurrying toward the main entrance, pausing briefly to take a deep breath before unlocking the door.“Hi.”“Hi,” I breathe out, her beauty knocking t
Archer"Sit down Archer,all that pacing is making me nervous" I ignore Aolo's statement as I keep walking around the office space. We suddenly lost connection with Mirabel and with it,my faith in the mission. I'm left feeling adrift ,unsure of what is happening. Unsure if she was able to get Ruby and herself out of the house fast enough."I can't relax,bro. How can you even be so chill about all this? For all we know they could be in trouble now." I suddenly pause my pacing as a thought flashed in my head"We need to go over there" Aolo begins to shake his head in disagreement but I press on"We have to,they might need our help now.""You would be risking everything you've been trying to avoid Archer. What if the sight of you triggers him into hurting her? Can you really be able to live with the idea that you might have been the reason why she got harmed?" " Didn't think of it that way" I say after another pause"Of course you didn't" he replies calmly"I'm losing my fucking medula
RubyI hear the door being unlocked and I don't even bother to turn. I already know who it is."Hello darling" Diavolo greets cheerfully as he walks into the room. I ignore him "Still being stubborn?" He asks and this time I sit up from the bed and glare at him"You need to let me go. I'm having terrible pregnancy illnesses and I have to go to a hospital. I need supplements and vitamins"He laughs harshly then stops as his eyes travel down my body, briefly stalling at my slightly protruding stomach. "You really think I give a shit if you lose that baby? Heck! I want you to lose it. It's a liability honey,a setback. So no….you won't be getting any vitamins or supplements.""Fuck you!" "Well that can be arranged" he responds again,the smile still on his face."Look Ruby,you really have limited options here,you can't keep being headstrong,it will cost you". I scoff and give him a look thickly laced with disdain" I would rather die than submit to you Diavolo. You can't always have what
ArcherI stare absently at the wall as the phone rings. I make no move to answer it, lost in my own thoughts. The sound of the phone becomes nothing more than background noise, drowned out by the thoughts swirling in my head. Whoever it is will have to call back later or never again. I get up and walk towards the connecting door between the master's bedroom and the room I am in. The room I've been spending my nights and most of my days.I have not been sleeping in our room ever since Ruby was kidnapped. It's a kind of punishment to myself for not being able to protect her enough. I stare longingly at the double bed as memories of our happy memories threaten to overwhelm me . I step towards the closet and reach for the handle, opening the door to reveal her neatly organized clothes, taking a moment to look at them.I pick out a blouse, holding it close enough to inhale her lingering scent. "I'm so sorry baby" I whisper into the silence,my voice slightly raspy from all the emotions cour
RubyI stared absently at the television, my whole mind in turmoil. In the space of one hour, I had thought about ten different escape options, and all of them had massive loopholes. "I hated it here," I said to myself; I had been doing that a lot more often these past few weeks. I froze slightly as I heard the telltale sound of the doorknob twisting and the door swinging open. And there he was, standing in the doorway with an unreadable expression that made my heart skip a bit. "Hello beautiful, how are you today?" "Fuck off!" I snapped, ignoring the fear twisting my gut. His face broke into a wide smile as he walked into the room and shut the door. "Always feisty, that's one of the many things I love about you, Ruby." I reflexively jumped up from the bed, not wanting him to meet me on top of it. "What do you want from me, Diavolo?" I asked, my voice surprisingly calm. He didn't respond until he was standing right in front of me. "Isn't that quite obvious now, Ruu?" he said while
RubyI lay still on the bed, a smile on my lips as I stared at the white ceiling above me. I’d sent Archer home to go freshen up, but not after teasing him that he stank. But to be honest, I didn’t want him going after Diavolo and causing trouble.I shrugged off the thought of Diavolo finding me. Even I wasn’t certain I was safe from him but I had to calm Archer down somehow. Put his mind at ease, at least.The thought of what Julia said about Diavolo hovered around in my mind.Who would have thought, someone I once loved with all my heart was a huge scam! No wonder papa never accepted him.I sighed and shut my eyes.The door opened and I turned towards it. Two nurses walked in, they were both dressed in green scrub. One had on a face mask that prevented me from seeing even the bridge of her nose while the other carried a little metal tray containing some hospital equipment. They both walked to my bedside.“Good day Mrs. Petraki” The nurse carrying the tray greeted with a broad smile.