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
Ruby's POV“I can’t do this, Dad.” “I can’t marry a man I don’t know.” I try to protest while my father, Aolo Ferretti speaks, his voice reflecting the finality of his decision. “It’s for the best, Piccolo,” he responds. “You know I love you and wouldn’t do anything to hurt you. This will benefit you and the family.” “Benefit me?” I exclaim in outrage. “How can marrying a man I don’t know possibly be good for me, Dad?” “Ruby, I know the Petraki family. They are good people. Urso has been my best friend since we were kids,” he says, pacing. “This marriage is in your best interest.” “He’s going to move to Milan. He’ll join you in the family business, and we’ll merge our businesses together. You won’t have to leave home,” my dad explains. I can never believe that my dad is doing this solely for my well-being. I gently shake him off and walk over to the window in his study, gazing out at our estate. “What about Diavolo?” I ask, my gaze outside. Diavolo, my boyfriend for over a y
Archer's POVComing to Milan to find a wife is already a crazy idea, but meeting a stunning stranger who looks like a fallen angel is entirely unexpected.When that angelic beauty kisses like a goddess, all my well-laid plans go out the window. The woman in my arms is oblivious to how she looks.When she walks into the bar this evening, every man in the room turns to watch her, captivated by her long, smooth legs, creamy white skin begging to be touched, a slender figure with enchanting golden-brown eyes. But the most astonishing thing about her is her striking red hair, so vibrant it can only be described as Ruby red.As she approaches the bar, fidgeting as if she’s a housewife about to meet a secret lover, I can’t resist striking up a conversation with her. To my surprise, she not only responds but checks me out enough for me to know she’s interested.I deepen the kiss, and when I raise my hand to cup her firm breast, she shudders, making me groan. This is completely unexpected; I h
Ruby's POVOne minute, we’re talking, and the next, I can’t get enough of him. I run my hand through his hair and sigh into his kiss. Archer kisses like a god. He tastes like sunshine and sin. His body pressed against mine is sculpted, and I can’t feel an ounce of fat.Kissing him is a revelation; it feels as good as I remember. It isn’t the drink; it’s us.He moves me until my back is against the dining table. Neither of us wants to stop the kiss. I hop on the table, kicking off my heels, and he walks in between them, pressing his center to mine.“Archer,” I moan loudly as I run my hand down his back. I arch my back and rub against his erection, then wrap my legs around his back.He kisses my jawline down to my collarbone, then my neck, where he suckles on the spot where my pulse runs.He grinds his erection into me, and I gasp. He’s so hard and hot. I drag his lips back to mine and continue our kiss.His hand goes to my thighs and moves up steadily. Just as he presses on the spot wh
Archer's POVI’m having breakfast at precisely the moment the flowers I sent to Ruby are being delivered. I’m enjoying a simple breakfast and wondering how long it will take before Ruby calls me. A smile creeps onto my face as I recalls what I wrote on the note I sent to her.“To the mysterious lady who swept me off my feet before I even knew she was mine. I fall asleep and wake up with thoughts of you. I eagerly await the day you will be mine. Yours, Archer.” I’m not sure if revealing the depth of my feelings is a wise move, but I don’t want Ruby to feel alone in this connection between us. My last experiences with women have led me to believe I’m incapable of developing attachments to them. With Ruby, though, it’s entirely different. The intense emotions I feel for her prove I’m capable of deep feelings. As my phone rings, I hurry to answer it. “Hello.”“Archie, how have you been?”“Jordan?” I ask as I take a seat on the bed.“Yup. Do you have any other sexy friends? How’s Milan
RubyAs I watch Archer playing with the kids, my heart aches, endearing him to me even more. I find myself smiling as he kneels down to pick up little Isabella, who couldn’t keep up with the other kids, and puts her on his shoulders. Isabella throws her hands up and laughs gleefully, and I can’t help but imagine him with our kids.I shake my head to clear these thoughts. It feels too soon to be falling for him so quickly, doesn’t it?Suddenly, I feel a hand on my shoulder, and I jump out of my reverie. “He is good with the kids,” Julia says as she stands close to me with her hands folded on her chest. “Yes, he is.”When I first met Julia, I thought she was too hard and solemn to care for these children. However, through the years of working with her, I’ve come to realize that her tough exterior hides a heart as soft as a mushroom. She’s a kind-hearted woman who lost her husband to war. At 48 years old, with her lean body, bronze skin, and dark eyes, she’s a beauty.In one rare moment,
Archer I’ve been in the best mood since I spoke to Ruby earlier in the day. After spending a week with her, not talking to her every minute is hard.I finally give in to my needs and call her this afternoon. She’s pleased to hear from me, I can tell from the excitement in her voice, and I berate myself for not calling more.We speak on the phone, and she gives me the details of how stressful her day is going. I want to offer to treat her to a full-body massage but restrain myself.In upper-class society, if you break it, you buy it. The last thing I want is for Ruby to think we are only getting married because we are being forced to.I check the time and notice I am going to be a bit earlier than the agreed time. I cruise around for a bit, keeping to simple routes so that I don’t get lost.Seeing a flower shop still open gives me an idea. I park out front and come down. I walk into the shop and am immediately bombarded by different pleasant smells.“Hello, welcome to Roses and Thor
RubyMy view gets blurry, and I realize I was crying. The whole incident has been trying on my nerves and already tired body.I blink the tears away. I was not even sure if I was crying because Archer walked away without letting me explain or because of the bruises from Diavolo’s tight grip.I never expected Diavolo to be so hard and violent. In all the time we spent together, he’s never gotten drunk before. He was always the perfect gentleman. He has never even raised his voice at me before. It was one of the reasons loving him was so easy.I honestly wish he had realized his mistake immediately and fought for me. Not now, after weeks apart, after getting to know Archer. I feel torn between two men, and I don’t know what to do.I pick up my phone and dial home.“Hola. Ferretti’s residence.”“Hey Maria. It’s Ruby. Can you tell Pedro to send a car for me? I’m still at the orphanage.”“Yes, signorina Ferretti.” The call drops.I stood there in the parking lot, cold and tired for over th
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.