Chapter 28
Waiting sucked. Zoe decided that was the part of life she hated the most. Especially waiting for the phone to ring.
Once Archer had whisked her into the limo, Kai had been like an annoying puppy, but she supposed in reality he’d intended to be a caring watchdog. Poor man, he probably would have preferred to take a terrorist down than try to help a woman emptying her guts in front of him.
As soon as he escorted her to the penthouse and asked for the millionth time if she was okay, and she answered the very same answer, Zoe saw him sigh in relief as she closed the door behind her.
The empty apartment was so drab and lonely. Zoe almost asked Kai to come back inside, but it would require interaction and she needed to gather her thoughts. Instead, she started switching on some lights, brightening the rooms. Returning to what she supposed was her room, she made a beeline for the bathroom, remembering the deep bath that was now calling her name.
Water filling up the tub, she started to undress until she saw her clutch with her phone in there with the syringe. One would solve all her problems, the other would mark the end of her. Interchangeably. Shaking her head, Zoe decided to ignore them, and started to remove her dress, as well as the many pins from her hair, wiping off her makeup and brushing her teeth.
When she immersed herself in the warm water, it was bliss, even if it was only for a short time. The calm was deafening after the music, the noise and the chatter at the party. Ever so slowly, Zoe finally relaxed. This was the fork in the path. She couldn’t let Lucas down, and it was impossible to kill Archer. What Finch and his evil sister wanted was a code that was impossible to decipher. She had done miracles in her two previous missions, but miracles could only go so far. And she had to take back control. Finch was not the only one who could deceive.
More settled, with a plan finally in mind if Beatrice didn’t call her soon, she let her bath water drain. Rubbing her skin dry, she wrapped herself in a towel and brushed her hair. Normalcy brought color back to her cheeks, her green eyes were clearer despite signs of fatigue on her face. Leaving her clutch with the syringe and cell phone on her bed, she went hunting for something to wear. Normally, she would have chosen one of her comfy pajamas, but instead decided to explore the place, and maybe steal something to wear from Archer’s wardrobe. A silly idea, but she needed something from him right now, even if he was away.
Of the other doors in the apartment, one was an office, and the other was closed, but unlocked. When she switched the light on and saw that she had found Archer’s bedroom, Zoe started laughing. Clothing was scattered over the floor, it was the least tidy room in the entire apartment. And in that way, they were the same. She had the bad habit of leaving her clothes where they fell until laundry day. One by one, she picked up his shirts, pants, and socks, and put them all in a pile in the corner. However, his bed was neatly made. And what a nice bed. Big was the word. And it looked so fluffy. Tempting. But first, she wanted to pick something to wear. One of his shirts was tempting, but it wouldn’t be very comfortable. She rummaged through the closet without finding anything suitable. Dropping her towel, she turned to a tall chest of drawers. On her third try, she found a t-shirt similar to the one he had ruined at the bar. That would be perfect.
“That’s the best view in town.”
Jumping out of her skin, Zoe whirled around, a hand on her heart. “Damn, Archer! You scared me to death. Again!” And at the sight of him, hands in his pocket, the collar of his tuxedo unbuttoned, his hair just ruffled enough to tempt her, her heartbeat picked up for a completely different reason.
Ever so slowly, he walked toward her. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m feeling fine now. Way better.”
He never stopped walking. “Good.” And he cupped her cheeks, crashing his lips to hers.
All the despair inside her, all the love for him filled every part of her body, making her hot and needy. This was certainly the last time he would see her in that light, as who she wished to be for him. There was no way of knowing what could have been. So right now, as there was still time, she would be with him as she always dreamed of.
His hands cupped her buttocks, bringing her entire body against him. His shirt buttons scratching her nipple, rubbing her skin. His touch was rough, and she wanted more of it, she wanted him naked too. Fumbling, she half unbuttoned, half tore at his shirt, while his lips turned her anxiety and fear into distant memories and ashes. Zoe moaned against his lips and breathed the exhale of air from him as her fingers finally touched his torso, her fingernails scraping a little.
When his hands came to cup her breasts, she let her head fall back, enjoying how he pinched her, bringing a little pain in the pleasure of his caress. Starving for him, Zoe went to unbuckle his belt and pants, letting them fall to the ground.
Archer stepped out of them and returned to devouring her mouth. Zoe let herself be guided toward the bed. Only when the backs of her knees touched the comforter did she let go of him and crawl onto the bed. Out of reach only for a second, Archer’s face broke into a wolfish smile, ready to prowl. In one swift movement, he was on the bed after her, and Zoe was more than willing to be captured by the man. His muscles rippled as he moved over her body, his eyes not breaking contact. His warmth, the sheer weight of him was an addiction as she opened her legs to welcome him.
He pulled back and looked at her with his amazingly handsome face, skimming his fingers around her face. The tenderness mixed with the lust, was all-consuming. Zoe, biting her lips, ran her fingers over his ribs, and he wiggled, allowing her to push him on his back.
Straddling his hips, she didn’t allow him to scowl at her, and as he was about to retaliate, she started moving, her slick core rubbing against his hardening member.
“You never play fair, Miss Somersby.” Even if his voice was accusing, the amusement was clearly there.
“Well, you’re a big and strong man, what else can a feeble woman do?”
“Feeble?” Now he smiled. “I still have to see that.”
Zoe licked her lips and decided to bring the man to his knees, metaphorically speaking, as he was lying down in the bed already. Ever so slowly, she kissed him and used her lips to then draw a deliberate path over his mouth-watering body. For the first time, she decided to fully take advantage of that playground, caressing, scratching, pinching, licking every fascinating part of him, until she felt him restless under her ministrations.
Now with her cheek rubbing his hip, Zoe circled his cock with her fingers, his girth quivering under her grip.
“Zoe…” Lost in a sigh, she almost didn’t recognize her name. His hips undulated a little, clearly seeking more. Back on her knees, she went to take him in her mouth when he rolled her on her back again. Pushing her thighs wide, he started to rub the same way she did, brushing insistently against her clit.
“I’m done playing, love. I want to hear you scream too much.” And with a masterful twist, he moved up and pushed himself into her quivering sheath.
And she did scream. Her need for him was too high at the moment, consuming her body. Nothing was enough, as if she was starving, her lungs burning for air. Her hands grabbed his shoulders, snaking around until she fisted his hair, pulling hard so his lips were on hers again. His movements weren’t tender and sweet, but hard, punishing, seeking their combined pleasure. The wicked friction, the pounding bordering on pain, wasn’t even enough. She wouldn’t be satisfied until she could have all of him, until all that was her vanished.
“Zoe, love.” His voice breathy and hissing, forced her to open her eyes. Archer watched her, his body on a mission of wringing all she could offer him, of all the pleasure she could ever feel.
Eyes locked with hers, he pushed her knees up a little, opening her even more, and when he plunged inside her this time, the newfound angle, and his pubic bone bumping into her exposed clit, made her gasp for air.
