Page 40 of Take My Crown

Archer and I exchange an amused glance.

“Why don’t we just start with a movie?” he suggests.

“Sounds like a plan,” I smile.

Chapter Twenty

Ivy Archaic

Ever since I agreed to go on a date with Archer, I can’t tell who is more excited about it–me or Milly. In fact, it is probably Milly, who went completely overboard on how great her brother is, how great I am, how great a couple we are, how great it is we had finally realised we are made for each other, great, great, great!

It seems my father shares Milly’s opinion, although he isn’t quite as over the top about it. When I ask his permission to go out with Archer, he nods his approval.

“You can do worse than ally with House Knight,” he says. “Archer’s a man with ambition. The two of you can be quite the power couple. Still, it’s early days. If he tries anything inappropriate, let me know and I’ll make sure he regrets it.”

I guess that is my father’s way of showing affection, but it’s creepy. Whatever happens between me and Archer, there is no way my father is hearing about any of it.

Even Isabella appears to want to get involved in making sure my date with Archer goes well. She takes me on another one of our shopping trips and helps me pick out the right outfit.

It takes me ages to decide on the right look. I want casual but sexy, dressed up without looking like I am trying too hard.

In the end, I go for a pair of high-waisted black leather trousers with a bright red top which has straps criss crossing over the back. I find a lipstick in a matching shade and I love how it looks against my pale skin. I decide to leave my hair down, straightening it out so I look like I mean business.

Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I nod with satisfaction. Yep, I have hit just the right note. Archer is going to love the way I look, but it sends off an air of ‘yes, I’m gorgeous, but push your luck and I’ll bite your hand off.’

There is a knock on my door and Isabella pops her head round it when I tell her to come in. “Archer’s here for you,” she smiles.

Grabbing a small backpack with my phone and purse inside, I head downstairs to see my date and my father shaking hands, a smug grin on both their faces.

“Ah, Ivy. Good to see you being punctual.” As I approach, my father strides towards me, arms outstretched to enfold me in a hug. Keeping his arm around my shoulders, he walks me back to where Archer is standing.

“As I was saying, Archer, my Ivy is the most precious thing in the world to me,” my father tells him. “If I hearanythingabout you not treating her like the lady she is, anything at all, you will face the wrath of House Archaic.”

“Don’t worry, sir. Ivy means a lot to me. I’ll take good care of her.”

I feel like miming putting my fingers down my throat and puking at the way Archer is buddying up to my father, but, like a good girl, I just smile.

“You’ve got your phone with you, in case there’s any problem?” Dad asks.

“I’m a teenager. Like I’m going to go anywhere without my phone.” I pat my bag to reassure him. “Come on Archer. We’re going to need to hustle if we want to catch that movie.”

“Don’t stay out too late,” my father calls after us, as we head out. Archer held the door open for me and my jaw drops when I see what is waiting outside.

“We’re going on your motorbike?”

Archer’s pride and joy sits in the driveway, minus the sidecar this time.

“What–are you expecting a limo or something?”

“Well… yes. Isn’t that what most boys use to get about this town?”

“I’m not like most boys.” Archer goes and picks up the two helmets hanging from the handlebars, passing one to me. “So do you want a ride or do I need to call a limo?”

He doesn’t need to ask twice. I send up a silent prayer of thanks that I hadn’t done anything creative with my hair as I put on the helmet and hop on the bike behind him. I put my arms around his waist, enjoying the feel of his body against mine, as he turns on the engine and revs it.

“Hold on!” he calls back, as he kicks off the stand. Gravel spins up behind us as the wheels turn and the bike lurches forward.

I close my eyes, revelling in the sensation of freedom riding a bike always gives me. If I try hard, I can imagine we are heading out of this town and off to somewhere new, maybe even back to see Katy and tell her what really happened.

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