Page 44 of Take My Crown

“Okay, so we went for a ride on his bike before going back to his place to watch a movie.”

“Did he take you down to his cinema?” Milly looks impressed. “He doesn’t do that for many girls. He must really like you.”

“Or maybe he just likes watching movies without having to put up with people all around. I mean, we’re going to be the main source of gossip now that Declan knows I went out with Archer. An Archaic and a Knight dating? Everyone’s going to be watching us like a hawk. Maybe Archer just wanted to give our relationship a chance to grow a little first without having an audience.”

“And I’ve ruined it for you.” Milly’s face falls. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. I was just so happy to see Archer finally find someone he is serious about. He hasn’t had much luck with women and he’s the sweetest guy.”

“It’s okay. Don’t feel bad,” I say. “You didn’t know. And sooner or later people are going to find out we’re seeing each other.”

“So youaredating then?”

“It’s early days,” I remind her.

“Iknewyou guys were perfect for each other!” The look on Milly’s face is the epitome of happiness. “So, what happened after the movie?”

“We fooled around a little, but Archer is the perfect gentleman,” I say. “He says he wants us to get to know each other better before we take things further. So, he’s taking me out again this week.”

“Are you having another movie date?”

“No. He’s taking me to something called the Bomber Derby. Says I can be his partner.”

“The Bomber Derby?” Milly let out one of her infamous squeals. “Oh my god! It must be serious!”

“What do you mean? What’s so important about the Bomber Derby?”

“It’s a regular race between the four houses. Well, three for now. The heir to each house competes to race around the town. The losers have to buy the winner a crate of beer, but it’s more about the kudos than the prize. Archer’s been on a winning streak for months now and the others would love nothing more than to see him lose, but that’s not going to happen. If you get asked to ride on the back of someone’s bike for the race it’s a big deal. Usually only girlfriends get to partner up for the race, so if Archer’s asked you to ride with him, it means he genuinely cares about you and he doesn’t care who knows it. Archer’s usually so private about his love life. This ishuge, Ivy!”

“I had no idea…”

I hadn’t. Archer had been so casual about inviting me to ride with him. After the movie ended, we’d kissed a bit, but before things could go too far, Archer said he had to take me home because he didn’t want my dad to worry. But he said there is a race coming up and if I wanted, I can ride on the back of his bike for it. Of course, he didn’t need to ask me twice–there’s nothing I love more than a bit of speed. I had no idea it was so significant.

And then Milly asks the really serious question.

“What are you going to wear?”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Ivy Archaic

The black leather trousers I had worn on our date come in handy again as I get ready for the race. If I’m going to be involved in a high-speed race, practicality mattered more than looks–but it doesn’t hurt that the trousers hug my butt in a way that really flatters my curves.

I knew all too well what damage can be done if you came off a bike when you are going fast. One of my friends had been involved in a crash and the only thing that had stopped his injuries from being worse was the heavy biker gear he had been wearing. As it was, the friction from sliding along the road when he came off his bike had worn away the leather until there was practically nothing left.

I wasn’t going to risk something like that happening to me for the sake of a cute short skirt. Anyway, something tells me Archer will appreciate the biker chick look more than me dressing up, and the look of approval on his face as I left the house to meet him told me I had made the right call.

I drop a quick kiss on his lips before putting on the helmet he holds out to me.

“Are you ready for this?” he asks with a classic Archer smirk that melts my heart andotherplaces. “The speed limit doesn’t apply when you’re riding in the Bomber Derby.”

“Ride or die? Right?” I laugh but something in his eyes sparks like danger. “The question is, can you ride fast enough for me?”

“I think you will be happy,” Archer grins, as I climb behind him on the bike.

I have done a little digging into the history of the race after Milly told me what a big deal it was. Apparently, it is a long-standing tradition in the town. All the police know about it and stayed\\ out of the way, not wanting to get on the wrong side of the Houses. They turn a blind eye to the Bomber Derby and in return, the Houses make very generous donations to local police charities. It is a win/win all round.

The Derby is seen as a relatively harmless way for young heirs to let off steam while jostling for dominance. Before the race started, there’d been a number of street fights and people had died. Since the introduction of the Derby, the only injuries had been when someone crashed their bike. I wonder if my mum and dad raced at some point?

As Milly had said, Archer had won most of the races he has participated in since he started doing them, so the pressure is on tonight. Both Romy and Declan would be desperate to take the crown from him. And something tells me that the pair of them would be doubly keen to win once they saw me sitting on the back of Archer’s bike.

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