Page 73 of Empire of Ache & Ruin

“Let me make you something heartier.” Mary Jane wipes her hands on her apron, fussing over the stove.

“The grilled chicken breast was enough, thank you.” I cut up a green apple into small pieces and pop one in my mouth.

“Chicken isn’t breakfast. But of course, you’re starving this morning. You didn’t eat anything last night. No one did as a matter of fact. What am I here for then?” She throws her hands up in the air. “Am I that terrible of a cook?”

“You’re an excellent chef, Mary Jane.” A sweaty and shirtless Archer saunters into the kitchen. “We just weren’t hungry last night.”

Oh jeez. I swallow as my mind plays a collage of images of our non-dinner.

“Good morning.” He kisses my cheek, then grabs a piece of apple off my plate.

“Good morning.” I take in his scent, feeling disoriented and confused.

Did he just say good morning in an almost cheery tone?

“How are you feeling?” he asks, leaning his hip on the edge of the counter.

Suddenly time stops, the world falls away, sounds fade, and then, it’s just us in the room. Did I hang around this morning longer than usual after I ate breakfast in hopes to catch him after his workout? Yes, I did. His gaze roams my face for several beats before it drops to my mouth.

What is he thinking?

For a moment, I think he’s going to kiss me, but instead, he swipes the pad of his thumb over my bottom lip. On instinct, the tip of my tongue peeks out to taste him.

“Such a pretty mouth,” he murmurs in my ear.

“I’m going to check on the girls and make sure they tidy up the rooms.” Mary Jane turns off the stove and leaves.

“Sounds good.” Archer nods, his intense blue gaze never leaving mine. Well?”

“Well, what?” I want to wipe the beads of sweat off his bulging biceps.

“How are you feeling?” He cocks his head to look at me.

“Oh. Um. I don’t know.” I was feeling sore before, but now, I just want him all over again.

“I get the sense you didn’t learn your lesson.” He cups my face. “Dinner tonight is at seven thirty. Sharp. If you don’t show, your gorgeous ass is going to pay the price again. Do you understand, Little Dove?”

“You wouldn’t dare do that again.” I purse my lips.

He barks out a laugh. “Didn’t I already prove last night how much I’m willing to dare when it comes to you?”

I look away from him.

He moves his hand down to my neck and makes me look at him. “As I said, I can do much worse. Don’t tempt me, Little Dove. Dinner. Tonight. Wear the dress.”

“Or you’ll what? Finger me into oblivion, tie me up, or spank me. Or maybe you’ll hold another auction and watch from the other room while a bunch of old men bid on me like I’m some prized pig.” Anger pools at my belly. “As far as humiliation goes, there’s not much more you can do, Archer.”

A smirk pulls at his lips. “I would love nothing more than to tie you to my bed and fuck your little cunt all night.” The back of his fingers brushes my sex ever so softly.

His touch is so light it only works to fan the flames of my desire for him. But it does nothing to calm the storm brewing inside me.

Let me in.I scream at him in my head.

“I know that’s what you want. It’s why you’re angry. But one day soon, you’ll thank me for it.” He adds just the slightest bit of pressure, parting my pussy lips through the thin fabric of my pajama pants. “Turn around,” he orders.

“What?” The drumming in my chest kicks up the pace, cutting the air to my lungs.

“Do it now.” He disappears into the walk-in pantry on the other side of the room then returns with a green bottle in his hand.

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