34. Archer

W hen I opened the front door to Daemon in the early hours of the morning, I was more than ready to pick up where we left off at the party, but then I saw Hallie’s face. It was clear she had been crying, and Daemon left her in my care, as I called for Maddie with minimal explanation as to what the fuck was going on. My night then proceeded with listening to her tears for almost two hours, while Maddie tried to comfort her, before Nova and I insisted on them getting some sleep. Cap took his girl to his bed, and I unwillingly led Hallie to mine, letting her borrow one of my jerseys to sleep in, before making myself a bed on the floor.

It was a restless night to say the least, and I escaped my room as soon as the sun rose, though it wasn’t much help. The rest of the house is a mixture of being hungover and somber about whatever went down last night, and Josh Peters has been sitting on our porch since fucking dawn, refusing to leave. Both Cap and Maddie have tried speaking to him, but still he sits, and none of us have a fucking clue what to do about it all.

I’m sipping coffee with Alexander at the kitchen island, when all of sudden we hear raised voices outside, and we share a look before quickly moving towards the door and ripping it open. Josh’s eyes dart to us instantly, with nothing but hope in them, before he quickly deflates when he realizes we are not his wife. It’s only then that I take in Daemon’s presence opposite him, now looking at me softly, with both Landon and Levi at his side. The former seems confused, and the latter is staring at Peters with nothing but uncontrolled rage.

“Come on, Josh, you can’t exactly be surprised, she wasn’t going to settle for your fake bullshit forever,” Levi spits, and it’s clear they are talking about Hallie, but it’s not clear what the fuck he means.

“I’d be very careful about what comes out of your fucking mouth next, Jones,” Peters warn, and it’s only now I am reminded of the way Levi acted that day on the ice, when Hallie picked him for her team.

He didn’t seem overjoyed in any way by her presence, he was more resigned that he was going to lose than anything else, but now I see what I missed that day. I felt a weird hatred from him aimed at Peters, who I know he’s been best friends with since high school, yet he acted like he couldn't stand him. It’s only now that I see my mistake. He doesn’t hate Peters, he just hates that he’s married to Hallie, and whatever happened between them last night, clearly Levi is taking it as his opportunity to make his feelings for his wife known.

“Please, we both knew it was only a matter of time before you fucked everything up,” Levi scoffs, looking at Peters with nothing but disgust. “Like father, like son,” he adds, and my eyes widen at the low blow falling from his mouth.

I’ve only heard bits and pieces about the Mayor of Fairfield, from being in proximity to Nova and Maddie in recent weeks, and despite not particularly caring for Josh Peters in any way, even as Daemon’s best friend, Levi’s words still strike a nerve.

Landon’s eyes widen in shock at his statement, and I see Peters’ entire body tense, yet it’s Daemon who steps between them. Turning himself into a shield for his best friend, more than used to taking the fucking blows, and my eyes track his every move. “You need to walk away. Now,” he warns him with a voice like death, and fuck does it turn me on.

Levi turns his glare onto Daemon and I just know that whatever he is about to say, is going to piss me the fuck off. “Don’t even get me started on your father, Forbes,” Levi spits, as if Daemon is completely beneath him, and I am stepping forward before I can stop myself. “Josh’s may be a piece of shit, but yours is a fucking murderer.”

The word murderer slices through me so viciously, that my entire body reacts as if he struck me. My fist slams into his jaw, with so much force that it knocks him off his feet, my whole body shaking with unrestrained rage, as I watch him hit the ground, taking great pleasure in the blood that pours from his mouth.

“Get the fuck away from my house, or the only murderer around here will be me,” I promise him darkly, and though I feel the stare of everyone else here, I keep my eyes on Levi, until he scrambles away from me on his hands and fucking knees, scurrying back to the house he shares with them.

When I turn back to the others, I find them all looking at me, just as I expected, but once my gaze meets Daemon’s, the rest of them fade away. He is looking at me as if he has never seen me before, and I almost think I have done something wrong, but then his lips tip up in the corner ever so slightly. And just like the first night I laid eyes on him, I am entrapped in his stare, free falling into his black hole.

Before I can say anything, Nova storms from the house with Maddie close behind him. “What the fuck is going on out here?” he shouts, and when he meets my stare and takes in my anger, he looks slightly confused, as Maddie tends to her brother.

“Josh, you’re still here?” she asks, as his phone rings out between us, which he promptly ignores, but as his eyes flash across the screen, he sighs, looking between us all, before focusing on his sister.

“Dad has been arrested,” he grits slowly, and the shock flows through all of us, as he sighs again, turning back towards us. “My father is a lying, corrupt, piece of shit, who tried to force Maddie into a business marriage. I ruined it, but my father forced me to take her place. I was told I had to pick a wife, and Hallie’s name was on the list of approved choices. I picked her because she was my friend, and I knew I wanted an ally as I took him down. I have since realized that I am madly in love with my fake wife, and I need to fucking fix it, so I am not leaving here until I see her.”

None of us say a thing as he speaks, letting his words settle over all of us, that is until Alexander bursts out laughing and I can’t help but groan. That fucker was right.

“I fucking knew it,” he brags, jumping off the porch onto my back and rubbing his knuckles on my head. “Pay up, you little prick,” he demands, practically dry humping me, and my eyes flash to Daemon’s in a panic, only to find him watching us with a smirk.

Josh looks between Alexander and I in confusion, before I push him off my back and sigh. “Reign bet me your marriage was bullshit, I bet him it was real,” I tell him honestly, and I expect him to be pissed at us, but if anything he just looks defeated.

“Then I guess we all lost, because my marriage may have been bullshit, but it was somehow the realest thing I have ever felt,” Josh replies, and his words steal all our humor and render us completely speechless.

It isn’t long before my best friend smiles, and nudges his girl. “You heard your brother. Go and fetch his wife, the man is in love,” Nova declares, and I laugh, as she turns on her heels and makes her way inside to find Hallie.

My attention moves back to Daemon, who is still watching me quietly, ignoring whatever else is saying around us. He nods his head towards his house, and anticipation burns through me, but before I can even take a step forward, Peters is there glaring at me.

“I hope you kept your hands to your fucking self last night, Gray,” he spits, and for a moment I’m almost confused, thinking he saw me with Daemon, but when I look at the man in question, he frowns up at his best friend. It’s only then I catch on to what Josh means.

“Trust me, Peters, I have done plenty of things to women in my time, but making them cry isn’t one of them,” I spit in response, and his stare hardens even more.

“Only women, eh?” he tosses back, and my eyes flick back to Daemon’s, but he is still watching Peters warily, as Alexander takes a step closer to me, as if anticipating this going south.

“Sorry man, it’s not my fault your wife wanted to sleep in my bed,” I snap back, getting sick of his fucking shit, but his rage only intensifies.

“Gray, I swear to god, if you don’t stop saying shit about her, I am going to fucking kill you, and trust me I won’t be sorry,” he replies darkly, and I roll my eyes at his dramatics. If he pulled his head out of his fucking ass he would realize the only person I’m interested in is his best friend, not his fucking wife.

“Damn, after I just defended your honor and everything,” I toss back with a smirk, as I spy Hallie approaching him from behind.

“Really, you wanna go there?” he asks incredulously, fixing me with his stare, before he adds, “Or should we talk about why you really punched him?” His eyes move to Daemon, and I freeze as Hallie and Maddie arrive.

“Hi,” Hallie whispers, saving me from responding, and Josh’s head whips around so fast, I am surprised he doesn’t break his damn neck.

“Hals,” he breathes, full of relief, and Hallie’s eyes dart around to all of us.

“Can you guys give us a minute?” she asks, and Maddie instantly pushes Nova and Alexander back into the house, and before I can even contemplate whether to follow them, Daemon is tugging on my hand and pulling me in the opposite direction.

He doesn’t stop until he has dragged me across the street, into his house and up the stairs, slamming my back against his door, as he closes it behind us, stealing my breath with a punishing kiss. His body is hot and heavy against mine, and my cock springs to life, nudging against his own, until I am practically trembling with the need for release.

“Did you get hard watching me argue with your best friend?” I ask, pulling back and trailing kisses down his jaw, and he’s already shaking his head.

“No, I got hard watching you punch someone in my defense,” he tells me honestly, and I huff a laugh, as he drags me toward the bed, and starts tugging at my clothes. I help him rip off my shirt and unbutton my pants, as he sits back and watches me, slipping down his sweats and fisting his cock. “There’s lube in the drawer,” he adds, nodding towards his bedside table, and I practically trip over my feet to get it, grabbing a condom at the same time. When I toss them to him, he smiles at my eagerness, pouring the lube onto his fingers, before motioning for me to come closer.

When I reach him, he swallows my dick without pause, his fingers finding my ass and instantly starting to stretch me out for him in the most delicious way. “Fuck,” I groan, fisting his hair, and he grunts around my length, sucking me even deeper, while adding another finger. “I’m ready, Daemon, fuck me, now,” I plead desperately, and he obeys instantly, letting my cock fall from his mouth with a wet plop, and looks up at me grinning like the Devil.

“Come ride me, baby,” he demands, leaning back and sheathing his cock with the condom, covering it in lube, before stroking himself until I am fucking salivating at the sight of him. I don’t hesitate in straddling him, allowing him to line his cock up with my hole, and when I feel his crown at my entrance, I clench on instinct. “I know you can take it, Gray, let me in,” he purrs, kissing me roughly, as his hands find my ass and he begins to massage my cheeks, his cock pushing in past the rim.

Knowing I can’t take the build up, I slam my hips down, taking him all the way to the hilt and making us both groan deeply. “Oh fucking hell,” I moan, dropping my head to his, and relishing in the way his jaw tightens, as his hands flex around my hips.

“You’re going to be the death of me,” he grits through his teeth, trailing his mouth along my jaw, as I shift a little, getting used to the thickness of him inside of me.

“Then I’ll meet you in hell, baby,” I muse, slamming my lips back to his, and he responds by tongue fucking my mouth with his.

His fingers tighten around my hips, holding me in place as he slides himself out, before slamming me back down onto him, and when I moan onto his tongue, eager for more, he lets loose. Fucking me with quick snaps of his hips, until I start meeting him thrust for thrust, riding him with reckless abandon, until sweat is slick on my back.

“So good, Daemon, you feel so fucking good,” I groan, swiveling my hips, and he leans back on one of his hands, letting me take more control.

“That’s it, Golden Boy, ride my cock like a good boy.”

His words elicit something primal inside of me, and I slam his back to the bed, pressing my hands to his chest and using his body as leverage. I ride him hard and fast, feeling him everywhere, chasing a pleasure only he has ever given me, and he watches me with an intensity I can’t describe. His hands reach up and splay across my stomach, tracing each of my abs, before palming my dick and stroking me firmly.

My entire body burns with need and desire, as he fucks my ass and fist until I can feel my release barreling towards me. “I’m gonna come,” I warn him, slamming my hips harder and harder, chasing my release, and he throws his head back, letting free a deep and sensual moan.

“Come for me, baby,” he demands, and that’s all it takes. Four words, and my orgasm explodes from my body. Jets of warm cum spilling on his fist and stomach, as he continues to fuck me. “Oh fuck yes,” he cries, his thrusts becoming sloppy until he finds his release right behind me, spilling inside of me, and pulling my lips back to his.

His kiss this time is lazy and satisfied, as he whispers against my mouth, “Thank you, Arch.”

“For riding you?” I ask with a laugh, panting heavily, and he shakes his head slightly.

“For having my back out there,” he confirms softly, and my heart beats wildly in my chest at his words.

I’m almost sure that, aside from Peters, he’s never had anyone go to bat for him, and the thought only breaks my heart more. I’ve always known what it’s like to have people in my corner, supporting me every step of the way, and all I can imagine is a young and defenseless Daemon, fighting against his father alone. It’s why I choose my next words carefully.

“I’ve got to go home tomorrow,” I start slowly, leaning up on my elbows, so I can watch his face as I utter my next words. “Come with me?” I ask softly, and as he opens his mouth to respond, I press my fingers to his lips and silence him. “And before you say no, you should know that Aurora is desperate to see you again. Everest wants to meet the man who supposedly tamed me, and my parents have not stopped texting me and asking me if you’re coming with me.” Only once I am done do I remove my fingers, and he smirks.

“So, no pressure then?” he asks, cocking one of his brows at me, and I nod.

“No pressure at all, just meeting my entire family and attending my mother’s annual charity event,” I muse with a smile, and he rolls his eyes, shaking his head slightly.

“Do you want me to go?” he finally asks, and I nod slowly, feeling vulnerable and awkward for admitting it, which is ridiculous considering his cock is still in my ass. “Then yes, I’ll come home with you.”

My answering smile has him pulling me in for another kiss, and despite all the drama of last night, all I can feel is elated. I’m breaking his wall down brick by brick, and for once he is letting me, and now I just have to hope that my family doesn’t scare him away.