by Dark, Raven
“Pardon?” He grabbed her breast, tweaking her nipple hard, and pleasure-pain speared through her. She tried to twist away, to push into this touch.
“You know you’re a fucking pervert, right? Sir?”
Again, voices drifted close. Damn it, were there this many cars parked on this end of the lot?
He chose that moment to swat her ass for her insult, and the sound rang out like a gunshot. The talking stopped. Footsteps halted. Close. Shit.
“If you don’t want them to hear you getting fucked, shut your mouth.”
Gwen bit her cheek. If only he would gag her. She doubted she could control herself when he finally took her.
The voices drifted away at last and footsteps grew distant. She let out a breath.
Archer’s belt clinked, his fly unzipped. The carnal sound of it drove her wild and it took everything in her to obey his earlier rules and remain still.
“That’s it, sub, you just stand there and let me fuck you nice and hard like you deserve.”
The familiar snap of the lube cap reached her ears. He spread her cheeks and cool wetness moistened her anus. Then he pushed his cock into the crack of her ass, working it slowly up and down.
Gwen panted and clawed at the car. She almost spread wider for him.
“Teach you to run out on me.”
“Archer, God…” Gwen thought she’d come apart then.
Archer pushed the head of his cock against her back entrance. Her ass clenched, pussy aching to the point of pain.
“You like that, don’t you, sweet thing?” His tongue darted along her ear. “You want me in your ass.”
She almost said no, almost fought him. Something dark in her refused to simply admit he was right.
“Answer me. Tell me you want it.” His hand whacked her ass again, a loud clap. Was anyone close enough to hear? She bit her lip to keep from crying out.
Another hard slap on the other cheek.
“Ah. Christ. I want it.”
He chuckled into her hair. He pushed partway in and the same little volts of pleasure-pain she felt with anal play shocked through her. Only there was a lot less pain now. He filled her slowly, pressure building in her behind while the pleasure shot all the way to her core.
Had he changed his mind about being rough? His cock slid in so slow, then before it was all the way in, he drew out again. Then back in. Gwen gritted her teeth against a cry.
Archer’s movements became more urgent, a little harder, and his hips snapped against hers with every thrust. Her knees thumped softly against the side of the car and her heels scraped against the pavement. Archer’s breathing turned ragged. Gwen panted.
“So fucking good.” He grunted, and his palm clapped her hip in that hard possessive way that said she was his.
“Mm, shit.” Gwen bucked against him.
At last his movements roughened, his thrusts hard and fast. Her knees banged the car, her hips thumping hard against it, echoing his frantic rhythm.
A scream built in her, wild and hungry, and when it escaped, she knew anyone within a mile would hear it. He must have known because his huge hand clamped over her mouth, muffling her cry. His thrusts turned savage.
“Come…”
Gwen spiraled over the edge in an orgasm so violent it ripped her apart. Tore her to pieces, sending scream after helpless scream into his palm.
Archer grunted a curse and thrust forward three or four times. His teeth grazed her bare shoulder as he shuddered and slumped against her.
Sweaty and panting, they stood like that for a moment, Archer clutching her to him, Gwen clawing at his ass, running her hands through the back of his hair.
“Were you still being nice that time, Sir?” She grinned.
“Not so much.” He licked the line of her bare shoulder while he slowly slid out of her and drew her panties back over her ass.
“But you were still holding back?”
“We should get in the car.” He jerked her dress back into place. She turned to see him doing up his pants. He smirked at the top half of her dress, still ripped down, breasts exposed.
She quickly zipped her jacket shut, her sense of reality now returning without Archer driving her mad with need. Gwen glanced around her, relieved no one was in sight.
“You took that well, little one.” His voice was a low, satisfied growl as he brushed her hair behind her shoulders.
“Are you still angry with me, Sir?” Her voice shook. It hurt her that she’d let him down, disappointed him.
“Not as much now. You have no idea how much better fucking you makes me feel.” But a smile toyed with his mouth, making her wonder where they stood. Were they good?
“Seriously, Sir, I’m sorry I let you down. I’m sorry I broke our deal.”
“I know you are.” He traced her cheek with his fingers, and the warmth in his eyes, in his touch made her feel an indescribable relief. A chasm that had suddenly spring up between them at once closed itself, bringing them closer once more.
She took another look around the lot and risked a teasing smile. “You really know how to bring out a girl’s inner slut, Sir.”
Archer laughed and opened her door. “Get in.”
When her ass cheeks hit the seat, she winced and tried to squirm into a position that didn’t sting.
“Problem, sweet thing?” He smirked.
“You’re a son of a bitch, Sir.”
“That so?” He swooped in and kissed her, long and hard. “Well, then we’re even. Cause you bring out my inner beast.”
“Don’t you mean pervert, Sir?”
He pinched her chin lightly with his thumb and finger. “Mouthy sub.”
* * *
Hours later, when she lay in the warmth of Archer’s arms, Gwen lifted her head and looked down at him. Running her fingers over his hard, smooth cheek. The bad man was nowhere to be seen.
“Sir?”
“Yeah.” One of his hands brushed her hair from her face. Stretched out under her, hair rumpled from her hands, he looked so sated, so satisfied. So hot.
“I’m really am sorry I took off on you like that tonight.”
“It’s over. I know why you did it. There’s no need to bring it up again. But Gwen, this can’t happen again. You only get a jerk pass once.”
She smiled at his use of her own words after the first time they made love.
“Next time it comes up, we have to tell Ace,” he said. “No hiding. Understood?”
Dread washed over her, cold and deep, but she nodded. “Yeah, I know. We will, Sir. Promise.”
“Good.” Archer lifted his head and pulled hers down for a long kiss. When he put his head back down, she looked into his eyes.
“He won’t make this easy on us. None of my family will.”
“I know. But whatever happens, you won’t face it alone.”
Doubts tightened her belly but she nodded.
“Believe me when I say this. It doesn’t matter what they say. It won’t change how I feel about you. Okay? I’m not going to give up on us.”
The promise in his words made her heart swell until it felt too big for her chest. “I believe you.”
If I lose him, I won’t ever regret what we had. Her throat tightened and she buried her face in the warmth of his neck. I’ll always treasure what we shared.
Archer finished his morning shower and came out into the bedroom, towel drying his hair. He stopped, staring across his room at the sight on his bed. A smile pulled at his mouth.
Gwen lay on her stomach, the way she’d been the last time he took her, arms surrounding her head, auburn hair spread over his pillows in waves. His cock sprang to life. Especially since the dark sheets were wrapped so the slope of that sweet curvy ass peeked out from them.
His woman. His perfect, voluptuous Gwen. He leaned against the doorframe of the bathroom, watching her chest rise and fall with her breathing. Her face looked so peaceful, serene. Nothing like it had hours ago, when she’d lost herself to his aggressive fucking.
/> Last night, a day after the tournament, she’d let him take her anally without him needing to use it as a punishment. She’d enjoyed it from minute one, so much he’d had to stand his ground when she’d asked him to do it again.
He almost chuckled. His Gwen was an anal slut. Who knew?
Images of him ravaging her in new and fabulous ways raced through his mind and his cock raged.
Their public scene after the tournament had been rougher, darker than any before. She’d loved it, encouraged him to go darker. But how could he push boundaries further without crossing a line?
An idea flashed through his thoughts and he smiled wickedly. He pushed to his feet and strode to the glass doors leading outside, staring at the steel railing that ran along the balcony.
A brick apartment building stood across the street, a dark shadow against the night sky. Anyone living in those apartments could easily look across and see, except the building was still under construction. Curtains of black plastic draped some of the windows, a few of them fluttering in the breeze.
Archer shook the thoughts off. Damn it, she was still new. He raked a hand through his hair. Looking at the bars that ran a few inches apart from the railing to the cement paved floor. Cold, hard cement. Perfect for…
Jesus H. Christ. His cock ached with the hardest hard on he’d ever had. No. He wasn’t even sure he was ready for a scene like that, and he’d been a Dom for a long time. What if his neighbors misunderstood and called the cops?
He crossed to the railing, letting the cold rip away any arousal racing through him. What the hell was he turning into? What were they turning into?
She craved the same thing he did. Every part of him wanted to find some way to satisfy her. To satisfy the side of her that needed the animal, that wanted the bully. Pervert was right, but she hadn’t seen the half of it.
A slow smirk yanked at his mouth. He resisted the urge to wake her and pull her from his bed, drag her out to the balcony and have his way with her. Much as the surprise factor would certainly add to the scene, it was too early in their game to shock her from sleep with that.
Archer looked out at the mountains that surrounded the city in the distance, images burning hot and vivid in his brain. Fuck, what am I turning into?
Three blissful and too short days later, Gwen let Archer lead her to the door of her building. Nick had been shocked when she’d taken three vacation days from work, but he’d been overjoyed to see her so happy. She’d spent the entire time with Archer. Most of it was in his bed. Even today, hours after the last time he took her, she still felt deliciously used.
She believed what he said the night of the tournament, that nothing would change once her family knew, yet she couldn’t help feeling this might be the last time he held her.
“So, when will you see Ace again?”
“Not sure.” Her chest shook on a breath. “He’ll be wanting dinner with him and Dad soon. We do it every month or so, so they can check up on me.”
Sympathy pulled his mouth down and he rubbed her arms. “Do you want me to go with you?”
“No. I better do that one myself. But it means a lot that you asked.” She cradled his face, brushing his lips with hers. Adoration filled her for his support.
“Sure. Walk you in?”
“Yep.”
Gwen unlocked her door and let him in.
And froze two steps into her front hall. At the same time, Archer’s hand snaked out, yanking her almost back into the outside hallway. She hardly noticed, covering her mouth as she stared in horror.
Pink rose petals trailed down the hall leading to the rest of the apartment. Snapshots lay scattered all across her floor, trailing off into the kitchen, lining the walls. Her own face stared up at her, duplicated in dozens of photos.
Gwen’s heart pounded. He was in my house.
23
A Matter Of Protection
Gwen nearly sank to the floor. She would have, if not for Archer holding her against him.
“Oh god, he was here, Archer. They caught him. How was he here?”
Archer took her face in his hands. “Gwen, look at me. It’s gonna be all right. Trust me.”
She clutched him, trembling. All those pictures, the rose petals—he’d been there. Not in jail, but inside her house. A sense of violation and vulnerability stabbed at her. “How did he get in? How did he get passed the alarm?”
“I don’t know, but listen to me, sweetness. We’re gonna call Quinn. I’m gonna fix this.”
Gwen wished she could stop shaking. What had happened? Had he escaped? She squeezed Archer tight and nodded.
An hour later, Agent Lassiter scrutinized her apartment with one of his disconcerting scowls. He assessed the broken alarm pad and shook his head, running his hand over the disconnected wires. “He disconnected it and busted the pad.”
Gwen shuttered, folding her arms around herself. Archer pulled her close and she drew strength from his warmth.
“So he has at least some knowledge of alarm systems then,” Archer growled.
Quinn nodded and joined them in the living room. “Do either of you have any idea what happened to make him do this?” The agent bent down and picked up one of the photos, scrunching his salt-and-pepper brows at it. “He’s escalating. That usually means he thinks you did something that goes against his plans.”
“I have no idea.” Gwen couldn’t keep the tremor out of her voice. “Agent Lassiter, I don’t understand. I thought you caught the guy.”
“That’s what I thought too.”
“What the hell are you talking about, Quinn?” Archer’s hand tightened on Gwen’s shoulder.
Empathy flashed in Lassiter’s eyes. “I don’t understand it. But the guy we put away is still in jail. We think your stalker must have somehow put him up to confessing.”
The blood drained from Gwen’s face. Archer’s arm went around her waist and he gently eased her to the sofa with him. “I don’t know what I could have done to piss him off.”
Lassiter shuffled through the pictures scattered on her table, holding up each one to the light and squinting at it. On the last one, his eyes widened. “Archer.”
Gwen’s heart sped up. “What is it?”
He showed them both one of the pictures. “I’m betting this is what set him off.”
Her mouth dropped. She stared at the photo of her and Archer walking hand in hand into the stadium where the karate tournament had been. A vivid black ‘X’ was scratched across Archer’s face in what looked like black ink.
“Oh my God. Archer, he knows.”
Archer squeezed her hand.
“Knows what?” Lassiter looked confused.
Humiliation scalded Gwen’s cheeks and she looked at her lap. Archer rubbed her back soothingly. He looked at the agent and cleared his throat.
“We did a scene, Quinn. Outside the stadium, after the tournament.”
Lassiter let out a long slow breath. “Ah. Yeah, that’ll do it.”
Archer shoved to his feet and scraped a hand through his hair. “Damn it. Gwen, I’m sorry. I thought he was…shit.”
“This isn’t your fault.” When he wouldn’t look at her, she took his hand. His shoulders tensed, but he at least met her gaze. “Hey. This isn’t on you.”
“She’s right. There’s no way any of us could have known.” Lassiter pulled out his bag of sunflower seeds and put one in his mouth.
“Well.” Archer looked at the photo, the black ‘X’ through his face. “I’d say he’s furious at me.”
“Archer, I’m sorry,” Gwen said softly. “I’ve made you a target. I don’t want this guy going after you.”
He shook his head, running a hand over her cheek. “I can take care of myself, woman. I told you, we’re in this together.”
Lassiter rolled his eyes. “If you two are finished?”
Archer snorted and Gwen’s face heated. “Still haven’t found a woman, huh, Quinn?”
The older man scoffed and headed into the kit
chen to assess that room. “I don’t need a woman, Archer. They’re trouble.”
“Yeah, right, you just can’t find one who’ll put up with your cantankerous ass.”
“Bite me.”
Gwen watched the exchange between them with amusement. She’d never admit it, but their presence made her feel safe and protected. Lassiter was gruff, but after the way the cops here had treated her, his determination to get to the bottom of things was refreshing.
In the kitchen, a cupboard opened and closed, and something clacked shut.
“Just for the record, I want to strangle this asshole.” Archer’s eyes blazed with anger. “Or worse.”
She touched the smooth side of his hard face, loving the possessiveness in his voice. “Don’t you dare, I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
He opened his mouth to speak, but didn’t get the chance.
“Miss Stanton, come in here.”
The alarm that tinged the agent’s deep voice made her heart quicken. She went into the kitchen and Archer followed.
When they entered, she didn’t like the worry in Lassiter’s eyes. He nodded her over to the sink. The empty sink, and the only clean area of her apartment.
She swallowed and glanced back at Archer, who looked confused.
“There were dishes in here. Dirty ones, when I left for the tournament with you. Agent Lassiter, I’ve been at Archer’s the last three days.” She ran her fingers along the edge of the sink. Spotless. “He washed my dishes.”
“I figured something was wrong, since this is the only place in the whole apartment where I can see the bottom of anything,” Lassiter said with a half smile. “Well. And this.” The agent turned and opened the cupboard under the sink. Flipped up the garbage container on the door.
Gwen scrunched her brows at both men. “It’s empty. What kind of stalker washes the dishes and takes out the fucking garbage?” She would have laughed if she hadn’t been so scared.
It reassured her that Lassiter didn’t look amused. Ace probably would have started cracking jokes.
“It says a lot about his personality.” Lassiter led them back into the living room, where he seated himself on one of the couches. He picked up a coaster from her disarrayed coffee table and studied the floral design etched into the glass. “None of it bodes well for either of you,” he added, setting the coaster down.
