Master of Mine: Masters of Haven Book One

by Dark, Raven

  He looked relieved. “You know I didn’t keep this from you to hurt you. I’ve lived with the knowledge I failed someone I loved for a long time. I was terrified I’d fail you too.”

  Gwen shifted and knelt in front of him. “What happened to Kimiko wasn’t your fault. It was her ex’s fault and only his, You did what you thought was right, to protect her.”

  He ran his thumb over her lips. She took his hand in hers.

  “I’m glad you told me. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared. But I know I have people in my corner that Kimiko didn’t have. Agent Lassiter is on the case, and there’s a guard at the door. We’re in this together.” She kissed his hand. When she looked at him, the warmth in his smile nearly made her weep.

  “Come here.” He pulled her against him. A long, appreciative sound left him and he buried his face in her neck, breathing her in deep. “You’re wonderful.”

  Gwen smiled and clutched at the sides of his shirt.

  One of his long hands pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “Did you mean what you said before?”

  “Which part?”

  “That you love me.”

  Heat raced across her cheeks, but she nodded.

  His grin made her stomach dance. His warm palms cupped her face and he rested his forehead against hers. “Good, ‘cause I love you too.”

  Her heart bounced. “Make love to me, Archer.”

  His arms tightened around her and he lifted her onto his hips with a grunt. Then he turned and dipped her onto the bed behind them.

  “If you knew how much I love you…” His lips seared a path down the side of her neck. Gwen closed her eyes. Letting every hot brush of her lips, every beat of his heart against hers bring her desire higher.

  With the stalker out there lying in wait, she knew this happiness couldn’t last, but for now, this moment was all that mattered.

  Archer sighed into her neck, laying himself gently over her. Running his hands down the side of her body, over her stomach while he kissed and licked every part of her neck his lips could reach.

  Face flushed, Gwen arched her back, pushing those perfect breasts into his palms, tilting her head back. Tightness curled around his cock until it jerked in response, pressing against her thigh.

  “Jesus, you have no idea what you do to me, do you?” He lifted his head and pinned her wrists above her head.

  She swallowed breathlessly. Archer ran one hand down her leg to her knee, jerking it up to his hip. Watching her pupils dilate as he ground himself into her. Her eyes never left his. He smiled at her confidence. The trust there.

  “You know you belong to me, don’t you?”

  She nodded. He wanted to chastise her, make her call him Sir, but it seemed wrong somehow in that moment.

  He pushed her shirt up.

  “Archer. Wait.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  Gwen licked her lips. “Um. Can we just… I don’t know.” She ran a hand through the front of her hair. “It’s just… he was watching us. I can’t get him out of my head.”

  Archer ran the back of his hand over her soft cheek. Wishing he could pull her fears, all her anxieties into himself.

  “You know he can’t see us or hear us here. It’s just you and me.”

  She nodded. “I know. But every time I close my eyes, I see him watching us. And then I think what he’ll do if he knows.” Her throat worked on a swallow.

  “Hey.” He turned her face until her eyes met his. “Look at me. What do you need? Tell me what you need, and I’ll make it happen.”

  “I don’t… just hold me, okay?”

  “I can do that.” He laid himself across the bed and pulled her into his arms. The tension slowly unwound from her and she relaxed against him.

  He’d be lying if he said he didn’t want to pound all his love into her, rough, fast, hard. But there would be the rest of their lives for that. Right now, she needed the nice guy in him.

  “I just wish this guy would go away.”

  “We’ll get him” He held her close, kissing the top of her head. “Now go to sleep. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  “Don’t let me go, Archer.” She snuggled into him, her ear against his heart. “Never let me go.”

  He tightened his arms around her, wishing there was a way to take away her fears. “Never, Promise.” Quinn, man, find something on him soon.

  Gwen jerked awake at a distant ringing. Weak grey morning light streamed through the small hotel window to the left of the bed. Next to her, the bed was cool, and she rolled over, lifting her head. Archer came into the bedroom, pushing his phone into the pocket of his faded jeans.

  “Morning, sweet thing.”

  Gwen smiled and sat up. Tension bracketed his mouth, his warm tone not matching the distance in his eyes. She pulled back, alarm trickling into her.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Archer’s chest expanded. Looking across the room, his expression seemed odd somehow and his voice hollow. “That was Master Nakamura.”

  “You’re sensei? Is he okay?”

  He nodded and looked at her. “My master has been in Japan for a couple of days. He goes back once in a while to visit with Grandmaster Tashita, the man who taught him when he was younger.” Archer’s throat worked on a swallow. “Master Tashita runs one of the most prestigious karate schools in the world. He saw my win at the tournament on video. He…he wants to give me a job teaching, Gwen.”

  Gwen’s eyes grew huge. “Wow. Archer, that’s wonderful. It is, right?” She couldn’t reconcile the lost look on his face with the news. “The way you talked about the Grandmasters, teaching for them would be a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

  “It is, but…” He looked upward for a moment. Then he slid his hand slowly into hers on the mattress.

  “But what? Come on. Where’s the school? When do you start?”

  He closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they looked hollow. “The school isn’t here. It’s in Japan.”

  The words hit her like a fist to the gut. Throat dry, she lay back on the mattress. “I see.” It felt like her ears were ringing. He’d have to leave her.

  She pulled the blankets back and got up, not looking at him. Walking to the window, she crossed her arms over herself.

  “Gwen.” The bed creaked as he stood.

  “How…how long? How long would you have to go?”

  For a moment he said nothing. Then his hands slid over her shoulders. His warm, stubbled cheek pressed against hers. “If I go, I have a chance to train with Master Tashita and eventually get my ninth dan. Grandmaster status. That takes decades.”

  Her stomach tightened. Oh, God.

  Archer put his arms around her, pressing himself against her. His heart thudded too hard against her back.

  “If I chose to go, if I pass the interviews, Master Tashita will become my sensei. I won’t be coming back to the U.S.”

  28

  Listening To Fear

  Everything in Gwen stopped the moment Archer spoke those words. Her heart seemed to have ceased beating, and her breath froze in her lungs. He turned her to him, and when she pulled away, she didn’t know whether to be disappointed or relieved when he dropped his arms and let her turn back to the window.

  “Are you…are you going?” He’d only told her what would happen if he left. Not if he was actually going.

  “I…” After too long a moment, he slid his arms around her from behind. “I can’t. I love you, and I’m not leaving you.”

  Relief flooded her. A pang of guilt followed it. She turned to face him. “Archer, you can’t do that. You can’t give this up for me.”

  Even the thought of him leaving threatened to hollow her out, but she made herself repeat the words. “You can’t give up this opportunity for me.”

  “I can so.” He took her chin between his thumb and finger. “I’m happy where I am. My life is here, in Haven, with you. I won’t leave you.”

  She laid her hands on his che
st. “Archer, don’t be silly.”

  “Excuse me?”

  Heat flushed across her cheeks. She hadn’t even considered her words before she said them. What had become of her?

  “I only meant I can’t let you give up your dream for me.” God, it hurt just to say her next words. “You have… you have to go.”

  The hard edge remained in his features, but a slight smile turned his lips up. “I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to Gwen. I’m a fifth dan. That’s farther than a lot of people ever get. I have a life here, and someone I love.” His fingers traced her chin and jaw, gaze holding hers with meaning. “I can’t follow a dream in Japan when it means giving up the dream I have right here.”

  She stared at him. Her eyes stung and his face turned blurry. Her heart felt huge. “Oh, Archer. I…I don’t know what to say.”

  She didn’t know what to feel. Joy that he was staying, or sadness that he was giving up his dream for her. Gwen sighed and put her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest. Archer chuckled softly and held her to him.

  “I’m not going anywhere, sweet thing. You’re never getting rid of me.”

  “Archer.”

  He tilted her chin up and kissed her softly on the mouth. When he lifted his head, she looked up at him.

  “I have a suggestion.”

  “Mm.”

  “Go for the interview.”

  He looked upward for a moment and shook his head. “No.”

  “Why? Come on. I know how big a deal this is. This opportunity probably won’t ever come again. Right?”

  “What would be the point in interviewing if I don’t intend to take the job? I’d have to meet the students, do the interviews, and Master Tashita might test me. It means at least a week away from you. In tests that could be up to seven hours, and will most certainly hurt like a son of a bitch, if I pass. Most people who meet him don’t.”

  She slipped her arms around his neck. It surprised her how much she wanted him to test. Even when a tiny part of her begged her to recognize it might mean he’d change his mind and leave her if he passed.

  “Do you want to test, Archer?”

  He closed his eyes on a sigh.

  “Answer me. Do you?”

  A lopsided smirk twisted his mouth. “Mouthy wench.” She cocked her head and he nodded. “Yes. To be able to teach at a place like that. Fuck, yeah.”

  “Then go. I’ll be here when you get back. Waiting for you.”

  “Are you sure?” A fierce light burned in his eyes.

  “Yes. If you don’t go, you’ll always wonder if you could have passed. You need to go, if only to show yourself you can.”

  “What about the stalker? I can’t leave you for a week like this. Not now.”

  “I have a guard.”

  His eyes danced. “Or.”

  “Or?”

  “Come with me.”

  “What?” A soft laugh escaped her. “Archer, I can’t.”

  “Why not? Nick would give you the time.”

  She shook her head. She wasn’t even sure why, but she couldn’t. “I’d love to, but I can’t.”

  “Why the hell not?”

  My family. They’d never… “I’d be by myself most of the time, in a strange country where I don’t know anyone.” Those were real reasons, but not all of them.

  He sighed, but rubbed her arms, his gaze filled with understanding.

  She squeezed his hands. “Please, go. You can do this.”

  Archer’s chest bellowed out. He laid his forehead gently against hers. His nod was almost infinitesimal. “I’ll book the flight.”

  * * *

  Gwen groaned and threw herself on her back, restless. Archer had been gone a week, but it felt like a month. Of course, the fact they hadn’t had sex since the night on the balcony didn’t help.

  All day, she’d been unable to keep her mind off him. Had he gotten the job? They’d talked every day, and he told her the sorts of things the Grandmaster might make him do. It sounded like torture. By the fifth night, she was ready to climb the walls.

  Then she’d had a dream about him the previous night. The ravishment scene that played out in her head fired her up until her pussy maintained a nearly constant ache.

  An image of Archer, eyes fierce with determination, body keyed up for a fight, floated up, and she swallowed. God, he always looked so hot when he worked out. Especially when she knew fighting made him hard.

  Gwen opened her legs and let her hand trail down her stomach toward the apex of her thighs. She let her other hand slide over the silk camisole that covered her breasts, grazing her palm over the hardened nipple.

  For an instant, fear pricked through her arousal. What happened if the stalker found her somehow? If he got into the room, getting past Lassiter, who’d insisted on staying with her since Archer had left?

  What if the stalker saw her? Like on the balcony. He’s made you a whore. I will purify what is mine.

  Purify.

  Ice poured into her veins, dousing her arousal fast. She let her hands drop to the mattress at her sides and clicked her tongue. She fisted her hands. Damn this creep. She couldn’t let him control her life, couldn’t let him scare her like this.

  When Archer came back, would she be able to be with him? In the five days before he left, she’d tried to let him make love to her numerous times, but couldn’t relax. He’d been patient, but how long could either of them do this? He’d even bought her sexy clothes like the camisole she wore in hopes the sexy look would help her get into the mood. That wasn’t the issue though. She was in the mood whenever they started. It was just that the stalker killed it.

  It was silly. She knew he wasn’t there, couldn’t see her or hear her. But he’d always managed to find out about what they did every other time. She just couldn’t stop picturing what he might do if he somehow knew. To her, or Archer.

  She rolled over and closed her eyes. When would this end?

  The door creaked and she jerked her head around. A shadow slid into the bedroom.

  “Gwen.”

  She let out a breath. “Archer…”

  He smiled, slipped into bed with her without even undressing. His arms closed around her. God, she’d missed his warmth, his strength. She snuggled deep into him.

  “You’re home.”

  “I am.” He kissed her long on the mouth and groaned.

  She drew back, heart quickening. “So...did you get the job?”

  “Yeah.” His eyes danced with pride.

  She licked her lips. “Are you taking it? Are… you going to…”

  “We’ll talk about it in the morning. I’m not leaving you.”

  She couldn’t help a smile. Her heart buoyed. Archer squeezed her close.

  “Love you.” She dropped a kiss on his shoulder.

  “Love you too. Now sleep.”

  He was staying with her. He was still hers.

  She was asleep before she heard whatever else he said.

  * * *

  “Gwen.”

  Gwen murmured and burrowed deeper into the warmth of the hotel bed. Was someone calling her?

  “Gwen.” A finger tickled her cheek.

  She groaned and opened her eyes. As soon as she saw Archer smirking down at her, she grinned, rolled onto her back. She could forgive being woken up for this.

  “Hi.”

  “Hey. I gotta go back to the airport. One of my bags is missing.”

  “Do you want me to go with?”

  “Nope, go back to sleep. I’ll be back in a bit.”

  She kissed his hand and stretched. So tired. She hadn’t slept well while he was gone. “No argument here.”

  He kissed her cheek. “The guard’s outside the door. Don’t leave the hotel room.”

  “You’re so protective.”

  “I’m serious, Gwen.”

  “Okay, I won’t.”

  “Good. Go back to sleep.”

  “Yes, my lord.”

  He grinned
and stroked her chin. “Mouthy sub.”

  “Hurry back.”

  But a half hour after he’d left, sleep eluded her, and Gwen sighed. She might as well do something.

  As she was getting undressed for a shower, her phone dinged. She grabbed it and checked the message. Her heart stopped.

  You behaved yourself last night. I’m pleased.

  * * *

  Gwen’s phone rang again, and she shut off the shower. She jerked the curtain aside and looked at the bathroom counter where her phone sat. Her stomach tightened. Him? or just Archer?

  The chill in her blood heated on a bolt of anger even though the phone went silent. She grabbed a towel to dry off.

  He can’t know what we did last night. There’s no way. She shuddered.

  The phone rang again. Gwen jumped. “Jesus.” She snatched it up, answering the call without looking. “Listen you sick, twisted little…”

  “Excuse me? Miss Stanton?”

  The female voice that came over the phone, calm and harshened with age, made her blink. Heat flared across her cheeks. Shit. She gulped.

  “This is she.”

  “I was calling to see if you had completed the painting I commissioned from you last month. I can call back another time.” There was a brusqueness to her tone that suggested she might not bother with the painting if Gwen was going to be so rude.

  Recognition of that scolding tone sank in. She closed her eyes in horror, clearing her throat. “Miss Pendergast. I’m terribly sorry. I thought you were…someone else.”

  “Indeed.” She gave a put upon sigh. “Miss Stanton, I have no interest in your personal problems. If you have the painting, I’d like to see it. If I like what you’ve done, I’ll make you a very rich woman, young lady.”

  Gwen leaned against the door of the bathroom, thoughts racing. It was lucky she’d brought the painting with her to work on. She’d talked to Rose Pendergast before and settled on a price. The kind of price that would allow her to paint full time. She hated the woman, but the offer was too great to ignore.

  “Sorry, Ma’am. Whatever time is good for you, I’ll accommodate you. As long as it’s not tod—”