Page 64 of Cruel Master

The body against mine seemed to freeze. “What did you say?”

My eyes closed as the world around me threatened to spiral into darkness. “Love you,” I murmured. “It’s over now … I won’t … I won’t leave again. Promise.”

The chest against my side expanded with a shuddering breath. Gaven’s low voice rumbled against my ear. “No, you won’t,” he said. “I’ve got you now, Angel, and you’re going nowhere ever again.”

I wanted to respond. I really did. But the surge of adrenaline was already gone, fleeing my system like ants from a burning pile. The world was becoming hazier. Sounds fading. The only thing I knew was that the last thing I felt was the heat of my husband’s body against my own.

If this is how it ends,I thought to myself before losing consciousness entirely.Then becoming a killer wasn’t so bad.

30

ANGEL

It had been so long since I slept next to another person. Hell, it wasn’t like Gaven and I had done it even once—but somehow, after my wedding night, I’d gotten used to the idea of him near me, especially at night. Sleeping alone for the last five years hadn’t made it go away.

So, when I woke sometime later, surrounded by darkness, the naked heat against my back didn’t startle me. In fact, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, my body sank back against Gaven’s chest. His arm encircled my waist, and he pulled me against him, the crinkle of gauze and padding sounding against silken sheets. I opened my eyes and looked down to see that though my body was devoid of clothes, my wounds had been dressed and wrapped.

Gaven’s lips touched my throat, the stubble on the lower half of his face scraping against the sensitive flesh. Instinctively, I lifted my chin, giving him access. My lips parted as he set his teeth to my flesh and bit down. “Ah!” I arched against him but found myself unable to move as his hand slid up from my middle to my chest and he anchored me to him.

“If you weren’t wounded, I’d tie you up and spank the absolute shit out of you,” he said darkly. The pain of his bite slid through my insides, wetting my pussy and pebbling my nipples.

“If it makes it any better, just know that I’m sorry,” I whispered back.

It felt like an eternity passed before he released me and I collapsed onto him and the bed, shuddering as my heart beat an uneven rhythm in my chest. “I had a doctor insert a tracking chip beneath your skin while you were being treated,” he said.

Somehow, that didn’t bother me. “Okay.”

“Okay?” I felt him stiffen against my back.

“Yeah,” I said. “It’s okay. Track me, Gaven. Claim me. Hell, break my legs if it’ll make you feel better. I’m yours, and now that Jackie is gone, I’m done fucking running. I want my life back.”

The world turned, and suddenly, I found myself with my spine against the mattress and a massive hunk of angry male flesh hovering above me. “After all the shit you’ve put me through, you’re going to stop fighting me? Just like that?”

“Yeah,” I said with a solid nod. “Just like that. I meant it when I said I was done. I’ll be whatever you want, Gaven—Master.” I reached up and brushed my fingers along his jaw. My shoulder twinged, but not much.

Midnight blue eyes narrowed on my face. “And if I say I want you pregnant and carrying my heir?” he prompted.

I shrugged lightly. “That was always something you wanted,” I reminded him. “If it weren’t for Jackie, then you would’ve gotten me pregnant years ago.”

“You resisted it before,” he said. “You wanted to go to college.”

“I think what I really wanted was freedom,” I admitted. “I think I’ve had enough freedom in the last five years to last me a lifetime. Now, I just want you.” I inhaled. “Oh, but if you want a baby, you should know that we probably need to bring the doctor back. I wasn’t planning on having sex with anyone while I was away from you, but I got an implant a while back.”

Gaven’s gaze bore into mine. I waited for his reaction, sure he’d be angry, but after several beats, he did nothing but sigh and lower himself against me. Shockingly careful, he spread my legs and settled against my chest, turning his cheek so that his head was right between my breasts.

“I knew about the implant,” he said a moment later.

I blinked in confusion. “You did?” Why hadn’t he said anything?

“Yes.” He nodded against my skin, and I shivered at the feel of his beard growth scraping me. My insides were growing hotter. He had to know what he was doing to my body—even as beat up as it was. “It was removed when I first captured you.”

It took a few seconds for his words to fully make sense. “You … had it removed?” I repeated. A mixture of shock and confusion swarmed me.

He looked up at me. “I told you, love,” he said. “When I fuck you, there’s nothing between us.”

I knew he was telling the truth. He had no reason to lie. Regardless, I reached across to my arm where the implant should have been. I felt around the area and found it empty.How the fuck hadn’t I noticed?I shook my head. Sneaky fucking man.

Another thought occurred to me. “Oh my God,” I pushed him back and felt my stomach. “Was I—”

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