Page 76 of The Mentor
“Why? I’m here with you, aren’t I?”
“Choose me!”
“Archer, we spoke about this.”
He tensed.
“Why can’t we just be lovers?” I whispered and because I was becoming addicted to his strong body and tantalizing kisses, I pulled him closer, guiding him down on the bed with me.
“Kya.” The heat from his breath warmed my collarbone and I spread my legs wider, making room for the large man on top of me. When he spoke again, his deep voice vibrated through me. “I want you to love me.”
Swallowing hard, I lifted my head to lock eyes with him. “What did you say?”
Archer’s piercing blue eyes met mine. “I want you to love me.”
“I don’t think that would be very wise of me.”
He closed his eyes and tensed his jaw.
“Sex, Archer,” I reminded him. “That’s all I can offer you.”
We didn’t talk more after that. His lovemaking was rougher than normal and I knew he was punishing me for hurting him.
“Spread your legs for me,” he said and took me with a ferocity that I hadn’t experienced before.
Archer filled me, and with every powerful thrust, he pushed me higher on the bed, as if he somehow wanted to climb into me.
I didn’t complain because I knew I was doing the right thing, and I couldn’t allow myself to love Archer. I wasn’t cruel enough to tell Archer what he wanted to hear, only to leave him in a few years. He might not understand it, but I was doing him a favor by keeping things simple between us.
I had promised myself that I would return to the Motherlands after my three years in the Northlands, and I would keep that promise. Sure, I loved being in Archer’s arms, and I loved it when we laughed together while we were still sweaty and catching our breaths. But those moments were short and stolen; and the rest of the time, we were still like oil and water.
I told myself that I couldn’t love someone that I wanted to strangle at times and whom I didn’t share values with, and I certainly couldn’t love someone who had no problem spanking me. That would’ve made me a masochist, and I was many things, but not that!
CHAPTER 19
The Factory
Archer
On our second day in the Motherlands, we went to visit a factory that produced robots.
The facility was modern and white, and the guide excitedly told us about the advanced functions of the robots.
“Welcome to Advanced Technologies, the biggest manufacturer in the Motherlands. In this particular facility, we produce robots and drones, but we have four other plants spread around the world. One focuses on medical technology, another on audio and visual technology, and the last one on environmental technology,” he said and introduced himself as James Madsen, the owner of the factory.
To be honest, I think all us Northlanders had a hard time focusing on his words. Instead we were fascinated by his nail polish and his thin eyebrows that had a peculiar shape.
“What’s special about this facility is that we have a large research and development department too.”
Nikola’s hand shot up. “Do you make submarines?”
“What’s a submarine?” Willow asked.
“They are these cool underwater boats where you could sneak up on others and pop out of the water like a cannon,” Nikola hurried to explain. “There used to a be a ton of them before the Toxic War and the crew would stay under water for days. They had sleeping quarters and everything.”
“Yes,” James said, “I know what you mean but those boats were produced for a military purpose, which we have no use for. The closest things we have are small subs that our environmental department produces to help marine biologists in their work.”
“What about transporting people from one place to another?” Storm asked. “I’ve heard that in the old days they had advanced technology and were able to beam people from one place to another.”
