Have you caught your breath after reading book 1 in Ashe Barker’s Dark Combe Dom series yet? Great because she’s here today with the next instalament. Book 2, Sure Mastery is out now!
His gifts to her are beyond price, the rewards of submission.
Blurb
He’s hurt her once, and terrified her. He holds her future in his hands. Can she trust him with her body too?
Desperate to escape her past and start over, Ashley McAllister cuts her ties with her old life and heads for the wild landscape of West Yorkshire, the perfect place to reinvent herself. And her carefully laid plans are working, until she encounters her nemesis—the one man she’d hoped never to see again—Tom Shore, the man she and a gang of thugs attacked and robbed, and who swore he’d make her pay. He owns the cottage she’s made her home and adores, and now he wants his pound of flesh. So he takes it.
Intimidated and beaten by her sexy and dominant landlord, and totally confused by her intense physical response to him, Ashley needs Tom to guard her secrets. But will he and his enigmatic and terrifying friend, Nathan Darke, allow her to leave her past behind and start again? Having survived her first explosive and humiliating encounter with Tom, Ashley struggles to get her new life back on track. But Tom wants her. His demanding, persuasive, sensual charm is almost irresistible, his mastery of her assured.
But—can she submit to Tom’s dominance? Should she? Ashley has escaped one violent and abusive relationship. Is she about to be sucked into an even darker and more dangerous liaison?
Disclaimer: Sure Mastery contains spankings, bondage and discipline and other sexual activities. These are fantasies only, intended for adults only. Strong stuff but worth it. If such subjects offend you, please do not buy this book.
This novel was previously released as three separate books, Unsure, Sure Fire and Sure Thing in the series Sure Mastery. In this volume the three books in the Sure Mastery trilogy are published as one combined novel, under the title, Sure Mastery with new cover art, no cliffhangers and a HEA..
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Excerpt:
A long silence follows my little outburst. He doesn’t move, but I can feel his eyes on me. Watching, assessing. I wait for his next attack.
Instead, “He raped you? Kenny?” The question is soft, gentle.
I nod. “Yes. Twice.”
“Did you report it to the police?”
Ah, here we go. “No.”
“Why not?”
“I lived with him, slept with him, had sex with him regularly. Who’d have believed me that once or twice it was against my will? And… I was scared of him.”
He nods, doesn’t press me further, seems to accept this explanation. “I knew he was a vicious git. I saw the way he treated you that night. I just didn’t realise… I understand now why you were afraid of Nathan and me when we came to your cottage.” He hesitates, his gaze softening. “I’m sorry for that, and for the way I spoke to you afterwards. I was insensitive and cruel. You are safe here, with me. I hope you can believe that.” He reaches out, tips my chin up with his fingers, gently raising my eyes to his.
I hold his gaze, assertive Ashley back on her soapbox. “Yes, I do believe that. But only because you don’t fancy me. I’m too scrawny, ‘not enough to go around’ I think you said.” The bitter sting of those cruel, dismissive words still bites. Hard. Without thinking about possible consequences I press my point. “And I’m not having any more of that from you either. No more insults, no more belittling me with your personal comments. I won’t let you make me feel small again. Just leave me be, and if you’ve nothing nice to say about me then keep your opinions to yourself, please.”
Gently cupping my chin with his palm, he holds my gaze, his gorgeous eyes now warm, tender almost. And I see respect starting to dawn there. At last, he speaks, his tone low, serious. A hint of esteem there, just maybe.
“Well said, Ashley. You’re right, and I apologise. For the things I said to you, back then and just now. I was rude, cruel, and what I said wasn’t true. The truth is, you’re so lovely you take my breath away—especially naked.” He smiles, probably at my astonished expression—nothing he could have said to me in response would have surprised me more than that. Lovely? Me? My mind’s still turning cartwheels as he continues. “I’m not apologising for finger-fucking you, though, because I did ask. Maybe a bit late, but still… And you seemed to like that bit as I recall. And I’m not apologising for stripping you and spanking you, although I know probably I should. Nathan certainly thinks so. Trouble is, I enjoyed that part too much to be genuinely sorry now. And if you’ve done the research that I suggested you do you might start to have some idea why I enjoyed it. And why you did too. Do you have any idea why, Ashley?”
I shake my head, bewildered, completely lost for words now. Enjoyed it? He hurt me, terrified me. But a quiet little voice at the back of my head is quick to point out what else he did, afterwards, and how powerfully I responded. And how much more he could have done to me as I lay there helpless on my bed, offering no further resistance. But he didn’t. And Tom doesn’t push his advantage now, just as he didn’t then, he simply leaves me be with my thoughts.
He drops his hand, but his emerald eyes are still holding mine. “I shouldn’t have threatened you again just now, even in fun. Forgive me?” His low tone seems sincere, contrite even.
I do believe he means it. He must have decided to take my continued silence as assent because suddenly he’s all business again, his booted feet hitting the flags with a heavy thud as he gets to his feet. “I need to get off. I’ll be back around one, I’ve a Skype meeting scheduled with a supplier so I’ll see you then. Make yourself at home, have a good look round, try to find everything you need but if you get stuck or need to know anything text me. Oh, and just leave the ironing. Okay?”
Stunned at my success, and the tangible shift in our relationship, I can only nod. Assertive Ashley definitely has her moments. He grabs his jacket from a hook on the back of the door and winks at me on his way out. “Have a nice day, Ashley.” He clicks his tongue and the two dogs trot after him. A few seconds later I hear the Land Rover fire up and drive off, and I’m alone in his huge old house.
More about Ashe Barker
USA Today Bestselling author Ashe Barker writes erotic romance and spanking romance in a variety of genres including contemporary, BDSM, paranormal, historical. ménage, gay romance and time travel. She is a #1 Amazon Bestseller and all her stories feature hot alpha males and sassy submissives, often with a lot to learn. Kink abounds, and there’s enough dirty talk to satisfy the most demanding smut lover. However dark and dirty the setting, love always emerges triumphant, and her stories never fail to deliver a satisfying happy ever after.
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