His Hostage

by Riley, Alexa

  “Fuck,” I curse, watching her breath catch and her mouth open as she watches me come undone in front of her.

  I’m gasping for air as she looks away and I hate that her eyes aren’t on me anymore. I grab my T-shirt that’s at the foot of the bed and use it to clean myself up. When I look at her she’s got her back to me and she’s buttoning up her shirt.

  “Hey.” I reach out and touch her arm and she looks over her shoulder at me. “Thank you for that.” I give her my cocky smile and I see her try to fight her own. “Maybe next time I can return the favor.”

  When she flushes scarlet, I wink at her and jump up from the bed.

  “Now tell me what kind of mess you made out of my desk.”

  I don’t want it to be awkward between us, and I know if we sit here and dissect what just happened it will somehow take away how special it was. She might not realize it, but that was pretty fucking heavy for me and I don’t want her to tell me she regrets it.

  “Mess?” She rolls her eyes as she gets up and points to the piles of papers. “This is called organization. You should try it some time.”

  I glance around at what was once a disaster zone and is now a perfectly organized area that’s neat and easy to navigate. She must be some kind of witch because I’ve been doing this for years and I’ve never seen the bottom of my desk. I honestly forgot there was one under all that shit.

  “Maybe you can come work for me and show me how it’s done,” I offer as I step in front of her. She starts to shake her head and protest, but I grab her chin. “I didn’t mean today. But I figured while I have you under my protection, maybe you could teach me the ways of your paperwork skills.”

  “I could probably point out a few things.” She shrugs her shoulder like it’s no big deal and I smile at her.

  “Thanks, buttercup.” I step back and walk past her as I grab my keys. “But first we need to get you some clothes because I think the both of us could use a shower.”

  “Where are we going?”

  I like that she didn’t tell me no right away and instead agreed to come with me. She’s starting to realize that getting away from me is not an option.

  “I’m pretty sure your place is being watched, so how about we hit a small shop in town? I don’t think anyone will suspect you of taking the day to browse for new shoes. Do you?”

  “You’re probably right,” she answers as she looks down at herself. “It would be nice to get out of these clothes.”

  I walk up to her and put my arm around her waist as I pull her close. “Buttercup, any time you’re ready to undress just say the word.”

  I can’t help myself and I lean in close next to her ear. I run my nose along the shell of it before I place a soft kiss just below it and take a step back. She stands there dazed for a long moment before I take her hand and we walk down to my car.

  Chapter Seven

  Jules

  “Aren’t you scared I’m going to try and get away?” I ask Cooper as we drive back toward the city and out of the warehouse district.

  To be honest I don’t think I can get away. Where would I go? He already said someone was watching my place and he’s probably right. Monte would do anything to get his money back, so I’m better off sticking to Cooper’s side. After the show this morning it might not be such a terrible place to be. My body still aches with need, but I’m too shy to ask him to take care of that for me and it will only make the situation worse. Cooper is charming and sexy, but those quick smiles of his are killer. He’s a heartbreak waiting to happen.

  “I look big, but I’m fast; you can try though.” He winks and I fight not to melt. “I’m always down for a good chase.”

  I lock my thighs together as I think about what it would be like for him to chase me down. My arousal from earlier gets worse and I’m going to need new panties. I still can’t believe I busted him jacking off as I was trying to organize his desk. I’m not sure “busted” is the right word for it because he didn’t look like he cared that I caught him. He all but invited me to join him and before my brain could catch up to what I was doing I was moving across the room to the bed. I unbuttoned my top to turn him on more and to tease him.

  “I’m not going to run.” I let out a long sigh as I try and get my raging lust under control. There are bigger things at play here and I guess I’m along for the ride now. “It’s not as though I have anywhere to go.”

  I look out the window because when I look at him I forget about everything else. I need to remember two men are out there trying to find me. God knows what they’ll do to me if that happens and the thought helps cool the lust simmering inside.

  “You don’t have any family?” he asks, and I shake my head. “No ID either, buttercup.”

  I can feel his eyes on me, and I realize he went through my purse. I have a driver's license. I just don’t keep it on me. It’s stashed with the small amount of money I kept hidden at my place. God forbid one day I get in an accident and go to the hospital. I’m sure with Warren it would have only taken someone typing my name into a system or database and he’d be here.

  “Maybe I should be the one asking if Jules is your real name.”

  “Julian is what my birth certificate says,” I admit. “Jules kind of stuck over the years.” I didn’t try and change my name. Jules felt common enough when I went on the run and I keep my last name to myself. Monte knows it because I thought I could trust him and now I worry what he might do with that information.

  “I guess I should have asked this before,” he mumbles under his breath. “There isn’t someone Monte can go after to try and hurt you, is there?”

  “Like I said, no family.”

  Normally that thought doesn’t bother me because I’m used to it. I don’t have any friends either, but seeing Cooper with the friends he called his family last night pulled at something inside of me. They all had each other’s backs and I bet if I had someone like them in my life maybe I wouldn’t have had to run from my old one. These men took the law into their own hands and maybe it isn’t right by everyday standards, but if anyone knows that trying to do the right thing can get you nowhere, it’s me. Warren got to break the rules and get away with it.

  “No man?” he clips, breaking me from my thoughts.

  I let out a humorless laugh. “Not one I’m trying to have.”

  “Is someone trying to have you?” Cooper's hands tighten on the steering wheel and I need to remember he’s good at reading between the lines. Hell, he’s good at reading people in general. Yesterday he was picking up things about me before I even said them.

  “Something like that.” I go back to looking out the window.

  “Is it someone at Monte’s place?” Cooper pushes for more information and his playful tone is gone.

  “No, he’s not from around here.” I glance over and see Cooper’s body is tense.

  He’s pissed and I wonder if he’s mad that someone wants me or if it’s his good guy thing and he doesn’t like the idea of someone pushing a woman around. Maybe the Robin Hood act is real.

  “You’re not going to give me more than that, are you, buttercup?”

  I press my lips together and shake my head. I don’t want to talk about Warren, and I hate how much of my mind he already rules.

  “All right then,” he says as he pulls into a parking spot. It looks like a little boutique, but the sign in the window says it’s closed.

  “Really? You’re just going to drop it?” I see someone coming to the door inside the boutique and it’s a woman with a very pregnant belly. She turns the lock and waves us in.

  “Nope, I don’t push women,” he says before he gets out of the car and comes around to open my door for me.

  “You just take them hostage and threaten to cut them in half?” I say and realize I’m teasing him.

  His face fills with regret again and I hate it because I wasn't trying to upset him. I really was only teasing.

  “I wasn't going to—”

  I lift my
hand and put two fingers over his mouth. “I know you wouldn't have hurt me.” He smiles against my fingers as his hand comes up and wraps around my wrist. He kisses my fingers before he slides my hand into his.

  “If I ever do something you think might not be right in the moment, know I’m always playing the long game.” He pulls me into the shop.

  I see one of the men from last night standing next to the pregnant woman and I’m pretty sure I heard Cooper call him Track. I see the rings on both their hands and realize they’re married. She gives me a warm smile, but Track’s face is blank.

  “Welcome,” the dark-haired women chirps and her smile is growing bigger by the second.

  “Hey, Mags,” Cooper says.

  The woman tries to move toward us, but I realize Track has a hold of her arm. She gives him a hard elbow to the stomach and he lets out a grunt before dropping his hold. She rolls her eyes but keeps on smiling as she comes over and gives Cooper a hug and then wraps me in her arms. I’m a little taken aback by it, but it feels nice.

  “So Cooper went and got a girl,” she says, leaning back and looking me over. “We need more girls around here.”

  “I’m not his girl,” I rush to say, and my face heats.

  “Hostage,” Track corrects from where he’s still standing.

  “Willing captive?” Cooper says in his deep seductive voice and I’m reminded of him on the bed back at his place.

  “Jules will be fine,” I say with a small laugh and Track nods to Cooper.

  “Let them do man things and we’ll get you some clothes.” Mags waves Cooper off to go talk to Track. I’m sure it’s about me because it’s clear none of them enjoy the idea of me being here. Well, Mags looks pretty happy about it.

  Cooper gives my hand a small squeeze and then he surprises me as he brushes his lips against mine before walking over to Track, who lets out a low curse.

  I’m guessing Mags knows most of the story because she didn't look shocked when her husband called me a hostage or by Cooper’s affection.

  “I think Coop’s seen the perks of having a wife and is trying to get one.” At Mags’s comment, Track’s face finally changes and a smirk pulls at the corner of his mouth before he walks to the back.

  “So you need some clothes?” she asks, and I look down at my wrinkled work clothes from the day before. I’m a mess.

  “Guess so.” I feel out of sorts because I know Cooper is going to have to buy my clothes for me. I can try and work in his office to help pay back whatever the cost is. I can hide out there until I rebuild my small savings and I can take off again.

  “Perk up.” Mags nudges me. “It can’t be too bad being Coop’s hostage. That man is sweet as can be and I like seeing him with someone. Maybe he’ll stop working so much.” She shakes her head.

  “He’s sweet,” I agree, remembering how he helped me through my panic attack. He’s always trying to make me feel better and now he brought me to get new clothes.

  “I love your hips,” Mags tells me as she reaches out and grabs them. I stand there, unsure what she’s doing. “They’re great for making babies and great for high-waisted pants.” A smirk forms on her full lips. “I’d know.” She taps her round belly, then she motions for me to follow her.

  I follow her over to a rack and she starts pulling things off and dropping them into my arms. When my arms can’t hold any more, she finally stops.

  “We’ll start here,” she says with a nod.

  “This is a lot of clothes.”

  “Women need options.” She motions with her hands. “That’s why I got myself a store.”

  “Hey, I helped with the store,” Track says as he and Cooper come back into the room.

  Cooper’s face is solemn and I drop the clothes down onto a chair, knowing something is wrong. Track doesn't look so irritated anymore, but Cooper sure does.

  “What?” I ask as my eyes lock with Cooper’s.

  “Warren Humphries,” he says, and all the blood drains from my face. “He’s in town looking for his missing fiancée. A Julian Langley.”

  Chapter Eight

  Cooper

  Her face turns white as a sheet and she staggers back. Just before she can stumble, I’m there and she’s in my arms. I can see the panic attack creeping up, but I’m here now and it’s going to be okay.

  “Jules, look at me, baby. Breathe.” I hold her close and take a deep breath as I nod for her to do it with me. “You can do it, in and out.”

  She locks eyes with me and does as I ask. I hear Mags behind me say she’s going to get something for her to drink in the back. It takes Jules a second, but she’s breathing with me and focusing so the panic doesn’t rise too far too fast.

  “That’s it,” I encourage her as Mags comes back with a Coke.

  “I think the sugar will help with the shock,” she says, and then I hear her whispering to Track.

  I sit down on the oversized chair and pull Jules into my lap. I take the Coke and open it and then hold it up for her to take sips.

  “You’ve got to tell me what’s going on,” I plead with her as she looks at me and after a moment she nods.

  Out of the corner of my eye I see Track and Mags walk out of the room and give us some privacy. I know it might be better for Track to hear what’s going on, but I doubt he’s moving too far out of earshot and he’ll get all of the information one way or another.

  “He’s my ex. I never agreed to marry him, but he’s telling everyone I’m his fiancée so that it makes him look like the good guy coming to the rescue. He’s abusive and has his hands in some powerful pockets. There’s nothing that will stop him from coming for me.” The terror in her eyes is real and I feel the chill go down her spine.

  “You’re going to tell me everything.” I give her another sip of the Coke as I look into her eyes. “I’m going to protect you, Jules, but I need to know the whole story. Okay?”

  “Okay,” she agrees as she takes another deep breath.

  I hold her in my lap as she tells me about her past and this motherfucker Warren. I don’t know him, but the more she talks about him, the more I want to meet him just so I can kick his teeth in. Men who prey on innocent women like Jules are the absolute lowest human beings and deserve to have their dicks removed with a fork.

  The stories she tells me have me clenching my fists so hard all my knuckles pop and turn white. At one point I feel her place her hand softly on top of one of them and it calms me, but only a little. Nothing, except eradicating Warren off the planet, will make me feel better.

  Once she’s finished telling me everything, I watch her shoulders sag like she’s just unloaded a heavy burden. I have to remember that she has no one and she’s had to run from this on her own.

  “You’ve been trying to protect yourself all this time,” I say, and she nods. “That’s over, starting now, Jules.”

  She looks up at me and I see the tears in her eyes. I wipe them away with my thumb and rub a hand down her back.

  “I’m here and I’m going to make sure this ends and you don’t ever have to worry about him again.” I lean in close and softly press my lips to hers. “On my life, I will always protect you.”

  I hold her face with both my hands and feel her fingers on my chest. She nods slightly and I kiss her again, but this time it’s harder and more possessive. I’m past the point of messing around and teasing. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before and I’m not wasting time bullshitting.

  I break the kiss and press my forehead to hers before I turn and call out for Mags. She and Track step into the room, clearly listening from nearby.

  “Are all these clothes going to fit?” I ask, pointing at the pile.

  Mags puts her hands on her hips and raises an eyebrow at me. “You act like I don’t know what I’m doing.”

  “She’ll take it,” I say as I stand up and grab some bags.

  Mags goes to the back for a moment and comes back with three more bags full of stuff. “She’ll need these, too.”<
br />
  I take out my wallet and hold out a stack of cash, but Mags refuses it. Track smiles and reaches around her and yanks it out of my hand.

  “Pleasure doing business,” he says as he tucks the money into his jeans and I roll my eyes.

  “Just make sure you buy your wife something nice.” I grab the bags and Jules’s hand and we make our way to the door.

  “It was so nice to meet you,” Jules says to Mags. “I’m sorry it was so quick.”

  “Next time we’ll make it just the two of us,” Mags offers and gives her a soft smile.

  “I’ll be in touch,” I say to Track and we exchange a look that says we need to round up the boys.

  “Make it sooner than later,” he confirms, and I see him pulling out his phone.

  “Will do.”

  When we get outside I load the stuff up and we take off away from the store and away from my warehouse.

  “I didn’t thank Mags for the clothes, or you, for that matter.” Jules dips her chin and I can see her bottom lip quivering as she says it.

  “Hey,” I call out and she looks over at me. “You have a lot on your mind and we’ve got plenty of time to exchange thanks later. Besides…” I give her my crooked smile and I can see the clouds in her eyes clearing. “Trying it all on in front of me is the best way to say thank you.”

  She rolls her eyes, but I see her fighting a smile. “You’re just trying to see me naked.”

  “And here I thought I was being sneaky.” I shake my head as I make another turn toward the edge of town. “You caught me.”

  “We’re not headed to your place?” she asks as I pull into the parking lot of a hotel.

  “Afraid not.” I hop out of the car and grab a couple of the bags she got and get my emergency duffel bag out of the back. When I come around and open her door I hold out my hand. “If that guy Warren is here for you, then there’s no telling what’s been compromised.”