A slow tingle started in her clit, and it only increased when Levi spoke to her.
"Love, did he hurt you?"
Sam tried to protest, but Levi lifted a hand to the man's chest, pushing him back a step. Tessa took a shaky breath, relaxing into the bed.
"No. Not really."
Levi turned his stare on Sam. He shoved the man again, causing him to bump into the wall. "Not her."
Sam lifted his arms. "Fine. Damn!"
Chapter Eight
Levi sat on the chair he had pulled over next to Tessa. He was leaning forward, arms on his knees, staring at the back of Sam. The other man was sitting on the foot of the bed, flipping channels on the TV. Even though he wasn't touching Tessa, it was pissing Levi off that Sam was that close to her.
This little one is special. She feels like … mine.
He turned back to look at Tessa, who was yawning. It'd been a long night for them all but especially for Tessa. She hadn't expected any of this. Levi reached out and squeezed her leg.
"Love, it's all right to sleep. I'll be here."
Tessa yawned again, her eyes looking heavy. "Tell me something."
"Tell you what?" He pulled his hand off her.
Tessa's eyes closed for a few seconds. "Tell me something about yourself."
Levi smiled as it got increasingly harder for her to keep her eyes open. "All right. I love dogs, my birthday is December first, and I can speak three languages."
Tessa's eyes opened, and her pink lips curled into a smile. "You're more than just a hardened criminal?"
He let out a small laugh as her eyes closed again. "So much more, love."
Just then, Sam ruined the moment. He hooted loudly at something on the TV, bouncing on the foot of the bed. Tessa's eyes opened, and her smile was gone.
"Damn it, Sam." Levi clenched his jaw, hastily standing up. "Sam, take my chair."
"What?" Sam didn't turn away from the TV.
Levi pulled the chair around the end of the bed and spun it to face the television. "Here."
"I'm fine." Sam clicked the remote several times.
"Here." Levi growled.
Sam finally looked up at him. "All right. Geez. Why are you acting so weird with this job?" He stood and stepped over to take the chair.
Levi turned to look at Tessa, who was starting to doze off. Her beautiful eyes were closed briefly, but she was still fighting it. He watched her small smile return as her gaze fell on him momentarily. He could feel how comforted she felt when he was close to her. The stress literally fell off her when he hovered over her. It made Levi feel more like her protector and her man than any words could.
He looked back at Sam, who was already flipping channels again.
"Because of her. She's different, Sam."
****
Tessa's body jerked, and her eyes flew open. Where am I? She looked around, her breathing becoming panicked until she remembered what had happened. Her arms shook slightly, and she laid her head back down on the pillow.
How long have I been asleep? She looked toward the one window in the room. The curtains were pulled tight, but she could see a sliver of light under them. It was day, but she was unsure what time.
Sam was sitting in a chair at the foot of the bed, and a sudden spike of fear ran up her throat, almost causing her to groan out loud. She held her breath, searching for Levi, the only man she wanted to see at the moment.
He was nowhere to be seen, and more panic and fear tightened her chest. Suddenly, the bathroom door opened, and there he was, her captor and her savior. Tessa took a shaky breath, relaxing into the bed.
Levi now noticed that she was awake. He gave her a stunning smile before walking toward the bed. Tessa's chest tightened again, but this time it wasn't from fear. It was from longing. She rubbed her thighs together, causing her dress to inch up her legs.
I'm shameless.
"Love, I probably need to take you to the bathroom."
Tessa was a bit lost in his green eyes as he placed his hands on his hips. Her face heated, and a slow smile tried to pull on her lips.
"Take me?"
Levi snickered, his striking arms flexing. "The bathroom. You haven't gone since we stole you. Do you need to go?"
Tessa felt a bit embarrassed right away, but she really did need to go. She twisted on the bed before giving him a small nod. Levi flung the hand towel he had been holding back into the bathroom and walked toward the bed.
He paused to look over at Sam, who wasn't paying them any attention. Levi stepped to the side of the bed and smiled down at her.
"Love, you aren't going to freak out like you did before. Right?"
A little more embarrassment made her whole body feel too hot. She twisted a bit more against the ropes.
"No. Not as long as he doesn't enter the bathroom." She looked toward the end of the bed at Sam.
Levi's smile grew a bit crooked. "Don't worry, sweetie. I wouldn't allow that." He leaned down and untied her right arm. He paused as Tessa brought it down to her side. "Tessa, please don't make this harder. I mean, please don't try to run after I untie you. I promise you this will be over soon."
Tessa nodded. "Ok."
Truthfully, she didn't want to run now. Well, she'd run from Sam but not Levi. Should she be worried about that fact?
Levi stared at her for several seconds. It felt as if he was gauging how sincere she was about not making this difficult. Tessa reached her free arm up and lightly touched his hand. The sparks between them were instant and strong.
Tessa inhaled a deep breath as a tingle ran through her. His skin felt so warm and inviting. Her hand trembled on his for a moment before she swiftly pulled it back. Levi's smile faded and for a second, he looked worried, but that expression soon faded, as well. His eyes then showed her what Tessa was also feeling. Lust.
He took a deep breath and untied her other wrist. Tessa started to rub her wrist with her other hand, and Levi untied her legs. He walked back over to the side of the bed next to the bathroom, holding his hand out to help her.
Tessa didn't hesitate. She sat up and turned so her feet were off the side of the bed. She pushed herself up, but her legs faltered immediately. They were partially asleep. She gasped as she fell forward.
"Whoa." Levi gracefully reached out and caught her.
Tessa grabbed his inked arms as he lifted her up. She stared up at his gorgeous face, and he gave her a cocky smirk. Levi pulled her closer to his body, supporting her. Tessa almost couldn't breathe as she took in the man holding her.
"Well, love. I guess I don't need to worry about you running right away."
Chapter Nine
Levi carried Tessa into the bathroom and slowly closed the door behind them. He was still a little nervous that she'd overthink the situation and flip out again. She had a right to do that, though. She was still being held hostage, but Levi really didn't want to have to struggle with her. She could get hurt, and that's the last thing he wanted. Plus, if she did freak out while Sam was around, he'd surely get involved. Another thing Levi certainly didn't want.
What's taking so long with getting her father's money? It had been close to nine hours. Usually these easy jobs were over by now. Sam had snapped a quick picture of Tessa as Levi was pulling her into the van the night before. He'd sent it to their boss, who should have shared it with her father by now.
Levi clenched his jaw as he slowly set Tessa down next to the counter. She grabbed a hold of it, and he gradually stepped back. She started to stretch and flex her legs, trying to increase blood flow in them. She looked so graceful.
"Are you a dancer?"
Tessa stopped exercising her legs and looked up at him with a slight scowl. "Like a stripper?"
Levi chuckled. "No, love. Like a dancer." He pointed at her legs.
"Oh." She looked at the floor, and her beautiful cheeks turned pink. "No, but I do take yoga classes twice a week."
"Well, your legs look great."
Tessa looked up at hi
m with a nervous smile. Levi had the sudden urge to grab her and kiss her. Instead, he cleared his throat and turned his back toward her.
"Ok, sweet. Go ahead."
"Wait. I don't actually want you to listen to me pee."
"Sorry. Them's the rules for being a captive." He folded his arms over his chest.
****
Tessa watched Levi's back as he stared at the door. She had the sudden urge to wrap her arms around him and snuggle into his back. Instead, she stepped toward the toilet. She wasted some time by taking off her thin sweater, placing it on the counter. She was hot, and only part of that had to do with the temperature of the room. Tessa hesitated for a moment more, but then finally lifted her dress and pulled down her panties.
She flicked her stare up to the mirror to watch his face, but he never turned his head. Levi stared straight at the door. A little disappointment surfaced in her. Why did she want him to want to peek on her?
Tessa knew why. It had something to do with her wanting to see him in his underwear.
"Can you cover your ears?"
Levi exhaled a loud breath, but it seemed to be mock annoyance. He lifted his hands and covered his ears. Tessa sat down and quickly took care of business. She kept her eyes on him the entire time, and soon she was fixing her clothes and stepping toward the sink.
Tessa turned on the water and gently nudged his back with her elbow. Levi lowered his hands and turned toward her. She couldn't hide her smile as she finished washing her hands. As she turned off the water, she looked into the mirror, up at his reflection. He was studying her.
"What?" She flicked some drops of water into the sink and turned her body toward him.
Levi quickly grabbed her upper arms and pulled her into his chest. With no warning, he stole a kiss. At first, Tessa kept her body rigid, leaning away from him. Levi held her tightly, increasing the speed of the kiss.
She slowly melted into his hold, giving into her want for him. Tessa ignored the voice inside that told her this was part of a wicked plan. She focused on his kiss and his body. Levi slid his lips over hers as he moved one hand down to hold her lower back.
Tessa returned his kiss, and a soft moan left her lips. A deep tingle started in her clit, and her nipples hardened. Levi suddenly pulled back from her, and she moaned again before her eyes fluttered open.
"Sorry." Levi slowly released her.
"Levi." She didn't know what she wanted to say.
He stepped back and handed her the towel from the counter. Tessa simply stared at him for a few seconds, feeling lost. She wanted to grab his face and make him kiss her again. Her mouth popped open, but no sound came out. She started to step toward him but was interrupted by a ringing sound.
Levi reached down to his pocket. "Shit. Sorry, love." He pulled the phone out, clicked it on, and spoke into it. "Is it done?"
Tessa watched his face, and it was evident that he wasn't liking the news he was getting from whoever was on the phone. He shook his head and cussed a few times.
"I'll call you right back." Levi swiftly ended the call, hastily putting the phone back in his pocket.
"Tessa, I need to get you back onto the bed. Something's come up."
Chapter Ten
Levi stood in the doorway of the hotel room, the door ajar. He looked back at Tessa, who was secured again to the bed. She wore an annoyed, confused frown. Levi sighed and looked over at Sam. He was slapping his leg, laughing at some campy eighties movie.
Levi shook his head and exited the hotel room. He closed the door and started down the stairs, grabbing his phone as he did. He quickly dialed his boss with anger growing in his gut.
"Hey."
"Did you show her dad the picture of us abducting her?" Levi stopped at the bottom of the stairs.
"Yeah. He still won't pay. The prick."
"Shit. Well, we'll just have to cut her loose." Levi patted his back pocket out of habit. There was nothing there. He'd quit smoking two months earlier.
"Hell no." His boss's voice boomed from his phone speaker. "You two are going to rough her up and send me the pictures so I can show daddy. If that doesn't work, you'll slit her throat, and we'll let him know that he's next if we don't get the money. That works nine times out of ten."
His boss laughed an ugly laugh, and Levi pulled the phone away from his ear. Fuck! Why does her dad have to be such a fucknut?
This was getting serious. Levi knew that his boss wouldn't give this job up without a fight, which meant that he would expect Tessa to be hurt sooner rather than later. Levi had to do something quick. If he didn't take matters into his own hands, she'd suffer.
Damn it!
"Levi?" His boss yelled from the phone.
He brought the speaker back up to his ear. "All right. Just leave it to me. And, boss, do me a favor. Don't tell Sam about this … hiccup. Let me take care of the girl. I don't want him fucking it up."
There was a long pause, and Levi worried that the boss wouldn't agree.
Finally, he answered. "Fine. I guess I can give my best employee that courtesy, but Levi, you have an hour to send me pictures of that bitch bleeding."
Levi clenched his jaw so tightly that his teeth made scraping sounds against each other. "Ninety minutes. You'll have them or…" He paused.
"Levi, don't fuck around."
"Don't worry. I'm invested now." He swiftly ended the call. Levi raked his hand through his hair, exhaling before talking to himself. "Totally invested."
****
Tessa pulled on the ropes holding her to the bed. She was irritated to be back bound to it, but she was more upset about Levi's demeanor when he'd walked outside. There was obviously something bad going on. Did it have to do with her dad or maybe just another criminal job?
Sam let out another annoying laugh, and Tessa rolled her eyes. How much longer would this torture last? She was hungry, and her muscles were sore from being in the same position.
Just then, Levi burst back into the room. He was agitated. She could tell by the way he moved and how his eyes darted around the room. Sam turned to stare at him. He started to stand from his chair, but Levi skirted past him. He came straight to her side of the bed, kneeling down.
"Tessa, love. I have to make a quick run, but I'll be back. I promise."
"No." Fear gripped her. "Don't leave me here. Please!"
"Pet, if there was any other way, I wouldn't, but there's not. I swear, one hour. I'll be back."
"Levi, please." Tears began to wet her eyes. "I need you here." Those words were one hundred percent true.
He tilted his head to the side, looking conflicted. "Love, one hour."
He bent down and kissed her forehead. She was only slightly worried that Sam would see.
Levi swiftly stood and walked toward Sam, who was already ignoring them again. "Man, I have to go get something for the boss. I'll be back shortly." He pointed at Sam's chest. "She better be in the same condition I left her in when I get back."
Sam barely looked up. "Yeah, yeah. Hey, bring me back some chips or something. I'm starving."
"Damn it, Sam. You are one annoying fuck."
"What?" He turned to look at Levi, but he was already leaving.
He opened the door and paused for a second, looking back at her. A few tears pooled in her eyes as she shook her head. Levi exhaled a rough breath before walking out and closing the door.
More fear made her stomach hurt as Tessa turned her attention on the man who was now in charge of her. Sam still sat watching the TV. What now? A sob worked up her throat as she started to intensely miss Levi already.
Chapter Eleven
Levi walked around the backside of the rotting hotel to where his motorcycle sat. He quickly grabbed his helmet, put it on, and climbed onto the black bike. He started the engine, and in less than a minute, he was on the road heading home.
He lived about twenty minutes from this part of town. That fact might surprise some people. He didn't look like the type to live in a spacious, five-
bedroom home in the suburbs, but then again, people probably wouldn't guess by his tattoos and his line of work that he was independently wealthy.
Levi broke most of the speed limits until he was rolling up his driveway. The wheels were just barely stopped before he was removing his helmet and running into his house. He went straight for a large closet in one of the completely empty spare bedrooms. The closet, however, wasn't empty.
He made quick work of opening the large floor safe that sat in the closet. He pulled several things from it. After a few minutes, he relocked the safe and walked out of the closet carrying a full black backpack and his Beretta. On his way out the front door, he flung the backpack on and slipped the gun into the back of his waistband.
"Stupid fuck." He clenched his fists as more rage filled him.
Levi climbed on his bike, talking to himself. How could her dad be this shitty? I need to keep my cool. Murder hanging around my neck won't help us. He liked the word "us" and how it made him feel as it stuck in his mind.
Levi revved his engine and headed out.
****
Sam stood up from his spot in front of the TV and went to the door. He never spoke a word as he left. Tessa waited, holding her breath for a few seconds before she tried to use this momentary alone time. She pulled violently on her arms. The ropes didn't budge. In fact, the skin on her wrists was soon raw and painful.
Tessa let out a frustrated sigh and focused on her legs. She kicked, trying to loosen the ropes around her ankles. Again, nothing but pain. Well, you got to hand it to Levi. He's pretty good at tying ladies up.
That thought and remembering his hands on her had her pussy tingling. She stilled on the bed, and her mind started to wander. What would the future hold for her after this event? Would Levi be in her future?
Did she want him to be? Yes. That question was easy. What was harder was did he want to be?
Just then, Sam reentered the room, bringing her attention back to her present predicament. He was carrying a large bottle of whiskey. He kicked the door closed, taking a large swig from the bottle. Tessa was instantly nervous. Adding alcohol to the disaster that was Sam couldn't be good.
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