Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 73515 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 294(@250wpm)___ 245(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73515 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 294(@250wpm)___ 245(@300wpm)
I struggled against the person holding me, but it didn’t do any good. I was no match against the strength of whoever had snatched me. With their tall, muscular build, I could tell that my kidnapper was a man and tried to kick toward his crotch to nail him in the balls. I missed, and all my muscles locked up when he grunted, “Careful, kitten. You might regret it someday if you damage the family jewels.”
HIs low, growly voice sent tingles zipping to my core and dampened my panties. Holy crap! Was I lusting after the man who’d just stolen me? Seriously? Irritated at my physical response, I struggled again. But it didn’t do me any good. His biceps bunched, and his knuckles turned white, but that was the extent of what it took for him to control my movements.
He weaved his way through the back hallways of the church as though he had memorized the route and could’ve done it blindfolded. Clearly, this hadn’t been a spur-of-the-moment decision. He’d planned this.
He shifted his hold on me to open the door to the rear exit, then scanned the alley to ensure nobody was around. When he set me on my feet, keeping a tight grip on my upper arms, I was finally able to see my kidnapper's face.
“You.” I instantly recognized the mystery man from earlier in the week. I’d spent more time daydreaming about him than I was willing to admit.
My gasp was muffled by his palm, but he still seemed to understand what I’d said. He removed his hand and stared down at me with an unreadable expression. “Yeah, I figured you’d remember my face.”
“That’s why you’re snatching me?” He didn’t let me go far when I tugged my arms and tried to take a step back. “You don’t have to do this,” I pleaded. “I can pretend I have no idea who you are if that’s what it takes for you to let me go. If anyone asks, I never saw anyone coming out of Stacey’s dorm room. I swear.”
He sighed, shaking his head. “It’s not that simple, kitten.”
“I’m not your kitten,” I snapped, narrowing my eyes at him.
A glimmer of humor shone from his dark eyes. “Yet you hiss and scratch like one when you’re pissed off.”
“Sorry for not going meekly along with my own kidnapping,” I scoffed as I tried to pull free again.
His lips curved into a smirk, and he shrugged. “It’s sexy.”
My jaw dropped, and I tried really hard to hide how much I liked hearing him call me sexy. I jammed my hands onto my hips and glared at him. “Don’t get any ideas, buster.”
His smirk turned a little wicked, and a smug glint entered his beguiling eyes. “You and I both know you were attracted to me when we met.”
I wanted to smack and kiss his face at the same time. He was right, but I wasn’t willing to admit it to him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
His expression darkened, and he took my chin firmly between his thumb and index finger. “Don’t lie to me, kitten,” he growled. “Or you won’t like the consequences.”
There was no doubt he meant it, and I gulped hard. I was scared, but my stupid, traitorous body clearly hadn’t received the memo that it shouldn’t be attracted to the man holding me hostage. I nearly gasped as a thought entered my mind. Was I going to be one of those crazy women who fell for their captor? Stockholm Syndrome? Really, Audrey?
To my shock, he suddenly added, “I will never lie to you, Audrey. Trust me.”
Okay, I’d had enough of this. “Why would I trust you when you’re trying to kidnap me?”
“I’m not trying anything.” He grunted as he tugged me away from the building. “I’m successfully kidnapping you.”
“Let me go!” I shouted as I began to struggle once more. My fear notched back up when I saw the dark sedan idling near the entrance to the alley. No matter how fierce my attraction was to this mystery man, I still didn’t know where he was taking me or what he planned when we got there. His promise not to lie to me sounded as if he didn’t intend to kill me. Was he going to hold me for ransom?
“Sorry, kitten. You’re coming with me. You’ve seen my face.” He paused, then muttered, “And it’s for your own good.”
For my own good? Being kidnapped? This guy might have been hot as sin, but I was starting to think he was also bat crap crazy.
He wrapped his left arm around my back and pulled me against his chest while his right hand dipped into the inside pocket on his immaculately tailored suit coat. Something was seriously wrong with me because I couldn’t help admiring how good he looked in what he was wearing. I also melted into his hold for a moment. Quit noticing how sexy he is, Audrey! I berated myself.