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  Under the hot water, the reality of how close I’d come to dying hit me. I started to shake, and I leaned against the shower wall to steady myself.

  “Al? You okay?”

  My heart jumped out of my chest even though I knew it was Levi.

  “What are you doing in here?” I called after turning off the water.

  “Owen said you wanted to talk.”

  “I do.”

  “Should I come join you, or do you want to do it out here?”

  “Hand me a towel, Levi.”

  “If you insist.” He tossed a towel over the top of the shower. I used the plush, red towel to dry off and squeezed some water out of my hair before wrapping up in the towel and stepping out.

  Levi leaned against the vanity watching me. “I’d pay you a thousand dollars to drop that towel right now.”

  “Only a thousand? I thought I’d be worth more.”

  “Oh, you’re priceless, love. I was just talking about a peek. I already know how gorgeous your body is, but I wouldn’t mind a refresher image to work from.”

  “To work from?”

  He grinned wickedly.

  “Ugh.”

  “Would you rather I think about someone else? You haven’t exactly left me with any choice.”

  “Your fault, not mine.”

  “But you’re the one who can do something about that.” His hands clenched the countertop like he was afraid that if he let go he wouldn’t be able to control himself.

  “It’s not like I don’t want you too.” I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth.

  “Then drop the towel, Al. I promise I’ll make it well worth your while.”

  I pulled the towel tighter around me. “Can you please keep your mind off sex for a minute? I almost died, and one of my best friends is in the hospital. I’m going to find something to wear.” I didn’t need to turn around to know he was following.

  “How about these?” he asked, picking out a pair of red, lacy panties.

  “Didn’t your mom buy all of this?” I hoped the mention of his mom would cool things off.

  “Not the stuff in this drawer.” I tensed, as I felt his lips on my neck.

  “Levi.”

  “Shh.”

  I closed my eyes, enjoying the feeling of his lips more than I should have. I opened my eyes and pulled away. “So that means there’s more appropriate stuff in another drawer.” I looked in the next drawer, pulling out a more practical pink pair. I also found a cami and shorts PJ set.

  “You’re going to wear these for me one day.” He picked up the lacy pair again. He came closer, his lips inches from mine. “Just so I can take them off of you.”

  I shivered. “So I’m going to go change.” I hurried back to the bathroom before he could tempt me anymore.

  Dressed, I walked out of the bathroom, not surprised to see Levi reclining on the bed. He was wearing only a pair of boxers. I made my gaze return to his face. He caught where I’d been looking and grinned. “It looks like I’m not the only one looking for a refresher. I could remove the shorts if you’d like.”

  I ignored his comment. “Why aren’t there couches in here? Why bother with the dining table and chairs, but nothing more comfortable?”

  “What could be more comfortable than a bed?”

  “Fine.” I sat down cross-legged next to him. “Talk.”

  “You ordering me around now?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay then.” He shifted, putting his hands behind his head. “It was Martin. We’re sure of it.”

  “How are you so sure?”

  “A scout saw him leaving right before the fire, and they found some other evidence at his apartment.”

  “So now what?”

  “We keep you safe until we catch him. It won’t be long. Jett Florence is already on his trail.”

  I shifted, moving further onto the bed. “You don’t expect me to stay here until then, do you? I need to see Tiffany.”

  “Of course, you’re staying. Tiffany is fine. They’ll probably be sending her home tomorrow.”

  I was glad she was okay, but that didn’t help the guilt. I thought staying in New Orleans would protect the people I loved, but all it did was endanger others.

  I tried to push those thoughts away so I could focus on the present situation. “Where are you going to sleep?”

  “Right here.” He patted the bed beside him.

  “I thought I was sleeping here.”

  “You are. We aren’t supposed to need separate beds.”

  “You really think I’m going to sleep in the same bed as you?”

  “We slept together after the meeting.”

  “On the couch.”

  “What’s the difference? We’ll just be more comfortable this way. It’s convenient there’s no couch, isn’t it?”

  “Convenient? Wait a minute.”

  I hopped off of the bed, and walked over to a space on the other side of the room with another plush rug. I bent down and, sure enough, there were some barely visible marks from where a sofa had recently stood. “You have to be kidding. You had the couch removed, didn’t you?”

  He smiled and shrugged. “It may have needed cleaning.”

  “Cleaning? When was it last used?”

  “I sat on it once or twice, I think.”

  “You’re unbelievable.”

  “I know.” He smirked.

  “That’s not a compliment. And you’re sleeping on the floor.”

  He shook his head. “No way.”

  “You could have had the couch, but you moved it.”

  “No.” He actually looked flustered.

  I crossed my arms. “Then I’m leaving.”

  “You go and try it.”

  I walked over to the door and tried to pull it open. It wouldn’t budge. I knocked on it, but no one answered.

  “We’re locked in until morning, love. Security precaution.”

  “What if there is an emergency?”

  “Theoretically, I might have the strength to get us out…”

  “Then do it.”

  “I’m too tired. That fire exhausted me.” He moved so he could throw back the covers and slip in. “You ready for bed?”

  “Get out of that bed!”

  “I’m too tired. Do me a favor and turn off your lamp when you decide to join me.”

  “Arrgh.” I marched into the bathroom and slammed the door. When I came out, he was still in bed. I went over and shook him, he pretended to sleep.

  “Get out!”

  There was no way I was sleeping on the floor. That was his job. With a sigh of frustration, I climbed into the bed and turned off the light.

  As soon as I laid down, his arms came around me.

  “I thought you were sleeping.”

  “Your proximity woke me up.”

  “You better behave yourself.” I wished I meant it.

  “What does behaving myself involve?” he whispered.

  “You understood the other night.”

  “But that was the couch, this is a bed. You’ve already explained how they’re inherently different.”

  “Are you trying to annoy me?”

  “No, I’m trying to seduce you, but whatever works.”

  “Seduce me? There are far better ways to do that.”

  “Are there? I’m listening.” He brushed his lips against my cheek.

  “Try being sweet and romantic.”

  “Doesn’t locking you in a soundproof room count as romantic?”

  “No.”

  “Darn, I knew I should have popped open some champagne.”

  “Champagne? You actually have that?”

  “No, I don’t, but we do. This is our room, sweetheart. Maybe we can open some tomorrow night.”

  “Tomorrow night? I’m going to need it if I’m locked in here with you again.”

  “You will be if we don’t catch Martin. It’s the safest way.”

  “You’ll tell me the truth, right?
If you catch him?”

  “What are you suggesting?” He slipped a hand under my tank, running his fingers over my stomach. “Are you implying I’d willingly mislead you in order to get you in bed again?”

  “That’s exactly what I’m suggesting.”

  “Then it’s a good thing you admitted to wanting me too.”

  I pushed his hand away, and smoothed down my top. “It’s not happening.”

  “Come on, you’re not fooling me.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You know I can see you perfectly, right?”

  I guess I was more obvious than I thought.

  “Good night, Levi.” I rolled over.

  “I’m not ready to say goodnight.” He moved behind me, his arms wrapped around my waist.

  “You were ready to fall asleep earlier.”

  “You woke me up.”

  He was close enough to me that I knew exactly what he meant. “It’s not happening,” I repeated.

  “What can I do to change your mind?”

  “Nothing. Go to sleep.”

  “You’re no fun.”

  “I guess not.” I closed my eyes, hating how much my body warred with me to turn around.

  “Fine, but we’re at least sleeping comfortably.”

  “This isn’t comfortable?”

  “It is, but I like this better.” He moved onto his back, positioning me so that I was leaning my head on his chest. He pulled my arm over him. “I like to sleep on my back, and I like your head leaning on me. You comfortable?”

  “Yeah,” I admitted. “I’m good.”

  “Goodnight, Al.” He used his other hand to run his fingers over the bare skin of my back that was revealed by my tank.

  “Good night.”

  I had just about fallen asleep when I heard him whisper, “I love you.”

  “I love you, too,” I whispered so softly that even with his super hearing he couldn’t hear—at least I didn’t think so.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Levi wasn’t in bed when I woke up. I touched the empty space next to me, shocked he’d leave me alone. I got up and dug out more clothing from the armoire—settling on a t-shirt and jeans. I definitely wasn’t putting on my ripped flapper dress. I grabbed a pile of clothes in case Hailey and Anne needed them too. I peeked into the bathroom, but Levi wasn’t there either.

  I banged on the door, hoping someone would open up. I didn’t hear anything. “Hello? Is anyone out there?”

  I didn’t get a response, and I felt my frustration rising. I wasn’t okay with being locked in a room anymore. I banged again. “Hello?”

  I was just about to freak out when the door swung open. I expected Levi to be standing on the other side—but it was Bryant.

  “Hello, Princess.” It was exactly what Jared called me, but the way Bryant said it sounded different, more demeaning. Maybe it was also because he seemed so much older, especially wearing a dress shirt and slacks. I felt like a kid next to him.

  “Hi, Bryant. Where’s Levi?” I regretted my decision to keep Bryant’s behavior from Levi.

  “He’s with the king. I’m supposed to take you home.”

  “Are Owen and Jared busy?” Levi rarely trusted me with anyone but them.

  “Yeah, they’re busy.”

  “Okay. Have you seen my friends?”

  He nodded. “They already left.”

  “Hailey and Anne left?”

  “Uh huh, they left hours ago.”

  “Oh. Well, I’m sure I can just get myself home then. Or I can wait for Levi.” I took a step back.

  “He’s going to be awhile.”

  I didn’t particularly want to get a ride from Bryant, but I was definitely ready to get out of there. I wanted to see my friends, and I needed to check on Tiffany. “Have you heard any more about my friend who got hurt?”

  “I heard she’s fine. She looked worse than she was.”

  “Okay good.”

  “You ready?”

  “Sure.” I followed him out of the room.

  We passed a few people I didn’t recognize as we headed to the elevator. I tried to ignore the wave of disappointment I felt when I didn’t see Levi as we headed out of the lobby and onto the street.

  I got into the passenger seat of Bryant’s gray Lexus.

  “How did you get roped into taking me?” I fished out a stick of Chap Stick from my purse. I still couldn’t believe it had survived the fire.

  “I volunteered.”

  “You volunteered to babysit?”

  He grinned. “Babysitting implies watching a kid. You’re no kid.”

  “Still, I figure there would be other jobs you’d rather be doing. Aren’t you supposed to be looking for Martin?” That’s when it hit me. Why would Levi be okay with me leaving if Martin was still out there. “Wait, did you guys catch him?”

  Bryant pulled out onto the road. “He’s taken care of.”

  “Wow, that was fast.”

  Bryant laughed. “We’re good at our job. You’re in good hands.” He put his hand on the back of my seat.

  “Have you heard anything about the fire? Was anyone hurt? You said Tiffany is okay, but what about everyone else?” I wondered how Nick was doing after Levi dropped him like a sack of potatoes.

  “No one died, if that’s what you’re asking.” He said it nonchalantly but the very thought that someone could have died made me sick.

  “I still don’t understand why Martin did it. Aren’t there easier ways to get at me?”

  “Yes, much easier ones.”

  Clearly he wasn’t trying to put me at ease. “Then why burn down a frat house?”

  Bryant turned to look at me. “Martin’s a little bit dramatic sometimes.”

  “It sounds like you know him well.”

  “I do. We were best friends growing up.” He moved his right hand back to the wheel.

  “Oh. I had no idea.” The Pteron social circle could make a good soap opera.

  “It’s not something I advertise. He’s had it out for Levi and his father for years.”

  “Why? Is he jealous or something?” I belatedly tried to comb out my hair with my fingers. I’d been in such a rush to get out that I hadn’t even bothered to fix it. I quickly gave up and tied it back with an elastic.

  Bryant kept his eyes glued on the road. “Or something.”

  “Are you going a different way? Wasn’t that our turn?” I peered out the window.

  “We’re not going to Tulane, Allie.”

  “But you said you were taking me home.”

  “I’d think you’d be used to being lied to by now.”

  My stomach lurched. “Okay, what’s going on? Does Levi know I’m with you?”

  “No, he has no idea.” His voice was as cold as ice.

  “Then where are we going?” I grabbed the door latch with my right hand. My left hand moved to my seat belt.

  Bryant grabbed my left wrist. “You can relax. You’re not going anywhere.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I said so.”

  I struggled but his grip was too tight.

  He pulled to a stop in the loading dock area of an abandoned warehouse. I glanced around for someone—anyone. Surely it couldn’t be that desolate in the middle of the morning.

  “We’re going to make this easy. Don’t fight me and you might live through it.” He pulled me over the console and out his door. His grip was so tight, I knew I’d have bruises. He pulled me inside the warehouse and moved over a chair to block the door.

  I tried to appear more in control of my nerves than I actually was. “What do you want from me?”

  “Now that’s an interesting question.” His eyes raked over me.

  “I doubt you went through all of this effort just to get some.”

  “No. I didn’t actually, but if that’s a side benefit, I’ll take it.”

  I needed to stall whatever plan he had. “Does this have to do with the Blackwells?”

&nb
sp; “Of course it does.”

  “So you’re going to turn me over to them?”

  “Maybe, maybe not.” He held up his hands like a scale.

  “What do you mean?”

  “My job was to get you away from Levi. Where we keep you is up to me.”

  As I listened, I tried to formulate a plan. There was no way I was getting locked up by some crazy Pterons for the rest of my life. Being kidnapped by Cougars was bad enough. I couldn’t believe I was going through it again.

  “What are the options?”

  “That depends on you.”

  “How so?”

  “I see the way you look at me. You want me as much as I want you.”

  My first impulse was to argue, but I realized that wouldn’t help. I had to somehow convince him he was right. “So? I’m sure lots of girls are attracted to you.”

  He smiled. “True, but none like you.”

  “Do you usually flatter your kidnap victims?”

  “How many girls do you think I’ve kidnapped before?”

  “Lots.”

  “Nope, you’re the first.”

  “You’re supposed to be giving me my options.” I tried to make myself sound flirtatious.

  “Oh yes, how could I forget?” He took a step towards me. “I can hand you over to the Blackwells and let them do what they please, or…”

  “What?”

  “You can stay with me.”

  “Stay with you?”

  “Yes. I think we’d have a good time together.” He grinned impishly.

  “You don’t think Levi would find me?”

  “Not a chance…you wouldn’t want him to find you, would you?” He reached a hand out to stroke my cheek.

  I forced a smile. “I choose option B.”

  “That quickly?”

  “You already pointed out the obvious, Bryant. I want you.”

  “If that’s true, then how about right here, right now.” He pulled the elastic out of my hair, breaking it into two. His heated look terrified me. He wasn’t someone whose advances I could fend off.

  “You have to get me in the mood.” God, if anyone could see me, I’d die. Maybe if all else failed, I could go into acting.

  “My pleasure.” He reached a hand out to touch me again, but I stopped him.