The Criminal's Captive (Unpunished Book 1)(3)

"Whatever." The driver unfolded his arms, shooing Levi and his threats.

Sam turned back around, opening the door.

He was soon gone, back out into the dark. Levi rolled his eyes. His partner really was an idiot. He was the biggest downside to this job. Someday soon, that headache would outweigh the fun, and Levi would take his fortune to an island paradise.

Not tonight, though. Tonight was about Tessa.

Levi stepped to the queen-sized bed and slid her off his shoulder. He set her feet on the floor, but before she could really stand on her own, he gently but firmly pushed her back. Tessa let out a small scream just before her back hit the bed.

"Don't worry, love. I didn't carry you all the way up here to bounce your head off the floor." Levi smirked as she tensed her whole body.

He leaned down, grabbed her waist, and slid her up the bed. They had been ready for her, so there were already ropes attached to the head and footboard. Levi quickly untied her wrists from each other, and Tessa started to turn away from him.

"No, love."

Levi put his knee on the bed, getting closer to her. He pulled one of her wrists up to the headboard and made quick work of securing it. In no time, her other arm was stretched up and tied to the bed also. He climbed off the bed and grabbed one of her ankles. As he started to secure it to the footboard, her soft voice quivered out.

"Stop calling me that."

Levi cocked his head to the side, watching her. His lips lifted into a grin as he finished her first ankle. A bit bold. He stepped toward the head of the bed and pulled her blindfold down, letting it lie on her neck. Tessa blinked up at him rapidly.

"What did you say, love?" He was well aware of what she had said.

"S-stop calling me … that." She searched his face before nervously looking down at the bed.

Her beautiful dark brown hair lay messily around her shoulders. Levi reached down and moved some strands off to the pillow. Tessa flicked her stare back up to him, and her bright blue eyes showed her fear. Her mouth parted as her breathing became even more ragged.

"Love?" Levi let his eyes move down her body slowly before returning to her face.

"Yes." Her voice was just above a whisper.

Levi rubbed his hands together. She's going to be more fun than I thought.

****

Tessa looked down at her dress, which was scrunched up, high on her thighs. The man standing over her let his eyes wander down her body a second time. She nervously pulled on her arms, which were still tightly tied to the bed.

When his gaze returned to her face, she was momentarily frozen but not by fear. She hadn't noticed in the sudden abduction or in the dark night, but the man was gorgeous. Like, model gorgeous.

Why would a man like this need to resort to being a criminal? He certainly didn't fit her description of a lowlife.

The man had piercing green eyes, which were now searching her face. His blond hair was lying messily across his forehead, but in an attractive “bad boy” kind of way. His tight gray t-shirt showed off a trim but fit physique. Tessa slid her stare down his muscled arms, which were covered in tattoos. She had never really liked men with tattoos before, but they looked great on him.

"I don't think you're in a position to give demands." His lips curled into a cocky smile.

Tessa pulled her free leg up toward her body, which was probably a mistake. The man looked over at it, and then made his way back to the foot of the bed. He grabbed her ankle, and Tessa pulled her leg up toward her body farther.

The man didn't harshly yank on her leg like she expected. His smile increased, and his eyes seemed to lighten with excitement as he held eye contact with her. He held her ankle firmly, slowly pulling it toward him. After a few seconds of resisting, Tessa had to give in. Her leg straightened, and the man laid it down on the bed.

He tied it to the footboard and then stood up straight, resting his fists on his hips. He lifted his chin, still staring down at her.

"Fine. Should I call you Tessa then?"

Her name on his lips sounded like sin and heaven combined.

"No." She didn't know what else to say.

The man huffed out an amused breath before folding his arms over his chest. "Well, how about this? You can call me Levi."

Tessa tilted her head. "Why would you tell me your real name?"

Sudden panic filled her chest, causing her arms to shake. Was he planning on killing her? A dead girl couldn't call the police. They aren't even wearing masks. Her arms shook harder, and Tessa started to twist frantically on the bed.

"Love, calm yourself. How do you know that's my real name?"

Tessa gradually stopped moving, watching him closely. She had a suspicion that it was his real name, but he was trying to calm her down. That thought quieted some of her fear and strangely even had a bit of her comfort returning.

Levi stepped around the bed and moved back to stand next to her. He reached out his hand and moved more of her hair off her shoulder.

"Hello, Tessa."

She swallowed loudly. "Levi."





Chapter Four


The other man, whom Levi had referred to as Sam, had been gone for about a half an hour. Tessa squirmed on the bed, trying to get her dress to move down her body, but it wasn't helping. She huffed out a frustrated breath as Levi came out of the bathroom.

He stilled in the doorway, watching her. Tessa slowed her movements, and she felt her cheeks heat. The way he watched her had her body waking up.