Page 21 of Addiction

“Good morning, Mr. Bowman.” The gray doors of the elevator glided open as the panel recognized its owner.

“Wow.” Ella didn’t know what else to say. She’d lived in swanky homes before, but she’d never encountered security like that. “You have fancy security.”

“It beats keys.” He shrugged as he guided her into the mirrored cubicle. “Keys can be lost or fall into the wrong hands.”

“I bet.” She stared at their multiple reflections as he selected a floor and used his fingerprint to instruct the doors to close. Her wayward hair and tired expression should have riled her, but she hardly gave either more than a moment of thought. “It’s all very impressive, sir.”

“Do you think that’s what I’m trying to do?” His expression was serious as he tugged her in his direction. She didn’t resist as their bodies pressed together, his arms snaking around her to hold her in place. “Impress you?”

“I don’t know, sir.”

The intensity in his gaze seared her, reminding her of the brute who’d yanked down her clothes and reddened her behind. In some distant part of her brain, she reasoned that she should be irate, if not fearful of that man, yet caught in the prison of his arms, she could only recall how his dominance had liquified her. It was as though her time in the forest had helped her lose all sense of rational thought.

“Are you?” she probed.

“No.” His tone was hard. “I’m not. Nothing has changed, little girl. I took you because of Bennett, and I’ve kept you because I want to. The new location is irrelevant.”

“Okay.” She was vaguely aware of the elevator lurching to life around them and taking them up the length of the enormous building she’d seen from the road. “Understood.”

“Anyhow.” His voice had softened a fraction. “It’s not as if wealth is new to you, is it?”

“No,” she admitted. “But even I don’t live in an ivory tower, sir.”

Sir.

The word that she’d once fought to deny now slipped from her tongue like any other. It was alarming how quickly she seemed to have fallen under his spell.

“Is that what you think this is?” He smirked down at her.

“Well, I don’t know.” Her brow rose. “For all I know, you could have a different kidnapped woman on every level.”

“Is that right?” His sardonic tone eased some of the tension from her shoulders. “Well, nice idea, little girl, but I admit I hadn’t given kidnap much thought until your father failed to meet his repayment date.”

“Right.” She blew out a breath, her focus falling to his chest. His skin was dirtied, and if she didn’t know better, she might even have spotted traces of blood there. Her insides tightened at the disturbing thought. They both needed a shower, although she wasn’t sure hot water would be enough to wash away the ghosts of the forest. “Trust Alexander to inspire your dark side.”

“I don’t want to talk about Bennett.” One of his hands rose to her chin and steered her attention back to his face. “He just fucks things up.”

“Yeah.” She couldn’t argue with that. “He does.”

The elevator’s chime drew their attention to the silver panel on the interior of the cubicle. “Top floor. The penthouse suite. Welcome home, Mr. Bowman.”

Chapter Nine

Disclosure

Tucker

Tucker directed her out of the elevator, assessing her responses as she took in the sapphire blue lobby. None of the décor had been his choice. He’d paid a ridiculously inflated price to a designer to come up with the concepts and another hefty sum to a team of decorators to produce them, but as he glanced around, he acknowledged how much he admired the work.

The colors were bold and decadent, and everything he’d wanted for a residence he hadn’t built by hand for himself. The place was the epitome of everything the cabin was not.

“This is nice.” Her lazy tone told him that she approved of the interior design as she lowered to remove her muddy boots and left them by the elevator.

“I’m glad you like it, little girl.” He dropped the bag to the floor and turned, locking the elevator doors with another press of his fingerprint. Removing his muddied footwear, he left them with the backpack and glanced at Ella. “Let’s get a drink, then I’ll show you where to find that hot running water.”

“Sounds good, sir.” Her eyes were wide as she took in the luxurious surroundings. “Show me where.”

Grasping her hand, he led her along the hallway. The space was lit by small chandeliers that cast a golden light over the lavish tables and bookcases. She gazed into the large, framed mirror in the middle of the corridor as they passed by, her eyes conveying her surprise at the sumptuous finish of the place.

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