Page 28 of Ride with the Devil

That’s about the time I started to think my impression on Luca was waaaay off. Did he decide to leave me down here to rot?

Um. No.

No. He didn’t.

One downside of being in a windowless basement with now phone? I have no idea what time it is. It’s been long enough that I’m boooored. Hungry and bored, and leaning back against the headboard, staring up at the ceiling, my heart jumps when I hear the gentle knock coming from the door upstairs.

I’m being held captive. He’s the guy watching over me.

And he just knocked.

Biting back an amused smile at just how easy this is going to be, I call out, “I’m decent, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

Considering I hear the door ease open, plus the light steps of his sneakers as he comes down the stairs, it probably was.

Now, I didn’t lie. Not really. Iamdecent.

I’m also just wearing only the skimpy towel I found in the bathroom.

All the important bits are covered so I don’t know why he comes to a short stop at the bottom of the stairs, eyes locked on me.

To be fair, part of me was looking for a reaction from Luca. Part of me just didn’t want to put my dirty clothes back on. I twisted my hair up in a bun while I was washing off. When I didn’t see a hairbrush or any curly girl hair products in the bathroom, I decided to leave my mop like it is for now until I have the supplies to do a deep wash.

Something else to add to the list of things I’m gonna need...

And, if those boxes and bags piled up in his arms are any clue, all I have to do is ask for it and my captor will find a way to get it.

Clothes. He brought me clothes, and in the right size, too. Nothing fancy. Plain jeans, a couple of t-shirts, a bra, and a six-pack of basic underwear. All online buys, and items he would’ve picked out with same-day delivery.

His tongue darting out, dabbing his bottom lip a little nervously, he adds that he’s also expecting a grocery delivery.

The whole time he’s talking, he keeps going from looking at my face, his eyes dropping to my naked legs on display before he catches on that he’s ogling me and quickly looks away.

I have my answer, then. Whether or not he has a partner back home, there’s definitely a spark flying between us. I sense the chemistry like electric shocks floating through the air, and I don’t think I’m the only one.

So I do what I always do: I flirt, also Kylie-style.

“Well, gee. You sure know how to make your prisoners feel welcome. I was beginning to think we were both in over ours heads, but maybe not. So what is it? This your thing? Kidnapping helpless victims and keeping them in your basement?”

I surprised him. I still think he’s waiting for me to break down in tears or something, and the tease in my voice has thrown him for a loop.

He rubs the back of his hand over his mouth before admitting, “It’s not mine.”

“What? Your thing? Or your basement?”

“The basement. It belongs to… a friend of mine.”

I glance over my shoulder, eying the handcuffs hanging off the headboard. “Makes it weirder, you know. Just saying.”

He clears his throat. “Besides. You’re the only girl I’ve ever had to take.”

“And that makes me get the fuzzies,” I tease, sticking the tip of my tongue out through the gap between my teeth. “Knowing I’m the first chick ran off with.”

A muscle flexed in his jaw. “It’s not like that.”

“Mm.”

I’m fucking with him. It’s just too, too easy. Besides, as grateful as I am that he cared enough to get me food and clothes, he stillstoleme. I’m not going to let him forget that.

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