Page 16 of Tantalizing Tales

Chapter Two

Alexis

Tap…tap…tap…

The sound permeated the thick fog surrounding Alexis’ brain, but wasn’t strong enough to make her open her eyes. She was in bed, with no recollection of how she’d gotten there. But memory slowly began to creep in, clearing away the cobwebs of a deep and dreamless sleep.

She’d been snatched off the street as she’d made her way home from visiting her mom. It had just turned dark, and she remembered scoffing at her mom’s concern about getting an Uber. Why should she, when she’d walked home in the dark many times before? She shuddered, recalling the awful feeling of helplessness and fear when she was forced into the back of a van, and tied up.

She could still smell the foul breath of the man who’d put the gag into her mouth. And as long as she lived she’d never forget his evil laugh. When a rag had been placed over her eyes she’d been almost thankful. Some part of her believed that if they didn’t want her to see them then they weren’t going to kill her. Somehow the unknown seemed safe to her.

They’d taken her to some kind of abandoned warehouse. She could tell it was located by the waterside because she could hear seagulls. And boaters sounded their horns whenever the drawbridge opened to let them pass. It had been while they were taking her clothes off that real terror set in. She remembered hurtful hands moving over her, ripping off her blouse and then peeling off her shorts. Her sneakers followed and she heard the thump as they hit the floor. She bit down on her lip to keep from begging them not to hurt her. But she was screaming inside and trembling uncontrollably outside.

Why they’d left on her bra and thong she didn’t know, but she was thankful for the small consideration. Someone took her bound hands and raised them above her head. She felt something cold slide between her wrists. The next thing she was aware of was being lifted by the wrists until her feet were barely touching the floor. A rough hand removed the clip from her hair, releasing it to fall down her back. When she felt the same hand begin to caress it, she panicked and twisted wildly in an effort to escape. She was rewarded with a laugh and rough squeeze to her naked bottom.

Then there was silence. Alexis had no way of knowing how long she’d been hanging there—long enough for it to start becoming painful—when a door opened and she sensed someone entering the room. Unable to see or speak, she breathed deeply, afraid the man with the foul breath had returned. The scent that filled her lungs hadn’t been unpleasant though. In fact, it was mildly stimulating, a combination of soap and musk. She didn’t know if it was a man or woman until he touched her.

Realizing it was her hot neighbor, Mike, would have calmed her if it hadn’t been for the bizarre circumstances. She’d been eyeing him, and aching to get into his pants since he moved into the apartment next door. Hope that he would ask her for a date began to dim as time went on, and Alexis had been forced to make do with her nightly erotic fantasies, and a well-used dildo with his name on it. The look in his eyes suggested he was very interested, but apparently something kept him from acting on it.

The second Mike had taken off her blindfold and she’d glanced into his dark, sensuous eyes, she’d felt an unbelievably strong connection, and a sense of relief. She couldn’t explain it, only knowing that as frightened as she was, she wasn’t frightened of him. Even when he said he was going to fuck her. Intense arousal had soon replaced her fear, and she’d forgotten how she’d come to be there. All that mattered once Mike began kissing and touching her intimately was having his cock inside her, and the release that would end months of wanting him. A peculiar reaction under the circumstances, but one Alexis hadn’t questioned.

Alexis soon realized the heavy tapping that had woken her was rain hitting the windows. By the sound of it there was a severe storm out there. Opening her eyes to the gloom of the room she was surprised to find that it wasn’t her bedroom. Her eyes rounded, and she sat up, glancing around the spacious room with confusion. Masculine was the word that came to mind as she took in the decor.

Where am I?

She could feel her heart pounding as she yanked back the covers, and sat on the edge of the bed. Her second surprise came when she glanced down and saw the man’s shirt she was wearing. She plucked the material away from her breasts, and looked down. She was completely naked underneath. She got to her feet, and grabbed the bedpost to steady her herself. A mirror drew her gaze. She looked like she’d barely survived a night of wild partying.

Alexis took several breaths to calm her nerves before slowly making her way to the door. She had no idea what she was going to find on the other side, or whom. Opening the door gradually, she peered into the large room beyond. Everything but for the pelting rain, and an occasional clap of thunder seemed quiet. No radio or TV on that she could tell.

The room was bright. Something pulled her gaze toward a huge window. Judging by the scene outside, she must be somewhere in the mountains. Her next thought was that she had to get out of there. She turned, coming up against a rock-solid body.

“Going somewhere?”

Alexis glanced up into Mike’s eyes, which were dancing with amusement. Anger, confusion and fear over her situation got the best of her. She started to back away from him. “Yes, home.” She smiled nervously.

He advanced on her. “I’m sorry but I can’t let you do that.”

“Why not? Aren’t you done with me? I don’t know what’s going on around here but—” Alexis bumped into the corner of a table and she skirted around it, not taking her eyes off Mike. “Why are you doing this?”

He continued to stalk her slowly. “Believe it or not, I’m keeping you alive.”

“Ha! By kidnapping me? By removing my clothes and…and—” Alexis couldn’t find the right words to describe their hot and heavy sex scene. She couldn’t cry rape when she’d welcomed and enjoyed every second of it. She averted her eyes when his gaze dropped down her body, bringing a wet response to her nether regions. “Just who are you?” she demanded finally, a little breathless.

“Special Agent Reid Masters, at your service, ma’am. I’m with the FBI.”

Alexis hesitated. Reid?

“Mike Dunstin is my undercover name. I’m sorry you’ve been caught in the middle of this.”

She wanted to believe him but she didn’t. Not after his obvious involvement in her abduction. An idea for a chance to escape took shape and she wasn’t going to let it pass. In spite of her intense attraction to him, self-preservation was stronger. “Prove it.”

When he turned, Alexis didn’t waste any time making her move. She’d already noticed a door at the end of a short hallway, the glass window in the top half revealing that it led outside, and to freedom. Realizing she needed to be quick, she sprinted to the door and pulled it open. She didn’t let the pouring rain stop her from running outside. And she was drenched from the downpour within seconds. Her mistake was in halting to decide which way to go. There were no other houses around and the road, if you could call it that, was nothing but mud. They were surrounded by mature trees that were swaying in the storm.

“Oh no you don’t.” She felt a hand in her hair and she was jerked back against Mike…Reid…whoever…and inside before she could let out a scream. He slammed the door and locked it, easily holding her.

Alexis began to struggle, frustration getting the best of her. “Damn you, Mike, let me go!”

“You little witch. I told you, my name is Reid and I’m with the FBI.” His hands were everywhere in an effort to subdue her. “I’m trying to protect you!”

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