Page 19 of Captivated

I know this is inane, too. I mean this man whose arms I’m lying in is the same man who kidnapped me off the street. I went from tied up and cursing him to giving him my virginity… while tied up, I think with a blush.

But it doesn’t feel tawdry or cheap. The room might be crumbling walls and water-stained ceilings. The bed might be lumpy and plain. But it might as well be a palace, because I feel like a princess in Max’s arms.

My entire body is still tingling from several orgasms he’s just given me. After that first time, we’ve gone three more times—four total. I teased him about needing a break after the third time, and he went ahead and pinned me down to take me again. After that it was me begging for mercy; and a breather.

I turn in his arms to look at him. For a moment, I think he might be sleeping. His eyes are closed, and his breathing is regular. He still looks rough and hard, but asleep, he looks peaceful, too. So far, I’ve only known Max under these crazy circumstances, looking haggard, wounded, and as if he’s in the middle of a fight. Sleeping Max looks like he could be any devilishly handsome man sharing a bed with his lover.

His eyes suddenly open, making me gasp. “Boo,” he grins.

I scrunch up my nose and prod him with my finger. “I thought you were sleeping.”

“I know,” he chuckles. Seeing him laugh brings heat to my core. The sound of his happiness is like a soothing balm. I like Max smiling and laughing.

He frowns curiously. “What’s going on in that pretty head?”

“Nothing,” I say quickly, embarrassed.

He smirks. “Don’t make me put my mouth on you again to tease it out of you.”

I groan and blush. “I might die if you do that to me again,” I giggle. “Not before I sleep or eat something.”

Max smiles and draws me close. “Tell me, sweetheart.”

“Fine,” I sigh. “I was thinking you looked peaceful when you’re asleep.”

“Even though I wasn’t actually sleeping.”

“Even with that,” I smile. “Peaceful is a good look on you.”

He grunts. “Me and ‘peaceful’ aren’t very well acquainted.”

“Have you been doing this a long time?”

“Kidnapping beautiful girls off the street and ravishing them in my secret lair?” I scowl instantly. But Max laughs and hugs me close. “I’m joking, baby. I’ve never done this before.”

I pout, simmering with green jealousy. Max smiles and bends his head. He kisses me slowly, and the jealousy fades. “I like you like this,” he growls.

“What, mad?”

“Jealous,” he grins.

“I meant have you been doing this sort of life for long?”

“Crime?” He shrugs. “My whole life, Tessa. I was born in the gutter and had to fight for every scrap. Columbia Med School ain’t exactly knocking on the doors of guys like me.”

“You can always change it,” I say softly. “I know that sounds like a lame Hallmark card coming from the girl born with a silver spoon. But you can.” I smile. “Especially with that two million you’re trying to get from my dad.”

Max smiles. “There’s not gonna be a two million, sweetheart.”

I frown. “You don’t think he’ll pay?”

“Nope,” he growls. “I know he won’t.”

My brow creases. “Why not?”

He grins. “Because the money was supposed to be foryou,” he growls. “And I’m not ever giving you up. Not for all the money in the damn world.”

My lips press to his instantly. I kiss him deeply, and his arms circle me. But then suddenly, he stiffens and pulls away.

---