My cheeks colored in the darkness. Shades had been lowered over the huge windows, hiding the Chicago skyline. But no light peeked around them, so I assumed it wasn’t morning yet. I hated not having a fucking clock. This room was absolutely devoid of even that level of technology. I’d go mad in here without access to a computer.
I’m going to get out of here, I pro
mised myself. Maybe it wasn’t likely that my friends would find me. Maybe there were dozens of men standing between me and freedom. Not to mention my massive, scary captor.
But that wasn’t going to stop me from trying. It was nighttime. Most of the building’s inhabitants would likely be asleep.
That included Andrés, who was snoring lightly on the other side of the massive bed. I’d awoken when he’d rolled away from me, and his arm no longer weighed me down. If I could slip out without disturbing him, I might be able to make my way out of the suite and get to the exit before he woke up. Once I was in the street, I could shout for help. I could borrow someone’s phone.
It occurred to me that I’d have to go out in public naked, but I couldn’t risk taking time to rummage through Andrés’ drawers for something to cover myself. That would also make noise, and I couldn’t afford that, either.
Naked, it is, I told myself, reasoning that I’d attract help faster this way, once I got out into the street.
If I didn’t get killed on the way out.
Summoning up my courage, I carefully eased out of the bed, wincing when the mattress shifted ever so slightly beneath me. I paused, barely breathing.
Andrés continued to snore.
I exhaled and began to tiptoe across the plush carpet, making my way toward the door that led out into the rest of the suite. I squeezed my fist open and closed a few times to stop my fingers from trembling, then carefully turned the knob. The softest snick sounded as the latch disengaged.
Andrés didn’t stir.
I slipped out the door and cracked it behind me, not daring to shut it all the way in case it thudded closed.
City lights flooded the adjoining room, shining through another wall of windows. As I’d suspected, it was set up like a lavish sitting room. Finally, I spotted a clock. Of course, it was an ornate grandfather clock rather than something modern. Analog. Ugh.
Still, at least I now knew it was three thirty-five AM. Hopefully everyone really was asleep at this hour.
My gaze swept over the room, looking for the exit. Another closed door was set into the opposite wall from the windows. I started to make my way toward it when the shifting lights caught on something silver: an elevator. My way out.
I raced toward it on tiptoe, trying to move silently even as I rushed to freedom. I pushed the call button, which was illuminated in blue.
I nearly jumped out of my skin when a loud buzzer sounded.
Fuck!
I hadn’t heard that sound when anyone else had come and gone from the suite. Why now?
Desperate, I punched the button again, knowing I had precious seconds before Andrés’ strong arms closed around me. The angry buzz echoed through the suite.
“It won’t work for you,” he drawled.
I yelped and spun, backing up until my butt hit the cold silver doors behind me. Andrés stood in the doorway to the bedroom, the city lights reflecting stars across his black eyes. He didn’t move toward me.
The doors didn’t open behind me. Desperate, I hit the call button again.
Buzz.
His teeth flashed white through the darkness. “That elevator is accessed through thumbprint recognition. The only people who can come and go from this suite are those who have my permission. You don’t have permission, my curious gatita.” He finally began prowling toward me. “Did you want to explore my home?” he asked, the innocuous question made terrifying by the silky smooth tone of his voice. “Were you so eager to see the rest of it? I’m more than happy to show you.”
I shook my head wildly. “I didn’t… I don’t… I just want to go home,” I forced out past the lump in my throat. Whatever he was about to show me, I was certain it was terrible. I could read it in the hungry glint of his eyes, the sharpness of his smile. Dark anticipation pulsed around him like a palpable thing. It pressed against me, making me shudder.
“This is your home now,” he said when he finally reached me. There was nowhere for me to run, nowhere to hide. All I could do was press my body back against the cold metal doors and tremble.
His hand closed around the back of my neck, his fingers tangling in my hair at my nape as he pulled me against him. He was naked, and his huge cock pressed into my belly.
“You weren’t really asleep,” I accused, knowing the truth. He was toying with me, testing me.