She slips in behind the wheel. “My bags are in the boot. You can hold it.”
Interesting. Boot instead of trunk. She chose a British phrase, no hesitation. She also chose a British car. Makes me wonder if she’s faking the American accent.
Bella starts the vehicle, and it’s the smoothest, most seductive rumble. Not wild, loud and chaotic like my Italian sports car. More of a purr than a growl. It’s refined and lovely. A lot like my captor.
She pushes her hood back and off, and her heady jasmine scent surrounds me. Sweet, yet sultry. I’d know it anywhere.
I turn in my seat to study her profile. The woman is gorgeous. Her very dark brown hair is pulled back in a low ponytail which only emphasizes her high, sculpted cheekbones. She has a small nose, full lips and an elegant, slim neck.
She must feel my stare, because she guns the engine, tossing an annoyed glance my way. “What?” she grumbles.
“Are these really necessary?” I lift my cuffed hands.
“Yes.” She tilts that stubborn chin up a notch.
“Agree to disagree,” I counter. “Where are we going?”
“Nowhere.”
“So… how long til we get to nowhere?”
She glances down at the gold watch on her wrist. “Six and a half minutes.”
I chuckle. “Very precise.”
“Feel free to stop talking.” She sends me an overly-bright smile and bats her lashes.
A laugh rumbles deep in my chest. She’s a breath of fresh air and, I have to say, I rather enjoy being kidnapped by her. As long as she doesn’t stun me in my junk, I have a feeling this could be fun.
I try to get her to answer a few more questions, infusing every ounce of charm I possess, but give up when it becomes clear she isn’t talking. Not yet, anyway. I’m not even slightly surprised when exactly six and a half minutes later, she hits a remote and a gate rolls up to an underground parking garage. The woman is precise. She parks the Vanquish then turns to me.
“Are you going to cause me any grief, or are you going to cooperate?”
“Well, that all depends.” My gaze drops to the stun gun she’s clutching like a lifeline.
“On what?” She arches a slim black brow.
“Are you going to put that away?”
“Ha! No. I don’t trust you.”
“I don’t trust you, either. But the moment you use that on me, I’ll stop playing along with whatever game this is.” My tone is anything but friendly and is meant to intimidate. Not that I’d hurt her, but I would leave. Walk away from whatever plan she’s concocting.
Her chest rises with a swift intake of breath. The sweatshirt doesn’t allow me to see much when it comes to herassets, but I’m sure they’re just as tantalizing as the rest of her.
My voice turns casual again as I add, “You might think you’re in control right now, but I assure you, I can leave at any time.”
Her pink lips part then close as she reconsiders her response. Finally, she rolls her eyes and mutters, “So arrogant.”
I smirk. “Is it arrogance if it’s true?”
She scoffs at that but loosens her grip on the stun gun. “If you come up with me, I’ll explain everything.”
“I’m counting on it.”
I wait for her to walk around and open my door. She pulls the gym bag off my lap and, after I get out, she places it back on the seat and locks up.
“This way.”
