Chapter 11
Tessa
Whatintheever-lovingfuck…
I’ve woken up in my share of hotel rooms, plenty of times—typically my own. But this?Why did he bring me here?
The second I awoke to the sound of running water, I bolted without sparing a second to think—not like Levi didn’t just give me the orgasm of my goddamn life last night, but to bring me back to his room after I’d passed out? Who fucking does something like that?
I stumbled out of the elevator, my mind losing all control of rational thought as I frantically navigated my way down the long halls in search of the front desk and access to a phone. I needed to call Alex before he freaked the fuck out and called a damn search party. Because that would go over so well with the media.Famed actress abducted by a male stripper after giving her the most mind-blowing orgasm of her life. Fuck.
Before careening around another corner, following the posted placards along the walls, I paused, attempting to compose myself as much as possible before allowing anyone to get a glimpse of me. I straightened my silk blouse and pulled my skirt down to a reasonable level.Dignity. I still had my dignity. Didn’t I?
As I twisted my hair up into a messy bun and roughly secured it with a removable strap from my bra, I realized I knew this hotel. Levi was staying at The Empress.
With a disgruntled groan, I pulled myself together the best I could and rounded the last corner into the lobby, taking agile steps toward the end of the customer service counter.
“I need a phone.” The words fell out of my mouth like vomit; I didn’t even give the employee a second to acknowledge who the hell I was before I slapped my hand on the marble with my urgent demand. “Now. Please.”
“Oh, Miss Bradley! I’m s-so sorry. I did-didn’t know you were staying with us. Is there something wrong with your room?” The young and timid employee working the customer service desk stumbled over his words as he turned to face me, struggling to maintain his composure as I failed to do the same.
Yes, if you count the mind-melting, orgasm-inducing man in the shower and the lack of a skyline view…
Honestly, now that I thought about it, it didn’t soundthatbad…
Shut the fuck up, Tessa…
“I wasn’t… staying,” I gritted out through clenched teeth, trying not to lose my temper along with my poise. “Phone.Please…” It was never my intention to have to beg, but at this juncture, I really had no choice.
The longer I stood there, the more time I had to think about what got me into this position in the first place—far too much champagne and a man who made me question everything about my goddamn state of mind…
Sex does things to a woman—emotionally, especially breathtaking sex. And with the way Levi handled my body. Fuck, I wanted more—needed more.
That man was a drug that came with a high unlike any other, and for once, I didn’t feel like he expected me to be anything more than what I was at face value, and that was the only kind of attention I craved from anyone anymore. Authentic,real.
I tasted freedom when I bit down on his shoulder, and it was fuckingliberating.
Staring down at the white marble counter swirled with metallic gold veins, I pursed my lips, realigning my thoughts and concentrating on where to go from here. Considering all my endless possibilities, right up until the drawbacks started flooding in…
What if this was all for his gain? Manipulating me into a vulnerable state? What if he took photos while I was asleep? What if he sold them?
For fuck sake. I didn’t want any of that to be true.
And then there was this small part of me that wished he had chased me down to the lobby and instead of allowing me to call for help, dragged my ass back up to his floor, kicking and screaming, before fucking me raw in every corner ofhis—
“The phone, Ma’am. Do you know the number for the individual you are trying to reach?” The employee cleared his throat loudly, and my gaze shot up to find his.
I could feel my cheeks heating as my heart pounded against my chest from my dark and depraved thoughts. I didn’t think getting laid would turn me into a fucking lunatic, and even then, he never actually fucked me with his dick, so does that even count?
Why am I even asking myself that question…
“Y-yes. I can take it from here. Thank you.” My tone dropped an octave as my mind swarmed out of control. I felt drugged, only I wasn’t.
Layers of stress and anxiety were piling on me one by one as I dialed Alex’s number and waited for him to answer—every ring taking longer than the next.
“Hello?”
“Alex!” I whisper-shouted, cupping the mic to my mouth so no one could hear the panic in my voice.
