The Criminal's Captive (Unpunished Book 1) Read online

  Chapter Seventeen

  Levi climbed onto the bed and lay down next to her. For the first time, she felt a little embarrassed, or maybe it was nervousness. She started to rub her hands up her arms, but Levi soon made her more comfortable.

  He grabbed a light blanket from the edge of the bed and covered both of their bodies. Tessa relaxed against his arm when he finally stopped moving. She lightly traced her fingers over a tattoo on his upper arm, sighing. Levi looked down at her, and he looked so calm.

  "Levi, you paid off your boss for me, didn't you? Why?"

  He reached down and brushed some of her dark hair off her shoulder. "Because I already told you. You're mine now. I can't have you involved in any trouble."

  "Yes, yours. But…" She lifted her head. "Why are you so sure?"

  Levi rubbed her shoulder. "Love, you may not know this yet, but I'm a confident man. I know exactly what I want and what I don't. Until now, I was content with this life of crime and excitement. You've changed that and in a dramatic fashion."

  He smiled at her before kissing her forehead. Tessa lay there just thinking for a while. She wasn't questioning her own feelings. In the short time she'd known this man, he'd overtaken her whole being. Her mind was fascinated, and her body craved him. Seeing him in this environment, wealth and luxury, after knowing him as a rough kidnapper only made her fall harder for him.

  What she was wondering was how he had decided he wanted her so quickly? Well, why should it be different for him? I fell hard and fast.

  "Love, stop overthinking it. Let's enjoy the moment together."

  Tessa tilted her head, smiling. "Can a bad guy even be a boyfriend?"

  Levi chuckled before kissing her forehead. "A reformed bad guy can."

  She knew the "boyfriend" word was too soon, but she wanted to gauge how he reacted to it. She saw nothing in his body language to worry her. At least, not yet.

  "But you're done?"

  "Tessa, stop thinking right now."

  She exhaled before snuggling in closer to him, feeling his heat. Tessa took stock of herself for a few seconds. Was she happy in this moment? It was an obvious “yes”. Why shouldn't she just go with it?

  "What if you miss it, though? I mean, what if you want to kidnap another girl?" She felt a bit childish saying that, and it was only half in humor.

  Levi lifted her chin, staring deep into her eyes. She had no trouble reading his sincerity.

  "Love, why would I ever want another girl? Besides, I think you'll be enough adventure for me."

  He reached down and pinched her ass under the cover. Tessa giggled before playfully slapping his shoulder. She snuggled back down, resting her head on his chest. The two of them lay there for a while, him lightly stroking her back.

  "Levi, what happens tomorrow?"

  "What do you mean?" His body tensed under her.

  "I mean, I need to eventually talk to my friends, family … at the very least, my boss. How do I put this?" She lifted her head, furrowing her brow.

  Levi's hand stopped moving on her skin. "You want to know if this is a secret? Are you worried about me getting in trouble?"

  "Well, yes. I mean, it's only been a short time so I'm sure no one has even noticed yet that I'm missing, but … what do I tell people?" She stared into his eyes, trying to judge his mood.

  "Tell them what you want, love. Don't worry about me. No good deed goes unpunished." A slow smirk lifted one side of his face.

  Tessa took a deep breath, then looked over at the wall, thinking. What was there really to tell? Yes, eventually she would most likely tell her mom and sister about her dad's shitty behavior, but Tessa thought she'd like to wait until it was a distant memory. No reason to start a fire now.

  She hadn't missed work yet, and the only person who might know she was MIA was her asshole ex. She hoped he was worried. Tessa hoped he was knocking on her front door or scouring the streets looking for her. A small grin lifted her lips as she pictured it.

  Tessa decided she would call her closest friends tomorrow, just in case Brad had contacted people, looking for her. Otherwise, this was a secret for now. Not just for Levi but for her mental health, as well.

  Tessa turned her attention back on the gorgeous man next to her. "I think I'll just keep everything a secret for now. All's well that ends well."

  Levi started to run his fingers over her skin again. "I know real life will soon alter this—" He squeezed her arm. "—but I'm going to do my best to keep you safe, Tessa." After several minutes of quiet contentment, Levi broke the silence. "Love, are you upset about your dad not paying?"

  She didn't have to think about this answer. Tessa lifted her head. "Why should I be? My knight in shining armor took care of it. Besides, he's never been father of the year material. I'm good."

  A smile tugged on Levi's lips. "Yes, we're both good. And I'm going to make sure we stay that way."

  Tessa leaned down and kissed his shoulder. She had no clue what lay before them, but she wanted to go on the ride with him. If he ended up breaking her heart, she had no doubt it'd be worth it. She looked up at him with a small grin.

  "I know you will, criminal."

  "And what's a criminal without his captive?"

  Levi pulled her up onto his chest and kissed her softly.

  The End

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