Chapter 10 - Parker

I listened to Lev walk away and, a few seconds later, the sound of the lock moving back into place. My knees shook, nearly buckling, and I sagged against the cold shower wall as Lev left the room. What in the hell had just happened? Why had I let it happen?

I was trembling, and soap still clung to my hands and chest. I needed…I needed to rinse off. With legs as strong as wobbly noodles, I reached for the ledge to help keep my balance. My fingers were trembling as finished washing myself off.

Worst was how my pussy ached for Lev to come back—to do more.

I'd never felt the way I did now in my entire life. Turned on, intrigued, that was one thing, this was something else. It was so much more powerful, and I could barely keep myself from calling out for him. I'd enjoyed his hand on me. I wanted it on me for real. I wanted…I wanted him to say those filthy things to me again, making my cheeks burn with embarrassment and arousal.

You're out of your damn mind, Parker.

Shaking my head, I was sure to rinse off completely before I turned off the water and stepped out to find a towel. A black one was slung over the bar on the outside of the shower door, and I yanked it down, wrapping it around myself.

For a few moments, I just stood there on the mat set out right by the shower. I was incredibly worked up—edged right to an orgasm with just the little bit of teasing Lev had done. It was strange and new. I hadn't experienced anything like that. He'd bossed me around, demanded I do whatever he wanted, and…I did.

Why? Why did you do that?

Still, my body hummed. I was slick between my legs, and for just a millisecond, I considered ending the torture that was being so close to a release like this. It would only take a moment, and I'd come. I knew I would. It would hit me like lightning.

"No. Absolutely not."

I seethed as I stared into the middle distance, my eyes finding the thin line of caulk that ran between the marble tiles on the floor.

The room was immaculately clean, all white except for the shower, which was a black marble that contrasted with the bright expanse beyond it. It was minimalist and expensive, each item in there chosen specifically and placed just so. The few black metal accents and a large plant in the corner were the only things that broke up the stretch of white marble. I don't know what else I expected. Lev gave off the air of a man who liked everything to be pristine, kept in its proper place, and used only when he needed it.

Was I going to be the same? Locked away in some room until he wanted to use me?

The memory of Lev's devilish smirk lit up in my mind, and I shivered. I wanted to blame it on the chill from standing there dripping, but I couldn't; despite everything, that sinful glee in his eyes had felt…good. No one looked at me like that.

Abruptly, my body jerked as a shiver racked me, and I found my reflection in the mirror. I couldn't stand there like that anymore. Rubbing the towel briskly over my arms and legs, I dried as best as I could and then ditched the wet underwear. I didn't know what to do with them, so I just dropped them in the trash can near the dual sinks.

Wrapping the towel around my body, I walked into the bedroom. It was empty, so I just sat on the bed.

"This isn't right. I can't just accept this." I whispered the words to myself, scared to make too much of a sound, and I shook my head as my eyes began to burn.

I'd been kidnapped. I couldn't just let that happen, right? What kind of person would I be if I didn't fight back somehow?

The letter opener was still on the counter in the bathroom, and I looked in that direction, seeing the glint of the metal in the bright bathroom light. I considered grabbing it again. But something kept me from retrieving it that I was comfortable examining too much. Instead, I pulled my legs under myself, kneeling on the bed in the towel, and determined to give Lev a piece of my mind when he returned.

If he did at all.

Several minutes passed, and eventually, I had to get up and move under the covers, ditching the damp towel on the ground. My hair was drying slowly, and I knew there was no way it looked even remotely dealt with. I couldn't just brush it to at least detangle the curls, so I combed my fingers through it as I waited for Lev—for anything at all.

Knock, knock, knock.

I jumped, yanking the covers closer around me. Lev wouldn't knock so I just waited, answering with a tiny "yes" when no one spoke.

"Clothes have been delivered. I'm to leave them on the bed once you've put yourself in the bathroom. Understood?"

I recognized the man's voice for the other night. He was the one who had held me down, his grip strong and unyielding. I couldn"t escape even if I tried. He wouldn't be any easier to get rid of. In this moment, I didn"t have any advantage and I knew I needed one if I wanted to make another attempt at escape. So, I waited patiently for the right moment to strike.

"Okay."

I snatched the towel off the ground and held it up as a barrier, careful not to let it touch my skin since it was now ice-cold. Hurrying to the bathroom, I got behind a corner and called out toward the door.

"All right!"

The door unlocked. The loud click made my heart soar with the possibility of escape. Then I heard footsteps in the other room. As I peeked around the wall, I saw the familiar man deposit a large collection of bags on the bed. He was quick, dropping them and turning right around to leave.

I quickly glanced at the letter opener resting on the counter, but by the time I had made a decision on what to do, he had already reached the door and left. He locked it behind him again before leaving.

"Fuck." I sighed. "You're going to need to be braver than that, Parker."

It wasn't any good complaining now, so I just collected myself, took a breath, and went to the clothes on the bed. At least I could get dressed and not be freezing anymore. As I padded to the bed, naked, of course, the first thing I searched for was underwear.

Every single bag was decidedly lacking in that department.

"You've got to be kidding me!"

I'd found a few bras, even a garter and matching stockings, but not a single pair of underwear. I wasn't about to fish the ones I'd thrown out of the trash, either. Oh, I'm going to kill him. I'm going to—

But I immediately shut down that kind of thinking. Sure, I had every right to be pissed. I still was, but being that worked up wouldn't serve me. It was like going into an emergency procedure upset or tired. That shit killed people.

I stood at the foot of the bed and breathed deeply, collecting myself. I was great under pressure, and Lev was going to find that out firsthand.

"First things first. Clothes."

Reaching for the bag I'd knocked off the mattress, I found the simple sheer bra I'd noticed before. I was surprised to see that Lev had basically gotten the size right. It was more of a bralette, truly, with an adjustable, stretchy back. Still, the cups were actually large enough to hold my breasts comfortably.

He did get a rather intimate appraisal, though, didn't he?

Securing the small clasp at the front of the bra, I maneuvered things around until I felt thoroughly contained by the pale pink fabric. It was soft and wouldn't show too much behind a thin shirt. I still had the trouble of bottoms, however.

I dug through the bags again and found a thin white blouse. Yanking it on over my head, I was satisfied with how it hung over the bra, so I returned to the impromptu wardrobe for pants or something. They were in short supply, and the pair I did find were more like pajamas or workout attire.

"Of course." I rolled my eyes, instead pulling out the black pencil shirt I'd seen before.

Slipping it on over my hips, the fit was a bit snug, but purposefully so. It hugged my curves, and as I looked over my shoulder, I noticed the small slit that ran up the back between my legs. It was a dangerous choice, considering the lack of underwear.

Still, all of the clothes Lev had picked would be just as problematic. I debated about tossing the garter in the trash with my underwear but decided against it, settling for pulling on short ankle boots that were included and a slim jacket.

The blazer-like option was thinner than a usual coat, and it fit loosely over the blouse I chose. Regardless, it provided another layer between me and Lev when I did see him again, and I smoothed my hand down the soft tan fabric.

Everything was beautifully made, and I had to admit that it must have cost Lev a pretty penny for all of it.

"Good," I snarked to myself.

When I was good and dressed, I was ready to face the next challenge that Lev had planned for me. I just wished I had any idea about what it might be.