Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

S elena

Kidnapped?

The man had to be kidding me.

I wasn't certain who'd incorrectly told the bullheaded Neanderthal that hogtying women by their wrists and ankles was okay. Let alone the man had shoved a gag into my mouth, a blindfold over my eyes.

Valerio had tossed me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, carrying me through my building as if it was a usual affair.

And not a single person had said a word or tried to stop him.

I was incensed, furious.

Okay, so a part of me was also excited but when he'd dumped me into his trunk, I'd pitched a fit.

Then the bastard had said to me ‘just kidding.' Was the man losing his marbles?

He must have since he'd also fucked me like he owned me. And competition? A war? He was right.

Why did the man arouse me so much? Why did I tingle all over from his earlier rough touch and the realization his scent covered my skin?

Because you're an idiot.

Even with my eyes covered by a blindfold, I rolled them as I hissed at my inner voice. Was it so wrong to enjoy the hotness of a man?

Well, maybe in this case it was. Still. My pussy ached; he was so huge.

But here I was lying in the backseat, trying to get my way out of the restraints. No deal. He was good with far too many things, including rope wrangling. Or maybe I should call it women wrangling.

Either way, I continued to pitch and roll, only succeeding in chafing my wrists. I had no idea if he'd grabbed my already packed bag or not. He better have.

Oh, that made me seem like such a bad ass. I'd had the bag waiting, determining that by agreeing to go with him, maybe I could glean some trade secrets.

But I'd chickened out the moment I'd heard his voice on the other side of the door. For some reason, either he'd felt guilty or liked to hear my voice. He'd ungagged me about fifteen minutes into the trip. Now I had every intention of berating him.

"Let me go," I demanded for the tenth time since he had.

"Soon, sweet cupcake. Soon."

As with every time the man spoke, he was sexy as hell, creating a pool between my legs and a series of goosebumps popping along my arms and legs. What had possessed me to wear so little was beyond me.

My lack of clothing had certainly helped him spank me easily.

And it had hurt like a son of a bitch too.

With his massive palm, he'd been able to cover every inch of real estate on my bruised and aching butt cheeks.

Damn him.

"We're almost to the plane," he said with far too much of a happy lilt in his voice.

"You're taking me on a commercial flight this way? You know I will scream to anyone who will listen that you've kidnapped me."

He acted like he was choking before bursting into laughter. "Not hardly, princess. Do I look like a man who takes a commercial flight?"

Truth be told, no, he didn't.

"You look like an asshole."

"And exactly what does an asshole look like?" he challenged.

"Take a look in the mirror."

He laughed and I sensed he was slowing down. When he made a turn, I bristled. "We have ways of dealing with naughty girls like you."

I didn't want to ask him who the ‘we' portion was. He'd already gotten my goat more than a few times.

"I can't just leave my world without telling people." I tried another tactic.

"If you're very good, I just might allow you to make a few calls. If not, well, I guess your girlfriends will need to wonder about your welfare." He continued slowing and I huffed and rolled.

"You do realize I'll have you arrested."

"Uh-huh." When he stopped the car altogether, cutting the engine, I almost thought I could get out of my wrist bindings but to no avail.

I sensed he was out of the car, slamming the door behind him but he didn't open mine. Where the hell had he gone? He wasn't going to leave me like this. Was he?

Oh, shit.

Maybe fighting him so hard hadn't been in my best interest.

Oh, fuck him. What was I saying?

He was gone for a couple of minutes and I could tell he was opening the trunk. There was also at least one other voice.

"Help me. Help! This crazy man is trying to take me prisoner." Trying? He already had.

Were they laughing together? Oh, my God. They were.

Was anyone paying any attention? I did have a loud voice, especially when I was screeching.

Great. I was screeching.

Way to go.

The conversation outside the vehicle continued for a few seconds. Finally, someone opened the door.

But I still heard nothing for a little while.

"What are you waiting for?" I huffed.

"For you to calm down and act like a lady," Valerio commented. His voice was full of amusement.

Bastard.

"Fine. I'll act like any lady you want me to be if you untie me."

"Oh, I will," he commented and suddenly, he jerked me from the backseat, once again tossing me over his shoulder.

I managed to lift my head, trying to figure out where I was. I heard planes. He had taken me to an airport. He hadn't been teasing me at all. The wind was slightly brisk, the sun warm, and my butt still hurt.

A minute or two later, he walked up a set of stairs and I sensed I was being taken inside somewhere.

"Very good, sir," another man said. "We'll be ready to leave in about five minutes."

"Excellent. Sorry I was a little late. I had some issues to deal with."

"Understood, sir. Just get settled and I'll let you know when we're ready to take off."

"Good deal, Jeff. Go ahead and have Mark close the door."

"Yes, sir."

I found myself suddenly on my feet, and thankfully he was untying my ankles. "Now, I want you to understand something very clearly, Selena. While I enjoy playing our games, perhaps a little too much, we're both businesspeople one way or another. I plan on making you an offer that I honestly think you're not going to want to refuse but, in the meantime, I'll need your full cooperation. Do you think you can do that?" He ripped off his sunglasses, shoving them into his suit jacket, thoroughly amused at what had to be my horrified expression.

A part of me wanted to spout off to him but honestly, I was more than curious what the man was going to offer. Going into business together? That wasn't going to fly with my dad but maybe I could sell some kind of business activity together.

Maybe.

"Yes, I can do that," I told him.

"I'll need to take your word for it."

Within a few seconds, I was completely untied but he eased me onto a seat before removing my blindfold.

Yep. The man had the ability to shock me on just about every level. Given the previous darkness, I had to blink several times. We weren't on any plane. We were in an amazing jet equipped with leather and marble and a bar at the end of the aisle.

"Shit," I whispered.

"I'm glad you approve. Yes, my family likes to go on excursions in style. Call that a perk of being a billionaire."

"So humble too."

He laughed and fastened my seatbelt for me, leaning over so our lips were almost touching. "I am many things and you're going to learn every one of them, cupcake. As I will with you."

"Not a chance, buster. I'll stay locked in my room."

"To use your phrase. Not a chance. Now, I'm going to open a bottle of champagne since we are celebrating. It would be in your best interest if you didn't toss it in my face. Understood?"

The childish antics did need to stop. I was better than that. Maybe slicing his neck would become more my style. The thought allowed another naughty girl smile.

"Don't worry. I'm sure whatever vintage you selected is very expensive. I wouldn't want to waste a single drop on the likes of you."

"Mmm… I guess we shall see."

"What is the point in kidnapping me?" I demanded, trying to keep my eyes off his fantastic butt. What I hadn't paid any attention to before was that he was dressed like one of the hotties from the old Miami Vice series. That might not be considered cool to everyone but whew. With the light cream linen trousers, extremely tight deep coral tee shirt that was stretched over his chest as if begging to be ripped off of his twelve-pack, and the matching jacket with the sleeves rolled up?

Holy hell in a handbasket.

I would sit here in the plushest cowhide leather chair with the softest headrest and bask in the man's carved butt for hours, maybe shifting my gaze along his torso. Except. Except he'd taken me as his prisoner, flying me off to some island where he could shove me into a dungeon if he wanted.

Why did that thought give me a trickle of excitement? What was wrong with me?

"Isn't that obvious?" he asked as he pulled a bottle of champagne from an under-counter refrigerator. He waited until he'd grabbed two flutes, yanking a towel into his hand and opening the bottle the right way before answering. When he slowly turned his head, I was certain the entire rotation of the earth had stopped. "Because I long to spend some quality time with you uninterrupted. A lot of time. Cupcake."

The slight fizzing sound hopefully masked my whispered moan. What I realized at that moment was that he was playing a heightened game with me. Now that we knew our respective identities, he was simply trying to up the ante by seducing me. Did the man actually think his stunning good looks and piercing eyes were going to influence me? Have me fall so hard for him that I would sign away my father's contracts?

The asshole had another think coming.

Two could play this game.

I'd seduce him.

I'd make him want me so badly he'd eat out of my hand. When he was putty, I'd swoop in and learn all his company's trade secrets.

Yeah, that was the ticket.

I'd need to fully develop my acting skills, but I was a very talented girl. I could do anything I wanted. So, I plastered on a smile as he poured two glasses of champagne. The plane was already rolling down the runway but the moving jet didn't seem to bother him as he walked slowly and steadily in my direction.

It was if the man was unflappable.

Damn him.

Meanwhile, I was flustered even though I should secretly and silently remain enraged. But he had the kind of animal magnetism that made me absolutely nuts. It didn't help we'd already had carnal relations.

As soon as he handed me the glass, our fingers touched and several jolts of electricity shot through our arms. I did what I could to not react until he leaned over, taking his time before pressing his lips against mine.

I found it almost hysterical that the plane lurched and he almost fell on top of me. He would have if I hadn't reacted quickly, shoving one hand against his chest. The moment our lips parted, we both took a subtle breath.

"Maybe you should sit down somewhere away from me and put on your seatbelt. Safety is a good thing," I told him.

He was so close, so intoxicating that I was fearful I'd hyperventilate. The bastard refused to move at first, gripping the back of the seat while hovering over me like a vulture.

Why did he have to smell like citrus and all things woody and exotic? And why was it I longed to lick every inch of his body?

"Maybe that's a good idea." His dark whisper was far too husky, adding to my blatant desire.

I acted as if I couldn't care less, pushing him once again. This time, he pulled away but instead of taking one of the other seats away from the row I was sitting in, he chose the one right next to me. He was going to make this tough. Fine. I could handle the heat.

Maybe.

We sat in silence as the pilot lifted the plane from the tarmac. When I gripped the arm of my seat with my free hand, guzzling a portion of my champagne, he chuckled beside me and dared grip my hand. He even had the nerve to intertwine our fingers together.

"Don't worry, cupcake. I will never let anything happen to you."

I was able to turn my head, glaring into his eyes. "What about you?"

"Ah, well, I'm a different story. I'm the man who plans on fulfilling your every need."

"Wow. I was going to say you remind me of a cockroach."

"Ouch. Such an unpleasant thing to say on such a beautiful morning."

He was far too chipper, an attitude I needed to adopt. I took another sip of bubbly, forced to admit I was thoroughly enjoying the flavor and the effervescence. At least I was able to put some additional sass into my tone, even batting my eyelashes. "So, how long is this little flight?"

"About ten hours give or take. Don't worry. My chef made fabulous meals and snacks for us. I assure you we won't grow hungry. And if you get too tired, we can go retire on the king-sized bed where we can get to know each other even better."

I glanced at our combined hands. The bastard was squeezing, enjoying every moment of trying to make me feel uncomfortable.

"I'm not certain you can handle me," I retorted.

"I think you know better."

He was settled deeper into the seat, doing nothing more than basking in a win. "So, I didn't bring that many clothes with me since I was kidnapped."

"Don't worry. Where we're going is a full-service resort. You'll have everything that little black heart of yours requires, including discipline as needed."

I took a few seconds before responding. "Answer me a question."

"Anything, sugar britches."

I'd always had a vivid imagination. All the ways I'd thought about ripping out his eyeballs were vivid and colorful. Right now, I was getting my most creative idea yet. "Are you always this insufferable?"

He leaned over, pushing our arms together, his head far too close. "Always. It's one of the most lovable things about me."

I had to admit as I was grinding my teeth, he was truly the most memorable man I'd ever met.

But not always in a good way.

"How long are you going to keep me your captive?"

"As long as it takes."

"For what? For me to sell out my father and his company? For me provide you with carte blanche permission to take the two or five accounts your father has attempted, very unscrupulously I might add, to steal away?"

There I was losing my cool again.

Play the game, girl. Play the game.

He took his time, his grin infectious while he dared to shift slightly in my direction, rolling the tip of his index finger down my arm. "As long…" When he slowly rolled it across my chest, I found myself sucking in my breath. "As it…" His eyes were hooded, his chest heaving as he continued derailing my resolve, now flicking that same fingertip across my nipple.

Instantly, they both became fully aroused, which was nothing in comparison to the white-hot heat sizzling my core or the damning fact my panties were soaked.

He curled his finger, showing me another very knowing smile while he lifted his gaze.

"Takes for you to completely surrender forever."

Determined to win a few points in this round, I leaned over and pulled his lower lip between my teeth, biting down without hesitation. When I tasted a single drop of his blood, I issued an intense purr.

I purposely waited as I sat back in my seat, rubbing my finger across my lips and acting as if I was a vampire. As I lifted my glass toasting the man, I was actually more fully committed than ever to destroy everything about him. I was pleased as punch he was hanging on my actions.

"Let me make this easy for you, Lone Ranger, or maybe I should start calling you Mr. Grumpy because you're going to need to learn disappointment. Not. On. Your. Life."

He had an entirely different expression on his face all of a sudden. As if I'd pressed all the right buttons, finally realizing just how much of a competition the next few days were going to be. "Oh, I suggest you learn one thing quickly, cupcake. I. Never. Lose."