Leaning into him, giving in to him, she wrapped her arms around his neck. At her nonverbal submission, his kiss intensified. His hands swept down to her butt as he backed her up against the wall, pressing his erection into her hip.
Then—BOOM!
The lights went out. The elevator jerked to a halt. Muffled shouts and yells sounded around them—not panicked she noted immediately, not screams, but urgent voices nonetheless.
She blinked, her eyes adjusting to the pitch-black darkness that surrounded her. She reached for Wesley.
“What the hell,” she whispered.
He grabbed her hand. “Power’s out.”
Her mouth dropped. “No freaking way.”
“Way.”
“But the boom, the pop?”
“Lightning took out the power.”
As he said it, she heard the howl of the wind whipping outside, and the buzz of hail hurling onto the roof above them.
“Oh, my God. Wesley. We’re in a freaking elevator!” Panic—claustrophobia—began to squeeze her chest. They were stuck in an elevator, which happened to be one of her worst nightmares. Oh, God, did she need to pee?! She stilled for a moment, scanning her body. No. Okay, she was good there, thank God.
A bright light filled the small space, and she squinted at the cell phone in his hand. They had light. She reached into her pocket.
“Wait… don’t turn yours on. We need to conserve battery.”
She froze. “Conserve battery? How long do you think we’ll be stuck here?”
His lack of response was answer enough.
“Hold the light.”
She grabbed the phone from him and watched as he tried to pry open the doors, with no luck. He looked around. “We’re going to need something to pry it open. Do you have anything in your purse?”
She squatted down and searched through her bag. “A pen?”
He grinned, which instantly calmed her. “Don’t think a pen is going to cut it.”
She let out a sigh. “Then, no, that’s all I have. You can’t pry it open?” She sank onto the floor, the gold chiffon of her dress falling around her.
“No, this elevator is from the damn dark ages. We’ll need someone to pry it open from the outside, and we’ll crawl out. I’m going to yell, don’t pee yourself.”
She rolled her eyes and smirked as he called out several times, with no response. She could still hear muffled voices, but they sounded a least a few floors down.
“Where do you think we are?”
“I’d say close to the fourth floor… although,” he looked at her, a twinkle in his eye. “I’d kinda lost track of time.”
I kinda lost track of myself, time, the universe, everything around me, she thought. She felt the heat begin to rise to her cheeks as he stared down at her, the corner of his lip curling up. She tore her eyes away. He’d just had his hands all over her ass and now they were stuck in an elevator.
Alone.
He yelled out again.
A minute passed.
Tried one more time—nothing.
“We’ll keep calling out.” He clicked off the cell phone, and everything went dark.
A moment of silence, stillness, ticked by. The buzz of heavy rain drowned out the distant voices. Thunder boomed. She could feel the electricity in the air but wasn’t sure if it was from the storm, or the sexual tension shooting between them.
The elevator creaked as he slid down next to her.
Another minute slid by.
“You okay?” He broke the silence, his voice low and soft.
“Yeah.” She nodded, forgetting he couldn’t see her through the darkness. Hell, she couldn’t even see her hand in front of her face.
Another pause.
“With everything?” He asked.
The kiss, you mean. Her pulse picked up, again. “Yes,” she whispered.
“Me, too.”
She stared into the blackness anticipating his touch, and when she felt his fingers lightly sweep up her arm, goosebumps erupted over her body. He pulled her to him. Her eyes desperately searched the inky air around them, wanting to look into his beautiful face, but instead, she found herself letting go. Allowing him to lead her in an erotic dance through the darkness. Every sense, excluding sight, was heightened. She smelled him—smelled the musky scent of his skin. That all-male scent that drove her crazy. She heard the soft sound of his breath, inhaling, exhaling as he drew her closer. She felt his fingertips on her face, and then she felt his lips on hers. The warmth of his mouth, the fireworks in her head as his lips slid over hers. Less soft and sensual this time, more passion, more heat. Everything else faded away, everything else except for an insatiable hunger for the man next to her. A hunger she’d never felt before.
His hand swept up her velvet bodice, onto her breast. She arched like a feline.
Grab it. And he did, just before he reached around and slowly slid down the zipper. Her pulse skyrocketed as the fabric loosened around her and fell to her waist. She held her breath, waiting for his touch, and when he cupped her bare breasts, a shiver rushed over her.
She fumbled with his belt and slid off his pants as he impatiently worked her dress down. Within seconds she had him undressed, her clothes were off, and she instantly realized there was a wonderful freedom that came with the darkness. She didn’t have to worry about a bloated stomach, the size of her breasts, or the few stubborn spots of cellulite on her butt. She was free to just be who she was, and with that thought, an unexpected confidence took over her. She got onto her knees and pressed his back against the wall, pinning him. She worked her way between his legs and leaned into his neck, licking, sucking, nipping, while pressing her breasts against him.
He tipped his head back and groaned.
She took his erection in her hand, squeezed and stroked as she licked her way down his chest, down his rippled six-pack, and finally between his legs. He sucked in a breath as she tasted him, filling her mouth.
“Fuck, Gwen,” He breathed, as she slid back and forth. He squirmed, then gripped her and pulled her to him. His lips crushed into hers as she crawled over him, straddling him, spreading her legs widely, hovering above his rock-hard cock. He cupped her ass, firmly, pressing her against him. His face was on her neck now, kissing, kissing, kissing.
She leaned back as he swept a hand between them and inserted a finger, and another, then rubbed the wetness over her clit, tiny, soft circles over the sensitive bud. Tingles flew over her skin. She gasped for air as he pressed harder, rubbed faster. Her head swam with the euphoric sensation taking over her body, the heat building and building between her legs. She rocked against him, unable to contain the energy coursing through her veins.
“Wesley.” She screamed out as the orgasm sliced through her.
The waves of pleasure had barely stopped when he gripped her waist, positioned her lower and speared into her. Her breath caught as he filled every inch of her.
Blissfully dazed, she relaxed onto him, opening the river of wetness to him.
“God, Gwen.” He whispered as he pumped into her, his hands gripping her hips so tightly she felt his nails pressing into her skin. She rode him, hard, the friction against her clit driving the daze of her first orgasm away. They panted, gulping for air, moving together, their sweat-slicked skin enhancing every sensation.
She felt him tense beneath her, and she knew he was close. She bucked, ground against him, the tingles burning.
And then she released, for the second time, as his hot liquid filled her up.
Breathless, she rested her forehead on his shoulder. Oh. My. God. were the only three words her brain could work up.
Between breaths, he kissed her head, then lightly tipped up her chin, and kissed her again. She slithered off him and collapsed on the floor.
He laid his hand over hers and took a deep breath. Although it was dark as coal, she felt him staring at her.
“Stay with me tonight.” He said.
She smiled. “Assuming we
ever get out of this elevator.”
“Yes, assuming.” He tugged at her hand—come here.
“Wes, I’m soaked to the bone.”
He leaned over, grabbed her face and kissed her cheek. “I like it.”
“Stop.” She laughed as she pulled on her panties—better than nothing. He did the same, into his boxers and pulled her to him, again. This time, she settled in the little nook between his arm and chest.
A few minutes passed.
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “I feel like a wet washcloth, dizzy, even.”
“Adrenaline crash. Been a hell of a night.”
“I don’t think it’s just an adrenaline crash.” She smiled.
He kissed her forehead and lightly rubbed her arm. “My sister taught me yoga breathing. You ever tried it?”
“Ujjayi.”
“You, what?”
She laughed. “That’s what it’s called. Ujjayi. And yes, I’ve done it many times. I take a hot yoga class when I’m in town. But I think it’s going to take a lot more than Ujjayi breathing right now. Today’s been… a lot.”
“Which is exactly why you need to try to relax right now. We’re safe.” He chuckled. “Literally, no one can get us.”
She looked up at him, through the darkness. “Do you always do this?”
“Do what?”
“Make light of shit situations so others won’t worry. Carry the weight of it so others don’t have to.”
He paused for a moment. “There’s a lot of bad in the world. Genuine evil. I’ve seen it up close and personal. I guess… I want to shield people from that.”
“I’ve seen it too, Wes.” Her voice was low and soft.
He stilled next to her.
“Do you ever have nightmares?” She asked.
He paused and seemed to force himself to answer. “Some nights are worse than others.”
“Same here. It drives me though, you know? Makes me work that much harder. Pushes me.”
“I know exactly what you mean.”
“I try not to make it personal. Not to get emotions involved, but it’s tough. I do become invested, and when I’m able to help move an investigation forward, it just makes it all worth it. It’s the best feeling in the world.”
“But, before too long, it begins to define you. To take over.” He said it as if he was saying it into the darkness. Words that have been locked inside of him, finally being released. “You are the mission, and nothing else. It completely takes over.”
“Is that why you left?”
Another pause. “Yes. I wanted to make another life for myself.”
“And you’ve done it, and based on the gossip I’ve heard, you’ve done a damn fine job of it.” She lightly grabbed his hand. “But it still defines you, doesn’t it? Deep down?”
She heard him swallow deeply.
“Don’t let it.”
He took a breath and kissed the top of her head. “Doesn’t feel that easy sometimes.”
She kissed the top of his hand. “For what it’s worth, you can always call me. Middle of the night when you can’t sleep, whatever. I guarantee you, I’m either hovered over case files of murdered bodies or having nightmares of one. I’ll always understand.”
He squeezed her. “Dammit, Gwen.”
“What?”
“You just came out of nowhere, you know that?” He kissed the crown of her head, again.
“Right back at you.”
A few minutes slid by.
“Have you ever thought about slowing down, though?” He asked. “I left my job that was twenty-four-seven. You’re still in yours.”
She took a deep breath. “According to my mom, and the endless pints of Ben and Jerry’s I eat on Saturday nights, yeah, I probably should slow down a bit. At least travel less.”
“Allow time for other things in your life.”
“Exactly.”
“So that it doesn’t define you.”
“Touché.” She nestled deeper into his chest. “Can I tell you a secret?”
“Does it involve me and a pair of fuzzy handcuffs?”
She laughed. “No.”
“A naughty teacher costume? Or in your case, maybe a bug costume?”
She slapped his arm. “No.”
“Okay, fine. Go ahead.”
“I’m thinking about taking some time off after this little adventure you’ve got me on.”
“Yeah? I one hundred percent encourage that. Where to?”
“Hawaii.”
He blew out a whistle. “One of the best places for some relaxing time off.”
“You’ve been?”
“A few times. It’s beautiful. You really should do it.”
“If we ever get out of here.”
“Yeah… might be a bit… ”
“Don’t say that. The electricity could come back on any second.”
“Maybe,” he said, but she knew he didn’t believe it. The mountain was closed. Who was going to fix it?
He stroked her arm. “Try to get some sleep. I’ll wake you if anything happens.”
CHAPTER 19
“Kaylee… Kaaaylee?!”
Wesley jerked awake.
“Kaylee?”
Gwen raised her head off his chest. He sat up and silently pulled on his pants and shoes. The shouts were close, either on the floor above or below them. He picked up his gun and slid it into his waistband.
“Kayleeeeeee?”
“Who…” Gwen whispered.
“That’s Lydia. The brunette you met with Kaylee earlier.” Earlier, or yesterday… what the hell time was it? He pushed to his feet and clicked on his cell phone as Gwen pulled on her dress—4:17 a.m.
After Gwen had fallen asleep in his arms, he’d stayed awake, hypersensitive to all the creaks and groans of the old building around them and decided there was a positive and a negative to their entrapment. The negative was that he couldn’t hunt down the son of a bitch that slashed his tires, and Leena Ross’s throat. The positive was that Gwen was safe. And after what had just happened between them, the stakes had been significantly raised. Everything had changed. As he’d felt the heavy rise and fall of her chest, her little body curled perfectly into his, he felt an overwhelming protectiveness to not only keep her safe but to protect the romance now happening between them. From the moment he’d laid eyes on her, in her mad-scientist goggles and over-sized lab coat, she’d grabbed him. Pulled at him and didn’t let go. Truth was, he’d wanted to have sex with her within the first five seconds of meeting her, but he never expected to feel the way he did after.
As she’d slept, his mind drifted to crazy daydreams of taking her to the park, to the movies, cooking her breakfast. Doing normal couple things. Taking her on that vacation to Hawaii. He’d fantasized about what he was going to do to her the next time he got her clothes off and had even considered waking her up for round two. But he’d let her sleep, while he planned out the next ten years of their lives. He’d smelled her hair, stroked her head, and thought of what he would do if anyone ever touched a single strand of that beautiful hair. He wouldn’t allow it. Not now, not ever. No one was getting through those elevator doors without him allowing it. And with that comfort, sometime around two in the morning, he’d drifted to sleep.
He slid his phone into his pocket, stepped to the doors and cupped his hands. “Lydia?”
Nothing.
“Lydia!” He repeated.
Footsteps pounded the floor. “Hello?”
“Lydia! In the elevator!”
The steps raced down the hall, stopping directly in front of them.
“Wesley?! Is that you?” The light of her flashlight bounced through the crack in the door.
“Yes. We’re stuck. We need you to pry open the doors, okay?”
“You’ve been stuck the whole time?”
“Yep. You’re going to need to find a tool. What floor are we on?”
“Almost to the fourth. Have you seen Kaylee?” Her vo
ice pitched with panic and his stomach filled with dread.
“Last I saw her she was with you. We’ve been in here ever since. What’s going on?”
“She's missing, Wesley.” Her voice quivered. “Since, like, nine o’clock. I can’t find her anywhere.” She began sobbing. “It’s been all night, Wesley.”
Gwen grabbed his arm.
“Okay, Lydia, you’ve got to get me out of here so I can help you look for her, okay? Listen to me. I’m going to tell you what to do, okay?”
“Okay.” She sniffled.
“There’s a utility closet at the end of the hall. See if there’s something long and thin to use to pry the door open. Strong, metal.”
A moment of silence ticked by. “Like what?”
“I think there’s potted plants and shrubs on the balcony, I bet there’s gardening tools or something in there. Look for a shovel. Something like that.”
“Oh. Okay… I’ll be right back.” Her footsteps faded down the hall, and every instinct in Wesley’s body surged to life. Something was wrong.
“Wes…”
“It’s okay. We’ll get out of here, and the sun will be up before you know it.” He reached for her face and kissed her. “I’ll get you out of here. It’s okay.”
“But, Kaylee… what if…”
“Found a shovel!” The footsteps returned.
“Good job. Now, wedge the end of the shovel in the crack and use the handle as leverage to pry it open.”
“Okay!”
Wesley watched anxiously as the tip of the metal hit the door, about six inches from the crack. Then, again, the same distance from the bullseye on the opposite side of the crack. After one more miss, he guessed Lydia had spent the majority of her time “looking for Kaylee” at the bar.
Finally, the fourth strike hit, and after a few grunts, the crack gave. He shoved his fingers inside and ripped the door open. Her flashlight blinded him.
“Good job Lydia. Move your light a bit.” She did, and he assessed the situation. They were exactly midway between the third and fourth floor, which meant he’d have to heave Gwen up on his shoulders and hoist her onto the floor. It also meant that if the electricity happened to turn on while he was doing so, she’d be crushed.
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