The Abduction of Kelsey (2 page)

To think how he’d groveled and pleaded for Emily to take him back. Recalling it now still left him sick with humiliation. She had cut him to the bone with that restraining order, but, as his mother had been fond of saying, everything happens for a reason.

After the breakup, James had promised himself he would wait until he found the right girl—a kindred spirit who understood that true love was all-encompassing and for life. Emily’s betrayal had been the best thing that ever happened to him, as it left his heart free for Kelsey.

Now he just needed to find a way to let her know they could be together, even if he was her superior at work. Soon, soon, he promised himself, he would find the right moment to make his move. Then he would make all his dreams, and hers, come true.

~*~

The moment came sooner than he’d expected. It was the last Thursday of the month, and the crew was going out for their usual monthly happy hour excursion. James suspected the tradition had evolved for Thursdays instead of Fridays because his colleagues saved their Fridays for their real friends, but he had kept this perhaps uncharitable speculation to himself. James always forced himself to attend this event for at least a few minutes, aware he needed to be seen as accessible by his staff. Today, however, was no hardship, as Kelsey was also going. She’d glanced at him, smiling shyly after she’d told Anna Green, who sat just behind her in the office, that she would be joining them for a couple of beers that evening.

The rest of the day passed with agonizing slowness, the minutes inching forward like hours as James waited restlessly for five o’clock. There were seven of them going to Sal’s Pub that evening, and they all walked together to the elevator and rode down to the lobby. James stood beside Kelsey, keenly aware of the fresh scent of her shampoo, and her shoulder lightly touching his arm in the crowded elevator car.

Once at Sal’s, they were ushered to a large booth near the bar by the waitress. James was deeply annoyed when Mark pushed his way past James and plopped down beside Kelsey.

James consoled himself by sliding into the opposite side of the booth so he could at least face the girl of his dreams. Their knees were nearly touching beneath the table. If he’d dared, he could have reached over and touched her. The thought sent a jolt of electricity to his cock. Kelsey chose that moment to look up at him. As she graced him with her angelic smile, he
knew
, in his bones, that there was something between them. And tonight was the night they would make it real.

It took all his self-control not to warn Mark to keep his hands, his dirty thoughts and his eyes to himself. He had overheard the bastard talking about Kelsey in the men’s restroom to Albert from accounting, unaware James was sitting in a stall.

“You seen the new girl? She’s hot, man. I think she’s into me.”

Albert, bless him, had laughed. “You think every girl in this place is into you, Mark. What’s Beth got to say about that?”

“My wife’s interested in a three-way,” Mark had claimed, though James, who had met the tight-lipped, perennially pissed-off Beth, highly doubted this.

They ordered pizza and two pitchers of beer. Jackets were discarded and ties loosened as the pitchers were emptied and filled again. Mark kept refilling the mugs of the three women at the table, though his attentions were clearly most focused on Kelsey, which annoyed the shit out of James. He decided he would quietly see about getting Mark transferred out of his department, even if he had to lie to get it done.

A few of the party left after the pizza was gone, and then a few more, until only James, Mark and Kelsey remained. James glanced pointedly at his watch. “It’s nearly eight. Won’t your
wife
be wondering where you are?”

Mark started to deny this, but just then his cell phone chirped. He glanced at it with a scowl, but took the call. Though he turned away from them, James could still make out his words. “Yeah, honey. Long day at the office, but sure, I’ll be home soon. Yeah, I won’t forget the bread and milk. Okay. Yes, okay. See you soon.”

He swiveled back toward them with a rueful grin. “Guess I’ll leave you single folks to it. Duty calls.” He slid out of the booth and reached into his jacket. Pulling out his wallet, he extracted a few bills and dropped them on the table. “See you tomorrow.”

Once he was gone, Kelsey pulled out her cell phone and glanced down at it. “Wow, I didn’t realize it was so late. I have to be going too. I don’t want to get stranded downtown after the last bus.”

This was the moment, his cue, and, heart pounding, he took it. “I could give you a ride. My car’s parked in the garage at the end of the block. It’s no trouble.” He held his breath.

“Oh, I couldn’t ask you to do that,” Kelsey said. “But a ride to the bus stop would be great.” Her cheeks were flushed, her emerald green eyes bright. She brought a hand to her face, pushing away the loose strand of hair that had sprung from her French braid.

James realized he’d been staring, and he tore his gaze away from her to focus on the bill the waitress had just placed on the table. “I think I had a few too many,” Kelsey said with a laugh. “How about you? You okay to drive?”

James glanced up from the cash he’d been counting, thrown on the table by the others as they’d left, which totaled about two-thirds of what they’d owed. He didn’t care. He was with Kelsey! He was going to give her a ride to the bus stop, or, if he could convince her, all the way to her apartment.

“Me?” James offered a confident smile. “Sure, I’m fine. Let me just settle up this bill and I’m good to go.”

Kelsey reached for her purse. James stopped her by placing his hand over hers. Oh god, her skin was so soft. “This one’s on me, okay?”

She looked as if she was about to protest, but he caught her gaze in his and smiled gently. She pulled her hand slowly from beneath his and nodded. “Okay. Thanks. That’s really nice of you, James.”

James
. He loved when she said his name. It sounded sexy in her mouth, like the promise of something more.

She sidled from the booth and turned to face him with a smile. “I’ll just pop to the ladies’ room, okay? Then we can go.”

“No problem. I’ll be waiting.” James watched her walk away, drinking in the sight of her small but shapely ass as she glided like a geisha through the crowd. He refused to entertain a sudden niggling thought that she might not come back. Clearly she’d stayed late just so they would be the last two at the table. It was up to him, as the man, to make the next move.

He was waiting by the table when she returned. She’d reapplied her lipstick and smoothed back her hair. Her cheeks were still flushed and her eyes were shining. Her suit jacket was flung over her arm, and she’d opened the top two buttons of her blouse. James’ fingers itched with the sudden desire to push her down against the table so he could claim her then and there. He shook away the image, hoping she wouldn’t notice his sudden erection in the dim light of the bar.

He dared to place a hand lightly on her lower back as they pushed their way through the loud, drunken throng. It was a welcome relief to breathe the air outside, in spite of the fumes from a nearby bus. They walked in companionable silence to the car garage and James exercised every ounce of self-control to keep from reaching for her hand, or worse, pulling her into his arms.

Not yet
, he warned himself.
Not yet
.

He felt lightheaded and almost reckless, and realized he, too, had had too much to drink. But so what? It only gave him the added courage he needed to make his move. Because tonight was the night. He was sure of it.

When they got to the garage, he led her to the small elevator that would take them to the top floor where he always parked. At this hour the place would be nearly deserted. As the elevator lurched upward, again he exercised all his self-control to keep from pressing her against the wall and kissing her.

As they walked through the empty garage toward his car, James clicked the button on his key fob to unlock the doors of his car, which flashed its lights in greeting as they approached. “I wish you’d let me take you all the way home. I don’t like the idea of you waiting for a bus at this hour. The crazies come out at night, you know.”

“Well, if you’re sure it’s not too much trouble,” Kelsey said hesitantly.

“It would be my pleasure,” James assured her, already imagining her inviting him up to her apartment. They would share a nightcap. She would smile shyly at him and lift her face for a kiss. When their lips touched, they would both know beyond a doubt that they belonged together as man and wife.

As they approached the car, Kelsey gave him her address and directions to her place, not that he needed them. The garage was empty and silent, save for the clacking of her heels against the concrete. The moon had risen and was shining in through the wide slats in the walls, casting a pearly glow over everything. Kelsey stood by the car like a shimmering angel.

James hadn’t meant to do it, but somehow he found himself pressing Kelsey gently against the car, his hands on her shoulders. He dipped his head, unable to stop himself, the need to kiss her suddenly overwhelming him. A small voice whispered to wait, but James could wait no longer.

“Hey!” Kelsey twisted from him, turning her head sharply away. “James! Stop it. What’re you doing?”

“What I’ve wanted to do since the moment I saw you.” He tried to pull her back into position.

“James, cut it out. You’re drunk. Look, I can just take the bus—”

James came suddenly to his senses. Holy shit, what the hell was he doing? His timing was off. He was going to blow this before it had begun. He tried desperately to backtrack. “Please forgive me. I lost my head for a second. You’re right. This isn’t the place. I—I got carried away. You’re just so beautiful, Kelsey.”

He realized Kelsey was backing away from him. She wasn’t smiling. No, if anything, she looked horrified. Horrified! Like he was some kind of sex fiend or ax murderer or something. What the fuck? After all they’d shared? All the secret glances, the knowing smiles? What about tonight? She’d waited, along with him, until they could be alone at last.

Yeah, so he’d jumped the gun a little, but it wasn’t like he’d whipped his dick out in the parking lot or anything. What was her problem?

She began to shake her head. “Look, I’m sorry if we got our wires crossed or something, but I’m not interested in you in that way, James. You’re my
boss
. And anyway, I’m not looking for a relationship right now. Let’s just forget this happened and…”

Her mouth continued to move, but James could no longer hear the words. The blood was roaring in his ears. He felt like he was going to explode. Rage hurtled through his loins and his hands clenched into fists at his sides.

This couldn’t be happening. She couldn’t be like the rest of them—just another prick tease, another fluff ball with nothing in her head or heart. How could he have gotten it so wrong? He brought his fists to his chest and pressed hard. His heart felt as if it had collapsed in a hard, tight ball in his chest.

Without realizing what he was doing, James reached for Kelsey. He grabbed her arms and pulled her toward him. “James! You’re hurting me. Let go!”

He didn’t let go. He dragged her back to the car and managed to pull open the passenger door, while still keeping her in a tight grip. He shoved her into the car and slammed the door. He pressed the lock button on the key fob while he sprinted around to the driver’s seat. She was still trying to get the door open when he pressed the child lock button that only he controlled from the driver’s side. Kelsey wasn’t going anywhere.

Still blind with rage and grief, he started the engine and gunned the gas. Skillfully he maneuvered the car rapidly down the spiraling exit ramp toward the ground floor as if his life depended on it. Kelsey pawed at his arm while he drove. “Let me out!” she screeched. “James, what are you doing? Stop the fucking car!” She fumbled in her purse and pulled out her cell phone. James grabbed it from her hands and threw it in the backseat.

Keeping one hand tight on Kelsey’s arm, James drove as quickly as he dared down the city streets and onto the highway that led to his home, thankfully only ten minutes from the office. A vein pulsed at his temple, beating time to Kelsey’s caterwauling. Somehow he made it to his driveway.

He let go of Kelsey long enough to use the garage door remote that was clipped to his sun visor. He slid the car into the garage and pressed the button again to close them off from the world.

James turned to the beautiful, trembling girl beside him. His heart was pounding, his cock throbbing at full erection. He felt more alive than he ever had in his life.

Kelsey grabbed for the door handle, wrenching it hard in her effort to get the damn thing open. Her fingers fumbled ineffectually with the lock.

Beside her, James threw his door open and raced around to the passenger side of the car. Acting purely off instinct, Kelsey changed her strategy, reaching wildly for the lock button. But James held the key, and Kelsey nearly fell out of the car as he jerked the door open. He dragged her from the car. As she tumbled out, her jacket and purse fell from her arm and she lost a shoe.

Unaware or indifferent to this, James yanked her through the door and into the house. This couldn’t be happening. It just could not be happening.

Breathlessly, Kelsey cried, “James, please, James! Whatever you’re doing, you have to stop. This is crazy. I know you don’t want to hurt me.” But did she know that? Kelsey tried to jerk out of his tight hold, but he was strong, much stronger than she would have thought. “You’re drunk. You don’t know what you’re doing. Please,” she entreated, “I promise I won’t call the police if you’ll just—”

“The police?” James’ face was a mask of incredulous anger. “How dare you? After all we’ve been though together! You have no idea…” He pressed his lips together and angrily shook his head. “What, don’t tell me you’d rather be with that prick, Fowler Chandler, is that it? Don’t think I don’t know about him, and Steve and Frank, too. What other poor slobs have you been leading on? How many other hearts have you casually stepped on and ground into the dirt?” His grip tightened on her arms. “Well, you picked the wrong person this time, you bitch!”