Capturing Kate by Alexis Alvarez Read Free Book Online Page A

the sandwich. “Neither can hit men. They’re sick and nasty and cruel and cold and evil.” Her shoulders started shaking. “Like that other guy. I could just tell from his voice. I don’t care what his face looked like, I’m sure he resembles the devil incarnate. His evilness would show in his eyes and taint his entire aura. I can’t eat. I’m dying.”
    Sloan came and sat beside her and pulled her into his arms. “Kate. It’s going to be okay,” he soothed, putting his fingers to her neck. Alarmed, she pulled back. “No. Don’t make me pass out again.”
    He stroked. “I did that because you were about to hurt yourself and me. Right now I need you to relax so you can eat. You’ll need the energy. I know this is a strange situation, but I promise, I have no desire to make this last any longer than necessary. My goal is to take down Mancini and close this out, and then I can go home, and you can go home. Okay? We just need to work together until that time so we can make it happen. I need your cooperation on this, Kate. Make this easy on both of us and do what I ask you. Understand?”
    His voice was gentle and iron at once, an order swathed in a request. She nodded and relaxed into his arms for a long time, feeling his heart beat through his shirt. He smelled just like she’d imagined he would, back in the coffee shop, a million years ago, although now she also smelled sweat. It was odd how strong and safe his arms felt, when he was the one responsible for all of her current pain and angst.
    After a few minutes, she took a deep breath and picked up the sandwich, avoiding his eyes, and ate the entire thing without stopping.

Chapter Five
     
     
    She must have fallen asleep, because she woke with a start, yelling, words gurgling in her throat. It was morning; she could tell by the gray light that sifted through the part in the curtains. Rain drummed on the roof, steady. There was a hot body beside her, and as she sat up, sweating, staring around blind, strong arms encircled her. “You’re having a nightmare. It’s all right. You’re safe.”
    Reality flooded back: Sloan. Being tied up. His threats to spank her. Her weird emotions. “This is the nightmare.” She took a deep breath and pulled out of his arms. “Why are we in bed together?”
    “There’s only one bed, and this way I can keep an eye on you.”
    “What if I snuck out at night?”
    “I tied you.” He gestured to the foot of the bed; there was a bondage cuff around her right ankle and a rope attached in some complex knot to the footboard.
    Now fully awake, she jerked her leg and tugged. “You said you’d leave me untied.” She slapped at him. “Let me go.”
    “Careful.” There was a warning in his voice. “When I see you behave today, I’ll give you more freedom.”
    “I’m not a dog.” She tugged at the rope. “I can untie that.”
    “You’re more important than any animal. And if you try to leave, remember what I promised you?”
    She didn’t answer.
    “Kate?”
    “What.” Her voice was sullen.
    “Look at me.” He tipped up her chin, and she caught a glimpse of his bare chest and washboard abs. His muscles rippled and she tore her gaze back up to his eyes. “I said I’d spank you.” His face was stern, but there was humor in his eyes. It almost seemed like he was questioning her without words, checking her reaction. Testing.
    She swallowed hard. “That’s mean.” How did he stay in such perfect shape? She’d never seen such an impressive physique. She wanted to run her hands over those ripples. She saw the telltale V of his abdomen, the way the muscles had a hollow at their side, and she wanted to put her tongue there and lick slowly, make him come undone. And what was worse? He knew it. His little smug smile, the way a muscle clenched in his jaw? He knew. She tore her gaze away.
    He shrugged. “Maybe I’m a mean guy. Don’t push me.”
    “You’d probably like that, spanking me. Do you hit all your