Chapter 12

When they returned to the hotel, she moved towards him, her arms winding around his neck as she leaned up to kiss him. Her kiss was insistent, almost desperate.

She craved this final night with him, yearned to feel his touch, to experience what it was like to be loved by a man who was good and kind.

She wanted to remember his kiss, his touch, knowing she would never see him again. “Kyle, make love to me,” she whispered, her gaze meeting his as their lips parted.

There was a desperation in her eyes, in her voice. Her eyes were welling up with tears. He cradled her face in his hands, his thumbs gently stroking her skin.

He pulled her face towards his and kissed her. His desire mounting, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bedroom.

He set her down and turned her around so he could unzip her dress.

He took his time, kissing the back of her neck, sliding the straps of her gown down her shoulders, letting it pool at her feet.

She wasn’t wearing a bra. His hands moved around to cup her breasts as he continued to kiss her neck. He felt her arm lift, her hand brushing the side of his head as she let out a soft moan.

He turned her around, lifted her up, and laid her down on the bed. She lay there in only her panties, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

He discarded his clothes as quickly as he could and climbed into bed, positioning himself over her.

With his hands cradling her face, he lowered his lips to hers. His kiss was deep, passionate, claiming her lips as his own.

She traced her fingers up and down his back, reveling in the sensation of his naked body against hers.

Their skin, warm and touching, was the most incredible feeling she had ever experienced. His hand between her legs, rubbing against her pussy, sent her body into a throbbing frenzy.

She needed him inside her. The need was so intense that she reached down, took hold of his hard cock, and guided him inside her.

“Kyle, I need you. Take me now.”

He didn’t need her to say it. He wanted her as much as she wanted him. Kissing her, he began to thrust into her, feeling her heat envelop his shaft as her walls tightened around him.

Her legs were wrapped around him, her arms clinging to him as he thrust harder and faster inside her.

His muscles tensed, straining as he rode her until he heard the sweet moans escaping from her lips. Then he too reached his climax.

Breathing heavily, his heart pounding and sweat dripping from his forehead, he collapsed, his full weight pressing down on her.

Sensing he was about to roll off her, she tightened her grip on him, her arms refusing to let him go. “Don’t move off me yet,” she murmured, kissing his shoulder.

He felt a wave of sadness from her. It was almost as if she was trying to say something. It felt like a goodbye. Shifting his weight onto his elbows, he looked down at her.

“You look so sad. There’s no need to be sad. We still have a week together after we get back home.”

She ran her hands over his shoulder.

“I know. It’s just that these past three weeks have been amazing. I’ve had the best time of my life, and I want you to know that I enjoyed every minute with you.

“I’ll never forget you or how tender and kind you were to me,” she said. A sob escaped her, and she looked at his chest, avoiding his gaze. “I hope you don’t forget me.”

“I’ll never forget you,” he promised. Lowering his head, he kissed her before rolling off and onto his side, pulling her close.

“Quit that job. It’s not for you. I can offer you a job at my hotel or the casino. The pay is good.”

She rested her head on his chest. “I’m tired. Can we talk later?” she asked, knowing she wouldn’t be there when he woke.

“Okay, we’ll continue this conversation tomorrow,” he agreed, closing his eyes.

He was determined to convince her to quit the site and find a job that was less degrading. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

She lay awake, listening to his steady breathing and the hum of the alarm clock. Earlier, she had slipped out from under his arm and watched him. The tears that fell from her eyes soaked her pillow.

When she was sure he was deeply asleep, she moved as quietly as she could and got out of bed.

She dressed in the jeans and top that were draped over the chair next to the bed, keeping her eyes on him to ensure he wasn’t waking up.

She slipped into her jacket and walked to the door, pausing to look back at him, tears streaming down her face.

She knew she had fallen in love with him, but she couldn’t stay. He didn’t love her, and there was no way she could return to America.

“I’m so sorry, Kyle. Goodbye,” she whispered under her breath.

Earlier that day when he had gone out, she’d packed a small bag with just a few clothes and had it hidden under the kitchen cabinet.

She retrieved it and, careful not to make any noise, moved towards the front door. His wallet was on the small table along with the car keys.

She picked up the wallet, opened it, and took out the bundle of cash that was inside. She left him a note, apologizing.

Just as she turned the doorknob and the door opened a crack, it was slammed shut. She gasped and looked up at a very angry man.

“You going somewhere?” he demanded, then saw the money in her hand. “And you’re stealing from me.”

“Kyle, I’m sorry.”

He snatched the money and tossed it aside, scattering it everywhere.

“Why are you sneaking away in the middle of the night? And how can you steal from me after everything I’ve done for you? Well, you’re not going anywhere, lady.”

“Kyle, keep the money. Just let me go,” she pleaded between sobs.

Seeing her cry and how frightened she was, his anger subsided. He gripped her shoulders. “Kiera, you have to tell me what you’re so scared of. Who are you running away from?”

She shook her head, refusing to meet his gaze. “I can’t tell you. Don’t make me go back there, to them.”

He shook her, forcing her to look at him. “Let me help you.”

“You can’t save me. Nobody can,” she confessed, her gaze meeting his.

“I can, but only if you let me in.” He cradled her face in his hands. “You need to trust me.”

“It’s a long tale,” she replied, her body sagging.

“Let’s get comfortable, and I’ll fix us a strong drink.” He guided her to the couch, making sure she was seated before he went to pour them both a shot of whiskey.

Normally, he wouldn’t offer her the hard stuff, but he figured she needed something more potent than beer or wine. “Now, start from the beginning.”

“When my mom passed away, I ended up homeless, living on the streets. Sometimes, I stayed in shelters when there was room.

“I was waitressing, but lost the job because my mom would show up high, causing a scene. That was before she died, of course.

“I met this guy, Charlie. He was kind, and he took me to get something to eat. We talked, and he offered me a place to stay.

“Living on the streets was terrifying, so I thought staying with him was a better option, and I moved in with him. We soon became intimate.

“It was good for a while, until one day he brought another man home, said they wanted a threesome. When I refused, Charlie kicked me out, and I was back on the streets.”

She finished her drink and asked for another one.

He got up and poured her a drink but diluted it, knowing she wasn’t accustomed to hard liquor.

“I had only walked a few blocks when a dark van pulled up next to me, and the side door opened, and two men grabbed me and shoved me inside.

“My hands were bound. My eyes were covered with a blindfold. Something was placed over my mouth, and the next thing I knew, I woke up in a cell, chained to the wall in just my underwear.”

He felt his body stiffen, his hand clutching his glass. He had a hunch where this was heading, and he didn’t like it. “I know this is tough, but please, continue.”

“There were other women there—girls, really, some barely fifteen. For two days, I watched the girls come and go. We were beaten, starved, nothing to keep us warm.

“I heard stories about how the ones who refused to comply were never seen again.

“I found out that these men kidnapped girls who had no one looking for them, ones who had no families who would miss them.

“They sold some of the girls outright. Others they put to work on their kitten site.”

Kyle ran his hand over his face. “My God. Human trafficking. I swear I never for a second thought this was what it was. I honestly thought it was just a dating site.

“I knew there could be sex involved, but I never thought it was forced.”

“I saw them kill a young girl right in front of me when she told them to go to hell, that she would never do what they wanted.

“On my third night there, I was taken into another room where a man was waiting for me. I thought he was going to rape me, but he just wanted to talk.

“He gave me a choice. Either I join the site and do as I was told, or they would sell me. I knew they wouldn’t kill me, because if they did, they wouldn’t be able to profit from me.”

“So you agreed to do it,” he said, feeling a pang of sympathy for her.

“I was terrified. I knew what they were capable of. They cleaned me up, had my hair and nails done, and waxed me down there and warned me to keep it that way.

“My picture was taken and put up on the site. I had only been up maybe an hour before you and some others placed a bid.

“I guess you were the highest. Lucky for me,” she said, looking at him with tear-filled eyes.

He moved to sit next to her, wrapping his arms around her.

“I was told to do whatever the client wanted, and if I disappointed you in any way or told you the truth they would kill me—and you, the client.

“So you see, I couldn’t tell you anything. I took a risk telling you what little I did. When you told me we were coming here, I planned on running away, knowing they would never find me here.”

He stroked her hair as she cried on his shoulder. “You could have told me. I would have done something to help you. I would have understood.”

“Just let me go, and when you go back home, you can tell them I ran away. Just call them and act like you’re furious. I know you can convince them you know nothing.”

“People like that are dangerous. They will send someone to find you. It’s safer if you come back with me.”

She pulled away from his arms. “If I go back, they’ll come for me, and God only knows who they will send me to next. I can’t. I can’t let another man touch me, not after being with you.”

He seized her arms.

“We still have a week left together when we go back. I promise I’ll think of a way to get you out of this mess. I’m not going to let them get their hands on you. You have to trust me. Do you?”

Her eyes were red and swollen from crying. She looked at him, taking a deep breath.

“Yes, I trust you.” She looked him straight in the eye. “I trust you with my life.” She meant it. Her gut told her that if anyone could keep her safe and get her out of this mess, it was him.

He gave her a gentle kiss. “Let’s go to bed and get some sleep. We still have one more day left here, so what would you like to do?”

“I just want to stay in,” she said, feeling emotionally drained.

“Then that’s what we’ll do. Room service and a day in bed.”

“Kyle, there is one more thing that I’ve been hiding from you, and you have a right to know. I just hope you won’t be mad.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose, anxious about what he was going to hear next. “All right. Lay it on me.”