Kidnapped Love Read online

  He closed the door and turned the latch. He also fastened the chain, thinking it wouldn’t take much of a yank to pull it loose at either end.

  The room was stuffy and had probably not been used in weeks. He turned the air conditioner that was beneath the large window in the front of the room on. Immediately the wheezing unit filled the room with noises that sounded as if parts were going to begin flying out at any minute. Cool air was flowing into the room and exhausting the stuffy air to the outside.

  He checked the bathroom and found it had a window that looked as if it could be opened with a minimum effort. Returning to the main area, he looked around. There was a rickety old chair by the air conditioner, an old framed print of dogs playing poker and a small dresser.

  “If you need to use the bathroom, go ahead but leave the door open.”

  Sarah got up and used the facilities, fully expecting to see him watching through the door. At this point, she didn’t care. She was too tired to worry about it.

  “I would like to take a shower please,” Sarah said. “I feel grimy and gritty all over.”

  “Sure go ahead, but you are not getting out of my sight. I can’t trust you to not try to escape.”

  “You have a bit of the voyeur in you Mr Benton?”

  Sarah decided she really wanted to shower, but she wouldn’t put a show on for him. She went into the bath room; he followed and leaned against the wall by the lavatory, keeping himself between her and the door. She slid the pant suit pants down and stepped out of them, picked them up, folded them, for all of the good that would do. She unbuttoned her blouse and slipped her arms from it, she threw it over Benton’s head. He struggled with the blouse; sure this was another try at escaping. Instead, she stepped quickly into the shower.

  She removed her panty hose and panties. Using the shower stream, she rinsed them both the best she could. She would just have to put the panties on wet because there was no way she was going back into the other room with no panties. She removed her bra and rinsed it thoroughly and hung it over the bar in the shower. Only after she had finished her laundry did she turn to cleansing herself. She had one of the small bottles of shampoo motels put out for the guests and used it to wash her hair. She completed her ablutions and reached out past the end of the curtain feeling for a towel. Her hand brushed against it. Benton had slid it to a point where she could grab it.

  She pulled the towel in and dried herself. She decided to hang the panties over the towel bar in the shower and let them dry, along with her bra as much as possible. She would get them before going to bed.

  She wrapped the towel securely around her body and tucked it in over its edge, just above her breasts. Feeling much better, she stepped from the shower, holding on to the towel, and stepped on some soapy water that had escaped the cheap, too short shower curtain.

  She slid, losing control of the towel and fell…right into the arms of Benton. Undoubtedly he had saved her from a nasty bump on the tiled floor. She found herself, totally nude, her firm breasts, nipples fully erect, pressed against his chest, and she was staring into the most incredibly blue pair of sparkling eyes she had ever seen. Her lips were about four inches from his. His arms were around her and on her back. Sarah was surprised to find she was turned on by this close encounter of a special kind. She was sure he was equally turned on as he leaned in to bring her closer. He suddenly pulled back and said, “Get dressed, and come into the other room.”

  She took the time to wrap her panties and bra into one of the hand towels to try and get more of the moisture out of them. Benton came back to the door to make sure she’s not up to something. She told him what she was doing and she would get dressed and be in there.

  While Sarah was dressing, she realized she was a bit shaken about her attraction to Benton after her near fall. “It was just a normal reaction, being totally naked and in the arms of a very handsome, virile man. Still, it looked to me as if he were attracted also.”

  She had brought her wet underwear out and placed them atop the vent of the air conditioning unit hoping to speed the drying. She glanced over at Benton, sitting on the bed with a worried look shadowing his face. “He knows I don’t have anything on under the blouse and pants. I wonder if he will try to take advantage of it. What will I do if he does? Do I want him to take advantage of it?”

  She stared at him. Wrinkles creased his brow. He looked worried and tired. She had a moment of sympathy for him. Something had happened and his brother was a captive of someone and he was afraid of something dire happening to him. “How would I feel if someone were holding Lissy captive and would kill her if I didn’t do something? I would move heaven and earth to keep anything from happening to Lissy and that’s what he is trying to do. He hasn’t hurt me and has kept his word.”

  Surprising herself, she went to the bed and sat on the end opposite where Benton was. “Benton, I don’t know what your problem is about your brother but apparently he is in some kind of serious trouble. I’m going to make you an offer, one I hope you’ll believe and take advantage of while the opportunity is there.”

  “Hmmmph, I don’t think I can trust you or any offer you make. You’ve proven your promises are no good.”

  “Well, it won’t hurt you to listen. I will quit trying to get away, though I have no doubt you would be trying the same thing if someone kidnapped you. I will help with the driving and you can get some sleep. I would break down any walls if someone tried to harm my little sister. I really have been thinking about this. You have my word, as a lawyer and a human being, I am serious here.

  Why don’t you take a quick shower, it will clear your head. You can tie me to the pipes in the bathroom if you like. I’m not going to try anything. Then you can get dressed, we’ll get the tire mounted and leave out tonight instead of tomorrow morning.”

  “I don’t know whether to believe you or not. Let me think about it.”

  “Go ahead, but the clock is ticking and we could be moving.”

  “Okay, but I want you in the bathroom and I’ll secure you just to be safe.”

  “You’ll see I’m serious and this isn’t some Stockholm syndrome thing.”

  They went into the bathroom. “Where do you want me?” she asked.

  “Sit on the john,” he said. With her sitting sideways, he tied her legs around the base of the commode using a sheet from one of the beds. He put the knot in back of her so she couldn’t get to it. He also tied her hands together at the wrist. Satisfied, he took his shoes and socks off. He took his shirt and undershirt off and laid them across the sink. He stepped into the tub and drew the shower curtain. Then he removed his shorts and trousers.

  “I’m not bashful, I would chase you down in the parking lot bare assed if I have to.”

  “You won’t have to. Go ahead, you’re safe. I’ll stand guard.” Her soft laughter rippled through the room. She heard the water running. She could feel the droplets of moisture in the vapor mist that crept over the top of the shower and filled the room. The water stopped and his hand came snaking around the edge of the shower feeling for the towel he had placed there before climbing into the shower.

  Sarah could hear the rasp of the worn towel as he rubbed himself dry. Her imagination ran away with her. In her mind, she could see him standing there totally unclothed. The broad shoulders tapering down to a small waist. The six-pack that depicted his muscular build. From what she had actually seen, he was physically fit in addition to being handsome. He was a hunk. She could feel warmth stirring in her inner core. “If I were wearing panties, I’d bet they would be damp and not from the shower.” She giggled.

  “What’s so funny?” Benton asked. “You take a peek and find I’m funny looking?”

  “No I didn’t peek. Besides, you’ve seen all of me, fair’s fair.”

  “What did you decide?”

  “I’m going to trust you. You had better not disappoint me.”

  “I won’t. Now please untie me and let’s get the show on the road.”
/>   Benton untied her legs and hands. “Thanks,” she said. And for some reason, she kissed him on the cheek. The stubble on his face sent tiny electrical shocks racing through her.

  It affected Benton also; he turned her to face him. He held her chin in his and pressed his lips to hers. For the briefest of times, nothing happened, then unbidden, her lips opened to him and he deepened the kiss. She tightened her arms around his neck to pull him closer. His tongue began to touch hers, then her teeth and the walls of her mouth. Neither had brushed their teeth in the past day and a half but neither seemed to mind.

  Sarah was the one that broke the kiss. In a somewhat husky voice, she said, “We don’t have time for that. Let me get my things and let’s go.”

  Benton said, “I really need a couple of hours sleep. I guess I have to tie you up to be sure. I’m sorry, but my trust in you is not complete yet.”

  “That’s okay. I’m beginning to get into this bondage thing...” She giggled.

  Chapter 4

  Sarah lay on the bed from which the linens had been removed. “That’s not going to work,” her captor said. “Come over here.”

  “You expect me to sleep in the same bed with you?” an astonished Sarah exclaimed.

  “It’s the only way I can be sure.” He tied one end of a pillow case to her right hand and the other end to his left.

  “You are some piece of work,” Sarah said. Despite being tied, Sarah fell into a deep sleep almost immediately.

  * * *

  Benton had been without sleep a good bit longer than had Sarah, but he lay there troubled by this situation. He had a handle on getting to the appointed place on time. It should be easy, barring an accident or a car break down. Sarah’s car seemed to be in good shape so that part didn’t bother him. He was troubled by the feelings he had developed for Sarah. He was troubled about tying her down but there was no way he could allow her to get loose and contact the police. It would surely mean the death of his younger brother, Jim and he was going to prevent that at all costs. He finally drifted off to sleep, where he encountered dreams of this lovely girl to whom he was tied. In his dreams she wasn’t tied. The girl in his dreams stood defiantly before him as he had seen in the bath, totally nude and unashamed of it. There was a delicacy about her face; however, there was also the strength of resolve. Her eyes were green with gold flecks. They had seemed to shoot daggers when she was angry. The pretty Grecian nose led to lips that were full and well-rounded over perfect teeth. Her neck was without flaw and the smooth silky texture of the skin invited kisses. The neck gave way to a bosom that supported the well-rounded, firm breasts. She was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. In addition to her beauty she had a spunkiness about her that revealed her challenging personality. He would hate to face this woman in a courtroom. She would be formidable. The dream faded as he sank into a sleep that was almost as if he were drugged.

  * * *

  Sarah awakened first, finding herself curled into the muscular arm of Benton; head nestled into the curve of his shoulder. Very carefully she eased to the right. She couldn’t sit up without waking him, so she began picking at the knotted pillow cover binding her to Benton. The knot was extremely tight but finally began to loosen. She pulled and picked it carefully and was making headway when Benton woke up. He was furious with her.

  “There are more ways than one to make you behave. He grabbed her, pulled her to him and kissed her fiercely. She squirmed and twisted but was unable to break free. Besides, the passion of the kiss began to unleash something within her. She felt the excitement within her grow as he intensified the kiss. His tongue forced its way between her lips and began exploring the contours and ridges that were within her mouth. She moaned, a low sound coming from deep within her body. She tightened her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to him. His free hand began moving, rubbing her face and neck. The fingers undid the buttons on her blouse and moved inside where they found the silky skin of her breasts, another moan, deeper than the first came forth. His fingers rubbed over the nub that was her nipple. Passion spread over him like water from a broken dam. His hand began to move lower on her body and…

  The alarm he had set on the clock radio beside the bed blared. The moment was shattered. Realizing where he was and what he had almost done, he said, “My apologies Miss Kirkpatrick. That was totally uncalled for and it won’t happen again, I assure you.”

  She was still short of breath from the passion that had engulfed her moments before. She said, “I wasn’t trying to get away. I needed to go to the bathroom and didn’t want to awaken you until I had to. Would you please untie me so I can get dressed and we can be on our way?”

  He untied the loop around her hand and she got out of the bed and went to the airconditioner where she had left her bra and panties to dry two hours previously. She went into the bath room and washed her face. She brushed her teeth with her fingers and did what she could with her hair using the brush and comb she carried in her purse. She fastened her bra, feeling the coolness from the air conditioner. She pulled up the panties. They were dry but cool. She thought, “They wouldn’t have been so cool and dry if I had been wearing them a few minutes ago. I wish the damned alarm hadn’t gone off when it did. I was getting so close to the edge, it wouldn’t have taken much more.”

  “Go ahead and get dressed. I won’t go anywhere,” she said.

  He went into the bathroom, but left the door open. He came back out about five minutes later and said, “Get your things and we’ll go.”

  They went to the car. The now repaired tire was mounted and the spare was in the trunk he had left open the night before. His $20 tip to the attendant had paid off. They had a full tank and were ready to go.

  “Why not let me start driving and you can take over in a couple of hours. Just get me started in the right directions. I’m not going to remind you of my promise. You can either believe it or not. Your choice. I want to help.”

  Without a word, he handed her the keys. “We are going to stay on this road until it intersects I20. Then we’re going to go west to Albuquerque. I’ll take over before then.”

  Getting behind the wheel, Sarah had to move the seat forward. “He must be at least six feet three inches,” she thought as she adjusted the seat and then the rear mirror. On the other side of the car, Benton moved the seat back and moved around, trying to get comfortable.

  “There’s a switch on the right side that will recline the seat,” she said. “You can get more comfortable that way.”

  “Thanks,” he mumbled. Soon light snores began as Sarah moved down the road, about 5MPH above the speed limit. They were the only car on the road as they sped in a westerly direction. They went through several small towns showing no signs of life. Everyone was still asleep.

  Sarah continued driving until she came to the intersection with I20. She pulled into the drive-up lane of a McDonalds. She ordered two coffees and four breakfast burritos. She paid for them with a credit card from her purse. She took the sacks with the food and pulled forward and into a parking space.

  When she shut the car off, Benton awoke. “What are you doing, he demanded?”

  “I was hungry and getting a little tired. Also, I need to go to the bathroom.”

  “Where are we?” he asked sheepishly.

  “We’re on I20 west of Abilene.” Why didn’t you wake me up?” he grumbled.

  “I didn’t have the heart. You were sleeping and you needed it. You were running on empty.”

  “Look, Miss Kirkpatrick, I apologize for last night. That was not me. I should never have acted that way.”

  “Oh hush,” Sarah said. “Besides, I was beginning to enjoy it.” She was looking directly into the blue bottomless pits that were his eyes.

  Benton didn’t say anything at first. He just patted her shoulder. “Thanks.”

  “That’s okay. You want to eat, while the food’s hot? I’m starved myself.”

  “I am too. How much was this. I’ll pay you back.�
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  “Don’t worry about it, though I do have a question. Do you trust me now? I could have slipped out many times while you were asleep. We drove right past a police station and a sheriff’s office.”

  He grunted. “I’ll take that for a yes,” Sarah said and smiled at him. He smiled back. “You have a nice smile; you should use it more often.”

  “Yeah, well, I haven’t had much to smile about lately.”

  Not having eaten “real food” in two days, they went after the breakfast burritos with a vengeance. The hot coffee was a welcome choice also.

  “I need to go to the bathroom, are you going to take me?” she asked.

  “I’ll go in with you because I have to use the facilities myself. Are you ready?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  They got out of the car and went inside toward the rest rooms.

  Benton finished first and stood back away from the restrooms. He no longer mistrusted her and wanted to demonstrate it. He sat at one of the tables while he waited. When she came out, and saw him, she flashed a smile that brightened the room. He had made the right decision. As they walked toward the car, she slipped her hand into his and squeezed it slightly. “I like this way much better,” she said.

  “So do I.”

  “How much farther do we have to go?” she asked.

  “I don’t know exactly, but I think it’s less than 300 miles. We should easily beat the dead line.”

  “Good, I could see how worried you were.”

  “Well, driving through the night made it a lot easier. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. You have helped save my brother’s life.”

  “I’m glad.”

  “Do you have a first name?” she asked.

  “Yes, it’s Mark.”

  She extended her hand. “I’m Sarah Kirkpatrick, Mark Benton. Pleased to meet you.”

  He took the hand and shook it. “It is my pleasure, Sarah.”

  They settled in for a much less tense drive than what had previously expired. Sarah explored her feelings. She decided she really liked Mark Benton, despite his aggressive treatment in the bed back at the motel. Still, she understood where he was coming from. “Yes, I really like him. He really turned me on back there. I almost wish we hadn’t been interrupted. Well, maybe there will be other chances.”