***
Tanesha kept screaming and throwing punches and Ty allowed her. After a while, the fight just went out of her and she simply broke down. Tanesha uncontrollably bawled her eye out, not even protesting when Skull gathered her into his arms and just held her. She didn’t have the strength to fight the comfort he offered so she simply accepted it and let it all out.
Ty held the inconsolable beauty till her sobs turned into hiccups. And he still held her, tenderly wiping away her tears with his thumbs. He felt such anger within at what Tanesha had been made to go through even though it was at his own hands.
His anger was so intense, even the soft feel of the sexy body plastered against him couldn’t rouse any lust in him. He’d held Tanesha before, and had almost gone insane with hunger. But this time was different. He just wanted to hold her, reassure her with his strength since he couldn’t do it with words. The silence that ensued was a comfortable one. Till it was broken by Tanesha.
“What are you going to do to me?” She asked in a quiet voice, her head still resting on Skull’s chest. She didn’t know why but she always felt so safe in his arms.
“Nothing,” Ty said in a hoarse voice.
They were both quiet again for a while, Tanesha’s mind obviously spinning. She swallowed audibly. “So, am I to pretend to the others that you’ve…punished me?” She asked shakily.
“I did punish you,” Ty said softly. “Touching you out there in front of everyone was punishment. Can you please not attempt to run again?” He asked urgently.
“I can’t promise any such thing.” Tanesha gasped, raising her head to look up at Ty. “You guys…”
“You will not have it so easy the next time, trust me.” Ty rasped, feeling frustrated. She was so stubborn. “You might have gotten lucky with Heat and Polks but the two who have been left behind are ruthless and will hurt you if you try to escape.”
“Two?” She whispered.
Ty nodded. “Ghost took Polks and Heat away and replaced them with two of the guys he came with. Thanks to you, he plans on punishing them for allowing a slip of a woman to best them.”
“Oh…” Tanesha unconsciously laid her head back on Ty’s chest, making him smile and tighten his hold on her.
Much as she couldn’t be bothered with the fact that Polks and Heat were going to face punishment, she didn’t like the idea of being around any of the new thugs either. They looked real mean.
“So am I going to have your word that you’re not going to attempt an escape again?” Ty asked, breathing in the lovely, strawberry-scented, still wet hair of Tanesha’s. Her shampoo was obviously strawberry flavoured. Trust Mickey to get something like that.
Tanesha groaned as she rubbed her forehead against Ty. Ty didn’t think she even realized what she was doing. Damn, she was so fucking adorable. “Just let me go.” She whimpered. “Then I wouldn’t have to try to escape.”
Ty gave a deep sigh. “Why do I even bother?” He muttered. “Mickey says you didn’t eat your food. You have to eat.”
“So that I can gain strength for what is coming right?” She sneered as she abruptly stepped out of Ty’s embrace.”
“I told you I wasn’t going to do anything to you. And I meant it.” He said quietly, staring at her with brilliant blue eye.
“I’m not hungry. Just tired.” Tanesha sighed.
“Sleep on my bed.” Ty offered, gesturing towards the bed.
Tanesha stiffened. “And you…”
“I’ll take the couch.”
“Can’t I just go back to my room? I won’t go anywhere. Just lock the door behind me.”
“And how much good did that do?” Ty folded his arms across his broad chest. “I just asked you to promise not to run and you couldn’t.
“Alright, alright I promise.” Tanesha gushed. “I won’t try to escape again. Please I promise you.”
Ty tilted his head and gave a slight frown. “Is the thought of sleeping in the same room with me that…repulsive?” He asked, amused.
“It’s not that,” Tanesha said quietly.
“Is it that someone doesn’t trust…” Ty began but paused when he saw the fire that suddenly flashed in Tanesha’s eyes.
“I trust myself okay? It’s just that with you, I don’t know what comes over…” She trailed off when she realized just what she was saying. A gasp tore out of her, followed by an embarrassing groan as she covered her face in her palms. When Tanesha looked at Ty again and saw his full-on smile, which had transformed his face into something breathtakingly handsome, she wanted to kiss him and punch him at the same time.
Ty’s eyes shone with mirth. He’d honestly been about to sarcastically ask her whether she didn’t trust him. But she’d assumed something else and totally given herself away. Her honesty was refreshing. “Go to bed, Tanesha.” He said softly. “Tomorrow is another day.”
With a sigh, Tanesha got on the bed, surprised at its softness. She pulled the covers over herself and fidgeted till she was comfortable. She felt so tired and drained she knew sleep was going to come quickly. And even as she began to drift off, she couldn’t help but think about a sexy blue-eyed hunk, who was gradually succeeding in bringing down her defenses. That wasn’t good. She needed to be wary of Skull, Tanesha thought just before she drifted off into a deep sleep.
***
Ty came awake and sat up on the couch. His eyes landed on the bed, where the muffled sounds that had woken him were coming from. Tanesha was crying. He said nothing. He simply sat quietly, listening to her cry softly till she went back to sleep. They had a little less than three weeks to end the mission. Ty prayed they would be able to get all the parties involved in the silly plot sooner so that he could get Tanesha out of there. Till then, he had to be strong for her whilst ensuring that his actions did not raise any suspicions.
Ty lay back on the couch, knowing that he wasn’t going to sleep again till morning. He was too upset and unsettled by what he’d just witnessed to go back to sleep.