The Unseen

by Ali Roberts

“I’ve kidnapped you . . .” I let you. “I’ve held you hostage for three days . . .” I could have gotten out of these chains and out the window in less than twenty minutes, but sure. “And you still don’t take me seriously. Maybe I really will torture you. Then you’ll know how serious I am.” “Sounds like foreplay to me,” I wink, and pink singes her cheeks.

No messing around with the guy I’ve tied up in my basement. No more talking, no more flirting, and absolutely no more checking him out.

His eyes would follow me around the juice bar. I could practically feel them staring at my ass as I placed my order. They followed me as I took my usual seat by the window. I swore one time I heard him growl at someone who tried to sit in my seat first. They quickly moved to the back corner, and his eyes were on me again. But the second I looked back, his eyes would dip low, and he’d take a sip of coffee. As soon as I stopped looking, his eyes would crawl back to me, watching me intently while I tried to focus on whatever book I was reading.

“So, to be clear, you want to manipulate her into sleeping with you?” “What? No . . . I just need to build the tension.”

“What was the name of your stuffed toy?” “Are you just going to ask the same questions as me?” “Depends. Yours have been quite insightful so far.” “I had a polar bear. But I couldn’t say polar, so I called him Pillow Bear.” Imaging a small dark-haired boy with his thumb in his mouth and his polar bear tucked under his arm, my mouth tilts up. I can imagine another little one running around our feet, joyfully clutching his own stuffed polar bear. Austin picks him up and swings him around as he reaches for me. Good god. Lock this down, you maniac.

With all the willpower in the world, I press one final kiss to her neck, drawing my fingertips back up to her cheek. “When you figure out what you want me to be, I’ll be waiting, Olivia. I can be patient.” Lies. I’m not fucking patient. Every limb is protesting. My chest aches, my lungs are scorched like I’ve been trying to keep up with Usain fucking Bolt. My dick throbs against my leg, pressing against my sweatpants like it’s trying to take them off. Despite my body’s silent screams, I draw away, leaving the ball in her court.

What. The. Actual. Fuck.

“I . . . I think we need to discuss the future. You can’t stay here indefinitely and . . .” “What day is it? I’ve lost track,” he interrupts. “Umm . . . it’s Wednesday now.” “I’ve been here since Friday. Five days total.” He lifts his head and counts using his fingers. It’s oddly endearing. “Yes.” “I’m free for two more days.” What the fuck is he talking about? “Austin. I don’t think you understand. I’m talking about letting you go . . . now.”

“Apologies, George. Miss Daniels here had an edible before we arrived, so she’s a little out of sorts right now.” This only causes Olivia to laugh harder. She clutches her stomach, and I worry she might choke on her burger. “Oh, don’t worry. I took an edible the other day and stared at a lamppost for three hours. Best afternoon I’ve had in weeks. I’m just glad she’s enjoying herself,” the young waiter whispers after glancing around to check no one could overhear.

“Sir, this is coming from my manager. He’s asked me that if you’re to return, you’ll need to be a little more conscious of the other guests. Otherwise, we can reserve a private room for you.” “Of course, not a problem.” We won’t be returning. Olivia is breathless and trying to regain her composure but ends up yelling, “How was the chicken?” at the top of her lungs before falling into fits of giggles again. “However, if you have the name of the person who sold the edibles, I’d love to get their details,” he whispers.

She takes a few selfies with some gym bunnies who claim they’ve never had such toned legs before doing her workouts. She says it’s a real Legally Blonde moment, which I pretend not to understand, but bend and fucking snap all you like, my love.

“You imagined this?” His head tilts, and his eyes sharpen as if to ask how I could be so dumb. “No, Olivia. I’ve fantasized over this. I’ve obsessed over this. I’ve had this exact moment running through my head for so long, my dick is practically weeping with joy that it’s finally going to feel that tight pussy and not just my fist.”

The man I kidnapped and chained to my basement is in between my legs.

“You’re a good man, Austin Black.” Her palm cradles my cheek, and she drops the lightest of kisses against my lips. My eyes prick, and is it hot in here? Something must be off with the temperature control. “I . . .” My brow furrows. My shirt suddenly clings tightly around my neck, and I swallow down words of dismissal or self-deprecation. “Thank you.”

“So, is that a yes or a no to the mask?” “I’ll keep it. I don’t want to put you in danger, my love.” My love. Be still my beating heart.

“Olivia?” ​“Yeah?” I look up again, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Are you asking me to be your boyfriend?” He smirks. Oh god. I’m fifteen again, asking Scott Smith to the Sadie Hawkins dance. Spoiler alert: he said no because he was going with Penny Simmons. I must pause for too long because he takes my face in his hands and whispers against my lips, “Took you long enough, Killer. I’ve been telling everyone you’re my girlfriend for weeks.” “Who’s everyone?” “You know, Luca, my therapist, Jenny at Squeeze the Day. She asked for an invitation to the wedding, by the way.” “The wedding?” “Oh yes, did I say I was calling you my girlfriend? I meant fiancée.”

“I think I fell in love with you that day,” he murmurs against my ear. My heart stops—like a deep breath before the start of a race, before the horses are released and the chaos ensues. My heart kicks back in, galloping against my chest. In love? In love? “You don’t have to say anything. I . . . I know this is too soon. Alfie told me not to tell you so soon, but I couldn’t wait. You have to know.”