Tess's POV

I woke up bright and early. I had an earlier shift than I had been working. I didn't really want the afternoon shift, but I didn't have a choice. I had to work. I had my phone interview for the hospital in a few hours, and I wanted to get a run in first. I hadn't been on a run since the day before my wedding. Running gave me a sense of freedom and helped me clear my head and right now it was so needed.

I wanted to run along the boardwalk and maybe the beach but it was too far from where I was staying so I drove down to the boardwalk and found a place to park and got out and stretched out my body and then put my earbuds in, turned on my favorite playlist and took off running.

The only people that were out here were also running or a few opening up their business. It was great and I had worked up the best sweat ever and the burn in my muscles was something that I hadn't felt in what felt like a long time.

A few hours later I hung up from my phone from the interview, and it went better than expected and they offered me the job, with a sign on bonus after three months of employment and at six months and at year. They were desperate for people, and I was desperate for a job in what I wanted to do, so I agreed. Maybe it was a red flag but obviously I wasn’t good at spotting those.

I dialed my mom's number and was so excited to tell her the good news. This is all I ever wanted in life. I used to play doctor as a kid with my dolls. I would make up illnesses or injuries and had to nurse them back to health and now they weren't going to be made up but they would be real, and I still got to nurse them back to health.

"Hey sweetie."

"Mom, I got it. They offered me the job after the interview was over."

"That's amazing. I'm so proud of you and I knew that you could do it. When do you start?"

"I have to go fill out paperwork and do a drug test and when that comes back all clear I will start."

"Good you can stop waiting tables."

"I can but for now I have to go and do that. I have the afternoon shift, so I will call you later. Love you."

I hung up feeling guilty that I moved so far and left her, but I know that she understands. I quickly got ready for my shift and headed to the restaurant.

It was official, the afternoon shift sucked. We had like three different groups of people and I spent the afternoon rolling silverware. Around six it started to pick up which was great because I had been bored and was going to fall asleep.

"Tess, can you work till close?" my manager asked. I had only worked a few shifts, and this was the second time I had been asked to cover someone.

"Yes."

"Great, thanks."

I rolled my eyes and went back to work, and I learned that I will never complain about it being slow. It got so busy and we were down more than just one person. I ran my ass off all night, but the tips poured in and with the huge tip that was left to me from the group of ten men the other night and tonight I had enough for a down payment on the apartment I liked.

Thinking of those men made me think of the dark-eyed man that left me the biggest tip of my life and God I wanted more than a tip from him and I had thought maybe he had as well, but he hadn't come back in here. Trust me I looked for him every night.

When we finally slowed way down, I told my manager that I was leaving since I had been here all day. He just waved me off and I walked out the door putting my tips into my purse and grabbing my keys. When I hit the unlock button on my car there was a man standing there.

It may have been dark, but I knew who that was. Parker. He was Jack's little fucking minion. He wanted to be a part of his friend group so badly that he would do whatever Jack wanted, and I knew he had a history of a temper. I quickly turned around and headed right back towards the restaurant. I could hear his footsteps coming closer and faster. I started running and when I got to the door it was locked. I fumbled with my purse for my keys, but it was no good. He was right there. I dropped my keys and took off running.

"Tess, I just want to talk with you," he yelled after me and I knew better than that.

I jumped through some bushes and ran behind buildings. My heart felt like it was going to explode in my chest and lungs burned as I kept going but he was closing in. I skidded to a stop and turned down an alley and started running down it. The street was on the other end, and I just needed to make it out there and I could find help, but my foot caught a big rock, and I went flying through the air.

I landed on my hands scraping them and my knees tearing my pants and it gave Parker enough time to close in on me. He grabbed my hair, jerking me to a standing position. My legs were weak, and I wanted to scream for help, but he quickly slapped his hand over my mouth. I tried to bite him, but it was no good, I couldn't get a hold of anything with my teeth.

He shoved me against the wall of the building, knocking the air from my lungs and he let out a laugh that sounded like the devil mixed with a chihuahua. It was high pitched with an evil tone to it. It was hard to explain but I knew this man was going to hurt me.

He pushed his arm against my throat with his forearm, not hard enough to cut off my oxygen but he was definitely making it hard to breathe. He leaned in really close to my ear, making me want to vomit. I didn't like being in this position. I tried to bring my leg up and knee him in the balls but that didn't work either and all he did was press harder on my throat.

"Jack, told me to get the message across whatever way I deemed necessary," he said as he ripped the front of my button-down shirt open.

"HELP," I screamed.

"Shut the fuck up or I will shut you up."

"Someone please HELP," I screamed.

"Either pay the money or take Jack back, otherwise he is going to ruin your life."

"STOP," I yelled again and I could see his intentions in his eyes. They weren't good.

He was suddenly jerked away from me and thrown on the ground. I gasped for air as my eyes bugged out of my head watching the man that I've been daydreaming about for two days now save my life.

I watched as he put his giant boot on Parker's throat and pressed down. Parker struggled under his boot and tried to push it off but then the man spoke and it was that same deep tone that was so captative and authoritative.

"If I ever see you near her again, I will kill you, don't fucking try me," he growled and while I should be scared shitless that this man was dangerous because it was evident in his movements and his voice.

When he finally let Parker go, he jumped to his feet and ran off so fast, and the dream boat turned and stalked over to me and placed his warm hand on my face so gently and his eyes didn't hold the same murderous look they did a minute ago. Now they were soft and caring.

I closed my eyes, willing my brain to function because everything started spinning and I knew I had gone into flight or fight mode and I had no more fight left in me. "Please don't hurt me," I whispered.

"Never Bella," he whispered right before everything went black and I was out.

When I woke up the sun was shining through a giant ass window and the pillow I was laying on smelled like man. I looked around the room and while it was bright with sunshine it was dark. The furniture in the room was dark wood and the bedding was the softest I had ever felt. The room was impeccably clean and beautiful in its own weird way.

I shoved the blankets off me as last night came back to me and I remember running from Parker and his threats and the man of my dreams saving my life, but where the hell did, he take me and why am I in his shirt. I looked around the room and didn't see any of my stuff. I ran out of the room looking for him.

"HELLO," I yelled out hoping to hear him but no such luck. I found a set of stairs and went down them. The place was absolutely beautiful, but so dark with everything. I could tell that he was a bachelor and that played in my favor. I really just needed to sleep with this man and then move on because I didn't need a relationship right now.

I finally heard his voice, and my body shook from shivers. His voice really did something to me, and I couldn't seem to understand it. No one had ever had an effect like that on me, but I could promise you that if he were to whisper anything dirty to me my panties would flood with arousal.

I rounded the corner as his voice got louder and finally finding the room he was in, I stepped through the door and looked around. It was a home office and he was working. I just wanted to know where my clothes were, and I would leave him alone.

"I have to go," he said and slammed his laptop closed.

"Thank you for last night. If you just tell me where my clothes are, I will be out of your way," I told him, but I totally wanted to be in his way, or better yet under him.

He leaned back in his chair and looked me up and down and his beautiful face broke out into this devilish smile that was so damn sexy. My heart started beating faster and my palms got sweaty as he got up from his chair. His eyes never left mine as he walked towards me.

He grabbed my arm and pulled me towards him until I was flush with his body. I let out a small moan as I felt him hard against my stomach. The man was big and not just in his pants. Everywhere.

He slammed the door shut and pushed me up against it and my breathing stopped as I looked up into his eyes and saw the same hunger in his eyes that I felt.

"What is your name?" he growled into my ear.

I swallowed down trying to wet my throat as much as I could because it was fucking dry, "Tessalynn, but I go by Tess."

"Fucking beautiful," he whispered.

"What is your name?" I managed to get out.

"Tyson."

"What do you want with me Tyson?"

He laughed and God it was the most beautiful noise ever. It was deep and rich, and I wanted to hear it again. He didn't answer me but pushed into me further, grabbing both of my arms and pinning them over my head. He moved his leg between mine and pressed up just enough that he should be able to feel the moisture on my panties.

“Tessa,” he whispered in my ear with a deep, needy voice. My legs got weak and I wanted this man to do dirty dirty things to me. I had never felt this way ever about a man and especially not after knowing them for two point five seconds.