He leaned over, sniffing me before sighing, “I think you smell divine.”
Well, that didn't work. “I should take a shower, especially after…” Looking down, I intentionally played with my fingers, hoping I was giving off that embarrassed look guys like. Was I seducing my way into a shower? Yes. Yes, I was. Survival first. Dignity second.
He gave me a lopsided grin before his brows pinched, looking at the nylon rope. I needed to push him a bit more.
“You don't have to remove the rope from my ankle. If you just take it off the wall, you can walk me to the bathroom, tie it up until I'm done, and bring me back.” When he tilted his head, I made it an even better offer. “You can even stay in the bathroom with me.”
He looked at his watch, mumbling, “He said he would be out early, and he won't get out of bed until noon…”Yes. Yes. Just agree to it.
It took him a few minutes, but he shook his head and removed the rope from the wall. He kept his back to me so I couldn't see how he untied the knot, but that wasn't what I was going for this time. I needed a lay of the land, a point of view outside of this room.
Trudging me along, he shuffled me to the door and opened it. Stepping out into a hallway, I saw that both sides had hallways that led in opposite directions. He took me to the left, and I found door after door lining one side of the wall. The other side had various pieces of artwork by famous artists that seemed like a knockoff.
Looking at the last picture on the wall, I stopped. Recognizing the iconic red, white, and black drip painting from Jackson Pollock.That had to be fake, right?
I leaned in to see if it was a printed canvas -because it had to be right?- when I heard a door click, and I turned to see Cezar smiling as he tipped his head for me to go in.
Taking a hesitant step forward, I realized I was in another bedroom. Shifting my foot back, ready to bolt from the room, tattooed hands curled into my shoulder. “Don't worry, My Roma. It's the best one in the house.”
He pulled me in deeper, his finger pressed to his lips as if we were sharing a secret, which only made my pulse beat faster.
Looking at the room, it didn't seem like anything was touched. The bed was hotel-made, and all the surfaces had nothing on them. This could be a guest room. I didn't know how big this house was.
He guided me around the corner, and I almost gasped. This wasn't just a bathroom; it was a luxurious bath area—dark gray marbled granite counters, a mirror the length of the wall. A glass ten-by-ten box with a bench and control panel inside is at the far end. Was there any way I could switch to this room?
Cezar stepped up to the glass box, opened the door, and clicked a few buttons until literal rain fell from the ceiling across half the room. “Come,” he motioned to me with the crook of his finger, “let's get you clean as a knife.”
Rolling my lips in to hold my laugh, I couldn't help myself. “Do you mean whistle?”
His brows pinched as he got out of the glass shower box, scratching his head. “How is a whistle clean? People blow in it, spit gets inside, and it's almost impossible to clean.”
The arguer inside of me reared its head. “And a knife can't get dirty? Get blood and guts caked onto it?”
A sinister curl of his lips made my heart stop, and he closed the distance between us instantly. “No. Not if you're a good knife owner.” He twirled a finger around my wavy hair, his voice going low and slow, “And I'm a very good knife owner. Not a spec is left behind after use.”
Licking my lips, my body and mind warred with each other. One side told me to enjoy myself while I was lying, get him further to my side while sating the craving inside. The other told me something was drastically wrong with me for finding my kidnapper attractive, especially since he'd been drugging me to sleep.
Pushing that magnetic pull between us aside, I tried to sound unaffected. “I see your point.” Gulping after I said that didn't help, especially when my face heated under his full attention.
Mentally slapping myself, I thought back to why I wanted to do this in the first place, and my resolve hardened that fluttering feeling in my stomach. Needing to regain control, I looked at the shower and then back at myself. “I don't have any clothes to change into…”
He frowned, looking around like clothes would just appear. “Do you think…I could borrow some of yours?”
His head jerked back, mouth opening and closing before a slow, tentative smile crossed his face. “Yes. I can do that.” He nodded to the shower, “Just get in the shower, and I’ll be back in a split second with some clothes.”
Tugging my pants down, his eyes trailed down, devouring me standing in front of him in my thong. Pulling open the glass door, I looked over my shoulder. “Thank you, Cezar.”
When he heard his name, he shook his head, kept it down, and mumbled he would be back. Watching him turn the corner, I could still hear him talking hushed tone. “I told you not to look! Yes, I know she's fucking stunning. No, you can't ask her if her ass is real or not! I don't care either way.”
Holding my breath, I waited until I heard the click of the door closing and then bolted around the room like myrealass was on fire.
Opening every door, cabinet, and box I could get my hands on, trying to find something sharp. I was hoping for something small I could hide in my hair so when he took me back, I could cut this damn rope off when they weren't around.
What about drinking that damn water? I bet he was now going to insist on it. Swatting at those negative thoughts, I reminded myself,one step at a time.I can't solve all my problems in a few minutes; I just need to take advantage of the opportunities.
Knowing I was on the clock, I kept going, and when I didn't find anything in the bathroom I could use, I ran to the bedroom.
Looking through the desk first, I found a pen and pad of paper in the drawer. Finally catching a break, I snatched up the pen like a lifeline. It may not break through the rope, but I could stab someone with this. Even if this was a good start, I knew I needed more.
