Page 38 of Straight to You

RYDER

“ G et in the shower.”

Kyle’s voice is firm and has an edge to it. I can hear his patience fraying even though I’ve done everything he’s asked since he demanded I read him that book.

I need to stay alive, so I’ve been cooperating.

Stripping out of my clothes in front of Kyle makes me more uncomfortable than anything that’s happened up to this moment. Every one of my instincts screams at me not to do it, even though I desperately want a shower. I know better than to think he’ll leave me alone to rinse off in private.

The thought of being naked anywhere near him makes me feel exposed in a way I’m not prepared for because it’s a reminder that my autonomy is gone.

“Ryder,” he says again. “I won’t say it twice. I’m trying to help you here. I’m being nice and giving you what you want.”

I swallow hard, knowing I don’t have a choice because I’m a prisoner who can’t fight or resist at this moment. After I read to him, he let me walk around the confined space freely, but I know he’s only testing me.

It’s also probably because the door is padlocked from the inside, and I haven’t seen a key anywhere.

He obviously locked us in when he first brought us here, and I was still unconscious, but at some point, he’ll need to leave.

At some point, we’ll run out of food or supplies, or he’ll get called into the station, and then I can try to find my escape.

I have to be smart, and this isn’t the time to make my move yet, which leaves me with only one option at the moment.

Slowly, I move toward the shower. Kyle follows close behind me, and I can feel his breath against the back of my neck. My shoulders involuntarily hunch up to try to protect myself.

“Turn it on,” he instructs.

I reach out and twist the barely working knob of the shower.

The pipes groan, and the water comes out brown at first, and I can’t help but gag.

The repulsion is too much, but after a few seconds, the water runs clear and steam rises, which is a silver lining if there ever was one.

At least I won’t have to take a cold shower.

I stare at the water, but feel his gaze burning a hole in the back of my head. It feels like he’s undressing me without even touching me.

“Strip.”

I reach for the hem of my shirt with shaking hands. My fingers tremble as I pull it over my head, and Kyle’s eyes darken at the sight.

I force myself to breathe and don’t look away as I unbutton my jeans.

I shove them down and step out of them. Awareness prickles at my skin, knowing that I’m fully exposed now, standing in front of him in my underwear.

Every nerve in my body is on high alert as he tilts his head slightly to look at me, his eyes flickering over my torso, making their way down my stomach. It’s disgusting.

I step back, trying to walk into the shower, but Kyle’s voice stops me.

“You’re not ready yet, angel. You forgot something.” He smirks at me. “Remember what we talked about? About listening?”

Kyle’s voice is expectant, like he knows I’ll listen to him now because he threatened me with death.

But fuck him, I’m done. I’m not stripping and losing the last bit of dignity I have to appease him. I’m not giving him that. At this moment, I’d rather die than hook my thumbs under the waistband of my underwear and give him what he wants.

I turn without a word and step into the shower, knowing I’ll pay for that later, but unable to find it in me to care. I grab the bottle of shampoo and start washing, and it feels like the first moment of relief since he barged into the apartment.