Holiday in Handcuffs

Chapter 6

Derek cracked his eyes open and immediately squinted at the sunlight pouring in through the windows. It took him a moment to remember where he was, and raising his head to look at his surroundings didn't help to clarify anything. He was in a very bright sunlit room, with soft, cream colored walls. The decor in the room was fairly nice, with an antique dresser and a vanity with a large mirror against the far wall. It was a little girly for his taste, and in any normal circumstance, he would have found it even a bit cozy. But, as chances would have it, his circumstance was anything but normal. He was reminded of that fact when he tried to sit up further in the bed, and remembered that he couldn't move very much because of the handcuffs securing his right arm to the bed post.

He cursed under his breath as he scooted up and managed to get himself into a sitting position. It was quite a process to sit up without bending his arm and breaking it in two, but he succeeded, and was now able to rest his back against the headboard. He cringed as his back muscles ached as he positioned himself. Sleeping with one's arm tied to a bed post was not the most comfortable way to spend the night. His back was aching something terrible.

The sounds of running water caught his attention. It was coming from the door to the right of the room. He hadn't heard it before now, but he wasn't exactly listening for any noise before, so he couldn't be sure if the water had just been turned on, or if it had been on the entire time he was trying to lift himself up. He watched the door like a hawk, just waiting for it to open up at any minute.

After a good fifteen minutes, he'd all but given up on anyone ever entering the bedroom. But, then he heard the water shut off, and he heard more movement coming from the opposite side of the door. He sat up a little straighter, his eyes trained on the door as he pulled the covers up to his waist with his free hand. He heard a click, and then the door slowly opened. His kidnapper entered the room wearing only a white terry-clothed robe, her hair cascading over the collar in wet tendrils. Their eyes met briefly, and then she looked away quickly as she stepped into the room, steam from the shower she had just taken billowing out behind her like a cloud.

She moved across the room wordlessly, avoiding any further eye contact. Derek watched her curiously as she opened her duffel bag and searched for clean clothes. She gathered her clothes in her arms and then slipped back into the bathroom as wordlessly as she had entered. Ten minutes later, the door opened again and she re-appeared... dressed in jeans and a black sweater that hugged her feminine curves perfectly. Her hair, now dried, fell in soft waves over her shoulders. If they were in any other situation, Derek would have found her to be extremely attractive.

He let his gaze drift to the soft curves of her hips as she turned her back to him and bent down to pick something up. His gazed hardened, however, when she turned around and practically threw his suitcase on top of him. She gave him a glare that faltered a little, and Derek nearly had the impression that she was not normally this rude. His impression, however, was quickly tarnished as she began to speak to him.

"Open your suitcase and get some clothes." She instructed him, her voice void of any emotion whatsoever.

He did as he was told, biting his tongue the entire time so he wouldn't yell at her. He wasn't sure why he was holding back. This woman had kidnapped him, for Christ's sake! With one hand, he pulled out a set of clean clothes and some boxer shorts and placed them in a pile on his lap. He remained still as she walked up to the side of the bed and pulled a small key out of her pocket. She unlocked the handcuff that was secured around the bed post, keeping the other one locked around his wrist.

"Come with me." She ordered him, pulling out of the bed by the handcuffs and leading him toward the bathroom. He followed her without protest, his mind wondering exactly what her motives were. And, more importantly... where in the hell was he?