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“I’m not taking off my clothes.”
I shrug. “All right, I’ll do it.”
She puts her hand out once I’m in front of her. “No, I’ll do it.”
I nod.
I lean over her to grab the shampoo and she flinches. My eyes close wearily. I understand that this woman will always fear me, and at this moment, I’d do anything to make the fear and hatred in her eyes evaporate when she looks at me.
Chapter Five
ANISSA
My hands shake as I unbutton my pants, missing the button multiple times until I finally complete the task. My eyes meet Finn’s as I drag down my pants, followed by my underwear. His nostrils flare as his eyes shift to my bare pussy. Instead of being aggravated, I’m turned on, and I hate myself for it. The way this man looks at me, like he’s drowning and I’m his only source of oxygen, is startling. A look like that could have someone believing they can fly.
The power of his gaze is electric. All the reasons I should hate this man fly out the window, taking my dignity with it because of the intensity of his gaze. Being a bigger girl, I usually hate anyone looking at my body. I know I’m beautiful, but spending your whole life hiding your body because of how others may see you wears you down. But standing here in front of Finn, I don’t feel fat. Under his gaze, I’m radiant, desirable, and beautiful.
I raise my hand as I pull my t-shirt over my head, standing before him in nothing more than my bra.
“Fuck,” Finn whispers. “Take it off.”
I follow his orders, unclasping my bra and letting it pool at my feet before I step out of my pants and wait.
“Come here.”
My feet have a mind of their own, and my brain has vacated my body. No sane thought appears to be on the horizon as I dutifully follow his instructions.
“You’re being a good girl, Slugger.”
Good girl. Two words and I practically melt on the floor.
“Hop in the tub. It’s nice and warm.”
I move into the tub and lean back, letting the jets in the tub work the sore muscles in my body.
“Why did you kill her? I mean, you don’t seem like a completely horrible man. Why’d you kill her?”
“She killed me, that’s why.”
His words are confusing. “You’re standing right in front of me, not six feet under.”
“There are worse ways to kill someone than putting a bullet in their head. Bella is not the person you think she is. You’re better without her.”
“She was my mother.”
“She was a predator.”
His words are jarring, and their impact is so strong that I don’t have any will to speak.
Finn pours shampoo into his hands before his fingers massage my scalp in tender circles. I can’t help the way my body relaxes at his touch. It’s like Finn is two people—the unfeeling, deranged monster and the gentle soul in front of me. The contrast is so vivid that I can’t help contemplating I’m going insane. What kind of person finds solace in the man who murdered her mother? I’m a monster, allowing myself to be in this situation without hating every moment.
I’m lost in my thoughts and don’t notice that Finn’s moving a bar of soap along my body. His fingers glide on my skin, causing every nerve ending I have to stand at attention.
My legs cross of their own volition to calm the stir that Finn’s touch causes.
He chuckles, continuing to clean my body with such tender care. “I think we got it all.”
I want to protest as his touch leaves my skin. He walks to the door, removing a large blue robe. He holds it open for me and I step out of the tub into it. “Thank you.”
He doesn’t respond, just nods his head and ties the belt before taking my hand and moving me into a room adjoined to the bathroom. “You can sleep here. If you need the bathroom, you’ve got one connected to the room. It’ll be convenient for you. Don’t get any ideas about running. I’ll lock both doors from the outside.”
Just like that, my bubble bursts. This isn’t some romance, and I’m not a damsel being swept away by the hero. I’m a captive under the control of a villain.
He walks to the dresser and removes a large black t-shirt.
“That’s not gonna fit me,” I protest. I wrap my arms around my midriff.
“I wear a double XL, Slugger.”
My gaze roams up and down his body and I want to curse him for being a wall of muscle. “Yes, well, your XL and my XL aren’t the same.”
“You’re sexy.” He walks up to me, holding the shirt open at the neck, and I put my head through it. “I’ll have clothes for you in the morning, but this will do tonight.”
