Chapter Eleven

Asher's eyes dropped to his chest where she had poked him, and then back to her. His eyes widened and his mouth opened.

Kimberly watched him. Wondering what he was going to do to her. He looked like he was about to say something when a woman, probably one of his team members appeared in the doorway. She held a bag in her hand which she handed to Asher.

"James told me to give you this" the woman said.

"Thanks, Madison" Asher said and the woman nodded and left.

He handed the bag to Kimberly but she didn't take it from him, so he dumped it on the bed.

"Just things you should freshen up with. And a change of clothes too. I will be down the hall in the kitchen. You should eat something before we leave"

He turned and walked out, leaving the room open this time.

Kimberly opened the bag. It contained a toothbrush, paste and the normal bathing stuff. She was surprised when she took out the clothes and realized they were her clothes.

She put everything back in the bag and walked out of the room. She found herself in a hallway. There were other holding cells, just like the one she just left. She passed them and soon she was in a large family room. She looked around...There was a big screen TV and several electronic components, along with two black leather sofas. Next was what would have been the formal living and dining room. Instead she saw several desks and shelves, all crammed with electronic equipment. None of it made sense to her. There was screens and keyboards and odd display units.

Kimberly glanced at the ceiling, looking for cameras or some kind of monitoring device. She didn't see any. But she did notice a strange screening material over the window.

"No one can see in" Asher's voice said and she turned swiftly.

"You can't get out either" he continued. "But the windows all open if you feel the need for fresh air"

Kimberly nodded. "What if there is a fire" she asked.

"There won't be one" he said confidently.

"Ermmm.. I noticed that these are my clothes" Kimberly said, raising the bag she held in her hands.

"Yeah. One of my men came back with it" he said simply.

She looked confused. "I don't understand" she said.

"What is so complicated? I sent one of my guys to your place to get you some things" he replied.

"A man was in my apartment?" She said. She sounded more surprised than outraged.

Asher rolled his eyes. "I doubt he spent a lot of time in your underwear drawer." He said.

"Thanks" Kimberly said simply.

"Come... I will show you the kitchen before you go take a shower" he said.

Kimberly followed him to the kitchen and watched as he pointed out the basic amenities. There was plenty of food in the refrigerator and pantry. Simple things that were easy to prepare.

"Help yourself" he told her.

Kimberly nodded. "I will take a shower first" she said. Her stomach rumbled at the sight of all that food and she stumbled a little as she moved around the kitchen. Asher grabbed her by the arm and held her steady.

"You have been tough all through this" he said gruffly. "Don't faint on me now"

"I won't" Kimberly said, although she wasn't completely sure of her facts.

He released her arm. "Let's get you to the bathroom then" he said.

Kimberly had only been allowed to bath every third day while she had been kidnapped. She longed for some serious water time.

"Fine" she said.

He led her into a cherry bedroom. There was a full size bed, a dresser with a television on it, two night stands and a small desk. One door led into a closet, the other to a small bathroom, complete with a shower.

Kimberly wondered why he made her stay in the holding cell when she could have stayed here. Was that how much he hated her? What did she ever do to him?

As if reading her mind, he said. "My team members spend the night here sometimes, especially after a night operation"

Kimberly nodded. Understanding that the room must have been occupied the previous night.

"Thanks" she said. Turning to Asher.

He stared at at her for a few seconds before saying. "I will be in the kitchen. Meet me there when you are done"

Then he turned and left the room, closing the door behind him. Kimberly took off her clothes slowly and went into the bathroom, then she turned on the shower. Enjoying the feeling of the water running down her body.

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Asher returned to the kitchen and settled to wait for her. In the mean time, he decided to get some work done. He pulled his laptop closer and opened it. He looked at the computer file he was working on, but his mind drifted to Kimberly once again.

A bath and a long sleep would do her some good. He thought. She had been through hell and he had a feeling things would get worse for her before they got better. He just knew somehow, but they would deal with that when it happened. For now it was enough that she rested.

They would deal with that? He thought again... Who the hell was they? He asked himself. The job he had been paid to do was almost over. After he returned Kimberly to her father, he didn't have to see her again.

The thought made him a bit sad. He shook his head and stared hard at his laptop screen. He had to force himself to keep his attention on work and not on the thought of the naked, beautiful woman stepping into the shower.

Still he thought about her. He thought about her beautiful face, her long brown hair, her curvy body, her perfect legs... Legs he could imagine being wrapped around him.

He sighed. He had no time for women like that in his life, but he wouldn't mind finding her in his bed—just for the night. She would be a hell of a ride.