The Gift: A Novella Read Online Free PDF Page B

two different women.”
    God, how self-righteous he sounded. Katie’s temper soared.
    “That you don’t know better than to believe everything you read only proves what an abysmal ass you are!”
    Her heart flew into her throat as the full impact of what she’d just said hit her.
    Kazimir Stavitch was looking at her as if he wanted to murder her.
    Or maybe haul her over his knee and paddle her.
    Or maybe—or maybe silence her by putting his firm, sculpted mouth against hers and kissing her until she was senseless.
    The image was almost overpowering. That she would, even for a moment, be attracted to a man like this…
    “Don’t stop now,” he said softly. “Go ahead. Your observations of me are fascinating.”
    “Nothing about being here is fascinating,” Katie said, forcing the words to sound loaded with disdain. “And I’m hungry.” She tossed the Times aside and got to her feet. “Surely even prisoners get bread and water.”
    Nothing. No response. No reaction at all.
    “Mr. Savitch. My father will not reward you if I show up looking like a skeleton.”
    “You have far too many curves to look like a skeleton, Ms. Rostov.”
    His voice was low. Silken. Her breath caught. The way he was looking at her…
    “You will not speak to me in that manner,” she said, and hoped he didn’t catch the unsteadiness in her words.
    He didn’t answer. Then he smiled.
    The smile was almost her undoing.
    It was masculine. Sexy. It made her forget what he was, who he was…
    He stood up. Came slowly toward her. Before she could reach for her coat, it was in his hands.
    He held it open.
    She thought about refusing to accept the gesture, but she sensed that might be dangerous. The way he was looking at her was dangerous. It was safer to turn her back to him, let him help her into the coat…
    Let herself close her eyes, only for an instant, and think about what it would be like to lean back against him.
    His hands brushed her shoulders. She bit back a moan. What was wrong with her?
    The answer was simple. She was tired. Worn out. There was no other explanation.
    Besides, she knew what he was doing, that he was using charm or sex appeal, whatever you wanted to call it, to make her compliant.
    If that was his plan, he was in for a difficult time.
    * * * *
    They walked along Fifth Avenue, his hand clasping her elbow.
    She suspected they looked as if they were out on a date, perhaps as if they were lovers, but his grasp felt like iron. He wasn’t hurting her, but his strategy was clear.
    He was not going to give her the chance to escape him.
    The streets were crowded. Christmas was only days away, and shoppers were out in full force, clustered around the windows of Saks to ooh and aah at the beautiful holiday displays. Sidewalk Santas seemed to be everywhere, ringing their bells and wishing passersby Merry Christmas. There was even the feel of snow in the air.
    Katie thought of what it would be like if they really were on a date, how thrilled she’d be to have this big, beautiful man at her side. They’d walk more slowly, take their time; their fingers would be intertwined. He’d smile at the things she said; she’d look up at him and laugh at his little jokes. They’d stop at the corner; he’d buy a bag of roasted chestnuts. She’d bite into one and tell him how delicious it was, and he’d look at her, his eyes gone dark and smoky, and bend his head to hers, right there in the crowded street, and he’d tell her that she was what was delicious, and he’d kiss her and kiss her…
    “Here we are.”
    She blinked.
    Kazimir Savitch was holding open the door to a small restaurant. A rush of warm air and exotic spices engulfed her as she stepped inside.
    “It’s Thai,” he said. “Is that all right with you?”
    She looked at him. “You mean, I get a choice?”
    His face darkened. He put his hand in the small of her back, pushed her forward.
    “Mr. Savitch. It is good to see you, sir.”
    The hostess was all smiles as