‘At least let him know you’re safe.’
Siobhan had a point. ‘If he rings again,’ she agreed in capitulation.
‘He isn’t a man with whom any sensible woman plays games,’ her mother warned.
‘I’m not feeling particularly sensible right now.’
‘Take care, Katrina.’
As an exit line it held connotations she didn’t want to examine, and for the first time in several hours she felt the first prickle of unease.
Something that seemed to magnify when her cellphone pealed fifteen minutes later.
Nicos.
She activated the call, and forced her voice to remain cool, steady, as she relayed, ‘I’m fine. I’ll be home tomorrow night.’ And cut the connection.
When it rang again, she didn’t answer.
She attempted work on her laptop, then gave it up after a frustrating half hour, opting instead to check the television programs.
Choosing an in-house movie, she adjusted the pillows and slid into bed.
The stark realism of the action theme suited her mood, and superb acting added another dimension, capturing her attention almost to the exclusion of all else.
The sudden double knock on the door startled her, and she banked down a momentary stab of fear.
Then common sense overrode apprehension. This was a first-class hotel with tight security.
The assurance didn’t do much for her composure, and she crossed to the door, checked the safety latch was in place, and demanded identification.
‘Room service, ma’am.’
Katrina opened the door a crack to see a uniformed waiter bearing a tray. ‘I didn’t order anything.’
‘As you didn’t use the dining room this evening, ma’am, complimentary evening tea is provided.’
She welcomed the service. ‘Just a moment.’ It only took seconds to release the latch, then pull open the door.
Big mistake. Nicos materialised behind the waiter, looming like a dark angel bent on castigation.
It was too late to slam the door. One glance at Nicos’s expression was enough to realise he wouldn’t allow something as simple as a locked door stand in his way. He’d bribed the hotel staff to organise a waiter to deliver tea. To have a porter, or even the hotel manager, request entry for one valid reason or another wouldn’t present much of a problem.
The waiter, undoubtedly au fait with almost any situation, didn’t so much as blink as he entered the suite and placed the tray on a table before retreating with decorous speed.
Katrina waited until the door closed behind him before turning towards Nicos.
‘What in hell do you think you’re doing here?’
Her face was scrubbed free of make-up, her hair a mass of curls tumbling to her shoulders, and her eyes were sparking green fury.
The complimentary towelling robe was too big, too long, and looked incongruous on her slender, petite frame.
Given another occasion, he might have been amused. Now, he was treading a fine line between anger and rage.
He advanced into the room, and stood regarding her with ruthless appraisal. ‘I might ask you the same question.’
His voice was quiet, controlled, and much too dangerous for her peace of mind.
‘I wanted a night alone,’ Katrina qualified.
‘Let’s take this home, shall we?’
‘I’m not going anywhere.’
Nicos didn’t move, but she felt his presence had suddenly become an ominous threat.
‘We can do this in a civilised manner. Or I can carry you kicking and screaming down to the car.’
Her hands closed into fists. ‘You wouldn’t dare.’
‘Try me.’
‘I’ll call hotel security.’
He indicated the phone resting on the bedside pedestal. ‘Go ahead.’
‘Nicos—’
‘Five minutes, Katrina. Change into your clothes or remain as you are. The choice is yours.’
‘No.’
‘It’s not open to negotiation.’
She swore, and saw one eyebrow lift as speculative amusement temporarily overrode anger.
‘Four and a half minutes…and counting,’ he relayed coolly.
He could count as much as he wanted, but she had no intention of moving an inch.
They faced each other, like two opposing warriors bent on conquest. Who would win was a foregone conclusion. He had the height and the strength to overcome her with minimum effort.
Which he did, when the time was up. Gathering up her laptop and bag, he collected her business suit, shoes, and flimsy underwear in one hand, then he hauled her over one shoulder as if she weighed little more than a child.
It didn’t prevent her from balling her fists against his back, nor attempting to kick any part of his anatomy where she could connect.
‘You fiend! Put me down!’
He turned towards the door, and she hit him again for good measure. ‘If you dare to walk out of here like this, I’ll kill you,’ Katrina vented furiously.
‘You had your chance to leave with dignity.’
Dear heaven. ‘Nicos—’
Except it was too late.
Please God, don’t let anyone be in the corridor, or the lift.
The corridor was empty, but the lift was not.
‘Oh, my,’ a feminine voice said quietly, while the man at her side spared a faint chuckle.
‘He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing,’ Katrina accused vehemently, landing a hard fist against Nicos’s ribs for good measure.
Was there no end to her humiliation?
‘Some wolf. Some fantasy.’
Did she detect envy in the woman’s tone?
The lift slid to a gentle halt, and Katrina was carried unceremoniously to where Nicos had parked the Mercedes.
‘I have my own car.’
