“Why don’t you come inside and warm up? I’ll put a pot of tea on.” Mikhail climbed out of the car. Piper watched him walk over to Belishaw by the SUV and speak to him. It was a whispered conversation, and whatever Mikhail said had Belishaw nodding and opening the trunk. Mikhail came over to her side of the Rover and opened the door for her. She stared at him, still debating her chances of escape, even though running off into the dark in Cornwall was a terribleidea.
His lips twitched. “I would advise you against trying to run. I would only go after you, and when I caught you, I’d likely punishyou.”
“But you said youwouldn’t—”
“There are other ways to teach a lesson than to cause pain. Sometimes withholding something can be moreeffective.”
Was he serious?“You’d deprive me of food andwater?”
“No, of course not,” he replied, his tone darker. “I would never dothat.”
“Then what do youmean?”
He leaned into the SUV. “I mean that I would strip you naked and put my mouth and hands upon your body until you begged for release—then I would deny you your desire for pleasure.” His mouth sloped into a lazy grin. “Only after you begged would I grant you mercy and let youcome.”
Her temper flared to life. “I would never let you touch me,you—”
Mikhail caught her by the waist and dragged her against him, his mouth covering hers and silencing any protest. She clutched his shoulders, desperate not to fall as he stepped away from the vehicle. How had she forgotten how good he tasted? It was exquisite, like seventy-year-old scotch. She buried her rational thoughts, which warned her that this was a nonsensical thing to do—kissing the man who’d somehow forced her to steal priceless jewels—but damn, he kissed like the world wasending.
Flickers, like faded photos, began to flash through her mind again, confusing her. How was this not some wild dream? A woman in a Tudor-era gown danced with her, the woman’s eyes alight with mischief as she placed her palm against Mikhail’s hand and began to twirl in a courtlydance.
More visions, moving quicker, a kiss in the dark room outside the jewel reception, the feel of her lips against his and an overpowering sense of belonging. Piper’s heart felt as though it was being tugged out of her chest toward his. On some deep level she sensed she was being bound to him, falling for him, but it was insane…wasn’tit?
I can’t love a stranger. I can’t love a man who steals jewelsand…
“Wrap your legs around my waist,” he growled againsther.
“Excuseme?”
“You have no shoes. I’m going to carry you inside.” He gripped her backside, and she gasped, her legs locking around his waist like he’d flipped a switch. She dug her fingers into hisshoulders.
“Please don’t drop me!” she begged. None of her previous boyfriends had ever tried to carry her because she was tooheavy.
Mikhail buried his face in her hair and kissed the shell of her ear as he walked. “How could I? You barely weighanything.”
A blush heated her cheeks, and she shoved aside the girlish excitement at the thought that he was carrying her. And she likedit.
He kidnapped you. This is not sexy or charming. This is a crime.That irksome voice of reason was shouting at her again, but she hushedit.
Mikhail paused at the door of the house. She’d been too distracted to get a proper look atit.
“Hold on.” He turned the knob, and the door creaked open. A rush of warm air escaped as they entered. Mikhail closed the door behind them and set herdown.
“Welcome.” He waved a hand at the entryway, and Piper took her time in appraising what a jewel thief’s home was like. It was an old stone mansion with wooden walls and cloth wallpaper that had been painted to look like wooded glens. The walls were warm and rich, with art hanging from the walls along the staircase that led to other rooms. Her bare feet sank into a red-and-blue Persian rug. It was the most surreal moment she’d ever had in herlife.
“Come. Let me get you some tea before you settle in for the night.” Mikhail grasped her hand and led her to a quaint kitchen. He offered her a chair at a small table in a cozy nook with a window that overlooked the sea. She pulled his coat tighter about her to keep out the slight chill from the single-glazed windows where a stiff breeze from the ocean driftedthrough.
“Mikhail…” she began, wondering how many times she’d have to beg him to let hergo.
“We will talk about your situation in the morning. Tonight you will sleep.” He set a kettle on the stove and clicked the burner on. Blue flames erupted around thepot.
Piper stared at him through bleary eyes, completely exhausted. She didn’t feel afraid now. She couldn’t explain it, but something felt…different. The rough, dark man Mikhail had been when he’d kidnapped her in London was not here. The man in the kitchen was a relaxed country gentleman. Was it because he’d successfully stolen the jewels and felt he no longer had to worry? That had to beit.
She remained silent as he poured a cup of tea and sat down at the table beside her. The honey and chamomile felt good and soothing as it went down. She’d always enjoyed tea before bed, even as achild.
“This is your house, but you’re from Russia, right?” She tried to puzzle the pieces together even through her fatigue. There was so much that didn’t fit together. The more she knew about him and this situation, the easier it would be to explain to the authorities once she made it back toLondon.
“Yes. I have lived here for many years, but my true home is in Russia. I haven’t been home in a long time.” The look in Mikhail’s eyes seemed so far away, as though he were seeing ghosts from hispast.
