He leans back in his chair, swirling his wine. "Maybe I'm only a monster to people who deserve it."
"And I deserve it?" I ask, picking up my glass and taking a big mouthful.
“Am I treating you like a monster?”
“You mean apart from the kidnapping bit?”
“Yes, apart from the kidnapping bit,” he says, barely stopping the smile on his lips. “Although, I did fly you in luxury while I was doing it.”
“And then proceeded to drug my vodka.”
“You were gripping the leather seats so tight your knuckles were going to snap. It was a mercy dosing.”
I stab another mushroom with my fork. “Keep telling yourself that.”
The wine has loosened my tongue. But it’s not just the wine. It’s the way Katya spoke about him today, with affection and kindness.And love. Her fondness for him makes him less scary and me less afraid.
Which is stupid.
Because I’m sure there's just as much monster as man in Nikolai Morozov. Maybe more.
“If I’m such a monster would I open my home to you and give you free rein. Has it been an abysmal experience so far?” He asks.
I think of my luxurious bedroom and the 5-star mountain lodge that I would never experience in my everyday world. Andabout Katya and Andrei and all the delicious food Katya has been feeding me all day.
And this dinner couldn't be more perfect. Delicious food. Mind-blowing wine.
Although the company is a bit iffy.
“No, I suppose not,” I murmur. I take a big mouthful of wine as I glance around the room. “Although, it’s not very Christmassy in here, is it?”
It’s a petty jab, but right now, I'll take what I can get.
He raises an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
I take another drink of wine. I should slow down. But the alcohol is making everything feel softer, and easier. And less terrifying.
"It's three days until Christmas, and you don't have a single decoration. No tree. No lights. Nothing." I gesture around the room with my wine glass. "You really are a Grinch. The least you could do is put up a tree."
"Considering your current situation, I wouldn’t think a Christmas tree is high on your list of concerns."
"Well, it is. Considering you’ve already ruined Christmas for me. The lack of a tree is just driving the nail in really.”
He looks at me like he can’t believe his ears. “You know a lot of people don’t surprise me,malyshka. But you surprise the hell out of me.”
He studies me for a long moment, and something passes between us. Something warm and inviting that makes my chest flutter in a way I absolutely hate.
I drain my glass and try to ignore it.
“So why do you hate Christmas?” I ask.
“Who says I hate Christmas?”
I gesture to the room again.
“Ah, the missing tree,” he says. “It might surprise you, but this isn’t my home.”
I put down my fork. “You don’t live here?”
