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My fingers clenched the stem of the glass.
His charming smile returned. “That’s better. Now we can have a nice evening.”
Then it hit me. Josh enjoyed being in charge. He liked things going exactly the way he wanted. I wondered how far he would go. Was he seriously trying to get me drunk? In what universe did he think I would fall for that? I felt like accidentally-on-purpose dropping the glass on his pristine white carpet.
I glanced at my watch. It was almost midnight.
Suddenly, his hand landed on my thigh and I cringed.
I put down my wineglass. “I think I’d better go.”
His other hand clamped around my wrist. “Go? You just got here.”
“And now I would like to leave.” I pointedly looked at his hand.
His jaw set. “I didn’t pay for dinner just so you could leave.”
“Excuse me? Are you saying that I have to put out because you bought me dinner?”
He licked his lips. “It would be a good way to show your appreciation.”
It was official—this date sucked. It was only the first date I’d ever been on, but I couldn’t imagine anyone being slimier than Josh. Why, oh, why had I agreed to go on a date with him?
Because the guy you really want doesn't want you.
Right. Now I remembered. Not that I could ever forget my broody Russian. He was always there in the back of my mind.
I yanked at my arm, but Josh’ fingers held on like manacles.
“If you know what’s good for you, you’ll let me go.”
He scoffed. “What? You don’t really think I believe any of the mafia princess nonsense about you, do you?”
He really, really should have. He was lucky that I liked to take care of my own business. I couldn’t imagine what Kristoff would do to him.
Seeing no other option, I did a move Viking had taught me. I bent back his pinkie finger. It worked like a charm. Josh yelped and I was free in the blink of an eye.
Then, to my utter surprise, he backhanded me. I dropped back onto the couch, feeling dazed.
How had this night turned into a nightmare so fast?
“You cock tease,” he hissed, pointing at me with his glass.
I plucked the glass out of his hand and threw it, sending it crashing to the floor. Then I kneed him in the balls. He groaned and cursed. I made a grab for my keys next to my purse, but he yanked them away from me.
“You can fucking walk!” he roared.
He didn’t have to tell me twice. Or perhaps he did, because I took my shoe and threw it at his head before grabbing my purse and limping outside on one high heel. My chest was pounding and a strained laugh spilled over my lips at the ridiculousness of my situation.
I stood outside catching my breath. A feeling of impending doom settled over me. I couldn’t just leave my car there. So I called Elena.
“Hey, Katya.” I heard the click of a lamp turning on.
I cleared my throat. “Can you please come pick me up?”
There was a silence for a beat. “Of course. I’ll be right there. Just send me the address.”
“Please don’t tell Viking you’re coming. Or any of the other guys.” The last thing I needed was for them to make a big deal out of this. The humiliation would be unbearable.
