His Christmas Cookie

We stay in the alcove for a long time just kissing and touching. I want more, but we are in a public place, and waiting will make it all the sweeter.

“Let me feed you,” I say, giving her one more quick kiss before I take her hand and pull her back out onto the street.

“Suddenly I’m starving.” She winks at me, and I love the playful side she’s been showing me today.

There’s a little taco restaurant at the end of the block, and we go inside. You have to order at the counter and then take your food to the table, so I step back and look at the menu. “What would you like, kiska?”

She hums as she reads over her options and then turns to me and smiles. “Surprise me. I need to run to the restroom.”

“So you trust me?” I hedge, pulling her close.

“Da,” she answers, and my blood heats.

“You should run, little kitten, before I eat you right here in the middle of the restaurant.”* * *I watch her go and then wait in line to order. I decide to order a lot of tacos so that there is sure to be something she likes. The man behind the register looks at me funny when I ask for so many, but I pay and smile because nothing could spoil my good mood.

I grab our drinks and take a seat by the window to wait for our food. I keep glancing back at the restroom, hoping she won’t be much longer, but when they deliver the tacos, I know it’s been too long. I tell the guy at the register to keep an eye on our food as I go to the back in search of Cookie.

There are two restrooms, and both are marked as unisex. I knock on the first door and it swings open. There’s no one inside. When I get to the next one, it’s locked, and I knock softly.

“Cookie, are you all right?” I call, but after a second or two I don’t hear an answer. I knock again, louder this time. “Cookie, are you okay?”

I turn the handle harder and I hear the metal groan. I beat on the door, and when there’s no response, I shove my shoulder against it to break it open. The bathroom light is on but there’s no one inside, and my chest tightens.

“Cookie!” I call, spinning around, and panic begins to set in. Beside the restrooms is the exit and I rush through the back door to see if she’s out there. To my horror I see her at the end of the alley being carried over someone’s shoulder and thrown into the back of a van.

I shout in Russian as I run as fast as I can, but they’re too far away. My lungs burn, and I scream for her as the van door closes and the vehicle squeals out of sight. For one moment I clench my fists at my side because there’s only one person who would go to any lengths to get what they want.

I just hope my mother is prepared for my wrath.Chapter 9CookieMy whole body feels heavy, and it’s a struggle to even open my eyes. What the heck happened to me? I lift my hand to try and rub the sleep out of them, but it’s difficult. The smell of flowers fills my nose, and it’s not one I’m familiar with. When my eyes finally come to focus, I’m staring up at a white canopy over the bed. I've always wanted one of those, but it only reinforces my belief that I'm not home. Maybe I’m at Frost’s house?

I sit up and glance around the room to see fresh flowers sitting on the nightstand. The bedroom reminds me of one that would be found in a giant mansion, one that’s older but kept up to date. I swing my legs over the side, and with a quick sweep of the room, I know this isn't Frost’s home. While this is historic, the room doesn't fit right.

Holding on to the bed, I try to get my bearings as a blank spot fills my mind. I spent the day with Frost and it was magical. Everything about it was perfect, and I’d gotten to see Frost in a new light. I’d even let my walls crumble because I knew it was too late. Frost has his hooks in me, and I want to keep them there. After that special day, there was no protecting my heart anymore.

Big, heavy curtains cover the windows, and I walk over and pull them aside. Staring out, I see only darkness and nothing else. This isn't Frost’s house at all, and I jerk back around when I hear a door open. When I see Nathan standing there, a chill creeps down my spine. It’s then I see he’s not alone. The woman I saw with Frost, Chel, is beside him, and I stare at her. How can I not remember what happened?