Christmas Captive

"I have a business to run, Amicia," I reminded her.

"I know. But... I wish you had more time to spend with me. I thought... I thought we'd spent every minute of the twenty-four days together."

So had I. Before Kai had to leave. "I'm sorry, Kitty."

She nodded, looking away again and filling me with worry I wasn't used to. "It's okay."

"It's not," I spoke up again. "I will make it up to you. We'll go out tonight. I'm taking you to dinner. And afterward, I'll punish you for tonight."

Her eyes, which had momentarily lit up with pleasure, were wary again. "Punish me?"

"Of course," I went on smoothly, motioning toward the broken plate. "You've disappointed me, Kitty. I'm ready to make up for my own mistakes, but you must pay for yours too. Worry not. It will be a fun evening. Wait for me in front of the lift at seven p.m."

"Yes, Sir." She smiled tentatively and I kissed her forehead.

"Good girl."

***

She wore a silver glittering gown made of sequins that evening, and a pair of barely there, sky-high heels. I'd made her take lessons with the designer who made them, who taught her how to walk in the shoes.

Amicia looked like a vision that night—her hair sleek in a tall ponytail, her face made-up and her body glittering from the shimmering, scented powder I'd asked the makeup artist to apply. We were going out for a night on the town, at one of my favorite restaurants in Notting Hill called Carpe Diem.

I wrapped a sheer shawl around her shoulders, but I hadn't complimented my toy. Her transgression was still on my mind, and she hadn't done anything to make up for it yet.

I guided her down the lift to the limousine, and then from the car to the restaurant. I felt several pairs of eyes on us as we made our way to our table. She looked breathtaking, and I was certain many men in that room were jealous of my prized possession.

We were just sitting down when I heard a delighted shriek, someone saying my name. I turned around to see Dylan Benson squealing in delight.

"Dylan!" I said with pleasure. "What a wonderful surprise. What are you doing here?"

The gorgeous redhead pecked both of my cheeks, admiring me with her green eyes while Amicia stared her down with a venomous glare. "I'm here with my fiancé, Winston Clare. Winston, come meet Grayson!"

A man about my age, handsome and charming, approached us, grinning when he saw me. "Ah, you must be Grayson Kline. The man I have to thank for my wife-to-be."

"None other," I said with a wide grin, shaking the man's hand. "And this is Amicia, my date."

"What a beauty," the man muttered, shaking Kitty's hand. Dylan kissed her cheek, making Amicia blush.

"She really is," Dylan gushed. "So wonderful to see you here, Grayson. Would you like to join us for dinner?"

I could feel the disappointment oozing from Amicia as I smiled politely at Dylan. "I would love to—but I promised my wonderful date to spend the night making her feel special. Raincheck?"

Dylan's eyes flashed with jealousy, then sparkled even brighter as she leaned in to tell Amicia, "You really are lucky, my friend. Grayson never puts his playthings first—I should know! You must be very special, very special indeed."

We said our goodbyes, and the couple left us to sit down at our table. I busied myself by unfolding my napkin, feeling Amicia's eyes on me.

"Who was she?" she asked, unable to stop herself. "The woman... Dylan. Who was she, Sir?"

"A former plaything of mine," I replied, my eyes boring into my date's. "I kept her for a few weeks last year."

"Oh," Amicia muttered. "And she's now engaged to someone else?"

"Of course," I went on. "I'm glad she's happy."

"Aren't you..." She bit her lower lip as the maître’d placed the menus on the table in front of us. "Jealous?"

"Of that Clare man?" I chuckled. "Of course not, Kitty. I let go of Dylan for a reason. This way is better for her, and for me. Otherwise I wouldn't be sitting here with you."

This seemed to appease her, and she smiled brightly as I ordered for both of us.

We were halfway through our dinner when she asked about Dylan again. "Did you love her?"

I didn't need to ask who she meant. I pondered her question, though there was really only one answer I could give her. "No, I did not."

"Why not?"

I gave her a curious look. She was a curious little pet, which amused me. Still, she was prying about things she had no business asking about. "Aren't you asking a lot of questions tonight, Kitty. I didn't love her because I've never loved anyone."

"Never?" she wondered.

"No. Have you been in love before, Amicia?"

She gave a noncommittal shrug. "There was a boy... when I was still living with the woman who was my foster parent..."