Crossing the Line by Barbara Elsborg, Deco, Susan Lee Page A

another.”

    Inside the mall, Nik took her elbow and she jerked away. He held up his hands. “What the fuck’s the matter with you?”
    “You startled me.” Shit. If she couldn’t stand to be touched, she might as well give this up now.
    He frowned. “We’ll try Macy’s.”
    Katya lacked enthusiasm and energy, and let him lead. The first price tag she checked made her gulp.
    “How about this?” He held up a blue sheath with a low front and lower back.
    “I’d fall out of it when I play.”
    “Take it.”
    She scowled. “I don’t think so.”
    “You have to look sexy.”
    “Professional.”
    “Professional and sexy. You’ll get better tips.”
    “I’ll get tips?”
    “Sure. The customers will give you money, particularly if you play requests. How about this?” It was a filmy red dress with a scoop neck and diagonal hemline.
    Better. She took it into the changing cubicle.
    “Come out and show me.”
    Nik smiled when she emerged. “That looks great.”
    But Katya watched his gaze drop to the bruises on her arms, then rise to her face. She was thinking about the price. It had been reduced twice but was still eighty-nine dollars plus tax. Maybe she had to spend money to make money. Plus she’d had enough of Nik. He’d helped her take the first step, but he was wearing.
    “Okay, I’ll buy it.”
    “You don’t want to check every store?” he asked in mock astonishment.
    “No.”
    Nik watched her count her money. “Raid your piggy bank?”
    “His,” she said.
    “Good for you.”
    She took the bag and receipt and turned to him. “Can we go now?”
    Nik chuckled. “You’re a very easy woman to shop with.”
    “Does your girlfriend drag you to every store?”
    “Ah Katya, checking if I’m available? What makes you think I have a girlfriend?”
    “Because you’re too adorable not to have one?”
    He opened the mall door for her. “Flirting?”
    “No.” But relief that she could lightened her heart.
    “Teasing then.”
    “You’re smart for a Russian man,” she said.
    He put his hand on his heart. “Now you flatter me.”
    She made herself smile. “Thank you for getting me the job.”
    “You’re welcome, though you got the job without my help.”
    “I wouldn’t have known about it without you. So thanks. I owe you.”
    “You’re such a good girl,” he said and guided her toward the car.
    “No, I’m not.” The ache in her heart reminded her she wasn’t.
    “What have you done that’s bad?”
    “You’d never guess.”
    “Did you fuck Putin?” he whispered.
    “He said no,” she whispered back. “He’s also too short for me.”
    Nik groaned. “I suppose I am too. Would you like something to eat? The Cheesecake Factory is just round the corner. I’ll treat you.”
    “No, thank you.” Her stomach churned at the thought of food, the strain of maintaining a façade taking its toll.
    “I’ll drive you back then. Where are you staying?”
    “Nice try, Nik. The café will be fine.”
    “You don’t trust me.” He looked disappointed.
    “Don’t take it personally. I need to feel safe.”
    “Safe from the guy who hurt you?”
    She hesitated then nodded.
    “Come back to my place and I’ll take you to the restaurant tonight.”
    “I won’t go to bed with you.”
    “I promise not to hurt you.”
    “The café,” she repeated.
    “Would it help if I told you I thought I might be gay?”
    “Maybe it would help if I said I was gay.”
    “This relationship is not going to work unless you let me be the funny one,” he said indignantly.
    Katya smiled and for the first time, meant it.

9

    Since she’d refused a lift from Nik and had no idea how to get to the restaurant by bus, Katya had to use precious money on a cab. The Sturgeon looked different by night. White lights circled the trunks of the palm trees and big cars lined the road.
    The woman on the desk had been replaced by a dark haired maitre d’. He had one of the waitresses show her to the staff room where