Page 58 of Tempting Kat
Once everything is inside, I pull out my phone and snap a quick picture of the donation receipt Gloria handed me, the center's logo clearly visible. I add the photo in a text to Conrad.
Went on a shopping spree like you wanted. Bought everything that caught my eye. Then I donated it all to the women's shelter. Thought they could use some nice shit more than I could. Go fuck yourself and don't EVER threaten someone's job again just to control me.
I hit send with my middle finger, satisfaction coursing through me like a drug. My phone immediately starts ringing, but I decline the call with a vicious sort of pleasure.
“Henry,” I say, turning to the driver who's watching me with a carefully neutral expression, “I'm sorry he threatened your job. That was fucked up.”
Henry's lips twitch. “I don’t believe he meant it, Miss Katarina.”
“Well, it's still bullshit.” My phone buzzes again with another call. I decline it again. “Take me somewhere I can actually buy the stuff I need. T-Mart, Karsons, I don't care. Somewhere normal people shop.”
“As you wish.” There's definitely a hint of amusement in his voice now.
My phone pings with a text message. Against my better judgment, I look.
Answer your fucking phone.
No. I'm busy. Go micromanage someone else's life.
You're being childish.
And you're being a controlling asshole. Don't text me again unless it's to apologize to Henry.
I silence my phone and shove it in my bag, leaning back against the seat with a huff. By the time we reach T-Mart, I've calmed down enough to think rationally about what I actually need.
An hour later, I've got everything a girl could need to start over—clothes, toiletries, makeup, even some cheap art supplies to replace what was ruined. Nothing fancy, just practical shit I'd buy for myself if I had the money.
When we get back to the car, I check my phone. Seven missed calls and three texts, all from Conrad.
I apologized to Henry.
He says you're at T-Mart.
I'm sorry. I shouldn't have threatened him. That was a dick move.
I'm surprised enough by the apology that I actually text back.
Yeah, it was. Don't pull that shit again.
Chapter 18
Conrad
The moment the alert pings on my phone that they've passed through the main gate, I'm moving. I don't want to give her time to think.
I step out onto the wide stone porch of my home, leaning against one of the columns as the car winds up the long driveway. My pulse quickens at the thought of seeing her again, this wild thing I can't seem to control no matter how hard I try. And fuck, do I try.
The black Bentley pulls to a stop, and I can see her silhouette through the tinted windows. She's not moving. Henry gets out first, his face carefully neutral as he opens the rear passenger door.
“What the actual fuck is this?” Katarina's voice cuts through the evening air as she emerges from the car, eyes blazing as they lock onto me. “This isn't the Lovelace.”
I can't help the smirk that forms on my lips. “No, it isn’t.”
“I didn't agree to this,” she snaps, standing her ground beside the car. The setting sun catches in her hair, turning the edges to fire. “Henry, take me to the hotel. Now.”
Henry glances at me, and I give him a slight nod. “The bags, Henry. Then you're dismissed for the evening.”
“Yes, sir.” He moves to the trunk, deliberately avoiding Katarina's death glare.
