“Darn. I was thinking Baby Dolls upped their game. If you worked there, I’d consider a visit. It’s not my usual, but I’d stray off the beaten path to see you dance.” His hand lowers, and he drums his fingers on the seat again.
“Flattery will get you nowhere, Mr. Noble” I lower my eyes and smile sweetly in his direction. It’s the best imitation of coy I can muster.
At least he’s fun and flirtatious, and I feel comfortable in his presence.
“I believe the saying is, ‘Flattery will get you everywhere, Ms. Cross.’” His blue eyes smile at me as if he is waiting for me to counter.
“If flattery is all you’ve got, you need to step up your game.”
His lips lift into a devilish grin that matches the twinkle in his eyes. “I’ll take that as a challenge, Katarina.”
I wasn’t trying to challenge the man; I was just being playful. “Why do you insist on calling me Katarina?”
“It’s your given name. If your parents wanted someone to call you Kat, they should have named you Kat.” His eyes narrow. “Second, I looked it up before I picked you up tonight. It means pure, and after meeting you, I can see the purity in you. You are not a woman of the world, Katarina.” He sits back and looks into my eyes. “Not a cat with sharp claws and a finicky personality. If you are a feline, you are a graceful and intelligent one with a nice touch of mischievousness and a good dose of innocence. It’s such a beautiful name and perfect for you.”
There’s my heart again, beating wildly. How can his words throw me off balance so completely? How did he sum me up in less than fifty words? What does that say about me? I’m young, naïve, and maybe a little fun?
He’s playful, sophisticated, and sexy. He’s also off-limits. Deep in thought, I’m oblivious to our arrival until the car stops, and the door opens.
“Are you ready to go?” Damon stands outside of the car, extending his hand to help me exit. “Don’t be nervous. It’s just dinner.” His smile is disarming. If you’ve never seen a Viking god smile, it’s a sight to see.
I step out of the car as gracefully as one can in heels. He quickly places his hand in mine and confidently guides me up the stairs and into the building where an amalgamation of perfumes and colognes sits heavy in the air.
We stroll through the crowd together. Steering me from group to group, he introduces me to a broad range of people, from politicians to movie stars. Damon seems to know everyone. I would have thought I’d be starstruck by all the A-listers present, but I can’t keep my mind off Damon Noble.
After an hour of smiling and mingling, the dinner bell rings, and we’re herded into the dining room. He escorts me to the head table, where we will sit with the mayor and the board of directors from the hospital. As a major sponsor, they place Damon in a position of honor. He helps me into my chair before seating himself.
Sitting two tables away, I spot Emma. She winks at me and then turns her attention back to her escort, which reminds me that all my attention should be on Damon. As I turn to look at him, I find him gazing at me. It’s as if he’s trying to figure something out.
“What are you staring at?” I ask in a quiet voice, so I don’t draw attention to our conversation.
“Just admiring how the light reflects off your hair. It has the most interesting effect. Turn your head in one direction, and it looks gold, but if you shift in another, the color turns to platinum. Tell me, if you were to let your hair down, where would it fall?” He reaches up and touches a strand of hair that’s come loose, tucking it behind my ear.
His touch warms me.
“It falls midway down my back.” Once again, I’m gifted with a broad smile.
A tap on my shoulder draws my attention away from Damon’s hundred-watt grin. Looking up, I see Emma.
“Can I borrow Katarina for a minute?” We both look at him and wait for his response.
“Certainly, but don’t be too long. It’s almost time for dinner.”
Emma and I walk to the bathroom, where we touch up our lipstick and powder our noses.
“How’s it going?” Em asks.
“I think it’s going well. He’s charming, and, you were right, he has been an absolute gentleman. I don’t think you did him justice when you were describing him. I mean, he is not only handsome but also engaging.”
“Well, he isn’t exactly my type in the looks department, and as far as engaging, I’ve never really seen that side of him. He’s usually stoic.” She kissed a Kleenex and tossed the red-stained tissue into the trash can. “I’m a little surprised at the way he looks at you. Normally, he’s not attentive, but he’s taken with you, Katarina.” She giggles as she pronounces my name Kah-tah-ree-nah with the best foreign accent she can fake. She fails miserably, but it makes me laugh.
“He’s just being nice,” I reply.
“Damon isn’t known for the after-dinner social scene. He’ll probably stay a little while to be polite and then tuck you in a car and send you home.”
“Oh, okay. Thanks for the heads-up. I have to study, so getting home at a decent hour will be great.” I smile on the outside, but somewhere inside, I feel disappointed. I’m all dressed up and won’t even get to dance, and there is no doubt in my mind that Damon would be an excellent dancer. “How is Anthony? Is he a nice man?”
“He’s interesting.” That’s all she says as she guides me back to Damon.
He stands as I approach and helps me into my seat.
“I thought you had abandoned me or left with someone else,” he says.
“Did I miss anything while I was gone?”
“Not unless you missed me.” He quirks a brow.
I smirk at the silliness of his statement. “I guess I missed nothing, then.”
He slaps his hand against his chest. “I’m wounded.”
“Somehow, I doubt that, Mr. Noble.”
Shortly after I take my seat, they serve dinner. The meal begins with a crisp salad and fresh bread.
Conversation continues to be lively as our table mates trade stories about their lives. I sit quietly and take it all in. Who would have thought I’d be dining with the mayor tonight? Who would have thought I’d be here with Damon Noble?
The woman to my right is on the board of directors at the hospital. Her name is Rose, and she’s an oncologist. She engages me in a conversation about my education and says she is also an alumna of UCLA.
Looking at Damon, she asks, “Where did you find her? This one is a breath of fresh air.”
“A mutual friend introduced us.”
He stares at me with his glacier-blue eyes, and I find it hard to look away. There is something mesmerizing about the color of his irises. Some unseen force has fused my gaze to his, and the intensity of his look sets my heart fluttering.
“I hope you keep this one,” the older woman says as if she has some say in Damon Noble’s love life.
“I might keep her,” he says with a hint of authority.
His hand covers mine, and he squeezes it gently. I’m uncertain what the squeeze means, but I assume it means to play along.
I lean over and give him a chaste kiss on the cheek that makes my lips tingle. “That was such a nice thing to say.”