“Oh. My. God. Kat, it was the best night of my life. Before you ask, yes, I slept with him, but it was amazing. I can’t remember a time when I’ve been so satisfied. That man’s talents don’t stop at cooking.” Her arms swoon to land on her forehead. “I didn’t want to leave him, but I have classes tomorrow. I just left him, but I’m craving him already.”
“Wow.” It’s all I can say; I’ve never had an experience like that. My best sexual experience was by myself. My most romantic experience was last night when I felt safe and cherished in the arms of a man who paid me for my time. “When is your next date?”
“Tomorrow night.” She giggles. “He’s picking me up at six, and we are taking off for a few days to Catalina. I don’t have classes until Friday. Do you think you can live without me for a few days?”
“I’m a big girl.” I shut my book and shove it aside. “I’m visiting Damon tomorrow to return his money.”
“Go easy on him. He’s had a tough time of it these last few years.” She covers her mouth with her hand as if to stop the information from spilling out. “Forget I said anything. Anthony shared a few things about Damon, but it’s not my story to tell. I had no right to say anything.”
“You divulged nothing, so no harm done.” A tough time? What could be tough about being Damon Noble? He’s hot, he’s rich, what more could he want? Me; he wants me.
“Okay. Just be the sweet, caring, and compassionate girl you always are.”
“Damon Noble will never change me.”
Em laughed. “The right man always does.”
Chapter Four
The double doors on the Noble building are large and imposing, much like the man who owns the building. Reception guides me in the right direction, and ten minutes later, I am standing outside the corporate office of Mr. Damon Noble, President of Noble Enterprises.
The only thing between him and me is a large door and his secretary. The middle-aged woman addresses me.
“Good morning. May I help you?”
“Hello,” I say with confidence I don’t feel. “I’d like to see Mr. Noble, please.”
“Do you have an appointment, Ms. …?”
“Cross. My name is Kat Cross, and no, I don’t have an appointment, but I’ll only need a moment of his time.”
Pursed lips show the lines of a woman pushing fifty if not older. Her black tailored suit says she means business, but there is a softness in her eyes that sets me at ease.
“Mr. Noble is unavailable. I can take your information and have him call you when he’s free.”
I came to see Mr. Noble and had no intention of leaving until I did.
“I’ll wait.” I needed to get his money out of my purse and back into his wallet.
“You’re welcome to have a seat, but he has a full schedule, and I’m not sure when he’ll have time to see you.”
She’s professional and likely telling the truth, but she is getting on my nerves. I smile sweetly at her and say, “I’ll wait until he can see me.” I look around the posh office space, and when my eyes land on her again, I add, “Even if it takes all day.”
“Can I get you something to drink?”
“I’d love some water and your name, please?”
“Certainly, Ms. Cross. My name is Greta.” She walks over to a wooden wall and pushes on the mahogany surface. What seems like solid wood pops open to expose a concealed refrigerator and bar area.
Greta reaches in and picks up a bottle of water and a glass, then closes the panel, and once again, the wall appears seamless.
“Thank you, Greta.” I take the water and sit directly across from her desk, making sure I remain in her line of sight. Maybe if I sit here and stare her down, she’ll accommodate my request more quickly.
Thirty minutes pass. Forty minutes pass. An hour goes by.
I’m well into my second hour of waiting when Greta’s eyes dart to her phone. She picks up the line and responds. “Yes, Mr. Noble. Will there be anything else?” She glances in my direction, and I look at her with pleading eyes. “Mr. Noble? There is a young woman by the name of Kat Cross who has been waiting to see you. She doesn’t have an appointment, and I’ve informed her that your schedule is tight. Will you be able to make time for her, or shall I schedule an appointment for another day?” There is a pause as she listens for his answer. “Yes, sir,” she replies. Greta hangs up the phone and walks over to where I’m seated. “Mr. Noble will see you now.”
“Thank goodness. I appreciate you letting him know I was here.”
She irons the wrinkles from her skirt with her palms. “Please, follow me.”
At the door, she raps lightly before opening it and swinging the door wide for me to enter.
The whole time I sat waiting, I never felt nervous, but seeing him again makes my insides shake. There’s an undercurrent crackling just below the surface, and I can’t decide if it’s fear or anticipation.
Damon rises from his chair and is at my side in seconds flat. He leans over and places a chaste kiss on my cheek. The innocent little peck makes my heart race.
He takes my hand and leads me to a soft leather couch.
He holds up his hand. “Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right back.” He walks to the door and exits.
I didn’t realize I was holding my breath until my chest hurt. I release a whoosh of air and follow it with an inhale to bring oxygen to my deprived brain.
Damon Noble will be the death of me. I can’t breathe or think when he’s around.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Katarina. I didn’t know you were here. I promise that won’t happen again.”
Oh, why can’t he be the dating type?
Dressed in a tailored blue pinstripe suit, he is a sight to behold. From his perfectly trimmed hair to his hand-polished shoes, he is the ideal specimen.
“The wait wasn’t a problem.”
“I’m so pleased you came to visit me.” His smile is warm and welcoming.
“Thanks for seeing me on such short notice. I came to give you your money back. I told you I didn’t want compensation for my time. Friday night was the best, and I don’t want to cheapen it by the exchange of money. Please consider our time together a gift.”
I pull the thousand dollars out of my purse and put it in his palm.
He frowns and places the money on the table to the right of the couch before sitting down beside me. His nearness causes my muscles to tense, and my breathing to accelerate.
“I wanted you to have the money because I valued our time together. I’d have left more if I’d had it in my wallet, but that was all the cash I had on hand. If I had treated you like a normal escort, I’d have handed you three hundred dollars and sent you on your way.”
A sigh pushes past my lips. “Damon, the exchange of money makes me feel like a whore.” There, I said it, and he looks like I slapped him in the face.
“How could you feel like a whore? I asked nothing of you except to see me again.” There is hurt in his eyes, and I can’t figure out why he’d feel wounded when I’m the one he treated like a prostitute.