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.
“I can’t explain it. You acted like the perfect gentleman, and I almost forgot you were paying me to be with you.” I shift so that I can face him, and our knees skim one another. “If I could get rid of the money exchange, it would have seemed like a date.” The heat from an innocent touch threatens to burn me alive. “You told me I’m pure, and in some ways, you’re right. I’m not as forward-thinking as I thought. Really, I’m an old-fashioned girl.”
“I get that.” He rubs his chin, the slight scruff sounding like sandpaper against his fingers. “But I’m not a dinner-and-movies kind of guy. However, I can offer you lunch. Greta ordered something for us, and I hope you’ll stay.”
I want to stay, but I also want to run as fast and far away as I can. Damon Noble spells trouble with a capital T. The curious side of me remains. I mean, I sat patiently and