of him while he gently rubs my back. “You are unique among the women I’ve met—so open and honest.”
“I don’t know if I should relax in your arms or run for the door. Being here excites and scares the hell out of me at the same time.”
Squeezing tighter, as if to hold me forever, he says, “You’re a smart girl, Katarina, and you should run for your life, but I hope you stay.”
My decision is made when I melt against him, and the tension releases from my body.
He sinks against the sofa back and holds me in silence until the intercom buzzes.
Greta’s voice breaks the tranquility to inform Damon that his two o’clock appointment has arrived.
“I have to take this meeting.” He looks at me with hope. “I can pick you up for dinner tonight at six if that works for you.”
With a nod of my head, I walk with him to the door. He steps aside to let me pass, and I feel the weight of his gaze as I exit his office and skip all the way to the garage.
Chapter Five
After a forty-minute drive home, I enter an empty house and race for the shower. “I’m having dinner with Damon Noble!” I scream.
In my addle-minded state, I never asked where we were going, and don’t know what to wear. The weather is pleasant enough, and my royal-blue maxi dress will have to do. I leave my hair down and apply light makeup. Damon seems to like that I’m authentic, so tonight there’s no ball gown and professionally applied makeup. What he sees is what he gets—no bells and whistles.
With twenty minutes to wait, I grab Emma’s copy of Bound. Armed with the book and a diet soda, I sink comfortably into the couch and read.
Time passes quickly as I lose myself in the story, and when the doorbell rings, I earmark the page and set the book down in the center of the coffee table.
I answer and find Damon dressed in slacks, a button-down shirt, and a sports coat. He looks upscale casual. He follows me into the house.
“Let me get a sweater, and I’ll be ready to go.”
His eyes run the length of me, and as he looks at my face, a smile unfolds—first in his eyes, then on his lips.
When I return from my room, I find him sitting comfortably on the couch with the book in his hands. There’s a look of fascination on his face as he flips through the pages.
“It’s Emma’s. I was passing the time. Have you heard of it?” I ask, slightly embarrassed to have him find a sex-filled novel on my table.
“Who hasn’t heard of it? It’s been a number one seller this whole year. Are you reading it?”
With a shrug, I say, “Yes. I started it this afternoon while I waited for you to arrive.”
“And?”
“So far, it’s entertaining. What’s most intriguing is that Friday, you made a comment that was like one I read in the book.”
“Really? What was it?”
“Something about having unconventional tastes. I got the impression we weren’t talking about dessert.”
“You’re a perceptive woman. Don’t worry about my specific tastes. I don’t gravitate toward floggers and hot wax, but I’m open to suggestions and experimentation if that’s your desire. We can discuss our specifics at dinner.”
Surprised by his response, I shift from foot to foot. “I can assure you I do not long to be tied up and tortured.”
“I don’t know, a little bondage could be fun.” He appears to enjoy this exchange. It’s as if my discomfort entertains him. “Shall we go? I made reservations at my favorite Italian restaurant. Do you like Italian food?”
“I love it. Do they have good lasagna?”
“The best I’ve ever had.”
We drive in Damon’s silver Mustang to a restaurant called Tony’s, where we’re ushered to a corner table toward the back of the dining room.
He helps me into my seat and sits beside me rather than across from me. It’s a small place with red-checkered tablecloths and pictures of various Italian landmarks like the Tower of Pisa and the Trevi Fountain. Garlic floats through the air mixing with the sound of Frank Sinatra and clinking plates.
“If you take your wallet out to pay for anything besides dinner,” I say, “I’ll beat you. Do you understand?”
“I think you’ve been reading too much of that book I found on your table.” His hand covers mine. “I won’t guarantee that I won’t pay for things, but I promise I won’t offer to pay for