Risk Taker - Kelly Collins Page 0,2
a cyclone turning in my stomach that threatens to rise up and choke me. I move to the side and let Emma care for her client.
“Hi, Damon. Come on in. Katarina is all set to go.” She leans in and kisses his cheek. “Thank you for your flexibility. I can’t figure out how this happened.” Emma steps aside so he can enter the foyer.
“It’s not a problem. You know how much I hate these things. Thankfully, I only have to attend a few of them a year.” His eyes scan the room and lock on mine. “It doesn’t matter who comes with me as long as someone does. Attending these alone is the worst.” He talks to Em, but his eyes stay on me. He looks me over, and after a minute of silence, he smiles. Walking over, he offers his arm. “Katarina Cross, I presume?”
Wow. She wasn’t kidding. He’s a gorgeous man. Tall with espresso colored hair and blue eyes, he’s a real treat to look at dressed in his tuxedo. Maybe this won’t be so bad.
“Yes, but you can call me Kat if you’d like.”
His smile tightens. “I’d prefer to call you Katarina, and you can call me Damon for the evening. Shall we go?” His voice is smooth and sophisticated. It slides over me like warm honey.
“See you soon,” Emma calls out as Damon escorts me to the waiting limousine.
At the end of the sidewalk, a driver waits with the door open. Standing aside, he aids my entrance into the black stretch limo. I situate my dress, placing my small purse on my lap. The slit rides up my leg, leaving several inches of thigh exposed. No adjusting seems to pull it under control.
Seated across from me, Damon stares at my legs before his attention turns to my face. This man is definitely not gay. There is a gleam in his eyes, and his close inspection of me makes me squirm, causing the dress to ride up even farther.
His eyes drift back to my exposed leg. I grab my handbag and pull it to my center, like a shield, as if my three-inch-by-five-inch purse can protect me.
“You look nervous, Katarina. What can I do to make you more comfortable?” he asks. “Maybe a glass of wine will calm your nerves. Would you like one?” He looks directly into my eyes, waiting for my response.
“Thank you. That would be lovely. Just a small glass, please. I haven’t eaten much today, and I don’t want the alcohol to go to my head.”
He leans over me to reach for the decanter of red wine. The scent of him wafts under my nose as he fills the glass and places it into my shaking hands.
“Am I drinking by myself?” I ask.
He nods, sending a sweep of bangs across his forehead. “I never mix alcohol with business. People who drink too much make poor decisions.” He swipes the hair back and continues to study me.
I respect his decision not to drink. I’d abstain myself if I weren’t so nervous.
“We have a thirty-minute drive before we arrive at our destination. Tell me something about yourself. I’d like to get to know you.”
“I’m not a professional escort,” I say matter-of-factly. I don’t know why I feel the need to say this, but somehow it makes me feel better about myself.
Chuckling, he says, “I know. Emma said you’re her roommate. Tell me something I don’t know.”
“I’m a senior at UCLA, studying hospitality management, and also getting a minor in accounting.”
His eyes widen in surprise. “I graduated from UCLA with a degree in business management. We already have something in common. The two degrees are similar, except yours is more specific.”
“I’m certain I’ll enjoy working in the field, but my focus is on graduating.” I nervously pull at my dress to see if I can stop it from rising. If I don’t, by the time we arrive at the venue, it’s liable to be hiked up to my neck.
A knowing smile breaks from his lips. He seems to enjoy my discomfort. “I’m sure school keeps you busy, but what do you do for fun?” he asks.
“Fun?” I chuckle. “I don’t know what that means.” I take a sip of wine and continue. “I work full-time and go to school. There isn’t much time for fun.”
His fingers tap on the seat next to him, and I wonder if it’s a nervous gesture or if he does it unconsciously.
“You know, they say all work and no play makes