trying to put my other heel on, on the way. When I open the door, Damon is there looking delicious in his tuxedo. It’s hard to stay upset with him when he takes my breath away.
Calm down, heart.
I take a few deep breaths and regain my composure. “I’m almost done. Come in. Let me get my bag, put on my earrings, and I’ll be ready.”
He steps through the door and waits while I rush around, looking for Emma’s silver shawl. I find it on my dresser and wrap it around my shoulders before rushing back to the living room.
“You look stunning,” he says. “The color and fit are perfect on you.”
“I wonder how your mom knew.”
“It must be a girl thing.” His eyes smile like he has a secret. Offering his arm, we walk to the waiting limousine.
A sense of déjà vu washes over me. Was is only weeks ago that I sat in this same limousine with him? He’s in the same place, staring at the slit of my dress as it rises up my thigh.
“You must have had a busy week.” I don’t want to pry, but I’d like to know why he didn’t call. His silence for the past two days feels like a punishment.
“Things are always busy,” he says.
He’s pulling away from me, and my heart aches. My hope was he’d see me in this beautiful dress and want to hug or kiss me, but he didn’t.
He sits stiffly in the seat across from me and stares at my legs until we reach the venue, and the driver opens the door.
People surround Rose, but she notices our arrival and waves us over. Being the gentleman his mother raised, Damon guides me to her before stepping away.
With a look of satisfaction, Rose announces I’m perfectly dressed for the event.
“Where did you get that dress? It’s beautiful.”
“Damon said you sent it.” I look over my shoulder to find him, but he’s not there.
“It’s not from me. He must have picked it out.” She touches the beading at my shoulder. “He has impeccable taste, don’t you think?” She smiles with pride.
“You raised him well.” Shock addles my brain. What’s the deal with him? He buys me this amazing dress and then keeps his distance. I don’t understand what message he’s trying to send. Does he want to be with me or not?
He walks up with two glasses of champagne.
I lean in and whisper, “Thanks for the dress. It’s beautiful.”
He smiles warmly and whispers back, “No one but you could wear that dress. It was made for you.”
I’m touched by the sincerity in his voice but confused by his immediate disappearance into the crowd.
I sip my champagne and mingle with Rose. A handsome gentleman approaches, and Rose introduces him as Russell, an anesthesiologist at the hospital where she works. Russell lifts my hand and places a lingering kiss there. Embarrassed, I tug it back and turn away.
Off to my right, Damon stands with a scowl intimidating enough to scare the devil himself. He looks at Russel and then at me before he walks away—again.
Rose does her best to introduce me to every sexy, single, and successful man in the room like she’s trying to set me up, while Damon just stands at the perimeter looking apoplectic.
“All this attention you’re getting isn’t sitting well with my son.”
I feel his penetrating eyes on me. The heat from his fiery gaze is like lava on my skin. “I don’t think he cares.” I lie.
“Oh, he cares, and this will teach him to not leave you alone.” Rose bursts into a fit of laughter as she moves toward their private box. “Something rare is always desired, but it’s the smart man who claims it first. Let’s see if tonight puts a flame under my son’s ass.” She takes another look at Damon and snickers. “Shall we, Katarina?”
Rose is not someone I want to anger because she doesn’t play fair.
The performance is wonderful, the company is lovely, and my champagne glass is never empty. During the intermission, Damon broods in the back of the box while his mother occupies me every minute.
When it’s time to leave, I realize I’m drunk. Rose and I giggle as we totter our way to waiting cars. Damon climbs into the car next to me, and I immediately reach for a glass and the decanter of wine.
“Do you think you should drink more, Katarina?” The sarcasm drips from his voice.
“Oh, you speak?” I lift the decanter into the air. “I