Katarina.” Rose says. “I’ll leave you to enjoy the music. It’s been my pleasure to meet you, young lady.” Looking straight into Damon’s eyes, his mother says, “I’d like to see her again.”
He leans forward and kisses her cheek. “Good night, Mother. I’ll talk to you soon.”
After Rose leaves, I ask, “Why didn’t you tell me she was your mother?” It seems odd he didn’t introduce her as such.
“It didn’t seem important.” He shrugs my question off with a tip of his shoulder.
“I like her. She’s nice.”
“She has her moments.” He stands and pulls me next to him. “Would you like to dance?”
Shocked by his invitation, I’m left speechless and confused. The night has ended, and I’m supposed to be on my way.
His brows raise in question. “You dance, don’t you?”
“I dance. I didn’t suffer through two years of ballroom dancing for nothing. My mother guaranteed me each time Jimmy Horner stepped on my toes, there would be a payoff later in life.”
Damon escorts me onto the dance floor, where he takes control. He twirls and dips me until I’m dizzy. Expecting to stay for a song or two, I’m surprised when he insists we stay longer.
He pulls me close to his chest as the song ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ by Michael Bublé plays. We dance in the center of a crowd, yet I feel alone with him in the room. For the next two hours, there is nothing or no one but him and me.
“I think we outlasted everyone here,” he whispers in my ear.
When I look around, we’re the last couple remaining. The band packs up, and the hotel staff tears down the room.
“I had such a good time, but I’ll regret this tomorrow when I have to be up at six for work. For now, I’ll bask in the glow of contentment.” Sadly, I feel like Cinderella just before the clock strikes midnight. I’ve just met Prince Charming, but I can’t have him.
“I’m glad I met you, and as my mother mentioned earlier, you are a breath of fresh air.”
We walk out the front door and down the steps. The car waits, and I expect him to help me in and send me home. I climb inside the car and situate myself. Knowing he’ll close the door and I’ll ride alone, I remove my shoes from my aching feet.
Damon stands with the door open. He peeks in the car then stands up before stepping back. The door closes, and I feel a sense of sadness as it shuts. Just before the latch clicks, I hear a groan, then the door opens wide, and Damon takes a seat beside me.
“I thought we already said goodbye.”
He sits close enough for his body to touch mine from shoulder to thigh.
“Is it okay if I escort you home? I’m not ready to let you go yet.” He closes his eyes and rubs his forehead. This is the first time I’ve seen his confidence waiver. Holding his breath, he releases the air, and his cheeks deflate. “I don’t normally do this. I usually just send my companions home by themselves.”
“I heard.” I rotate my body, so I face him. “I also heard we should have left hours ago, but I’m glad we stayed. It would have been a shame to get all dressed up and not dance with you.”
Looking at my discarded shoes, he asks, “Do your feet hurt?”
I chuckle. “I’m certain men designed high heels. They look great, but after several hours of standing in them, they’re like a medieval torture device.”
Damon makes room and reaches down to grab both of my feet. He shifts me so that they’re in his lap while his long, skilled fingers rub the soreness from my toes. The feeling is divine, and I let out a satisfied groan as he continues to knead his way toward my heels.
“Would you be interested in accompanying me again?” He leans forward, quirks his brow, and smiles.
“Damon, I’m not the escort, I’m the fill-in. I only did this because my best friend needed my help. I’m sure Emma will never double-book again.”
“Katarina, I don’t want Emma. I want you, and I’m willing to pay you for your time.” At the mention of money, he stops rubbing my feet and pulls out his wallet. He flips through his bills and pulls out several hundred. Folding the money in half, he places it in my palm.
The crisp bills feel uncomfortable in my hand. Although they are new bills, they make