Ace's Key: Book 1 Read online

  “Thanks, Em. You really know how to turn a duckling into a swan.” I had the opportunity to see myself in the full-length mirror before I made my debut in the living room. The results were nothing less than miraculous. The red dress is cut on the bias, and it hangs nicely on my figure. Emma pulled my hair up into a French knot that she has secured with a pretty bejeweled hair comb. My makeup looks elegant and soft. The lipstick is a bit bright for my taste, but since I’m wearing a red dress, I can see where she was going with it.

  “Who are you going with Emma?”

  “I will be accompanying Anthony Haywood.”

  “Anthony Haywood, the restaurateur?” My mouth drops open in shock. “That Anthony Haywood?” I ask.

  Anthony Haywood owns a chain of upscale restaurants all over the world. He is a mega-millionaire, reported to be one of the world’s most eligible bachelors. I recently read a fascinating article about him. A real rags-to-riches story. “Wow, that’s some date that you have.”

  “It’s not a date, Kat. It’s a job. But, yes, I think he’ll be an interesting companion. You, my dear, will be accompanying Damon Noble.”

  My mouth drops open again at the mention of Damon Noble. He’s the owner of a chain of exclusive nightclubs called Zenith.

  “Close your mouth, Kat. I told you that I had an exclusive client list. These men want an educated, attractive girl on their arms. They aren’t interested in relationships or romance. They’re too busy conquering the world. They don’t have time for dating. You’ve lived with me for years, you know how this works.”

  “I know how it works for you, but I’ve never considered your line of work for myself.”

  “I’m just a pretty face for hire, Kat. And tonight, so are you.”

  Emma darts out of the room to ready herself; she’s used to this lifestyle and has her routine down pat. She emerges wearing a navy blue gown that is obscenely low cut in the front. I’m not sure how her breasts are staying inside of the dress. I’m so glad that I didn’t ask to be dressed in blue. Her long auburn hair hangs in waves around her shoulders. She looks beautiful. She reminds me of Jessica Rabbit if she were a real woman. She has curves in all of the right places and a tiny waist. My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. My pounding heart beats out a frantic tattoo as Emma sashays slowly to the door.

  “That should be Damon. I didn’t want there to be a bottleneck at the door, so my client will be arriving at 7:15. Let me look at you one more time.” She gives me a once-over, before she smiles and tells me that I’m flawless. My heart is beating wildly and I feel like there’s a cyclone turning in my stomach.

  “Hi Damon. Come on in. Katarina is all set to go. Thank you for being so understanding. I just can’t figure out how this happened.” Emma steps aside so Damon 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 onto me. “It doesn’t matter who comes with me as long as someone does, attending these things alone is the worst.” He finishes talking to Emma, but his eyes stay on me. He looks me over, and after a minute of silence he smiles. Walking over to me he offers his arm. “Katarina I presume?”

  “Yes, but you can call me Kat if you’d like.” Wow, Emma, wasn’t kidding. He’s a gorgeous man. He’s tall with blond hair and blue eyes and he’s a real treat to look at dressed in his tuxedo. Maybe this won’t be so bad after all.

  “Actually, I would prefer to call you, Katarina, if you don’t mind. You can call me Damon for the evening. Shall we go?” His voice is smooth and sophisticated. It glides over me like warm honey.

  “See you soon,” Emma, calls out as Damon escorts me to the waiting limousine.

  He walks me down the sidewalk, where the driver waits with the door open. Standing aside, he aids my entrance into the car. I take a seat and situate my dress. The slit of the dress has ridden 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 as he smiles at me. His close inspection of me makes me squirm a bit in my seat, causing the dress to ride up even further. His eyes drift back to my exposed leg. I grab my clutch, and pull it to my center like a shield. Somehow my three-inch by four-inch purse is supposed to cover and 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, I think that’s a good idea. Just a small glass please. I haven’t eaten much today and I don’t want the alcohol to go to my head.” I watch as Damon leans over me to reach for the decanter of red wine. The scent of him fills my nose as he fills my glass and places it into my shaking hands.

  “Am I drinking by myself?” I ask.

  “Yes. I never mix alcohol with business. People who drink too much tend to make poor decisions.”

  I respect his decision not to drink. I would abstain myself if I wasn’t so nervous.

  “So, Katarina, 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 fact-like. 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, tells me that you’re her roommate. Tell me something that I don’t know.”

  “I’m a senior at UCLA, studying hospitality management. I’m also getting a minor in accounting.”

  His eyes widen in surprise. “I graduated from UCLA with a Business Management Degree. We already have something in common. The two degrees are similar, except that yours is a bit more specific.”

  “I think I’ll enjoy working in the field. Right now my focus is on graduating,” I nervously pull at my dress to see if I can stop it from rising any further.

  I watch as a knowing smile breaks from his lips. He seems to enjoy my discomfort. “I’m sure that school keeps you busy, but what do you do for fun?” He asks.

  “Fun? I have no idea what that means.” I take a sip of wine and continue on, “I work full time and go to school. There isn’t much time for fun.” I look at him as he contemplates my answer. His fingers are tapping on the seat next to him, and I wonder if it’s a nervous gesture or if he does it unconsciously.

  “You know, Katarina, they say that all work and no play makes Katarina a tired girl.”

  I respond to his incorrect recitation, “I think the correct saying is: all work and no play makes Kat a dull girl.”

  “Are you a dull girl, Katarina? Maybe your job makes you more exciting. Where do you work?” I know he isn’t really interested in where I work, but I play along. In fact, I decide to see how much of his attention I really have. Is he genuinely interested in what I have to say, or he is going through the motions of being polite?

  “I’m a stripper at Baby Dolls,” I declare. His eyes dart to mine. I imagine he is looking to see if there is any truth in my statement. His fingers are no longer tapping on the seat. I laugh at his reaction. It pleases me that he is paying attention.

  “Somehow, I don’t see you pole dancing at Baby Dolls.” I obviously have his attention now, he has leaned forward and has placed his elbows on his knees. His new position has divided the distance between us. I continue to giggle. Maybe a glass of wine was too much.

  “Oh no, I’m much too uncoordinated to use the pole. I’m a cage dancer,” I tease.

  He smiles broadly and continues to toy with me. “I know, without a doubt, that Baby Dolls has no cage dancers, I find it unlikely that you work there. Since the mere rising of your gown makes you blush, I can’t imagine you pole dancing naked.” The tapping begins again, only this time with just his index finger on his chin.

 
“So, you’re a patron? I’ve been caught in a fib. I actually work at Java Joes. If you want a great cup of coffee, then you can come see me. If you want a lap dance, you need to look elsewhere.” My statement serves two purposes, it lets Damon know that I have a sense of humor, and it tells him that I don’t plan on offering him anything beyond platonic companionship.

  “Darn, I was beginning to think that Baby Dolls had upped their game. If you worked there, I would have to consider a visit. It’s not my usual venue, but I would have strayed off the beaten path to see you dance.” His hand lowers back to the seat where his fingers begin to tap again.

  “Flattery will get you nowhere, Mr. Noble.” I say this as I lower my eyes and smile sweetly in his direction. It’s the best imitation of coy that I can muster. He is fun and flirtatious, and I feel comfortable in his presence.

  “I believe the saying is, “Flattery will get you everywhere, Ms. Cross.” His blue eyes are smiling at me as if he is waiting for me to counter.

  “If flattery is all you’ve got, you’re going to have to step up your game, Damon.”

  He gives me a devilish smile that matches the twinkle in his eyes. “I’ll take that as a challenge, Katarina.”

  I wasn’t trying to challenge the man; I was just trying to be playful. “Why do you insist on calling me Katarina?”

  “First of all, it’s your given name. If your parents wanted you called Kat they should have named you Kat.” His eyes narrow. “Second, I looked it up before I picked you up tonight. It means pure, and after meeting you, I can see the purity in you. You are not a woman of the world, Katarina.” He sits back and looks into my eyes. “You’re not a cat with sharp claws and a finicky personality. If you are a feline, you are a graceful, and intelligent one with a nice touch of mischievousness and a good dose of innocence. It’s such a beautiful name, it’s perfect for you.”

  There goes my heart again, beating wildly. How can his words throw me off balance so completely? He sees my vulnerability, and doesn’t overlook my playfulness. He has summed me up in less than fifty words. What does that say about me? I’m young, naïve, and maybe a little fun. He is playful, sophisticated, and incredibly sexy. He’s also off limits. Deep in thought, I am oblivious to our arrival. I don’t notice the car stop or the door open.

  “Katarina, are you ready to go?” Damon is bent at the waist, standing outside of the car. He extends his hand to help me exit. “Don’t be nervous, it’s just dinner.” His smile is disarming. If you’ve never seen a Viking god smile, it’s a sight to see.

  I step out of the car as gracefully as one can in heels. Damon quickly places my hand in his, and confidently guides me up the stairs and into the venue. We stroll through the crowd together. He steers me from group to group presenting me as his companion. I relax in his presence and begin to enjoy the experience. I’m introduced to a broad range of people, from politicians to movie stars. Damon seems to know everyone. I would have thought that I would have been star struck by all of the A-Listers present, but I find that I can’t keep my mind off of Damon Noble.

  After an hour of smiling and mingling, the dinner bell rings, and we are herded into the dining room. Damon escorts me to the head table where we will sit with the Mayor and the board of directors from the hospital. As a major benefactor, Damon is placed in a position of honor.

  He helps me into my chair before seating himself. Sitting two tables away, I spot Emma. She winks at me and then turns her attention back to her escort. She seems to be totally engaged in conversation. This reminds me that all of my attention should be on Damon. As I turn to look at him, I find him staring intently at me. It’s as if he’s trying to figure something out.

  “What are you staring at?” I ask in a quiet voice so that I don’t draw attention to our conversation.

  “I was just admiring how the light reflects off of your hair. It has the most interesting effect. Turn your head in one direction and it looks gold, but if you shift just a tiny bit, the color turns to platinum. It’s really lovely. Tell me, if you were to let your hair down, where would it fall?” He reaches up and touches a strand of hair that has fallen across my forehead and tucks it behind my ear. His touch warms me.

  “It falls midway down my back.” Once again, I am gifted with a broad smile.

  A tap on my shoulder draws my attention away from Damon’s hundred-watt grin. Looking up I see Emma.

  “Can I borrow Katarina for a minute?” We both look at Damon and wait for his response.

  “Certainly, but don’t keep her too long, dinner will be served soon.”

  Emma and I walk to the bathroom where we touch up our lipstick and powder our noses. “How’s it going, Kat?”

  “I think it’s going well, he’s a nice man. He’s very charming and he has been an absolute gentleman. Why didn’t you warn me of how handsome and engaging he is?”

  “He’s a nice looking man, but he doesn’t really do it for me. As far as engaging, I have never really seen that side of him. He’s usually pretty serious. I’m a little surprised at the way he’s looking at you. Normally he’s not that attentive. He seems to be taken with you, Katarina.” She giggles as she pronounces my name Kah-tah-ree-nah with the best foreign accent she can muster. She fails miserably, but makes me laugh in the process.

  “He’s just being nice,” I reply.

  “Damon is not much for the after dinner social scene. He’ll probably stay a little while to be polite, and then he’ll put you in a car headed for home.”

  “Oh, okay thanks for the heads up. I have some studying to do, so getting home at a decent hour would be great.” I am smiling on the outside, but somewhere inside I feel slightly disappointed. I’m all dressed up and won’t get to dance. I bet Damon would be an excellent dancer. “How is Anthony? Is he a nice man?”

  “He’s really interesting.” That’s all she says as she guides me back to Damon.

  “I thought you had abandoned me or left with someone else,” Damon says as I return to the table. He stands as I approach and helps me into my seat. His parents have done a nice job of teaching him manners.

  “Did I miss anything while I was gone?”

  “Not unless you missed me,” he replies.

  I can’t help but smirk at the silliness of his statement. I roll my eyes and answer. “I guess I didn’t miss anything then.”

  He slaps is hand against his chest, “I’m wounded, Katarina.”

  “Somehow, I doubt that, Mr. Noble.”

  Shortly after I’m seated, our dinner is served. The meal begins with a lovely salad and fresh bread. Conversation continues to be lively as our tablemates trade stories about their lives. I sit quietly and take it all in. Who would have thought that I would be dining with the Mayor tonight? Most importantly, who would have thought that I would be dining with Damon Noble?

  The woman to my right is on the board of directors at the hospital. Her name is Rose and she is a cancer specialist. She engages me in a conversation about my schooling and various other topics. She is also an alum of UCLA. Looking at Damon, she asks, “Where did you find this lovely young woman? She is charming; a breath of fresh air.”

  “We were introduced by a mutual friend. She is lovely isn’t she?” Damon looks at me with his glacier blue eyes. He stares into mine and I find it hard to look away. There is something mesmerizing about the color of his eyes. Some unseen force has fused my gaze to his, and the intensity of his look sets my heart to fluttering.

  “I hope you keep this one Damon.” The older woman says, as if she has some say in Damon Nobles life.

  “I think I might keep her,” Damon says.

  My eyes widen at his statement. His hand covers mine on the table and he squeezes it gently. I’m not certain what the squeeze means, but I’m assuming that it means to play along. I lean over and give him a chaste kiss on the cheek that sets my lips to tingling. “That was such a nice thing to say, Damon.”

  The moment is interrupted by the arrival of our dinner. The main
course consists of a beautifully prepared filet and a piece of salmon. The filet looks lovely and the salmon is cooked to perfection. You can tell everyone is enjoying their dinner by the silence at the table. The lack of conversation gives me time to truly appreciate the venue. The ballroom is softly gilded and has large chandeliers hanging from the ceiling throughout the room. Each table is accessorized with an elegant floral arrangement. Name cards have been placed above each setting. Mine says “guest.” The linens are of top quality and the china is beautiful. The event planner did an excellent job.

  “Did you enjoy your dinner, Katarina?”

  I am brought back to the present by Damon’s question. “Yes, it was lovely; I especially liked the salmon. What about you?”

  “The meal was nice, but I delighted in watching you eat. Did you know that you chew everything at least twenty times?”

  “I don’t exactly count to twenty, but I make sure to chew my food well, so that I don’t choke. I wouldn’t want you to have to give me the Heimlich.”

  “In a room full of hospital staff? I’m sure there would be someone more qualified to perform the task.”

  “You’re probably right, but I’m sure they wouldn’t be nearly as handsome or charming.”

  “Don’t let me fool you, I’m a wolf in sheep’s clothing, Katarina.” He addresses me with a serious look in his eyes and a warning in his voice.

  “I’ll consider myself warned, Damon.” What the hell? “What do you think we are going to have for dessert?” I ask.

  He removes the program from under his plate and scans it until he finds the menu. “It looks like you will be having pot de crème with raspberries and fresh whipped topping.” Leaning back in his chair, he adjusts his cummerbund. I watch as his long fingers smooth out the silky looking material.

  “What about you? Don’t you eat dessert?” I’m surprised that someone would want to pass on a little pot of chocolate wonder.