Page 21 of Try Me

New Relationships

Pearl

Nathaniel McKenna wantedto meet Pearl for lunch at one of the nicest restaurants in the city. Pearl borrowed a dress and earrings from one of her roommates and strode into La Bibliotheque with enough confidence to make it look like she belonged at the exclusive Hollywood restaurant. This was her chance, and she was going to knock Mr. McKenna dead.

Pearl had Declan to thank for arranging this meeting. Since their surfing session at Sharp Park, Pearl hadn’t been able to get Declan off her mind. His face kept popping up in her thoughts at the most inopportune times. Say, now, for instance. She should be thinking about her meeting with the sports agent, but instead Pearl was remembering the way Declan had leaned against the tree. Even the way he leaned was sexy. His body was strong and powerful, and his eyes devoured her. Roaming over her, they saw all the way down to her soul.

Is that what her mother had felt with her dad? If so, Pearl could see why Sohayla spent years pining for him, and eventually ruined her life over him. Pushing aside thoughts of Declan, Pearl vowed not to go down the same path. Avoiding her mother’s mistakes was a mantra ingrained in her being. Falling in love was something she promised herself she’d never do. Declan Bishop might be the most handsome and talented man Pearl had ever met, and she couldn’t deny the chemistry between them was sizzling, but she’d never fall for him.

Pearl had goals. She had dreams.

Declan was a very tempting distraction, but Pearl was entirely too strong to succumb to temptations. She wouldn’t let a man, even one who leaned like Declan Bishop, derail her.

“I’m meeting someone,” Pearl told the hostess in the lobby of the restaurant. “Nathaniel McKenna.”

The hostess raked her eyes over Pearl, scrutinizing her appearance. Pearl straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin, pretending not to notice. She must have passed the test, because a moment later the hostess smiled and stepped out from behind the stand.

“Right this way,” she said.

It seemed all of Hollywood was dining at La Bibliotheque for lunch. Pearl recognized actors, models, and singers among the patrons. Trying not to gape at the famous diners, Pearl silently thanked her roommate for letting her borrow her red dress. At least she looked the part even if she didn’t feel it.

The hostess halted in front of a private booth in a dimly lit corner of the restaurant. Pearl stepped around the high back of the booth and got her first glimpse of Mr. McKenna.

Her eyes widened as she realized she recognized him. She’d seen him at the award’s banquet for the US Open Surfing Championships, and she’d mistaken him for one of the surfers.

Pearl knew all about Nathaniel McKenna. She knew his background, and that he was the man responsible for ushering in the modern era of sports management, but she didn’t know what he looked like. She’d assumed he would be a middle-aged man with a receding hairline and a paunch. Instead, he was tall and strikingly handsome. Impeccably dressed in a dark gray suit, white shirt, and burgundy-striped tie, Mr. McKenna exuded power. He fit in perfectly with the crowd of attractive celebrities.

“You must be Pearl Sunn,” he said, offerering his hand. “Nate McKenna.”

Lifting her chin to look up at him, Pearl was glad she’d chosen to wear high heels. McKenna towered over her, and he seemed to enjoy using his height to intimidate.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. McKenna.”

“You can call me Nate,” he said, engulfing her hand with his. “For once Bishop wasn’t exaggerating.” He dropped his eyes over her in clinical appreciation.

“What did Declan tell you about me?” Pearl asked, unable to mask her curiosity. She knew the exact word she would use to describe him. Fascinating.

“He said you were a goddess,” Nate said.

A flush crept over Pearl at the high praise, and she quirked an eyebrow. “Is that what he said?”

“Among other things,” Nate admitted. “Sit,” he said, indicating the high-backed booth. Snapping his fingers, he called a waiter over and ordered a bottle of Dom Perignon.

Pearl didn’t sit. She’d learned some valuable lessons at Berkeley being surrounded by intimidating men. She knew how important it was to show strength immediately. Any sign of weakness was like blood in the water, and Pearl was definitely swimming with a shark.

“It’s a little early to celebrate,” she said.

Nate’s eyebrows shot up, and he frowned. “I thought this was what you wanted.”

“I want it with all my heart,” she said, flashing her thousand-watt smile. “But I also have a brain.”

Nate’s frown deepened momentarily. “Bishop did say you were one of a kind,” he said, not making it sound like a compliment.

Pearl wondered what else Declan had said about her. Obviously, it had been enough to make a man like McKenna offer her a deal at first sight. Pearl wasn’t sure if she liked Nate McKenna or not, but she was certain that she didn’t trust him.

“Let’s sit,” Pearl said, gesturing at the booth.

Nate flashed her a knowing smile. He recognized that she wanted to establish control. He’d probably used the same tactic hundreds of times. He nodded and slid into the booth, allowing her to score the first point.

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