Page 38 of Love Me Gently

“Trina.” He grinned as he said my name and his head tilted to one side. “Is that short for something?”

“Katrina,” I whispered, my throat somehow unable to work properly. “It’s short for Katrina.”

“Beautiful, much like yourself. Why don’t you use it?”

There was no way to explain to this man why. That where I came from, it was too much. Too everything. Toolargeof a name, too exotic. I had no idea what my mother was thinking when she chose it, but it was far beyond the simpler name of my older sister, Kari.

“Trina suits me,” I replied.

That hint of a smile of his vanished and I had the strange sensation I’d disappointed him.

“I disagree. Trina is common and playful. Yet you are beautiful and so much more than something so simple.”

It was impossible he knew anything about me beyond my looks, and yet the compliment still increased that flutter in my stomach. A heat spread to my cheeks, and I found I could no longer meet his gaze for fear I’d melt into a puddle of mush in front of him.

“Thank you.” I looked away as I said it, but his hand reached up.

I cringed for a moment before his thumb pressed the sensitive flesh beneath my jaw and drew my gaze back to his. “Lovely. So lovely. Shall I show you to our seats?”

“Our seats?” My brows rose in surprise.

“I approached Steven earlier, informed him I’d like the honor of your company this evening while we dine. I hope that’s okay.”

I’d be a fool to do anything but agree. Not only would Steven have my head on a platter come Monday morning, I had the distinct impression this man got what he wanted. Always. Fortunately, his company appeared to be enjoyable.

“Of course. I’d be delighted.”

Jonathan held out an arm, gesturing for me to precede him and when I did, his hand settled low at my back. Low enough, his thumb could brush on the upper part of my backside. I tried to remain calm as he guided us toward the table, but then he leaned in, close to my ear. “Don’t be nervous. I promise you that it will be me who is delighted by your company.”

My head spun as his quiet rumble wafted over me. The floor became uneven beneath my already shaking legs.

This man was something…something far more than I’d even been surrounded by.

He was intoxicating.

“Sit,” he said, and pulled out a chair for me. “I’m thankful Steven brought you here tonight. I’ve been wanting to meet you.”

I couldn’t fathomwhy,based on his age, and the fact he had to be wealthy given the table where he sat. The tuxedo he wore was Tom Ford, and the gold Rolex on his wrist would have been dead giveaways anyway.

“I’m afraid I’m at a disadvantage, and I apologize for what I’m about to say and don’t mean to be rude, but I have no idea why or who you are.”

His eyes flared and then a wide, boisterous smile broke out on his face right before he laughed. Not at me but amused all the same. “No offense taken. We don’t run in the same circles.”

He lifted his hand, and a waiter appeared. Jonathan plucked two glasses of champagne off the tray and slid one in my direction.

Pink.

Like what I’d been drinking all night. Had he beenwatchingme? He must not have been lying. He truly had wanted to meet me. I shook off the strangeness and thanked him for the drink.

“What circles are those?” I asked.

His smile deepened and there was humor in his vibrant, rich dark eyes. “Technology, athletics. I’ve recently become General Manager of the Georgia Gators.”

My lips rolled together. That had to be a big thing. And it took me a minute until I flipped through all the memories of my dad shouting at the television screen on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. “Football,” I finally said. “You manage a football team.”

“I do.”

“That must be…fun?”

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