Paige was trying to keep calm. She had thought that they'd go straight to the presentation and she'd talk through dinner. 'Nathaniel, I guess, had other plans,' she thought. Before it registered in her head that she called him 'Nathaniel' instead of 'Mr. Donovan', her thoughts were interrupted by Nathaniel.
"Did you find the place okay?" he inquired. Nathaniel was interested in hearing Paige's voice, so anything to get her speaking was welcome.
The butler was filling their glasses with wine but before he was able to take Paige's glass, she held up her hand and said, "No thank you, I don't drink."
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't realize. Arthur, can you take my glass to the kitchen as well?" Nathaniel said, holding his glass and then putting it on a tray that his butler held out to him. Arthur left with the glasses and Paige was confused. There was such a stark contrast in the tone that he used when talking to her as opposed to everyone else.
"Nathaniel, why do you speak so warmly with me but are emotionless with everyone else," she asked, not realizing that she called him 'Nathaniel'. However, this was not lost on Nathaniel, whose heart leapt when his first name was uttered from her lips.
"I will tell you, but I need you to keep it a secret. Can you promise me that?" Nathaniel said. He had a big grin on his face.
"I can keep secrets. I'll sign an NDA if it's a trust issue," Paige said, looking down. She had secrets of her own, so she understood.
"I trust you, Paige. I don't need you to sign anything," he whispered huskily. Paige's breath hitched and she stared at him.
"My father, when grooming me to take over for him right after getting my MBA, told me that I needed to be cold and emotionless publicly. He told me to never show anyone I didn't trust that I cared. The reason why was because a rival business that he took over almost killed my mother when she was pregnant with me. His wife before my mother died under mysterious circumstances as well, and he was sure that she was killed. He told me if I cared about someone, never to show it publicly because they will be used against me. So, I took that advice," he said. He stared at Paige, waiting for her response. He hoped that she understood what he implied.
"I see," she said, somewhat shocked. "I'm sorry that this was something that you had to learn and use to protect yourself. But, you might consider not being mean to your staff. They're people, too, and they have feelings," Paige considered his words more, and had lines of concentration on her forehead. Arthur came in with two plates at that time and place one in front of Nathaniel and one in front of her. She looked at the beautifully arranged plate. There were six different bite sized hor d'oeuvres that looked scrumptious. The butler left the room once again and Nathaniel stabbed something that had a scallop and sauce on it with his fork and popped it into his mouth. Paige echoed his actions and to her delight she was greeted by a complex citrusy salty flavor.
"Do you like it? Anything that you like I can have the chef make more of. I limited our meal to 3 courses per your text," he said with a smile. Her surprised smile when she took a bite was so adorable that he didn't care about her earlier criticism of him. With anyone else, they'd be out of his home, but with Paige, he actually thought about making a change.
"It's delicious, but if I have two more courses to get through, I'm not sure I should ask for more of that," Paige replied with a chuckle. She contemplated his earlier words and had a puzzled look on her face again. She shoved food into her mouth to keep it preoccupied and finished her plate.
"You're so deep in thought. Aren't you meant to schmooze with me so I'm more inclined to donate?" Nathaniel said.
"I apologize. You're right, I should be more social. I am a bit introverted, though, so I am not the best conversationalist," Paige said with a frown.
"You're a fine conversationalist. That's one of the things I like about you," Nathaniel said with a small smile.
"You like me?" Paige said, wondering aloud. She shocked herself with her own response and quickly said, "Please forgive me for that! It was assumptious and just an intrusive thought that I said out loud." Paige lower her head, waiting for Nathaniel to say something. Every second that passed felt like an eternity before Nathaniel spoke.
"You don't need to apologize, Paige. I will answer that question after you finish your business proposal and that is settled more. Please don't feel uncomfortable with me," Nathaniel pleaded. He never was one to beg. In fact, he had never begged in his entire life. But, he felt that he needed to keep her from running out the door and he would do whatever's necessary to prevent that. He didn't know why he felt this way, but he was so intent on pursuing this feeling that he knew he'd be crushed if she rejected him. Nathaniel knew that it'd be better if their business was finished so there wasn't a professional boundary crossed in Paige's mind.
Arthur came in with another butler. One cleared their plates and another served them their entrees. Paige looked at the chicken dish in front of her. It looked delicious and had some colorful vegetables that were arranged delicately in a triangle pattern around the chicken. There was sauce and edible flowers decorating the plate. She focused on her food, desperately trying to pretend the conversation that they just had didn't happen. She cut a bite and placed it in her mouth. It was so utterly delicious. The sauce had an earthy taste to it that Paige guessed was truffles and she fought to keep herself from moaning in ecstasy.
"I'm guessing by the smile on your face that you like the entree," Nathaniel said with a soft smile. At least he could try and keep her around with food. He'd have to give his chef a raise so that no one tried to poach him from him.
"Every bite has been so yummy. I didn't realize I'd be treated to a Michelin star meal in your home," Paige said teasingly.
Nathaniel took another bite, studying Paige, then asked, "Do you like sweets? Because desert is going to be delicious." His voice dipped low and became husky as he said it without him meaning to.
Paige was feeling hot again. She felt redness creeping into her cheeks and shoved another bite into her mouth, forcing herself to calm down as she swallowed. "I do, admittedly, have a sweet tooth," she whispered. Paige couldn't understand why she replied like that. She needed to get through this dinner and her presentation and secure funding.