Page 13 of Degrees of Innocence
“You were speaking in Dutch?” I ask.
“Yes, in most areas of the island English is common because tourism is prominent. However, there is still a great appreciation for the culture and native language,” he explains.
He takes my hand from across the table “You’re quiet. What are you thinking?”
“That I am attracted to a man I’ve known less than forty-eight hours. I don’t know anything about you, except your name, you frequent the island, you’re a little overbearing, extremely handsome, and that your eyes smolder and jaw sets when you get annoyed. I don’t date much, and it’s all a little overwhelming if I'm honest.”
He squeezes my hand in response and his bright eyes never leave mine. “It would disappoint me greatly if you felt different, Katarina,” he says, suddenly smiling. “So you think I’m a little overbearing?” he asks.
I can’t help but laugh and shake my head in affirmation.
“Um, yes. Especially when you told me you were going to pick me up and take me to my room,” I say, laughing at the memory of his comment.
“Katarina, I’ll let you in on a little secret. I am extremely overbearing if that’s the word you like,” he admits, grinning.
Our food arrives, and the aroma is strong and smoky. I try a small bite and find the marinated chicken, seasonings, and fruit as delicious as he promised. “Mmm, so good,” I say, murmuring my appreciation for the taste.
He’s watching me intently, and his eyes seem to darken right in front of me. “I’m glad you like the dish, Katarina. Your appreciation for the tastes you like, in wine and food, is almost sensual. You can’t possibly know what that does to me,” he says.
I can feel my skin warm under his gaze and compliment. “Do you always say whatever is on your mind?” I ask, smiling.
“Usually, am I embarrassing you?”
“Maybe a little, but I quite like it,” I reply, realizing that it’s the truth and that I feel comfortable in his company.
“Good. Now tell me a little about you and this project that required you to work so much this weekend,” he says.
“Well, I live in Chicago, and I’m a Lean consultant. We’re currently working on the design of a new healthcare facility in the city. I’m going to be holding a weeklong event here on the island to improve the existing care model before we begin designing the medical complex. I asked for a place the team could convene for a week thinking that Prestian Corp, the company that hired me, would supply a large conference room in one of the buildings they own in Chicago. Instead, they provided the conference room here at the Ridalgo. They are flying everyone in and have rooms reserved for the entire team. In fact, the caregivers should have arrived on the island today. Unfortunately, I still have a little prep work to do tonight and still need to set the conference room up for the event tomorrow. I’ll skip my run tonight and go for a nice long one after I get done tomorrow,” I say as we finish eating.
“It sounds like a very worthwhile project and a busy week. I suppose I should get you back to the resort relatively early then,” he says, pulling my chair out for me.
When we reach the resort the valet takes the Jeep, and Chase guides me through the lobby to the Mayan Tower elevator. This time, I have the key card in the front of my purse, and as I reach for it, he pulls me in closer, lifting my chin so that I’m looking directly into his eyes.
“A man could drown in your eyes, Katarina.” He gently pushes the long curl that has escaped from my hair clip out of my eyes, and then reaches behind me, unlocking the clip. My hair spills out of the barrette and down onto my shoulders and breasts, as he brushes it out of my face.
“I have wanted to do that all day… and this…” he murmurs as his lips find mine, kissing me with a firm gentleness, exploring my mouth and tongue with his, slowly building the urgency and desire between us. One of his hands cradles my face, while the other resting on the small of my back pulls me closer. His desire for me is evident as he holds me and I can hear the soft murmur, which escapes my throat. He moans at the sound of it, kissing my lips deeply and sensually. He pulls back slightly, looking down at me. “Katarina, you are so beautiful and desirable. Hand me your key card,” he says, taking it from my hand and sliding it into the reader. The green light comes on, and he pushes the door open.
“Are you going to come in?”
He reaches down and puts a finger to my lips. "I won’t be able to leave if I come into your room. You’re not safe with me tonight.” His words excite me, but I feel disappointed that he’s leaving, and he must see it in my expression. He smiles at me. “Katarina, you know I want to come in and what I want to do with you. It’s taking all the resolve I have to keep from ravishing you right here and now,” he says.
“Chase,” I reach up and pull his face down closer to mine, so his lips touch my own. “I wish we had more time tonight,” I say against his lips.
“I want you to promise me that you’ll remember how you feel at this exact moment tomorrow,” he says.
“I’m not likely to forget,” I reply hoarsely. He captures my lips, and his tongue invades my mouth, stirring my desire. The warmth spreads throughout my body, and I can feel myself moistening under his touch. “Chase, are you sure you don’t want to come in?”
“Katarina, I don’t want our first time together to be rushed, and you need to finish working. Now go before I change my mind, take you into the bedroom and do terrible and shocking things to you,” he says. I look up, and his eyes are smoldering with desire. I feel like a schoolgirl and try to hide my smile.
“When you’re finished working at the conference center text me,” he says.
“I will. It’s just on the other side of the resort,” I explain.
“It’s safe enough, or you wouldn’t be going on your own.”
I look up to see if he’s joking, but he appears dead serious. “When you leave the resort for your run tomorrow night, take the coastal area to the left. You’ll have a beautiful view, but if you reach the Spindles Resort start heading back. We’ll go to dinner afterward. Don’t forget to text me tonight when you return,” he says, bending to kiss me softly on the lips.
CHAPTER FIVE
