Page 23 of Degrees of Innocence
His eyes are dark, and his jaw appears firmly set. “What people think is more important than how you feel?” he asks, his eyes glinting and hard to read.
“No, but there are things in my past that make it difficult for me to have a relationship with someone I work with. I just need time to work through this.”
“Katarina, I’m not sure what you’re asking. It’s going to be impossible to keep our relationship away from the media once we’re in the States.”
“I haven’t thought about everything, Chase. At least for now, can we keep our relationship on a professional level when we’re in public? It shouldn’t be that hard since yesterday you treated me like you didn’t even know who I was. As I recall, it was Miss Meilers this and Miss Meilers that. A little more time should not be that hard, right?”
He does not answer, and we finish our breakfast in relative silence. The tension is palpable, and I feel a twinge of regret, but everything is happening too fast.
“We should head to the conference room if we don’t want to be late. I will be careful not to give our relationship away today, but we’re far from finished discussing this. When you’re comfortable I’d like to hear why you have such an aversion to having a relationship with someone that you work with,” he says, pulling my seat back for me as we finish our meal.
We walk through the archways towards the convention center, and I’m painfully aware his hand is not on the small of my back. As we enter the convention area, he turns to me and says, “Thank you for providing me with an overview this morning, Miss Meilers.”
I glance around and see members of the Prestian Corp team nearby. “You’re most welcome, Mr. Prestian,” I respond, as we enter the conference room.
I lead the team through the morning’s exercises and when we reach a good point to break I dismiss the team for fifteen minutes. As I head toward the restroom, I hear the familiar swoosh of my phone.
Message:Just wondering… how wet are your panties?
Reply:I don’t know. I am not wearing any…
Message:If you’re not careful you will find yourself bent over in the bathroom.
Reply:Maybe that’s what I’m looking for?
Message:You give off some pretty mixed messages. How do you think the press would react to me bending you over in a public bathroom?
Reply:Ah, good point. You wouldn’t dare…
Message:I have no issues with what the press thinks about my life. I would dare!
Reply:You started this. My panties were terribly wet… I was forced to take them off.
Message:Baby, you should be punished for tormenting me.
Reply:Punished?
Message:YES!
Reply:I need to get back into the event!!
As I return to the conference room, Chase is typing on his phone and drinking a cup of coffee. He looks up as I enter and lingeringly appraises me from top to bottom. His eyes darken with carnal appreciation. I can feel myself moisten, and my cheeks warm under his gaze. He smiles, and there’s that sexy little quirk that I like so much.
The afternoon session is productive and at the end of the day, current state processes have been completed before Chase leaves for a conference call. I prepare the room for the next day and go back to my room to change into running clothes. As I lace my shoes, I hear the swoosh of my iPhone alerting me to an incoming message.
Message:Dinner tonight?
Reply:Sounds great. I’m just getting ready for a run.
Message:Are you leaving shortly? If so, I’ll pick you up at 6:30.
Reply:Yes, in about 5 minutes. 6:30 p.m. sounds good.
I select shuffle on my iTunes playlist and head toward the same beach path as yesterday, passing the guy that was looking for metal the day before— his hat screams,TOURIST—and makes me smile to myself as I pass him.
The day’s tensions begin to ease away as I head down the coast. The island is breathtaking, and I can see why Chase loves the island and the people here so much. My thoughts drift to our conversation this morning and I contemplate how to tell him why being in a relationship with someone I work with scares me so much. I cringe recalling the look on his face and question in his eyes, knowing I intentionally let him think my career was more important than any feelings I may have for him, but unable to get the memories of my mom’s heartbreak out of my head.
Gotye comes on about thirty minutes into my run, and I take my cue to turn back. The resort comes into sight, and I see Mr. Tourist talking on his cell. The tiki bar seems more crowded than normal, and I decide to stop and see what’s going on. I claim one of the empty stools, and it’s not long before the bartender asks for my order.
