Page 33 of Degrees of Innocence
“Are you hungry? It’s been a long afternoon and you really should eat after two glasses of wine,” he says.
“I’m not hungry, but I am incredibly tired,” I say, trying to suppress a yawn. “I was planning to get through some email after I got back from the beach, but I’m not feeling as motivated now.”
“It’s too soon for you to be working, Katarina. Why don’t you rest for a while? I’ll wake you later for dinner.”
“I think I’m going to take you up on that. I’ll rinse off quick and then lay down for a little nap,” I say, kissing him gently on the lips.
The water is refreshing and I put a little moisturizer on my skin after drying off. I notice my bag has been emptied and look around for my clothes. I open the top drawer and find my panties, bras, and a couple nightgowns have been folded neatly inside of it. I slip into a lacy peach-colored nightgown with matching panties, before sliding under the covers and drifting off to sleep.
I try to ignore the constant rocking of my shoulder again. “Baby, wake up.” I rouse enough to realize that Chase is lying next to me. “Hi,” he says, pushing the hair out of my face. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay before I go to sleep.”
“What time is it?” I ask, surprised he’s going to bed so early.
“It’s almost midnight. I’ve woken you up a couple times, but wanted to check on you before I went to sleep,” he explains.
“I’m okay,” I assure, curling into his arms before falling back asleep.
I wake to the smell of coffee and follow it to the dining area where Chase is working on his Mac. He looks up as I walk into the room. “I was wondering how long you were going to sleep. Dr. Mederea said it’s normal to sleep a lot the first couple days of a head injury, but even so I was about to come wake you up,” he says.
“Surely you didn’t call her, did you?” I say, sitting down across from him and selecting a delicious looking croissant from the assortment in front of us.
“Of course, I did,” he says, eyebrows raised inquisitively.
“I guess she was right about laying low for a few days,” I admit as he pours a cup of coffee for me.
“She said you may feel this way for a couple more days especially with all the stress from the last couple of days. If you’re feeling up to it we’ll take the yacht out and get a little fresh air. Jay’s had quite a bit more security flown into the island. If you’d like to go, I’ll make arrangements after breakfast,” he says.
“I do feel much better and it sounds like fun,” I say between bites of fresh pineapple and mango.
“Good. It’s a perfect day to be out on the water and if you get tired you can rest under the cabana or indoors,” he says.
“Breakfast was excellent. I was starving when I woke up. I think I’ll jump in the shower and get ready while you’re making arrangements,” I say.
“Sounds like a plan, and pack a swimsuit,” he says, grinning at me enthusiastically.
Chase assists me into the awaiting Jeep before pulling himself into the driver’s side. Jay and Matt are in the car behind us as we drive through the island and out to the coastal highway, turning down a sloped embankment. Chase brings the Jeep to a halt and helps me to the ground. There is an enormous yacht moored just off shore and he guides me in its direction. The exterior is bright white and appears to be about three stories high. Along the side is a circular black emblem with the name Prestian emblazed upon it in gold lettering.
As we approach, I recognize Mickael. “Chase, good to see you again my friend,” he calls out.
“Mickael, it’s nice to see you again,” Chase says.
“You remember Katarina?” he asks.
“How could I forget someone so lovely,” he exclaims while extending his hand to shake mine.
“If you will excuse us Mikael, I think I’ll give Katarina the fifty-cent tour,” Chase says. I follow him up the stairs and onto a large deck. I’m sure my gasp is audible. Splayed out in front of us is a pool that spans almost rail-to-rail and all the way to the end of the yacht overlooking the ocean below. “Chase, it’s absolutely incredible,” I say.
“Come on, I’ll show you the rest,” he says, taking my hand as we head down another set of steps. The living area boasts of glass from one end of the room to the other, revealing the expanse of multi-hued ocean beyond them. The living space is furnished with a corner fireplace, leather sectional and impressive mahogany bar. The adjacent kitchen is adorned with dark granite countertops, glass backsplash, and stainless steel appliances. He shows me a total of three cabins, two smaller which both have nice sized double beds and adjoining bathrooms. The master suite is incredibly spacious with a king-size bed, reading chair and ottoman, a desk and walk-in closet. The views of the sea mirror those in the living room and as we walk into the master bathroom, I’m not surprised to see a marble whirlpool, in addition to a shower.
“This is the biggest boat I’ve ever seen in my life,” I exclaim.
“Do you like it?” he asks.
“I love it. I saw the Prestian name on the side. It belongs to your company?”
“Katarina, the yacht is mine. I love to spend time in the Caribbean and I like to be on the sea as much as I can when I’m here.”
“Why did you take me out on the public catamaran over the weekend if you own a fricken yacht?” I ask.
