Page 35 of Degrees of Innocence
“Chase narrows his eyes at him but does not argue. “Very well, Keith, we appreciate your help in the matter, but Katarina and I need to get dressed. Can you make sure my bedroom is secure and we’ll get changed and go wherever you need us to go,” he says.
I am appreciative of his gesture since we didn’t take the time to get my cover up from the chaise lounge where we left it on deck.
“Sorry, Chase. We can’t allow you to move towards the back of the yacht. Just give me a few moments and I will get you some clothes,” he says as he heads for the master bedroom. He no sooner gets into the bedroom then comes out holding up a pair of shorts, a t-shirt, and a bathrobe.
“Will these do? We’ve just got word to be on standby and may need to move you below, fast,” he says.
“All right, give us a second,” Chase says.
“Here, Baby put this on,” he says handing me the robe and sliding his shorts over his swim trunks.
“Any word on the boat’s destination?” he asks Keith.
“No, that’s why Jay is taking extra precautions. There’s nothing registered at all. Not that it’s unusual in these waters, but we’re not taking any chances, given the last couple days.”
I am scared. I’ve never been in a situation where my life could be in jeopardy, and now I have experienced it three consecutive days.
“Chase, there must be a reason that we are being targeted this week. Do you know why?” I ask.
“Baby, I’d be lying to you if I told you that we don’t encounter resistance and have to take added security precautions every once in a while, but I don’t have a fucking clue why there have been attempts on your life,” he says.
“Do you think it has something to do with the project we’re working on?” I ask.
“Very few people know about it and the only ones, at least initially, who will get stoked over it are the unions and pharmaceutical companies. The unions are going to want to make sure they get a chance to bid on the construction work. Unfortunately, Prestian Corp has some other contracts that are tied to individual construction companies, similar to what we’re experiencing with Martel Designs. We’ve got our legal department reviewing and working on revising the contract to ensure it’s not a barrier in the future, but for the short term, it’s going to appear as though we are trying to shut the unions out. Likewise, when we start looking at the reimbursement model for drugs, the pharmaceutical companies are going to have plenty to say about it. We’re not looking to decrease the amount of revenue they receive since we know much of the profit margin gets funneled back into research, but we are looking for an alternative to the patient needing to make up the difference. If the med isn’t part of the covered package, we will continue to have patient non-compliancy resulting in compromised care and readmissions to the hospital.”
“Then who do you think is after us, Chase?”
“We have a couple projects overseas that we are starting to meet a little resistance with, but I don’t believe you’ve been with me long enough that they would see you as an opportunity to get to me, but I may be wrong. Just in case, Jay and the team have all of those possibilities laid out and are working every possible lead,” he says.
Keith answers his phone as we are talking and nods every once in a while. “Sounds good, Jay,” he says.
“Chase, we’ve got the all clear. The boat has moved south and appears to be heading into the South Atlantic Ocean. We’ve got eyes on it from the air and are confident that it’s not a threat,” he says.
“Great news, Keith. Thanks for your help this afternoon. We’re going to head upstairs. It’s beautiful out and I don’t want to spend any more time than is necessary indoors,” he says.
“Completely understand, Chase. Give me a few moments before you do that,” he says sending out a message on his cell phone. It takes a short while to get all the confirmations that security needs to feel safe about us returning to the deck, but once we have it, Chase leads me upstairs and back to our lounge chairs. I don’t see Jay or the security teams around so I slide out of my robe.
“Let me spray a little sunblock on your back, Katarina,” he says, spritzing it onto my skin as I turn around for him. He rubs it into my shoulders and down my back, and then slowly rubs it in along my exposed cheeks and back of my thighs. There, I think that will do,” he says.
Chase discards the shorts he was given and lays beside me on the cabana under the shade of the protecting cover. I realize that he’s probably right. A person could get burned in the intense heat of the sun and I’m appreciative of the cabana’s protection. The rest of the afternoon is relaxing and just what the doctor ordered: no television, computers or distractions and Chase seems relaxed regaling me with some of his escapades on the island. I try to stifle a yawn later in the day, but it does not go unnoticed. Chase takes me by the hand and leads me across the deck and down the stairs toward the master bedroom.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“I’m going to tuck you in so you can rest before dinner,” he says, closing the bedroom door with his foot and pushing a button on the wall that slides the blinds into place over the expansive windows. He kisses my lips with a checked urgency and unties the straps of my swimsuit from around my neck, slowly pulling it down, exposing my breasts and letting it fall onto the floor. His hand caresses the top of my bottoms, slipping his fingers into the sides and slowly working them past my hips, exploring the length of my body as he allows them to find the floor. He lays me back on the bed and gently pushes my thighs apart revealing me further to his smoky gaze. His finger finds the sensitive spot between my legs, stroking me until I am heatedly aroused and moist. He takes his time and then slowly begins caressing me with his tongue, following the same pattern until I am writhing with desire.
He pauses momentarily, “Still, Baby, or I might need to tie you up,” he says huskily against my skin. He slowly inserts two fingers inside of me, pulling out and then pushing them deep inside as his tongue continues its sensual journey. I am unable to control my hips as they rise to meet his touch or to hold back any longer, trembling and crashing uncontrollably around him. I attempt to close my legs, but he has them spread apart and continues to lick softly over the swollen and still trembling area, creating new waves of sensation. He maintains his grasp on my thighs, causing me to writhe against his tongue and the sensual strokes until he brings me over the edge, trembling against the warmth of his mouth. I am breathless as he pulls me up against his chest, holding me close while I catch my breath. As I reach for him, he shakes his head. “No Baby, I want you to rest now.”
I curl into the down pillows, too tired to argue, exhausted from the aftermath of his lovemaking and fall into a sated sleep. I wake a couple hours later and decide to indulge in a warm and invigorating shower. I try to keep the giddiness from getting the best of me as I look around. A loofah, my brand of body wash, shampoo, conditioner and a fresh razor are resting on the stone ledge shelves of the shower and next to it sits a vase of lilacs.My absolute favorite flower, but how did he get them in Aruba? He’s great, but can I actually work for someone I’m in a relationship with?I finish showering and reach for the long Cashmere robe hanging on the hook. I snuggle into it and throw my hair into one of the towels, wondering if he thought of a toothbrush.Of course, he did.I quickly brush my teeth, spritz on sunblock and slip back into my swimsuit. Jenny helped me pick it out thank goodness. It is a simple and classic black two piece with a little circle of gold nugget holding the front together. The bottoms are a Brazilian cut and skimpier than I would have chosen.I brush through my damp hair and pull on my cover up to go in search of him on deck. I do not see Chase or anyone for that matter so I quickly discard it and snuggle into the luxurious material on the chaise lounge, relishing in the feel of the sun’s warmth on my body and the tranquility of the sparkling turquoise-colored sea.
I sense his presence behind me before I feel his hand pushing my hair to the side. He gently kisses my ear, pulling on my sensitive lobe with his teeth. “Baby, that swimsuit looks great on your ass,” he compliments, flipping me over in the lounge. “Did you sleep well?” he asks.
“I slept amazingly well,” I reply, feeling my skin warm with the memory of him tucking me in.
His lips capture mine gently, avoiding the side that is still bruised and puffy. “Let’s go relax in the pool,” he says, taking my hand as he guides me through the wood and glass arched cabana to the other side of the deck. He leads me into the cool water and into shaped seats by the edge of the pool, which allows us the perfect view of the turquoise and brilliant blue of the sea swirling around us.
“I don’t think you could have brought me to a more relaxing place,” I say, admiring the turquoise color of the sea and the feel of the cool water around us.
“You really think of everything, don’t you?” I ask.
