Page 43 of Degrees of Innocence
“Chase, you have to give me some time for all of this to sink in. Really, it’s all a little overwhelming. In my world, I go wherever I want, whenever I want. The only person I need to check in with is me. You’re asking me to give up all of my privacy, and my financial independence just like that.”
His eyes are dark, slightly guarded making it difficult to know what he’s thinking. “I know you are a very self-sufficient and strong woman and this is all new to you. I am trying to be as patient about the security as I know how to be, but it frustrates me greatly that we won’t have a secure place for you upon our arrival in the States. I’d like you to look at the apartment options in my neighborhood that come with security provisions. If the meeting wraps up by four, we can be back in Chicago by ten thirty. You can stay the night with me, and then we can look at apartments together in the morning,” he says.
“I thought the team was heading back on Tuesday morning?” I ask.
“They are, they’ll be picked up by another of the corporate jets in the morning,” he says.
“You have more than one jet?” I ask.
He reaches out and tilts my chin up so that my eyes are looking into his. “The team is having fun on the island. They’ll have another night to enjoy themselves courtesy of Prestian Corp and I will have you all to myself on the way back. They are scheduled to leave a little later in the day so they can enjoy their last night on the island. As an added benefit that will keep Mark safely out of my way.”
I nod, resigning that everything is just so different when someone has money.
“Now let’s talk about your plan for Mark,” he says.
“Mark is worried right now. He doesn’t know what I heard and isn’t sure if I told you. He probably assumes that I haven’t since he didn’t get sent packing. I’m hoping this earns me a few points, and his position on the process can be turned.”
“Katarina, he was pretty straightforward with you. He’s clearly not the slightest bit supportive of the process we intend to use. I wanted to cut him loose at that point and against my better judgment agreed to wait. He has not changed his position, but has instead, turned nasty. When you heard him on the phone, he was probably talking to someone at Martel, which means it’s a bigger problem than just Mark. We’re going to need another design firm.”
“Chase, I don’t want you to let Mark go over this, yet. If they don’t produce a plan based on the processes then that’s different, but we don’t know that, yet,” I argue.
“Katarina, don’t you think he’s already discussed this with others, given the way he referenced you on the phone?”
“I just don’t think cutting ties with Mark or Martel is a good idea. You don’t have any reason to believe all the people on Martel’s payroll feel the same. Look at the way Terry has been busting his ass all week. He’s engaged,” I counter.
“I don’t trust the son of a bitch, Katarina. Mark probably doesn’t think you’ve told me and that means he knows you may at some point. That makes him even more dangerous. I would prefer to cut him loose now, but I’ll agree to wait until we see the designs they produce.”
“Thank you. I know it’s a huge concession and you’re just trying to protect me,” I say, hoping we can now focus on something other than my security. The weather is warm with a slight breeze and we spend the afternoon catching up on work, even opting to take lunch outside on the balcony. Chase is on multiple calls throughout the day and excuses himself shortly before three thirty to take another call. I finish up for the day and I know he is in a meeting with Brian, who decided to stay at the resort over the weekend.
Message:Hi… heading to my room for a while.
Reply: I’ll pick you up there at 5 p.m. Pack what you need until we leave. We’ll drop it off in the suite before dinner.
Message:It sounds like you’re inviting me to spend the night with you?
Reply:If it makes you feel better to think of it as an invitation…
Message:What if I said no?
Reply:I would carry you back.
Message:Well, in that case, I accept the invitation. I was planning to go for a run, but I find that my hips are still a little achy.
Reply: You will have plenty of exercise and stamina building for one day, Baby. It’s too soon to start running again.
Message: Hmm… I’m getting all wet again.
Reply: I’ll need to confirm this.
Message:See you at 5.
My mom calls to see how the trip is going and we talk for a little while. I am still wrestling with how to tell her about Chase. I want her to like him and don’t want her to be biased by her past and the fact that I work for him. I opt to keep it to myself for a little while longer and give her a call to talk about it once we’re home. When I get to my room I pack my clothes for the return stateside. I have just enough time to freshen up and apply lip gloss before I hear the knock on the door. Chase is in khakis and a sports shirt, which does nothing to conceal his tremendously cut muscular legs and arms.
We drop my belongings off at his suite, before heading toward the outdoor restaurant where we are escorted to a secluded table in the corner overlooking the sea. When the waitress arrives, Chase orders a bottle of wine.
“Does Jenny know your plans for tomorrow night or does she need to?” he asks.
I hadn’t really thought about that, and he’s right, I am sure she will ask. “I’ll tell her I’m staying with a friend for now. I haven’t said too much about us since she’s also my boss.”
