Page 45 of Degrees of Innocence
“And when I was deliberately licking just around your clit, not allowing you to climax?”
I’m not sure how to respond.
“Katarina, what is it?” he asks, turning my face towards his.
“You really want to know?” I ask, trying to overcome my embarrassment.
“Yes, I want you to be honest with me, even if you think I won’t like what it is that you have to say. I need to trust that our communication is open and honest, Baby,” he says.
“I didn’t like it.”
“Katarina, what about what I did makes you say that?” he urges, sitting up on his elbow so he can see my face.
“I’ve never experienced orgasms until I met you. It’s like this beautiful and magical gift. I used to lay awake at night wondering what was wrong with me. When you kept teasing me, it felt like you were taking the gift back.”
He pushes the hair out of my face and caresses my cheek. I’m glad you told me how it made you feel, Baby. I don’t want to do anything you don’t enjoy, but it greatly enhances the sexual experience and I want to make up for everything you’ve missed,” he says, kissing me deeply and pulling me astride his powerful thighs.
In the morning, I arrive at the conference area a little before everyone else feeling refreshed after a long run. It felt odd knowing so many of Chase’s security men were out on the beach, but at the same time, comforting given the last few days. The members of the team begin to drift in and I apologize for the delay of the event and spend time sharing what happened to me on the beach as people inquire. Chase is the last to arrive having been in an early conference call and I close the doors to get the team started.
The group is engaged and animated throughout the morning, developing the front end process with little or no conflict. As they get farther along the workflow, there is deeper discussion around the right thing to do for patients, but do an excellent job keeping the patient’s perspective and have almost completed the workflow before we break for lunch.
As I’m walking down the corridor, I notice Jay not too far off. I smile to myself, wondering if I was supposed to let someone know I was moving. Swoosh…
Message:Where are you, Katarina?
Reply:Almost to the ladies room, why?
Message:I have an intense desire to kiss you. I’ve had you all to myself for days and I like it that way.
Reply:I wish the day were already done and we were by ourselves, Chase.
Message:Careful, Baby or I will cancel the rest of the day.
Reply:You wouldn’t.
Message:Don’t tempt me, Katarina. I most certainly would.
As I get back to the event, I decide to have a little fun and send Chase a message.
Message: I changed my mind. We should cancel this afternoon!
He reaches for his phone as it starts to vibrate and I like the smile that plays across his lips as he reads my message. His eyes light up with amusement as he begins to type a response.
Reply:Katarina, are you intentionally provoking me?
Message:Yes!
Reply:Behave yourself before I do cancel the afternoon!
The team is highly energized and we make significant progress finalizing the new patient-centered workflows. When we return from the afternoon break we develop an implementation plan so everyone understands what needs to be done and how it will occur.
Chase acknowledges his appreciation of everyone’s contributions to the project and congratulates the team on a job well done. “The future state workflows will help us create a facility that far exceeds patient service needs in our city while decreasing health care costs associated with providing care,” he says to the team at the end of the day. Chase and the administrators of the Chicago Medical facility talk while a few members of the team assist me in collecting all the exercise material from the surrounding walls before we wish everyone safe travels home and leave the conference center. Jay is already waiting at the resort entrance and takes us to the airstrip, expertly dodging the late day tourists and vendors. As we approach the plane, I notice the same gold and black Prestian logo on the side of the Gulfstream that I saw on the side of the yacht.
“Chase, your luggage is on board. They are running a few last minute checks and we should get the all clear momentarily,” Jay says.
Chase takes my hand leading me up the stairs and into the plane introducing me to a young stewardess, the pilot, and copilot. He talks with them for a few moments before guiding me to the main cabin. “This is the newest living space design in the Gulfstream G650,” he says as we walk into an impressive living room with two couches and large overstuffed leather seats adjacent to the exterior windows. The fireplace in the center of the room is three sided, but is not turned on at the moment.
“We sent one of the planes with a boardroom layout to bring the team home. That plane has a conference table and can seat about ten around it, and has all the latest Internet capabilities. It saves our executives an enormous amount of time. Many of them are starting to book long conferences right over the top of travel blocks now. It allows them to spend more time with their families once they do get home.” He guides me through the cabin, past the seats and bar area before opening a door, which leads into another suite. The sleeping quarters are impressive, with a nice sized mahogany bed, matching dresser and a floor length mahogany trimmed mirror. “All the amenities of home,” he says grinning, while opening the closet door where my dresses are hanging up along with his business suits and ties.
