Page 51 of Degrees of Innocence
“I don’t want thisto be an argument. I just want you safe and close to me.”
“How the hell do you expect it not to be an argument? I have told you repeatedly I am uncomfortable with the thought of you paying for an apartment. I agree to go out with you to look at apartments against my better judgment and you have a realtor show me an apartment you’ve already apparently discussed purchasing for me? How do you expect me to feel, Chase? You completely disregarded my concerns.”
“Katarina, it frustrates me that you don’t have a place to live that I consider safe with everything that has transpired. Jay is doing his best to keep security a step ahead of you, but you need to be in a secure environment, at the very least until we know who is behind the attempts on your life. We’ve already gone through this,” he says, raking his hands through his hair.
“I told you I was willing to look at different apartments, even went so far as to concede that you may pay for it until this was over. I never said that it was okay for you to buy me a fricken apartment just because you can afford it though. It makes me feel cheap.”
“That was not my intent, Katarina, and I’m sorry if that’s how it made you feel. I just want to take care of you and keep you safe,” he says, pulling me into his arms and holding me close.
“I’m sure you didn’t intend to, Chase,” I say, feeling my irritation start to subside.
“I need you to trust that I have your best intentions at heart. Why don’t we relax and talk about how we want to proceed with the condo,” he says, taking my hand and leading me to the bathroom. He begins to run the whirlpool while I stand in perplexity.
“I thought we could relax in the tub and solve the problems of the world,” he says, clearly amused.
“Chase, it’s the middle of the day. I really should be working,” I half-heartedly protest, my earlier anger starting to subside.
“Katarina, you work entirely too much. We need to talk and get this resolved,” he says, sprinkling violet crystals into the water that turns the tub into a sea of frothy foam.
I am not surprised to see my shampoo, conditioner, body wash and a loofah on the ledge and shake my head in resignation. “Did you know you were bringing me here today?” I ask.
“Yes, I was hoping we would end up here,” he says.
I narrow my eyes at him still smarting from his high-handedness.
“I want to see what you have on under this dress,” he says, bending slowly, making sure I am not opposed, before lifting the dress over my head. “You have no idea how stunning you are, do you?” he says, pulling my black lace panties down and allowing them to fall to the floor before releasing the clasp on my bra. “I have to admit I’ve been thinking about you sexually all morning, but right now, I am much more concerned with your emotional needs,” he says, kissing my lips gently. “Slide into the water with me, Katarina,” he says, encouraging me before I sink into the water, luxuriating in the lavender scent and bubbles as he gets into the square shaped bath across from me.
“I’m not going to draw this out, Baby. You could just move in with me,” he says, eyes watchful… gauging my reaction.
“Chase, we’ve only known each other for such a short time.”
“It’s been two weeks and you’ve been living with me for over a week. I’m trying not to rush you, but I am admittedly not a patient man. I want you under my roof so I can take care of you. If you are not ready to move in with me, then I want you just below me which is why the condo we saw earlier would be my second choice.”
“Have you ever lived with anyone before?” I ask.
“I lived with my parents until I went away to college, but otherwise, no. I’ve never really wanted to spend more than diversionary nights with someone until now.”
“Chase, we know so little about each other. My mother has done exceptionally well for herself, but we’re not wealthy by any means. She’s the only family that I have and…”
“What’s bothering you, Katarina?”
“A few things,” I say not sure if I’m prepared for this depth of conversation.
“Katarina, you can tell me anything.”
“I work for you and I haven’t told my mother, yet, and I’m worried that she won’t like you very much once she learns that you employ me.”
“Because of her past relationships?” he asks.
I nod. “Yes, well, that and I’ve always stayed well away from men I work with and she knows that.”
“Katarina, it would appear that you’ve stayed away from all men in general, not just those that you work with,” he says.
“Okay, especially men that I work with, then.”
“Is that all that’s bothering you?”
“No.”
