Page 54 of Degrees of Innocence
“I think I have just the punishment for sarcastic wit in mind,” he says, pulling into traffic.
“Whatever would that be?” I ask as he navigates us through the heavy city traffic.
“Something too intense for words, I’ll need to show you,” he says, changing lanes and pulling up in the front of a magnificently tall sky-rise.
The valet assists me while Chase gives the keys to another young man. Jay and Sheldon get out of the car behind us as Chase guides me toward a small group of reporters gathered at the entrance.
“Gentlemen, let me introduce you to Katarina Meilers. She is the Lean consultant who has been working on the Prestian Medical Facility project, which is intended to change the face of healthcare in the city of Chicago as we know it. Tonight, however, we are celebrating our personal relationship. As you may already know, we have been seeing each other and she has agreed to move in with me. I couldn’t be happier.” The reporters ask for a picture and he pulls me close, allowing photographers to snap a few rounds, before answering a few questions, saying goodnight and guiding me into the restaurant.
“One of the young reporters I was speaking with is beginning to develop quite a reputation for his credibility,” he explains, pushing the hundredth floor. We exit the elevator into a grand entrance with marble flooring and chandelier lighting.
“Good evening, Mr. Prestian. We are expecting you and Miss Meilers and have your table ready, sir,” she says, leading us past open tables adorned with white linens and crystal wine glasses to a table in the back of the restaurant by the window. It is situated behind a magnificent black marble wall and affords the occupants an increased level of privacy.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen such an incredible view of the city,” I say, taking in the expansive view of lit up sky-rises laid out in front of us.
“The view is nothing compared to you, Katarina. You are absolutely breathtaking and you’ve made me a happy man today,” he says before the waitress takes our order.
I am embarrassed, but his words make me feel giddy inside.
“Thank you,” I say at a complete loss for words. I have never experienced a man that openly says what’s on his mind like this before and feel the warmth of a blush rising to my cheeks.
“Your face is absolutely lovely when you blush,” he says.
“Are you intentionally trying to embarrass me?” I ask still flushing.
“Baby, my intent is not to embarrass you.”
“I’m not used to talking so intimately with people,” I say, lowering my voice.
“Clearly something else we’ll need to practice and experiment with,” he says, clearly bemused.
“I think I’ll save my experimenting for the bedroom,” I whisper.
I reach under the table and text his phone.
Message: Like not being able to move…
He reaches down to look at his cell phone and types something.
Reply:So shy when we’re talking and so uninhibited when texting. I will restrain you, Baby. You are not in the least bit safe.
Why is that so hot?
His eyes are dancing with delight as the waitress stops to take our order before progressing to the next table.
“I’m glad you decided to move in, Katarina. It will save me from carrying you back to my condo each night.”
“I’m happy about the decision, too, and I don’t think you would have had to carry me,” I say, still slightly embarrassed. “I do need to go to Jenny’s to collect my clothes and personal items unless your plan is to keep me undressed,” I say after the waitress pours each of us a glass of white wine and leaves a platter of shrimp and oysters on ice in front of us.
“I personally think keeping you deliciously naked in my bed sounds like an excellent plan, but clothes may be needed once in a while. Have you and Jenny always shared an apartment?”
I am not sure how to tell him that I was living with Matt, one of my dearest friends from college, and that he asked me to move out because I wouldn’t marry him. I do not want to spoil our special evening. “I moved in with Jenny until I could find a different apartment after my roommate and I parted ways. Long story… but on a serious note, I do need to stop by Torzial, too. I’d like to scope out meeting rooms and get them penciled into the calendars. As soon as we get the baseline design complete I’ll want to bring the users together for the detailed design drawings. They have excellent meeting rooms, but I don’t want to wait too long or they won’t be available.”
“We have an entire floor of Prestian Towers the teams can work out of if you like. If I recall correctly, the floor has approximately sixteen administrative offices and six different conference rooms all equipped with Wi-Fi, digital video and big screen monitors. The space is empty right now, so if it meets your needs, I’ll have the broker take the availability off the market.”
There is really nothing to think about. The project will last for at least two years and having a space adjacent to the worksites with the capacity to hold all of our key stakeholders will be invaluable. “That would be perfect, actually. It takes a while to get back to Torzial, especially in rush hour traffic and most of the contractors are on this side of town.”
“Yes, approximately forty-one minutes each way on a good day,” he says.
