Page 1 of Degrees of Acceptance
CHAPTER ONE
His intense dark greeneyes are dark passionate pools as he holds me close and our breathing returns to normal. He sweeps me into his arms and carries me still nude from the living room desk into the bedroom, carefully placing me on the bed before lying down beside me.
“Baby, what made you decide to stay?” he says, leaning up on one elbow. I admire the features of the man that in such a short time has come to mean the world to me. His sandy brown hair is disheveled from our lovemaking. Thebroad angular jawline is set, and his intense green eyes are waiting for a reply.
“I can’t imagine my life without you, but at some point, you’re going to need to tell me the truth. We shouldn’t have any secrets between us,” I say, wincing as I try to curl into his arms.
“Easy, Baby,” he says, repositioning me so my head can rest against his shoulder. My pain medication is starting to take effect, and I am becoming drowsy. “Rest your eyes, Katarina, and let me tell you a story,” he says, pulling the comforter around us.
“Last year Prestian Corporation was getting close to reaching an agreement to build a new factory in Saudi Arabia. Prince Alfreita invited me aboard his ship to finalize the deal. When our business was concluded his helicopter took me from the Persian Gulf to Saudi, and I flew home from there. Shortly after I left, we learned the ship was commandeered, and Interpol found one of the largest shipments of cocaine ever documented being transported in its hull. Interpol questioned everyone, but Alfreita pointed them in my direction, and I was a viable suspect given my financial status. I didn’t have anything to do with it, Katarina. I was never charged because there was no evidence of my connection, but I’m still a prime suspect, and they have been watching our teams extremely carefully. Alfreita’s people still believe we tipped Interpol,” he explains, wiping the tears of relief from my eyes and kissing me gently on the lips before I fall asleep in his arms.
It’s been almost three weeks since the accident. The long-sleeved teal colored dress I’ve chosen offsets my long auburn hair and bright blue eyes. I pair it with a multicolored scarf and brown boots, mentally preparing for a fight with Chase over my decision to go back to work.
His eyebrows rise as I walk into the room, and his eyes brazenly scan my body, lingering while taking in my apparel. My skin heats under his steady gaze. “You look beautiful, today. Where are you going, Katarina?” he asks from the table where he’s working on his Mac.
I take a deep breath, renewing my resolve. “I’m starting to feel much better. I haven’t even taken ibuprofen the last couple of days. I need to get back to work,” I say, bracing myself for what is sure to be an argument.
“Why not sign on from here so you can nap later in the day?” he asks.
“Chase, it’s been almost three weeks since the shooting. I want to go back to work.” How can I explain to him that with all the craziness in the last couple weeks I just need to feel normal again?
“I’ll let Jay know we’re heading in then,” he says, pulling out his cell phone and taking me completely by surprise. I expected a full-blown argument as protective as he has been since the shooting. This is so anti-Chase. I wonder if he’s absorbed in something and I’ve just caught him at an opportune time. I can feel some of the anxiety in my body start to wane and take a seat next to him for breakfast.
I’m excited to be returning to work, especially since I’ll now have an office at Prestian Towers instead of at Torzial. It will save hours of drive time each week. I wonder what his employees will think of me. The tabloids were relentless for the first couple weeks after my shoulder surgery with story after story about our relationship and I’m sure his employees have read at least some of the articles. I especially hated the one which referred to me as a gold digger set out to ensnare Chase for his money. Maybe that is why I’m feeling so anxious this morning.
“Jay will have teams in place shortly,” he says, disconnecting his call and pulling me back from my thoughts. He pours us each a cup of coffee. “Are you going to eat something?” he asks, taking in the still empty plate in front of me.
Maybe that will settle my nerves a little. I select a bagel and strawberries. “What, no homemade french toast or pancakes?” I ask, teasing between bites, and still trying to gauge his mood.
“Hmm, unfortunately, my skills in the kitchen are slightly limited,” he says, grinning. He checks his phone and frowns. I assume it’s a text from Jay. “More paparazzi,” he explains, seeing the question on my face.
There are only a few reporters downstairs, nothing like the barrage we have encountered in the last few weeks. Jay, head of Chase’s security team and Matt, who is assigned specifically to guard me, guide us from the door to the backseat of the Jaguar with minimal fuss. We reach Prestian Corp, a chrome and black glass sky-rise towering over those around it. Chase maintains hold of my hand as we enter the executive suites on the top floor, briefly stopping to chat with several people along the way.
As we reach the end of the corridor, he opens a set of double french doors. “This is your office, Baby,” he says. His dark green eyes are wide and watchful. The room is spacious with a contemporary high-gloss black desk, sleek in design with a matching credenza. A large window behind the desk provides an almost panoramic view of the surrounding high-rises and river below.
“Chase, it’s absolutely breathtaking,” I say, stunned by the incredible expanse of river winding between the buildings below.
He pulls me into his arms and kisses me on the lips. “I’m glad you like it. Let me show you the adjoining areas,” he says, guiding me into the conference room which has the same view as the office. The remaining walls are covered in whiteboards and equipped with overhead projectors. I count sixteen chairs and iPads around the long oval conference room table.
“Chase, it’s amazing, but it’s so much more than I need,” I say, taking in all of the technology.
“Baby, I had it designed especially for you. This way you have everything you need to collaborate and bring large groups together without ever having to leave the building,” he says as we walk back into my office.
“Chase, did you make this entire space for me so security would not be an issue?” I ask, pretending annoyance and failing miserably as I see the look of amusement in his eyes.
He scoops me up and places me on the conference room table. “Shhh, that’s enough,” he says, laughing. “I want you to have space near mine conducive for your work. Although, I do have a few ulterior motives, which is why I had a bathroom and shower installed,” he admits with a mischievous grin. “Now get some work done so we can go home at a decent hour. You’ll probably tire in the afternoon,” he says, kissing me briefly before leaving me to get acclimated to my new workplace.
I have a large monitor on my desk and a sixty-inch screen hanging on the wall across from it. I shake my head as I slide into my chair and investigate the Mac system in front of me. I am logged onto the network in relatively no time and become submerged in the medical facility work.
I wonder if Terry, the architect assigned to the Prestian Corp Medical Center project has any of the documentation he needs from the user group event. I doubt his boss, who was fired by Chase shared the information with Terry.
I shiver as I recall Mark’s retaliation and rub my shoulder where surgery was required after his attempt to kill me was thwarted by Chase’s security team. I try to keep my mind off of the ordeal with Mark and set about organizing all of the materials.
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