Page 37 of Degrees of Acceptance
“Katarina, you’re playing with fire, Baby,” he says, rising out of the whirlpool, and turning me to face him. “Turn around,” he says, drying my wet skin with the towel from the warmer. “Close your eyes and trust me,” he says, guiding me into the bedroom. “I was waiting for a perfect moment, but I can’t think of a better time to give you this gift, then when you are completely nude and have completely and willingly exposed yourself to me,” he says, as I feel the press and slight clicks of cool steel against my wrist. “Open your eyes, Baby.”
I immediately focus on the slight weight of the four single bracelets that now adorn my left wrist. Each bangle is brilliantly polished, white gold in color and embedded with sparkling diamonds that adorn the top. I finger the little silver loops that hang from each and are encrusted with diamonds of their own. “Thank you, Chase, it’s absolutely magnificent. I love it,” I say, fingering the bracelets and the circular charms.
“You are welcome, now get dressed and I will meet you downstairs, before my resolve depletes and I take you right here,” he says huskily.
I smile to myself as I rummage through the closet, determined to find something
hot, but not too over the top since we’re eating in with my mother. I decide on a short fitted sweater dress with boots that reach just below my thigh allowing the edges of lace from my thigh highs to show. I find a pair of thongs slip them on under my dress and turn in the mirror admiring my new bracelet… game on! I stop in the bathroom to brush my teeth and hair, apply a small amount of makeup and lip gloss. There, ready… I am full of anticipation for the night ahead. Maybe he has something with this waiting game.
I take the stairs to the dining room, feeling somewhat flushed from the wine. Chase undresses me with his eyes… slowly, taking in every inch of me. I walk into the kitchen where Mom and Gaby are talking animatedly about a soup recipe. “Katie, you look fabulous tonight. I absolutely love the dress. Turn around and show me,” she says. As I turn around for my mom to see the dress my phone swooshes. I look down and smile at the message.
Message:Now turn around and show me!
“Katie, it’s gorgeous, the color is beautiful, and your bracelet is absolutely breathtaking.”
“Thanks, Mom. Chase gave it to me as a gift,” I say, before she turns her attention back to Gaby. I spot the remote on the couch in the adjoining room, walk over to it and bend over slowly, feeling his eyes on me.
Message:Good girl, Baby.
Mom pours me a glass of wine while dinner is being set and I meet Chase’s eyes over the glass. “Katie, Chase and I were talking before you came down. It’s a little tricky doing everything remotely. I want to go home and get back into my routine. Chase is going to have his security team fly me back and then stay on detail for a week or two. He’ll bring you out soon for a long weekend and a tour of the bay,” she says.
“Well, you two did have a nice little chat while I was changing,” I say, as we take our seats at the table. “You think it’s safe for mom to go back to Florida?” I ask.
“I’d prefer Karissa stay with us a little longer, but she’s a grown woman and would like to return home. Jay will have a team with her,” he says, as dinner is served.
“Well, it’s certainly nice that some of us can be relied upon to make our own decisions,” I say between bites, raising my eyebrows at Chase, who has his amused grin pasted on. I take another sip of wine.
Message:Pace yourself or it will be a short evening.
Reply:Bossy and Controlling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Message:Anticipation and patience.
Reply:AND insufferable!
Message:Very nice dress, BTW. Looking forward to seeing it fall to the floor.
Reply:I forgive you.I’m anxious for training.
I turn my attention to my mom who is in mid-sentence and regales us with her clients exploits as Gaby clears dinner. “Ladies, excuse me for a few moments,” Chase says, following Gaby into the kitchen while we continue to visit. I listen to another story about her newest client and realize how much I am going to miss her when she leaves.
“Let’s go find another glass of wine,” I suggest, heading towards the kitchen. Chase is helping Gaby load the dishes into the washer when we walk in.
“The man has billions of dollars and helps with dishes. His mother sure did something right,” my mom says aloud.
“Yes, it would appear she sent the rest of the crew home for the evening,” Chase says.
“There wasn’t much left to do,” Gaby says.
“No, except clearing dinner, cleaning the dishes and the kitchen, on top of your own job,” he says.
“You worry way too much, Chase. Now scoot before I decide not to serve dessert,” she threatens, heading to the counter on the other side of the kitchen where she has a large silver and glass cake server sitting.
She places it on the breakfast bar before us, unveiling a carrot cake adorned with a cream cheese frosting. I almost laugh out loud as Chase takes a knife from the drawer and begins cutting into it while we talk. He begins to serve four dishes, but I put up my hand to decline.
“I’ll have some a little later; I seriously need to let my food settle a little bit,” I explain. Chase scoops some of the mounded frostings onto his spoon putting it to my lips. “At least, try this, Gaby makes the best cream cheese frosting in the world, and I do mean the world. I’ll have you know I’ve stopped in many a bakery, and I have never found one as good, yet,” he brags, winking at me.
“Eat your cake and stop that nonsense, now,” Gaby scolds. I run my tongue over the frosting on my lips, licking slowly, enjoying the expression in his eyes.
