Page 40 of Degrees of Acceptance
“Chase, what time will Dereck and Sheldon arrive?” my mom asks.
“They’re bringing the limo around to transport you to the airport now. Katarina and I will take the helicopter into the city once you leave,” he says.
“He’s only got one helicopter, Mom,” I say, smirking at Chase. His eyebrows rise as he tries to hide his amusement.
“Karissa, the jet will take you back to Naples, Dereck and Sheldon will be traveling with you. You need to make sure you apprise them of your plans each night for the next day or so and don’t deviate from that unless you alert them,” he instructs.
“I will. Jay went through security with me this morning before you came down,” she responds.
“Good. I’m going to get ready and let you and Katarina have a few moments,” he says, leaving Mom and me to say our goodbyes. I give her a long hug, and she squeezes me tight. I am really going to miss her.
“We’ll come to Naples as soon as we can and then you should plan to come here to visit again,” I invite.
Chase walks back into the room and has changed into his executive attire. God, he looks hot. His suit has clearly been custom tailored for him. It follows the lines of his shoulders and hangs perfectly on the rest of his well-sculptured body. He captures my eyes with his own as they take in his body, and I see the small quirk of his mouth. “Are you ready Katarina, or do you need a few moments?” he asks, clearly amused.
I feel myself blush under his scrutiny. “I’ll just grab a few things and be ready.”
The morning flight to the airport is absolutely breathtaking with tree tops boasting their fall colors of orange, yellow and crimson showcased with the dark blue backdrop of Lake Michigan below. The stark white Prestian corporate jet is awaiting us, and the flight crew welcomes us aboard. Matt and Jay head towards the security quarters located behind the cockpit and Chase guides me towards the middle of the plane and into the plush living space of the Gulfstream. We slip into the reclining leather chairs across from a small grey swirled marble table that is situated next to the oval window.
The jet is soon airborne, and the hostess places a carafe of coffee on the table along with cheese, nuts and fruit. Chase pours each of us a cup of coffee and nods towards the platter. “Are you hungry? You barely touched breakfast this morning,” he says.
“I know. I probably should have taken your advice and eaten something before I had the wine yesterday.”
“Indeed. In fact, I don’t think we discussed the consequences of your infractions yesterday,” Chase says, tracing the circles of my bracelet.
“I didn’t realize that it might lead to some deliciously wicked punishment,” I whisper, glancing around the room.
“The door to the living space is closed, Katarina. Matt and Jay can’t hear what we’re saying, but they can see into the room unless I turn the camera off,” he says, pointing to the app on his phone.
“So at a click of a button you are in total control,” I say.
“You sound surprised. Does it bother you?” Chase asks, eyes raised mischievously.
“Your need for control?”
“Yes.”
“Not usually.”
“And at times it does?” he prompts.
“Only when you try to interfere with my work or when, you know…” I say, trailing off.
“You are blushing,” he says, grinning.
“You are incorrigible!”
“I am, and speaking of which, we were talking about your infractions were we not?”
“So what else can you do with that little app of yours?” I ask.
“Come on, I think we’ve talked enough,” he says, guiding me into the master bedroom and closing the door behind him. “You see for one, I can push this button,” he says, as all the blinds over the oval shaped windows come down. He holds out his phone and selects a different button on the app and the fireplace ignites, he pushes another, and the lights dim. Now I want nothing more than to feel your naked body pressed against me while I make love to you,” he says, kissing me.
Chase and Jay are already conferring about something when I come out of the bedroom and slip into the seat across from Chase. The captain announces the descent and the pilot soon connects smoothly with the runway. The limousine driver takes us through the city, quickly navigating morning traffic and pulls alongside an extensive chrome and glass sky-rise with the Prestian Corporation logo emblazoned on the side.
Chase grasps my hand and guides me to the elevators using a fob to enter the upper level. He stops to converse and introduces me to a few people as we make our way to his dad’s office. Don is seated behind a great desk with a window behind him that overlooks the towering sky-rises and city beyond. “Nice to see you again, Kate,” he says, standing to shake my hand and give Chase a hug.
“Good to see you, son,” he says, waving us into the leather chairs across from his desk as he closes his office door.
