Page 26 of Degrees of Control
“That is so nice of you both, but I called my niece last night while I was waiting for you to arrive. She still lives with her parents and just got a job offer here in the city, so she’s going to move in with me until she can afford to get a place of her own. It will work out well for both of us short term. In the meantime, I should probably be a little more open with my counselor, but it really didn’t get bad until about a week ago,” she says.
“I’m so glad to hear that, Jenny. Let me know what I can do,” I say.
“Kate, you’ve done plenty already and thanks for cleaning and grocery shopping. I just haven’t been myself lately. I’ve been like a seriously sleep deprived biatch,” she says, laughing at herself.
“Well, I have to admit you looked pretty frightful when you answered the door yesterday. I was like, ‘Who are you zombie lady? What’s up with the bloodshot eyes and dark circles,’” I say, teasing. She tosses her napkin at me playfully and I am delighted to see a little spark back in her eyes this morning.
“When is your niece supposed to arrive?” I ask.
“She’s planning to be here this afternoon and will stay with me tonight. My brother-in-law will help her move all her belongings in on the weekend.”
Chase glances down at his cell and scowls. “Chase here,” he says, muting his phone.
“Excuse me, ladies, I need to take this,” he says, getting up from the table and walking outside. We have just finished clearing the dishes when he returns. I raise my eyebrows in inquiry, but he does not say anything, and his expression gives nothing away. Jenny and I begin to load the dishwasher while Chase begins filling Matt in on the call.
“Do you want me to stay with you today? I brought my computer and I can work from here so you can nap,” I offer.
“No, really, I’m fine until I try to fall asleep. Could you just hang out while I jump in the shower, then I’m good?”
“Go shower, we’ll hang out here,” I say, as she heads upstairs. I’ll ask her later why she wants us to stay while she showers, but for now, I’m just glad she seems to have gotten some well-needed sleep and won’t be alone.
“So, what’s on the agenda for this afternoon, gentleman?” I ask as I walk into the living room, ignoring the amusement playing over Chase’s features at my question.
“Well, we’re going to wait for you and then fly to New York,” Chase says.
“Why are we going to New York?”
“We’ve got a location tip on Alfreita and some of your family are flying in to help set up the mission,” he says. I glance at Matt who is engrossed in his laptop and does not appear to be paying us any mind.
“That’s a good thing, right? Are we staying at your dad’s?” I ask.
“Well, that’s up to you. I was planning to, but Carlos extended an invitation for us to stay with him and your mother. I’ll need to spend lots of time with him and your family, so staying there may work out better, logistically, but it’s really up to you, Baby,” he says.
“Let’s stay at my dad’s. At least then mom and I can visit while you’re working,” I say.
Jenny comes downstairs looking refreshed and pours another cup of coffee. “I seriously can’t tell you how much I appreciate you taking care of me last night, Kate. Matt, thanks for staying with us too,” she says.
“Not a problem at all, Jenny. Your couch is very comfortable,” he says, grinning.
“Jenny if you are sure you’re good we’ll get out of your hair. Chase has meetings in
New York and I’ll work from there,” I say, giving her a big hug.
“Thanks so much for coming, Kate. I really, really needed some sleep,” she says.
“Remember to call the counselor and let him know what’s going on,” I say so only she can hear.
“I will… I promise,” she says, giving me a squeeze back.
The mid-morning traffic is heavy, but Matt navigates it well. Chase puts his arm around me after we get into the back seat, kissing the top of my head, pulling me close, so that I can snuggle into the warmth of his chest. His phone buzzes and he answers it while keeping his arm firmly around my shoulders.
“Hi, Dad,” he says pausing for a brief moment. “No, we’re on our way to the airport. Jay flew out this morning to help the crews get organized. He’ll meet us when we land,” he says. I can’t make out what his dad is saying on the other end. “No, Katarina’s with me. She didn’t get much rest last night. I’m pretty sure she’ll sleep on the plane. Sounds good, we’ll see you when we get there,” he says as we arrive at the airport and he disconnects.
It does not take long to board and we have no sooner taken off than Chase unbuckles his seatbelt and leans over to do the same for me. “Come on, Baby, you look absolutely wrecked,” he says, leading me into the bedroom of the plane and closing the door behind him. “Arms in the air,” he says, lifting them over my head. He pulls my t-shirt off and unclips the front fastener on my bra, exposing my breasts to his eyes and the cool air of the room. They are immediately erect. He takes turns kissing the upturned nipples, lingering momentarily, before sliding my yoga pants down, along with my panties. I balance on his shoulders as he pulls them over my feet. He stands and scoops me into his arms placing me into the plush king-size bed. I reach for him, but he shakes his head as he covers me with satiny sheets that feel cool against the heat of my skin. “Sleep, Baby,” he says, pulling the light down comforter over me.
I am disoriented when I wake. I look around, acquainting myself with the master bedroom of the Gulfstream. There is a flat screen nestled into the mahogany frame that sits atop the stone fireplace which is glowing softly, emanating warmth throughout the room. I drowsily get up, redress and head into the bathroom. I shake my head at the opulence of the granite dual sinks and stone shower in an airplane and finish freshening up. I go in search of Chase and find him working on his computer at a table next to a window and slide into the leather chair across from him.
“I was planning to wake you up,” he says, so only I can hear him.
