Page 33 of Degrees of Power
“Great,” he says, not looking up.
“Who are you texting?” I ask.
“Brian. I’m not sure what’s going on but he wants to talk to me right away. It’s not like him at all. I’ll get washed up and we can go downstairs and meet with him,” he says, heading into the bathroom.
I take the time to look out the window at the city beyond. The view is mesmerizing from this far up with light in varying degrees of height as far as the eye can see. I feel him behind me and turn. He is watching me, those deep penetrating green eyes hold mine like a magnet. “You like it, Baby?”
“The view?”
“No, the life. I know you struggle with it.”
“Chase, I don’t feel kept or cheap or worry about what people think of us anymore,” I say.
“And the control?”
“I love what we’ve been doing as far as the sex. Are you worried that I don’t?”
“I think you still struggle with some aspects, but I know you like it. It’s my responsibility to understand what you like and don’t, and understand your body’s reactions. It’s also my job to make sure that your emotional needs come first and we can only ensure that if we’re open and honest with each other as we progress.”
I pull his lips down toward mine, capturing them with my own. “I love you so much I can barely breathe sometimes,” I say, pulling him close.
“I love you too, Baby,” he says, kissing me and then putting his arm around my waist to guide me toward the elevator. “Let’s see what Brian wants and then head upstairs,” he says.
“Upstairs?”
“Penthouse. The sky-rise is equipped with a five bedroom, six bathroom condo to eliminate travel and what you would consider wasted time driving to and from work,” he says, grinning widely at my surprise.
“Why didn’t you take me upstairs to bed then?”
“Patience and anticipation, Baby. All in good time,” he says as the elevator opens onto the ground floor and he guides me into the crowd with a hand to my lower back. He looks around and pulls me closer. “Brian’s talking to Dad at the other side of the room,” he says as we make our way through the throng of people mingling and chatting. As we get closer Brian catches site of Chase and nods to him.
“Talk to Dad and Emily for a moment, I’ll see what Brian wants,” he says, heading toward where Brian has moved off to a table on his own.
I try my best to make small talk with Don and Emily, but Don sees right through it. “Something going on between Chase and Brian?” he asks, watching them across the room.
“I’m not positive, but it would sure seem that way,” I say, sneaking a glance in their direction.
“They are definitely deep in conversation. Would either of you like a glass of wine?” Don asks as the waiter heads our way.
“I’d love a glass,” Emily says, winking at him as she puts her empty glass on the tray.
“Katarina?” Don asks.
“Yes, please,” I say, having a hard time taking my eyes off the scene in the corner of the room. Both men are clearly upset and when they turn to walk towards us it is hard for any of us to disguise our curiosity.
“What’s going on son?” Chase’s dad asks as the men return to our table.
“Ty was here. He singled Jenny out and Brian intervened,” Chase says.
“What happened, Brian?” I say.
“When I first got here, he was in her face by the elevators. I could tell whatever he said shook her up. The security team must have realized something was happening about the same time I did. I intervened before Jay’s team moved in and secured him,” he says to Chase.
“Oh, my God. I need to be with her. Where did she go?”
“She took off toward one of the bathrooms at first, but then went upstairs to the Torzial suite. It’s one floor below ours,” Chase says as I send her a text.
Message:Heard what happened. On my way up.
