Contract Marriage with My CEO Boss

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Katrina draped her peacoat over her shoulders and put the baseball tickets safely in the side pocket of her case. Sise left her office, glancing down at her phone and checking the time. It was a little bit earlier than she usually went home, but she wasn't complaining. She walked out to the hallway, stopping and closing her office door. She was about to go to the elevator when she glanced at Kylan's office. He was sitting at his desk, leaning back in his chair, with his hands clasped across his stomach. His expression was sullen as he stared outside She hesitated for a moment. Should she go talk to him? She usually gave him space when he got like this. He had also told her to go home. But he looked so. Tired

Against what was probably her better judgment, she walked to his office and peered her head inside the half-open doorway. "Sir! Did you need anything else before I leaver" she asked, moving to step inside his office.

Kylan ran his hands down his face and sighed. "No, she can go." He sounded exhausted; the dark circles under his eyes were even more prominent than they had been this morning.

She wasn't sure what made her do it, but she was overcome with new compassion she had never felt toward her boss.

"Have you had dinner, Sir?" she asked him as casually as

as she could.

Kylan laughed bitterly. "No, I haven't." He yawned widely and she looked at him curiously.

"Would you like to go get dinner with me, Sir?" she asked him in a sudden rush of boldness.

They didn't need to spend more time together right now. Their date wasn't until tomorrow.

morrow. The social media post was already created from the gala. And yet, she couldn't help but feel like he didn't want to be alone right now. And with no other plans of her own, she didn't feel all too strange about inviting him out to dinner. It was only a meal, after all. Kylan looked up at her, his arms folded over his chest. "You're under no contractual obligation to spend any more time with me today," he said, his voice flat and devoid of emotion.

She rolled her eyes. "I know that. I was planning on going somewhere for dinner, anyway. If you want to tag along, let me know. I'll have Oscar head

to the car if that's the case.

Katrina looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to say something.

He stared at her for a long time. So long that she turned and began to leave the room after a while.

"Til pick," Kylan mumbled from behind her.

She turned and flashed him a grin over her shoulder. She started making her way to the elevator, and Kylan joined her a moment later.

He looked at her from the corner of his eyes, his hands back in the depths of his pockets. "Did anyone say anything to you today?" he asked, glancing up at the elevator as the numbers above it indicated it was near the top floor.

She shook her head. "No, but I spent most of my day with you, so that isn't too surprising. I'm sure people will have their opinions. I told you I'm prepared to deal with it, though." She shrugged just as the elevator door popped open, and she stepped inside. Kylan stepped in behind her and pressed the button for the parking garage. "We never quite addressed a few things, and I think we should go over those at dinner" he said quiety, staring down at his shoes,

"That's fine, Sir," she assured him.

saw him nod his head out of the corner of her eye, and then the rest of the elevator

-0-0-0-

her to table

of her chair. She pulled her hair across one shoulder and then opened the menu on the table. Kylan was quiet in the seat across from her, and

about, Sir?" she asked as the waiter

"Water for me, please," she told him with a polite smile. Kylan ordered his usual whiskey neat, and the water wandered off to make their drinks. "Do you think you'll ever not need to be

sure if you wanted to talk to me about something work-related, or personal," she reminded him, setting her forearms on the table and resting

us before we signed the contract?" he reminded

our dinners with Keith,

nodded and laughed. "I suppose you're right. We never did that. The closest

sippel on her

we should go over boundaries in more depth." He sat up straight in his chair and eyed her carefully now. She supposed what he was saying made sense. He had reacted oddly to her touching his face. And then that kiss.. It was Luughably bail. Hut now that she knew

the conversation?" she asked, lifting her water glass and

a moment.

on its surface. "I am comfortable with hand holding hugging, or if you put your arm around my waist." This felt oddly like a business transaction, where she was listing out her terms, andi way, she supposed it was a business deal like any other. "If

for a fraction of a second but it wasn't long enough for her to properly decipher what it was. If she had to name it though, she would say

and I'm attempting to separate myself from all of it but.. I would certainly prefer not to kiss you again if it can be avoided," Kylan spoke so matter of fact, so clinical, Katrina couldn't help the slight wince that

wanted to kiss Kylan. And she knew why he didn't want to kiss her. But even still, it made her uncomfortable to be rejected in a way. Katrina

gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile. "Of course, Kylan. I don't want to do anything that will make you uncomfortable," she said, thankful that her voice at least sounded fairly

asked her, taking a drink of his whiskey as soon as he was finished speaking. She shrugged her shoulders. "It couldn't hurt. There are many instances that spark gossip, when a couple in the spotlight, isn't affectionate enough in public. If we want to avoid something like that from potentially happening, we should appear to always be dating when we're out like

she sealed on a ribeye and potatoes, with Kylan

The exceptions are obviously going to be if we're in a business meeting or another inappropriate work setting," Kylan instructed, his CEO voice peeking through for a moment. She wondered absently if he were aware of having a voice like that at times. "That sounds reasonable," she agreed, the waiter dropping off their food as the finished

A while later, she dabbed her face with a

laughed and shook her head. "I won't. Would you prefer to wear a hat, or a jersey, at the game tomorrow?" she asked again. "You need to look the part, Kylan. All eyes will definitely be on you, at

rest of his whiskey. "If I must choose, get me a

him a winning smile, and he

out the rest of the work week, reminding Kylan that they had a game of golf with James Hughes on Wednesday. To her surprise, he only complained a fraction of the amount she thought he would. Perhaps he understood how beneficial it would be to partner with him for the Nightfall, or maybe he was just

on Kylan came around the table, grabbed her jacket for her, and helped her slip it on. She felt her face heat up, but she let him help her. She turned around, facing him now. She was wearing flats today, which meant Kylan was towering over her. She was at shoulder level with him, and she had to look

firm. His grip was strong, and she hoped her own hand wasn't sweaty from the sudden nerves she was feeling. Would she ever get used to holding his hand?

Chapter 15

of the establishment, paying for the entire dinner at the front counter. She ignored the few looks that she got from patrons eating their dinner, and then Kylan opened the door to the restaurant, and she was once again outside. The rain had subsided before they entered to eat dinner, but it had picked back up again

already sopping wet and freezing. Kylan

chatter while Kylan looked down

you're enjoying being close to me," he added. Katrina swallowed, her throat suddenly becoming dry. He was standing so close to her, she realized. So close, she could smell his cologne and mixed together with the natural smell

soap,

she whispered. She leaned forward and tentatively pressed her forehead against his, noticing how his bangs nearly fell forward into his field