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.

corner of her eye, and then the

-0-0-0-

for dinner, and the restaurant's hostess walked her to table when she arrived. She sat down, and Kylan sat opposite

shoulder and then opened the menu on the table. Kylan was quiet in the seat across

about, Sir?" she asked as

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 reminded to call me kylan when we're out like this?" he asked, leaning back in his chair

talk to me about something work-related, or personal," she reminded him, setting her forearms on

before we signed the contract?" he reminded her right back. Chapter

with Keith, I

and laughed. "I suppose you're right. We never did

sippel on her water, staring down at

touching my face at the gala, followed by our strange kiss, as I'll refer to it as, has made me realize 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

she

moment. "I'm interested

table and rubbing away some of the built-up condensations 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

expression flashed across Kylan's face for a fraction of a second but it wasn't long enough for her to properly decipher what it was.

sleep with. I understand this is a different situation, 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,"

like she 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

at her, but she 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

wonder though, do you feel like we should hold hands and all else, every time we're in public together! In case someone snups a photo of us," Kylan 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,

with Kylan following her lead and ordering the same. The waiter left once more, and Kylan

business meeting or another inappropriate work setting," Kylan instructed, his CEO voice peeking through for

say anything as they both ate their food. A while later, she dabbed her face with a napkin and looked at Kylan curiously. "Would you prefer a hat or a jersey?" she asked innocently. Kylan narrowed his

a jersey, at the game tomorrow?" she asked again. "You need to look the part, Kylan. All eyes

and Ryan are both shits," Kylan groaned and downed the rest of his whiskey. "If I must choose, get me a f*cking hat," he said the

I'll do just that." She flashed him a winning smile, and he shook

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 exhausted after lighting her and Ryan already

she let him help her. She turned around, facing him now. She was wearing flats

hand was warm, and 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? Would it ever feel like she wasn't breaking the rules, every time she did

Chapter 15

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 while they were inside.

a moment, but she was already sopping wet and freezing. Kylan

to chatter while Kylan looked down at his phone and sent another message

that he could wrap his arms around her waist. "There are a few people watching might as well give them a show." He breathed into her ear. "Act as if 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 of the rainstorm. She looked up at him and found he was once again, already staring at her. He had beautiful eyes, she had to admit. They were

soap,

she whispered. She leaned forward and tentatively pressed her forehead against his,