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.

head out of the corner of her eye, and then the rest of the elevator ride was spent in

-0-0-0-

dinner, and the restaurant's hostess walked her to table when

adjusted her coat to drape across the back 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

to talk about, Sir?" she asked as the

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

to talk to me about something work-related, or personal," she reminded him, setting her forearms on the table and resting her chin in

dinner just the two of us before we signed

dinners with

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

off and she sippel on her water, staring down at the menu

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

to lead the conversation?" she asked, lifting her water

for a moment. "I'm interested to hear her thoughts," he finally

glass back on the 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

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 that he

don't kiss the women I 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,"

want to kiss her. But even still, it made her uncomfortable to be rejected in a way. Katrina took another gulp of

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 steady. "Are you uncomfortable with anything else I mentioned!" she asked him, opting to now speak just as clinically

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, isn't affectionate enough in public. If we want to avoid something like that from potentially happening, we should appear to always be

she sealed on a ribeye and potatoes, with Kylan

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

feel the need to 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 eyes at her. "Neither. Whatever you're thinking, stop it right now,"

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 least a few

I must choose, get me a f*cking hat," he said the words like they were

you for choosing. I'll do just that." She flashed him a winning smile, and he shook his head at

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 exhausted after lighting her

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

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

Chapter 15

and then Kylan opened the door to the restaurant, and she was once again outside. The rain had subsided before

a moment, but she was already sopping wet and freezing. Kylan pulled her under the awning near the restaurant and they stood shoulder

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

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

soap,

She leaned forward and tentatively pressed her forehead against his, noticing how his