Contract Marriage with My CEO Boss

Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Katrina was moving slower than normal, her heels and the dress causing her equal difficulty. But she pressed on and eventually made it to the lobby of her building.

Stepping our of the elevator, she turned and began the trek to the front doors

And that's when she saw him.

Kylan, Standing near the fireplace. Wearing a tuxedo that completely took her breath away.

His eyes shifted to hers at her approach, and she was surprised when he wasn't able to hide his initial reaction to seeing her. She watched as his roamed her figure and then over her face. His mouth was slightly agape and for another moment, he just stared at her She grew steadily more self-conscious and cleared her throat, "Uh, hi. You look. You look great, Kylan," she told him honestly.

Her eyes traveled his figure as well, taking in the black bowtie that adorned his neck, and the way that his hair was perfectly combed around his head. He also smelled wonderful, she noticed. A mixture of soap, pine, and mint, and her heart fluttered slightly in her chest. Kylan licked his lips and then closed his mouth. "Sit still," he mitructed, his voice low and restrained.

She watched him curiously as he pulled a small box from within the pocket of his tuxedo pants. He opened it and she gaped. A matching bracelet and necklace were nestled in black velvet. They were both made entirely of diamonds, sparkling brilliantly in the lighting of the lobby

"Kylan." She breathed out in disbelief. "I can't possibly accept these she told him, completely serious

Kylan rolled his eyes at her words. "Don't be ridiculous, Kate. Now sit still, as I said."

He pulled out the bracelet first, reaching for her wrist and clasping it in place easily. He then removed the necklace and put the empty box back in his pocket. He stepped forward then, suddenly very close to her, and moved her hair out of the way.

Instead of asking for her to turn around, he undid the necklace and put it around her neck, moving even closer to her, and then securing it in place. with expert fingertips. His eyes never left hers, not for a single second

Those same fingertips brushed either side of her neck as he looked down at the necklace that now adorned it.

"There" he mumbled. His eyes were back on hers as he reached a hand up and suddenly brushed the side of her face with the back of his fingers.

She watched him, mesmerized by the way he was handling her. He then seemed to come back into himself and cleared his throat, stepping away from her. She blinked a few times, oddly missing his proximity to her.

He held an arm out to her and she took hold of it, grateful for the steadiness it gave her. She felt like an impostor in her dress and now the jewelry too, all while Kylan guided her out of her building.

She was surprised to see a limousine in place of the usual SUV she was used to being driven around in. She was happy that Oscar was still the one driving, though.

She gave him a grin as soon as she saw him, and he smiled back at her with equal happiness.

"You look gorgeous, Kate, Oscar told her, opening the door for her

She blushed at his words. "Thank you, Oscar," she said quietly.

Kylan had to help her in the car, the fluffiness of the skirt of her dress causing a momentary setback. and Kylan slid in after her.

finally, she sat in the backseat of the limo,

The drive to the venue was quiet, with Kylan glancing at her every now and then. She was far too nervous to talk to him. She was intimidated, to be honest. Far more intimidated than she usually was. This would be the most public date she and Kylan had yet to be on She would be surrounded by people she knew, and several others that she didn't.

She tried her best to approach the coming ball from a PR perspective, reminding herself how good this would be for Ross Corp. It only helped quell her nerves a little bot, and her heart was thundering agam by the time Oscar pulled up to an expansive mansion on the outskirts of the city.

She waited for Kylan and Oscar to both help her out of the car, her clutch and mask in hand. She was freezing in her gown, having chosen to forego a shawl or jacket of any kind in favor of fashion.

Kylan stepped over to her and gently took her mask out of her hand.

it over her eyes. He moved back only slightly, his eyes scanning her face. He looked

and grabbed the mask visible from the pocket of his pants. She fixed it over his face, flittering with his hair so

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Chapter 33

in stark contrast to the black of his mask and hair alike. His already sharp jawline appeared to be even sharper with the mask on his upper face, and she

his voice an octave lower than

too eagerly. She tried to tell herself to calm down. That this was just another date, and it was yet more of the

was. As soon as she crossed the threshold of the

ambiance the mansion was no doubt hoping to achieve. It was gorgeous, gothic, and mysterious, perfectly echoing the guests her eyes raked over. Soft music played from somewhere she couldn't see as Kylan guided her further into the

masks that ranged from simple ones like Kylan's to over-the-top ones filled with feathers, giant jewels, and intense beaks. She felt slightly better as Kylan walked her around. There was a certain air of anonymity that she hadn't accounted for

gracefully as she could. He sat next to her and

a little bit more into his side. If he was bothered, he didn't say

partaking in a lavish meal, taking care to have two

briefly to say a few words at the front of the room. She watched him talk, continuously taken aback by how he looked and even sounded. Had his voice always had that husky quality to it!

the awe of her face. Finally, she was full of delicious food and two glasses of champagne by the end of the meal and

She recognized

do, too, she

and then shifted his gaze to Rylan next to her. "Max had already prepared the invitation cards for your wedding in a few weeks. It is quite a good timing that both business partners and big journalists are here tonight." Katrina pursed her lips and nodded, looking around to see said

Photographers will no doubt be able to get a few pictures of her that

loudly. "Do you insist?" he asked through

at him in amusement that she could see even beneath his mask. "I do, Kylan, he responded cheerfully. "After that,

through his

slightly and then

ty from their table.

looked at Kylan wearily, but he stared back at

said, starting and reaching a hand out to

already swaying

make our

do you want to do this?" the

pulled her into him, prompting her to wrap her arms around his neck whilst he put his

wasn't looking at her and his hands on her hips were loose. She knew she wasn't passing as a couple in love, and people were definitely staring. She summoned

Chapter 33

was against her fingers. She brought her face to his pulled his head

like you like being close to me. People are staring" she

pulled her to him. They swayed like that, staring into each other's ryes and moving

was now looking at her. She couldn't explain it, not even if someone asked them to do just

and her hands gripped the back of his neck more firmly. She noticed that Rylan's own breathing matched hers almost exactly and her heart was positively

But she remembered at the last moment that he controlled things like any kissing, and as much as the energy was weird around her, she still respected that boundary. She didn't want to make him uncomfortable. And she didn't want to break the spell they both seemed to be under,

a long while, so long that she lost track of time. Kylan never moved his forehead from hers,

she couldn't have imagined ever touching Kylan, let alone being near him like this. It

she both pulled back from each other a

out a microphone for Kylan to take. Kylan took it with a frown on his face before clearing his throat, effectively catching the attention

planning to get married. But since we have been busy with saving the company, we left the preparations to my friend Ryan. Tonight, we decided to hand invitations

in a round of applause, cheering

enough of an appearance, Kylan said

low and