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.

her eyes. He moved back only slightly, his eyes

of his pants. She fixed it over his face, flittering with his hair so that it laid just

0

Chapter 33

of his mask and hair alike. His already sharp jawline appeared to be

we?" Kylan finally said, his voice an octave lower

once again, and she grasped it may be a little bit too eagerly. She tried to tell herself to calm down. That this was just another date, and it

with how grand her gown was. As soon as she crossed the threshold of the mansion, she felt like she was transported to another time. ch of

inch of the place. The dim lighting reflected 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

various 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 when considering what the ball would

as she could. He sat next to her and draped an arm around her, allowing his hand to rest

more into his side. If he was bothered, he didn't say as

in a lavish meal, taking care to have two napkins draped over her lap the entire

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! Or was that new! When he sat next to her

mentioned that Kylan had donated one hundred thousand dollars to a local children's hospital, she couldn't keep the awe of her face. Finally, she was full of delicious food and two glasses of champagne by the end of the meal and speeches. A man with blonde hair and blue eyes poking

Kate." She recognized Ryan's voice and

Sir. You do, too,

It is quite a good timing that

should dance to a few songs with Kate, Kylan. Photographers will no doubt be able to get

loudly. "Do you insist?" he asked through

mask. "I do, Kylan, he responded cheerfully. "After that, you may announce your

his

Ryan bowed slightly and

ty from their table.

he stared back at her with a relatively

and

the dance floor, where several other couples were already swaying gently to the slow sounds

make our

want to do this?" the murmured to

to wrap her arms around his neck whilst he put his

lead, and moving her body in the way he moved his. It was awkward at first. Kylan 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 her courage and stepped closer to Rylan, looking up

Chapter 33

fingers. She brought her face to his pulled his head down, and rested

People are staring" she

he wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her to him. They swayed like that, staring into each other's ryes and moving to

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

quickened 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 thundering within her

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

while, so long that she lost track of time. Kylan never moved his forehead from hers, and his eyes never once left her gaze. She felt warm, impossibly warm, but

imagined ever touching Kylan, let alone being near him like this.

and Rylan were in, and she both pulled back from each other a little bit. Other couples were praising the band,

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

Kate and 1 are engaged and 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 to all of you, to witness our wedding in a few weeks time. Kate and 1 would

ballroom erupted in a round

made enough of an appearance, Kylan said quietly,

sounding low

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