Contract Marriage with My CEO Boss

Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Friday was gearing up to be a mess of trying to console an exceptionally cranky Kylan. He seemed more on edge than he had been lately. It was tiring and an especially stark contrast to how to put together he had seemed throughout the rest of the week. The man who thought of her enough to buy and have dinner delivered to her house was also gone. In his place was her typical, on-edge, stoic. angry boss.

She felt terrible for the intern that messed up before she got to work and even worse

orse for herself, who would be dealing with him all weekend long.

She kept her suitcase in the SUV, only bringing her briefcase and her travel outfit with her inside. "See you at three, Oscar

She waved goodbye to her driver and braced herself for the wrath of a grumpy Kylan Ross

She took the elevator, deposited her belongings in her office, and then made her way to the break room to steep Kylan's tea. Ten minutes later, she was carrying it into his office.

He was pacing in front of the window, one hand on his hip, his black suit jacket pulling up slightly because of it. He looked angry, annoyed, or maybe even both. He was on the phone, she realized, so she quietly sat his tea down on the desk and then made herself comfortable in her chair.

She grabbed her tablet off its charger and looked at the schedule for the day. Thankfully, there wasn't much to do other than a few calls and emails to attend to..

Kylan hung up the phone a few minutes later, huffing loudly as he sank into his leather chair. He picked up his tea immediately, taking a long drag from it and then sighing again. This is shit," he deadpanned.

She narrowed her eyes at him. She knew she made his tea in the exact way she always did now. "I made it as I always do, Sir," she told him as calmly as possible.

"I don't give a single f*ck, Katrina. This tastes like shit. So, assist me. Kylan snapped at her.

I'm not interested in hearing your bullshit excuses. You're my f*cking assistant, are you not?

She stared at him,

m, her eyes partially widened and her mouth agape. She knew he was testy today, but this? This was unacceptable

What was bothering him? She had taken care of almost everything in order for the weekend to run smoothly with minimal interruptions from home. She took care of all the travel details, as she always did, and she made him his tea correctly.

It felt like emotional whiplash, in a way. Her mind recalled how peaceful she felt when she was in Central Park with him last week, as she watched him play chess with her. He had such patience then

She remembered that he told her chess was something that calmed him down. Is that what he needed? Something to calm him down? Something to ground him!

She couldn't overthink this, or she wouldn't do it. She left her tablet behind, stood from her seat, and walked over to him with her hand extended out toward him. "Take my hand, she prompted.

hand incredulously. "We're at work, Katrina. Not on a f*cking date," he reminded

her face neutral. He was impossible, but she had to try. "Just take

a massive sigh and a slew of especially colorful words. Kylan finally took her hand and stood from his chair. She

things that you see and describe them to me?" she asked him, not letting go of his

the bridge of his nose with his free fingers "We need to

glare sent her way, Kylan finally looked out the window. "I

voice.

Try again." She only nodded her head at the window when

on the back of his palm with her thumb, She saw his shoulders lower a fraction of an inch and took it as a good sign, stepping

bit closer to him.

woman walking and pushing a stroller. The stroller is black, and the child inside it looks to be three years old, give or take. The woman is wearing a red coat and black

"keep going she encour

encouraged him gently

overcrowded." Kylan's voice was calmer this time,

see several lanes of traffic, moving at a Pcking spils pace because New York City

thumb continuing to trace circles on

the sky that will probably mean our fight is delayed if it starts downpouring again." Kylan looked at when he was done talking, a frown on

her pantsuit, withdrawing the bag of lemon sours. "Here," she said softly, letting go of

in preparation to protest. She lifted and suddenly

her

wasn't sure what the hell

for a second. And you'll feel better."

minute, his shoulders relaxing a little more, and his frown dissipating some. "F*ck. Fine" He put the piece of candy in his mouth, using

"Do you feel

him as soon as

eyes at her, but she wasn't

But it felt

some reason. It felt like she needed to help him deal with whatever anxieties

forward, resting her hands on either of his shoulders this time. "You're always grumpy.

it. She knew he had every right to back away from her and get even more upset because of her behavior. Even still, she didn't back away from him. She didn't

this, In this capacity, I mean." Kylan didn't

shock from her face. He was nervous about meeting her dad? Even though it wasn't real! Even though it was all just a

lips. "Kylan, look at me." It felt okay to address him by name,

of conversation.