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.

incredulously. "We're at work, Katrina. Not on a

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

especially colorful words. Kylan finally took her hand and stood from

you tell me three things that you see and describe them to

his free fingers "We need to be working, not staring out the same window I've looked out thousands of damn times." She remained neutral. Calm. Despite how annoyed she was truly becoming. "Please, just do it," she tried

Kylan finally looked out the window. "I see

voice.

Try again." She only nodded her

and looked out at the city. He took a deep breath, and she began to draw small, soothing circles on the back of his palm with her thumb, She

bit closer to him.

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 gloves" Kylan sighed again. "This

"keep going she encour

encouraged him gently

Kylan's voice was calmer this time,

Pcking spils pace because New York

her thumb continuing

will probably mean our fight is delayed if it starts downpouring again." Kylan looked at when he was done talking, a frown on his face and his eyes swimming with what

withdrawing the bag of lemon sours. "Here," she said softly, letting go of his hand and closing his fingers

preparation to protest. She lifted and suddenly she was cupping his cheek, lifting his face

her

sure what the hell came over her, but

me. Sir. Eat the candy. Look at me for a second. And you'll feel better." She smiled at him with what she

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

"Do you feel

as soon as he was done

Kylan rolled his eyes

But it felt

for some reason. It felt like she needed to help him

forward, resting her hands on either of his shoulders

over the line of inappropriate, and she knew it. She knew he had every right to back away from her and get even more upset because of

this capacity, I mean." Kylan didn't look at her as he spoke, his eyes carefully fixated out the

nervous about meeting

down the surprise and licked her lips. "Kylan, look at me." It felt okay to address him by name,

of conversation.