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.

she had to try. "Just take my hand, Sir, she reiterated, wiggling

took her hand and stood from his chair. She smiled brightly at him before leading him back over

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

"Why the f*ck would I do that?" He pinched the bridge of his nose with 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.

Kylan finally looked out the window. "I see

voice.

nodded her head

hold of her hand 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 saw his shoulders lower a fraction of an inch and took it as a good

bit closer to him.

it looks to be three years old, give or take. The woman is wearing a red

"keep going she encour

encouraged him gently

is overcrowded." Kylan's voice was calmer this

spils pace because New York City apathetic. It lacked the venomous edge though,

more she encouraged him, her thumb continuing to trace circles on his

delayed if it starts downpouring again." Kylan looked at when he was done talking, a frown on his

pantsuit, withdrawing the bag of lemon sours. "Here," she

down at the candy, his mouth parting in preparation to protest. She lifted and suddenly she was cupping his cheek, lifting

her

hell came

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

face for a 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 his back teeth to break the small lemon ball. He kept his eyes on hers as he chewed, an air of stoicism returning

"Do you feel

she asked him as soon as he was done

eyes at

But it felt

reason. It felt like she needed to help him deal with whatever anxieties were alling him at that

of his shoulders this time. "You're always grumpy. But this

back away from her and get even more upset because of her behavior. Even still, she

In this capacity, I mean." Kylan didn't look at her as

to hide the shock from her face. He was nervous about meeting her dad? Even though it wasn't real! Even

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

of conversation.