Chapter 125

KATE

The Monday started off rainy, and I mustered up considerable effort to get out of bed. After a hot shower, I looked for something to wear. I should have stopped by home to get something for work.

I opened his closet in search of a shirt. Damn it, there were clothes of mine in his closet, from months ago. Not that it was a bad thing at the moment, but it made me realize that I was spending too much time at his place. It was like having a drawer for a toothbrush and socks, it was so strange.

There was a lacy lingerie set that I loved with a garter belt and thigh-high stockings, folded among the other pieces. I put them on under a white shirt and a pencil skirt. Mary always said that there was nothing better than fabulous lingerie to make a woman feel powerful in any situation. She was right. I put on my pumps, a blazer, and applied light makeup.

I grabbed my bag and headed to the living room, since I didn't have my car; I would have to call a taxi.

I almost got startled when I came face to face with James. He was getting good at this.

"Good morning, Miss Collins."

"Good morning, James."

"Mr. Ryan asked me to take you to your workplace."

"You don't have to bother."

"I'll wait for you to have your morning coffee."

I observed the full breakfast table, probably set by Ryan's housekeeper.

"Well, I don't usually eat this early, but thank you. That was very kind."
I didn't want to come across as rude, but I really never ate before eight.

"So, would you like to go now?"

"Yes. Thank you."
I tried to pretend that it wasn't strange to have someone do everything for me, but it was madness. Nathan lived like a damn king, and I hated it.

I checked my phone on the way to work. There were two new messages from him. One from yesterday, when I hung up, and one from a few minutes ago.

From Nathan: Why do you act like this? You drive me crazy. How can I work like this?
Please, answer me, you know you're my favorite bitch.

I almost smiled at his last message. How could I miss him so much? I replied.

From Kate: You're in trouble, Mr. Ryan. I have a busy day of work ahead. Goodbye.

I won't make it easy for you, Ryan. He didn't take long to reply. And I wondered if he shouldn't be sleeping. The time difference was a pain.

From Nathan: 'Mr. Ryan,' I like to imagine you saying that. Especially when you beg.

Damn it, he wasn't going to do this to me, not when I was fighting to contain my sexual frustration since he left.

From Kate: I said GOODBYE. Didn't you read that part?
P.S.: Earlier, I found a lost lingerie in your closet. I wonder if you remember it. How does it feel to know that I'll be wearing it all day at work?

From Nathan: How many guys work with you? And can I call you now? I need to hear you beg.

From Kate: I think James would love to hear me beg from the front seat.

From Nathan: Give me a few minutes...

I hated that he could come without me. It made me even more pissed off.


There was so much work to be done that I didn't have time to think about anything until lunchtime, when Mary showed up in my office.

"Hey?"

"I saw your boss leaving, and no sign of you. Aren't you going to have lunch?" she asked, leaning against my desk.

"There's a lot of backlog."

"I think Harry demands too much from you."

"He's a nice guy."

"Do you think so? I always thought he was a jerk."

"Why?"

"The way he behaves, too authoritative."

"We can't deny that he knows what he's doing; maybe he's just a bit pushy. But I have experience dealing with jerks."

"A bit?"

"Enough with this topic; he's my boss, and most of the time he's nice."

"Speaking of jerks... your weekend must have been exciting."

"I don't know if I should thank you or hate you for plotting with him."

"What do you mean? I thought he was the one who made sex with other guys boring for you?"

"Yes, but the two of us... it's complicated."

"Tell me about it."

"He left on Sunday, even after we spent so much time apart. Sometimes I feel like I'm not important to him."

"That's definitely not the case. I don't know what you did to him, but the man was desperate; he seemed completely in love."

"You don't know him well, Mary."

"In other circumstances, I would love to."

"Mary!" I throw a paperclip at her.

"Sorry. Just kidding!" She laughs. "You're beautiful, Kate, but your luck is undeniable; the guy is a knockout!"

"Are you listening to me?"

"Of course I am. But I think you're being a bit dramatic. I imagine he traveled for work, right?"

"Yes, there was a problem in Tokyo."

"Think about it, you always emphasize how important your work is, his must be too, and probably more stressful."

"Okay, okay, you win. Maybe it's just repressed desire. Maybe it's because I'm struggling to contain my sexual frustration, and it's killing me."

"I never thought I'd hear you say that. The Kate I knew found sex mechanical and boring. I don't know what Ryan did to her, but remind me to thank him."

"Enough. Let's stop talking about him. Tell me about you and Ben?"

"The best sex of my life. Plain and simple."

"Does that mean you're in love?"

"I don't know, he has a lot of things I like; he's attentive, caring, and wild."

"Spare me the details, Mary."

"But that's the best part."

"You know, he's Nathan's best friend; that should be some kind of warning. I think if we consider the women they've fucked, it would be half the city for each of them."

"I don't care about that. When I want a man, he's all mine."

"So you want Ben?"

"I don't know, for now, we're just enjoying. That's it."

"You said I'm lucky... but Ben is practically a god. I couldn't help but imagine what was underneath his clothes the first time I saw him."

"Hey... behave yourself."

"Just a comment."

"You know what would be great? Going out for a drink after work. We can invite Lisa."

"On a Monday?"

"So what?"

"I'm not sure if it's a good idea."

"It's a fantastic idea, and you can't say no. Six o'clock, I'll let Dickens know."

"You're starting to sound like her."

"What do you mean?"

"Talking to me as if I don't have a choice."

"Of course, you have a choice! But you won't say no to your dear Mary, will you?"

"What have I gotten myself into?" I sighed.

"Six o'clock. I'll meet you at the exit. See you later. Tell Harry to take it easy and be less pushy." She walked out the door, with her long, toned legs.

"Hey... speak more quietly! Do you want me to get fired? And you too?"

I hear her laughter as she walks away. Mary and Lisa together would drive me crazy. But maybe going out with them would help me get Nathan out of my head.

Harry returned from lunch shortly after. He was my new boss at Financial Group. And I had been promoted so quickly. In just three months, I had become the assistant to the head of administration.

All because of my project for the account at Columbia Law School. It was a success, and they decided to implement it in the company.
Harry was one of the major shareholders of the company; he was in his forties, graying, tall, and had an impressive physique for his age. He was also kind and sometimes a bit presumptuous, asking me to do things he should do himself. But I liked him.

I met Mary at the exit; it had been a stressful day, but I managed to finish almost all the work. I approached her, waiting for me outside the building.

"Wow, you look exhausted," she said.

"Thanks, Mary."

"I'm kidding. I called a taxi, and Lisa said she was already leaving work."

"Okay."

The bar was about ten minutes away from the company. When we got out of the taxi, Mary stopped before entering the bar and looked at me.

"You look so formal. Let me help you."

"Huh?"

She stood behind me and pulled my blazer by the arms, then let my hair down from the bun, giving it a little mess. Finally, she stood in front of me and unbuttoned two buttons of my shirt.

"What the hell are you doing?" I frowned, waiting for an explanation.

"Nothing, just making you feel more comfortable."

"It doesn't seem like it. I think you forgot that I don't need to impress any guys in there."

"Don't be silly, Kate. Let's go!"