Chapter 13
KATE
Meg returned at lunchtime. We left the building together and headed to a small restaurant near the company. We sat at a table near the window and quickly placed our orders.
"So, did everything go well after I left?"
"Yes. He didn't ask me for anything else after the coffee."
"Incredible."
"Why? Is he really that difficult?"
"He's... strict. I mean authoritative and arrogant. Last week was impossible. Definitely, Ryan is not a lovely person. He's full of himself. He loves to boss people around and always gets what he wants. But that's because the son of a bitch is not only a billionaire but also handsome... I have to admit. He's so sexy and..."
"And?" I laughed, amazed by her frankness.
"I think I'm talking too much."
"No, I want to know everything."
"Well, he's sexy and hot and intelligent and good at everything, damn it. There!" She had no idea, but he really is good at everything, or maybe she did, considering the way she was talking. I hope not.
"You must think I'm crazy."
"No. It's fine. You're just making me more curious. Tell me, do you know anything about his personal life?"
"Let's see, the only thing I know about his personal life is what comes out in the media. He's a bit reserved, I would say when it comes to his family. But as for romantic relationships, I don't think he's had any long-lasting ones since I've known him. And by 'known him,' I mean working for him. The rumors I hear are that he's just a womanizer. But it's apparently only for sex because whenever I see him at an event, he's accompanied by a different woman. Beautiful women, I admit, but from what I hear, they're just for one night."
Okay. I guess it couldn't get worse. I was finding out that he's just a jerk.
"How long have you been working at Ryan?"
"Three years."
"That's quite a long time."
"Yes."
"And what's the secret to not getting fired?"
"Not working too closely with him." She laughed. "I'm kidding. I mean, I guess that helps too, but it's me who has to handle everything when he decides to fire someone who holds his position."
"I see. So, you had to deal with him this past week."
"Yeah. But every cloud has a silver lining."
"What?"
"Being able to see that face every day." She winked, smiling mischievously. "I'm kidding, but I have to admit that the son of a bitch got lucky with all that talent. And I always try to see the bright side of things."
"So... you're a Ryan admirer?"
"Not exactly. But I can't deny that he's one hell of a hunk. But the truth is, he already has too many admirers. Every woman working in that building would give anything to spend a night with the jerk." I smiled, trying to disguise what was going through my head.
We returned to the Ryan, and I was feeling a bit upset after hearing those things. So Ryan is just a jerk—authoritative, arrogant, full of himself, sleeping with a bunch of women, and having many more at his beck and call. What a lovely reputation for a jerk. If I had known this before, I would never have gotten into a car with him and then into bed.
But what did I expect after he simply disappeared that day? I don't like the fact that I was just another one he slept with, and now I'm working for him. This could bring me a lot of trouble if he really is that bad.
After I finished some paperwork around three, I took it to him for signing. It was just a bunch of bureaucracy. A simple and tedious first-day task. But he didn't pay attention to me; he seemed distant.
Last week was so tough for me; I almost couldn't get him out of my head, and knowing he was just a big jerk made me feel like an idiot. It's so ridiculous. Why do I care? What did I expect? That he'd say he missed me? A guy like him—we have nothing in common. My career is what matters most, and this job is the beginning of everything. That's all I should care about.
I was ready to leave. It had been a day full of revelations, and I was still confused, but I managed to survive my first day working alongside Ryan, and I suspected it had been too easy. The phone rang, and I saw it was him.
"Yes, Mr. Ryan?"
"I know you're probably ready to leave, but I need you to wait a bit. I need you to do something. Understood?" Does he need me to do something? What? Couldn't he have asked earlier? Maybe it's just another test.
"Yes, sir." I agreed.
I waited for nearly twenty minutes, which felt like an eternity. I was bored, impatient, and tired. Everyone must have left by now.
Why did he need me this late? I didn't like the idea of being alone on one of the top floors of the building. Or did I? Of course not. The phone rang again.
"Yes?"
"You can come in now."
"Sure." I hung up.
I left my blazer and purse on my desk. I must look awful, especially my hair. I tried not to worry about my appearance as my heart raced again.
He was standing by the windows, looking at the view. He was without his jacket, and the sleeves of his white shirt were rolled up to his elbows. He turned to me. His hair was tousled. So sexy. *No, Kate. No.*
"Sit down."
I did.
"Any problem?"
I hadn't considered this possibility before, but was he going to fire me? Was he going to ask the university to send someone else to take my place? I froze. No, please.
He approached, circling the table until he leaned against one of the corners to my right. Staring at me intently. I wished I could evaporate under his incredible blue, intimidating eyes. His gaze traveled over my body. I noticed his fingers tightening around the side of the table. He closed his eyes. What was happening?
When he opened them a second later, he was leaning toward me, resting his hands on the arms of the armchair. Damn it. I closed my eyes, feeling his breath on my face. My heart raced. He slid his thumb over my lips. I remained still with my eyes closed. What? What is he doing? And why did I want him to continue?
I wanted this so much last week. But I can't. Not now, not more than ever. My conscience yelled at me to tell him to stop. But I felt his fingers touch my neck, moving down to the button of my shirt, making it hard for me to breathe.
Suddenly, he lifted me, startling me, and put me on his desk. Making me face him wide-eyed. The same dark eyes from that night stared at me. His mouth lightly brushed against mine, soft and moist. I didn't move or touch him, but I wanted to do that. I rested my hands on the surface of the desk behind me. He was so close.
Then his lips claimed mine, hungry and teasing, his tongue pushing its way between my lips to meet mine. I could feel his impatience. I lost myself as he hastily unbuttoned my shirt and pulled it out of my skirt.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
