Chapter 24

KATE

When Mr. Johnson finally left the room, he was accompanied by the jerk. Nathan walked him to the elevator and said goodbye. When the doors closed, leaving us alone again, he turned to me with a smile.

"I'll be waiting for you in my office."

"Yes, sir," I said, suspicious.
What was going on? It couldn't be anything good. After grabbing my notepad, I headed to his office.

As always, it was hard to concentrate sitting across from him with him looking at me that way without knowing what he was thinking. There was also the fact that I couldn't be near him without imagining or having sexual memories. It made my work difficult. It was simply impossible to forget that this man gave me my first orgasm. Maybe that's why I couldn't stop thinking about sex around him. But damn it! My whole body was always on alert.

"Are you ready, Miss Collins?"

"Of course."

He sighed.

"The flight is scheduled to depart at seven in the morning… so with the time zone difference, we should arrive in Geneva at eleven at night. Of course, that's if there are no unforeseen events. I might use some time to visit some people during the trip. I'll let you know if that happens."

"Yes, sir."

Which people would he visit in Geneva?

We spent some more time discussing his appointments and schedules.

"I hope you understand everything we'll be addressing in the meeting. Maybe you can convince them somehow. Perhaps you have the gift of persuading people. After all, you did that with me when we first met."

Jerk. Was he referring to the fact that I convinced him to have sex with me? How inconvenient!

"See you tomorrow, Mr. Ryan." I stood up, shocked by his ability to be such a jerk.

"Miss Collins?"

"Yes?" I stared at him.

"Nice dress."

What? His lips curled into a smile, and his eyes darkened, making my stomach churn. I tried not to lose my cool.

"Thank you."

Didn't he realize how inappropriate all of this was?

You know what? I think I'm starting to understand you, Ryan, with all your jerkiness. I'm starting to learn from you, and I know perfectly well how to play your little game. But I wonder: how did I not realize what kind of guy he was when I first met him?



When I woke up that day, he had simply vanished. Left me alone and left without a care. And although I said I wasn't expecting anything, that didn't change the fact that he was a jerk. And now, because of that damn night, my life is turning upside down. If we hadn't slept together, maybe everything would be normal now. But that's something I can't change, and I don't think I'd like to.

I woke up before the alarm. It was almost half past four in the morning. Waking up early was definitely one of the things I hated the most. But I guess I can make up for it during the flight since it will take over nine hours. I hate long flights. I hate everything related to this trip.

After showering and getting ready, I took my suitcase and purse to the living room. And after eating something, I called for a taxi. I said goodbye to Lisa last night. Her last word was a mischievous, 'Have fun.'

At the airport, I found Mr. Ryan waiting for me with his driver and some security guards. One of the guards came forward to take my suitcase.

"Good morning, Collins," Nathan said, fiddling with his phone without bothering to look at me. He seemed well-rested.

"Good morning, Ryan."

I caught a slight smile at the corner of his mouth.

"Did you forget anything?"

"I believe not. I checked to make sure I had everything I needed..."

"I wasn't referring to that."

"I don't understand."

Finally, he took his eyes off the screen to stare at me, raising an eyebrow.

"Does 'Mr. Ryan' only apply when you're being ironic or when you need to remember that our relationship has to be strictly professional?"

"Oh, that. I'm sorry, I just forgot."

He snorted.

The procedures at the airport were quick, thanks to Mr. Ryan and his imposing presence. We boarded shortly afterward.

I took my seat just behind where Ryan would sit. When I called to book the tickets, I asked the lady to leave any seat near him empty. I thought he would like that, and no one deserved to sit near him, especially not me.

Seconds later, I saw him settling into his seat. Giving me a final confused look, he sat down. For a moment, I thought he would question me. Meanwhile, a stranger took the seat next to me. A handsome stranger, intimidating, with blue eyes, well-groomed black hair, and an extremely broad chest, dressed in a dark blue suit.

"Good morning!" He offered me a beautiful smile, which I returned.

"Good morning!"

The plane took off a few minutes later. It was a long flight, but at least it wouldn't be uncomfortable.

I woke up, having no idea how long I had been asleep. The handsome man next to me was sorting through some papers. He stopped when he noticed I was watching him and looked back at me.

"Hello! I'm John, John Kent." He offered his hand, which I shook.

"Pleasure to meet you, Katherine Collins."

"The pleasure is mine, Katherine." His smile was truly charming. "Did you have a good sleep?"

"Yes, I guess it happens when you travel so early. I just hope I didn't snore."

He laughed.

"You didn't believe me."

"That's great."

We laughed.

"May I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

"Are you traveling to Switzerland for work?"

"Yes. I'm accompanying my boss."

"It must be a pleasure to work with someone like you."

Was that a flirt? Why would this wonderful stranger be flirting with me?

"I wish my boss thought the same too."

"So, you didn't have such a friendly relationship?"

"It's a complicated question. But I'd say he's just a difficult person to deal with."

"I understand. Is Geneva your actual destination?"

"Yes."

"I'm really lucky, then. Will I be even luckier and find you there?"

He was really flirting. This marvelous man was flirting with me. Oh, my goodness.

"I'd love to say yes, but I'll be very busy. I think it would be almost impossible."

"What a shame. Do you live in New York?"

"Yes."

He smiled wide.

"Very lucky indeed." He winked at me.

"So, do you also live there?"

"Yes. Does that mean we have a chance? Especially if you give me your phone number. Of course, if I'm not being extremely inconvenient." He smiled, and his smile automatically brightened mine. "I didn't ask if you were in a relationship."

I denied it, shaking my head, and took one of his papers.

"May I?"

"Of course." He handed me a pen.

I wrote down my number. I noticed a flight attendant standing beside us when I handed him the paper.

"Excuse me, Miss Collins?" She said.

"Yes?"

"Mr. Ryan would like to speak to you."

"Okay. Thank you."

She left. Damn it. What did he want now?

"Excuse me, Mr. Kent."

I advanced until I stood next to Ryan.

"Do you need me, Mr. Ryan?"

He stared at me with a clenched jaw and a furrowed brow. He remained silent for a few seconds.

"Sit down," he said through gritted teeth.

Passing by him, I sat in the seat next to him.

"Next time, remind me to buy a damn jet if necessary."

"I don't understand. Is something bothering you?"

"Stop being so cynical."

"Mr. Ryan, I think..."

"You think nothing. You're playing with fire, Collins. You'll learn not to provoke me. You're lucky we're on this plane. Otherwise..." he said audibly, just for the two of us. He was getting on my nerves.

"I thought you called me to discuss some important work matters, but apparently not, so I'll go back to my seat." I tried to stand up, but he grabbed my thigh, squeezing it, and preventing me from getting up. He leaned over my seat.

"You're not going anywhere. Your place is wherever I want it to be."

"What?" I removed his hand from my thigh.

"You're here to accompany me. Forgot that you work for me?"

"I work for you, but you don't control me, and we're not working right now."

"You'll obey my orders, whether you want to or not, and you'll sit here until the damn flight is over. I didn't tell you to leave that damn seat empty. You should have been sitting here from the beginning of this trip, as you need to be around in case I need you. That's why you're here, or else you wouldn't have come. Understood?"

Damn it. You're lucky you're my boss; otherwise, I'd tell you to go to hell. I tried to remain calm.

"I thought I wouldn't be needed during the flight. I also thought you'd feel more comfortable with the seat empty. But, do you have something to say about the meeting? I'm listening."

"When I need something, I'll let you know. You're assuming too many things. That's not your job."

Jerk.

"I want you to analyze this marketing plan and tell me what you think. It's what the people in Geneva are offering us. It's a significant investment, and consequently, there's a big risk. If it goes wrong, a lot of money will be lost, so focus."

I opened the campaign and began my analysis, trying to ignore my anger.