Chapter 40
KATE
Nathan takes a deep breath and begins to walk. I follow him. He holds my hand, leading me down a hallway and stopping in front of a door. He opens it, almost forcing me to enter. It's a huge room with a fireplace and large sofas in burgundy. He puts his hands to his head, messing up his hair.
"We shouldn't be here," I say.
"What were you doing with him?"
"Bryan? Just talking."
"He was touching you, and you didn't seem bothered by it."
"He was touching me? I didn't..."
"I don't want him laying a finger on you."
"God! Are your family relationships always like this? And why do you care? Shouldn't you be with your new girlfriend?"
"She's just a girl, Collins."
"Great! Bryan's just a friend."
"A friend who wants to take you to bed."
"And?"
"Do you want to?"
"Fuck off!"
"I know him, Kate, believe me, he doesn't just want your friendship."
"It doesn't matter. What matters is that you're being possessive, and I don't like it."
"You're mine. And I can't stand the thought of anyone even touching you."
"I'm not yours, Ryan! Fuck! I'm not a damn object!" Arguing with him was useless. I head towards the door. His possessiveness scared me a little.
"Where are you going?"
"You're a damn control freak. I've had enough of you for today."
"Don't you dare go back to him."
"Seriously, Ryan?" Idiot bastard. "Maybe I will, maybe he'll let me come."
"Don't play with me." He grabs my arm, turning me to face him. "Will I have to fuck you until you forget there are others besides me?" I bite my lip. I just wanted to come, Ryan. It's so frustrating.
"If you don't let me come, I'll have to find someone who will."
"Is that what you want? To come?"
"Yes," I say, licking my lips and feeling desire dripping in my panties. He grabs my hips and pushes me against the wall behind us, his soft, hot lips meeting mine, lifting my dress to my waist, and pinning my arms above my head. He stares at me with dark, desire-filled eyes. I close my eyes. His hand slips under my panties, finding my wetness.
"You never disappoint me," he says, pressing his fingers on my clit, making me moan. I feel his hot breath on my neck as he moves his fingers, making my stomach contract. I open my eyes and look at the door, feeling a wave of fear wash over me at the thought of someone catching us.
"We have to stop," I say breathlessly, but he ignores my words.
"Nathan..."
"Just give me a minute."
"We can't do this here."
"You said you wanted to come. I'm trying to fulfill your request, darling."
"Not here."
"Kate..."
"No." He stops, exhales, and lets me go, reluctant and confused. I straighten my dress.
"Let's go, so I can drown myself in you."
"We can't leave now. Dinner isn't over yet."
"Fuck that!"
"Be polite and go back there. You go first. Then I will. I don't want anyone to see us."
"You're not going back to him." God! I don't have the patience for this anymore. I leave before he can say another word, and I end up strangling him.
I find a bathroom at the end of the hallway. I stare at myself in the mirror. God! My dress is wrinkled and my hair is a mess. I realize I forgot my purse, damn it. I try to fix my dress and hair with my hands. I wait a few minutes to go back and get my purse, avoiding him. When I'm about to leave the room, I hear voices. Stella's, I think. I lean against the door and try to listen better.
"Come on! We're almost there," she says.
I open a gap, trying to see who she's talking to. It's Nathan. Seriously? She holds his hand, leading him somewhere enthusiastically. Damn it.
When the two disappear down the hallway, I leave. I return to the hall where the other guests are. I'm not staying here, not one more minute. I walk towards the exit.
"Are you okay? What was so urgent that he needed to talk to you?" Bryan makes me stop, holding my wrist.
"Nothing... it wasn't anything important. He's a bit over the top sometimes." I'm barely able to hide my anger.
"Sometimes?" He laughs. "I know my cousin very well... And if I didn't know your work policy, I'd say you were jealous." I gulp.
"He's just an authoritarian jerk. What policy are you talking about?"
"Not having any kind of relationship with the team." I think he's not using that policy anymore, not with me. "But as I was saying, he's always been like that. Since we were kids. A bit grumpy." Nathan as a child. A blonde irritated little boy with big blue eyes. I suddenly feel like taking care of him. But then I remember where he is now and who he's with. Jerk. I need to leave.
"Do you want a drink?"
"I have to go."
"Are you going with Nathan?"
"I'm going to take a taxi."
"Taxi here?" Damn it, he's right, it would take forever. Damn it, Ryan. "I can take you if you'll let me."
"You don't have to bother. Thanks."
"I don't have anything important to do here anymore. Tell me you'll accept."
Fuck it! I need to leave here anyway. I imagine how irritated Ryan would be.
"Okay." I end up accepting because it's the only way to leave, *of course.*
"Great."
In the car, I find myself observing Bryan. Were all Ryans absurdly handsome? He catches me staring and he smiles.
"What's up?"
"Were you born in Germany too?"
"No, Ireland. Why?"
"Ryan mentioned he was born in Germany." I shrug.
"It's weird when you call him that because I think of my uncle. Anyway, the Ryans are of Irish origin. But my uncle and aunt, Nathan's parents, were living in Germany when he was born."
"Do you use the surname Ryan too?"
"I prefer to use my father's."
"Which one?"
"Pearse."
"Mr. Pearse, then?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"So, Mr. Pearse... what do you do in New York?"
"I took over my family's company a few years ago."
"You're not that old."
"Almost twenty-seven. I didn't know you were curious."
"I have to know who I'm accepting a ride from."
"A ride? I don't think this is just a ride, Kate."
"What is it then, Mr. Pearse?" He laughs but doesn't answer me.
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