Chapter 86

KATE


"Miss McCartney?" A tall man, dressed in a well-tailored gray suit, approaches the table where Meg and I are having lunch.

"Mr. Coleman!" Meg stands up, and I do the same. "It's good to have you back."

"I returned last night. I have a meeting with Ryan shortly."

"Alright." Meg looks at me. "Oh! Kate, this is Mr. Niels Coleman. Mr. Coleman, this is Katherine, Mr. Ryan's new assistant." His gaze meets mine.

"Katherine Collins. It's a pleasure, Mr. Coleman." I offer a handshake, still amazed at how young he is, among other things. The square jaw, the stubble, and the blue, almost gray, eyes were a combination that made his face perfect.

"Just Niels, please. It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Collins. I am the Chief Marketing Officer, and I believe we'll be meeting frequently from today onwards."

"You're the CMO of Ryan? Excuse my surprise... it's just that I expected someone less young."

"I'm not that young. Well, I have to go now. Goodbye, ladies. It was a pleasure meeting you." He turns his back and heads toward the exit.

"Goodbye!" We say in unison.

"I know," Meg whispers before we sit down again.

"He is..."

"Incredibly handsome?"

"Well, yes. But it's not just that. There's something about him that makes me feel all wrong."

"I know, right? Now imagine having to work with him every day."

"Do you work with him?"

"Not anymore. But I spent almost a year working as his assistant. Believe me, I miss all the kindness and his presence full of virility a little bit." I laugh.

"Oh, I believe you. Have you two...?"

"No. I'm not that lucky. But it seems like he liked you."

"No. No more arrogant dandies for a while."

"Are you dating anyone?" God! Did I say that out loud?

"No... well, I went out with a guy. But nothing that I intend to pursue further." This isn't about Ryan, but he would fit perfectly into that category too. But I can talk about John.

"He works at Ryan?"

"No!" I say too quickly. Don't give yourself away, you idiot. "I mean... it would be weird to date someone from work." Seriously? Just shut up, Kate.

"Don't say you wouldn't go out with him."

"No. I wouldn't." If Ryan even imagines anything like that, I'm screwed.

"As if you would say no to that face. I wouldn't even have to think twice."

"He's handsome, as handsome as..." I let my thought slip out, damn it.

"As handsome as Ryan? You're right. But with Niels, it's not such a platonic crush."

"I'm too old for Platonic crushes, Meg. But why do you say that? Do you think Ryan wouldn't date women like us?"

"I just think he prefers blonde, silicon-enhanced models." I take a sip of my juice, laughing at the idea. It's not a lie.

"I met his ex-girlfriend, she seems very natural."

"Yes, but she's ridiculously beautiful. With those eyes and that mouth."

"Yes." That reminds me of the dinner at Nathan's house, with his wonderful family. It was so strange. I thought the Ryans were cold and arrogant people, but I realized I was wrong as soon as I met his mother. Does she still have hopes that he will get back together with Mia? What would their reaction be if they knew about us? I don't want them to ever judge me as an opportunist. Damn it. Why do I keep thinking about this as something that could have a future? At least Nathan didn't seem to care about Mia anymore.




Nathan and Niels leave the room laughing about something. Probably some dirty joke, judging by Ryan's expression. His gaze lands on me, and I adjust myself in the chair.

"Well, see you later, Nathan." They shake hands. "Don't forget to consider the proposal for Friday."

"I'll think about it."

"Alright." Niels turns his attention to me. "Miss Collins."

"Mr. Coleman." He then leaves.

Nathan approaches, leaning in and resting his hands on my desk. He wets his lips, then bites the bottom one, which is enough to make me squeeze my thighs together.

"Tell me... How do you do it?"

"What?"

"Niels seemed very curious about my new assistant."

"What does that mean?"

"You're so devilish... Going around, casting your damn charm on all the men. Is it some kind of plan?"

"Sorry, Ryan," I say, laughing. "You just uncovered my plan to conquer all the men in the world."

"Either you pretend very well, or you don't realize what you're doing."

"I didn't speak to him for another minute."

" But it was enough for him to think about fucking you. If he wasn't so good at what he does, he'd be done for."

"Nathan! God! Do you think every guy wants to fuck me? You're going insane."

"He does."

"Did he say that?"

"I'm a man, Collins."

"That doesn't count because you're the type of guy who wants to fuck every woman he meets. Don't be enough of a jerk to say you'd fire Niels over this."

"Then stay away from him, or I'll forget how good he is."

"This is ridiculous!" I roll my eyes. "You're being possessive and irrational."

"I don't want anyone coveting what's mine."

"How many times do I have to repeat myself for you to stop this shit?"

"Remember, we have something now, and it's not an open relationship."

"That's enough! If you don't stop this fucking sick jealousy, we won't have anything."

"You just need to stay away from him."

"And John, Bryan, and anyone else with a dick between their legs?"

"That's a great idea."

"Do you think I would have even considered trying something with you if I wanted to fuck other guys?"

"It's them I don't trust, Kate."

"So you think he would try something without my consent?" He's acting like a jerk. Should I reconsider? Does he need therapy?

"It would be great if you made it clear that you're not interested."

"Sure! 'Sorry, but I'm currently fucking my boss, so I'm not available.'" What do you think? Is that good enough?"

"Don't be ridiculous."

"I'm not going to stop talking to all men because of you."

"I just want you to remember that we have rules."

"Which one am I breaking, damn it?"

"None, you're just playing hard to get and refusing to let me fuck you."

"I knew it. So that's it! Just because I can't go out with you today, you decided to torment me?"

"You're the one tormenting me."

"You're acting like an idiot just because you can't control your own dick."

"It's your fault." Arguing with him doesn't help; it only arouses me even more. He goes around my table, causing me to instinctively stand up, intending to stop him from doing whatever he's thinking, even though my body is almost betraying me.

"No." I stop him from taking another step. He seems to ignore it, and my eyes meet the bulge in his pants. Shit.

The phone rings, startling me. I take a deep breath, feeling my heart throb. I pick up the phone.

"Yes?"

"Mrs. Clark is here."

"Alright, I'll inform Mr. Ryan. Give me a minute." I cover the phone with my hand. "Mrs. Clark is waiting." He takes a deep breath before looking up at the ceiling.

"Alright, give me a few minutes, and I'll let you know when I'm ready."

"Okay. How much time do you need?" Only after the words leave my mouth do I realize how inappropriate they sound, especially when I glance at the bulge in his pants. "No... that's not what I meant."

"Do you want to do that for me?"

"No chance, Ryan." Without saying another word, he clenches his jaw, making me aware of his frustration, and then enters his office.



Lisa sits on my bed as I search for something to wear in the closet.

"Are you going out?"

"I have something to take care of."

"With Ryan?" Is she here to criticize me again? I don't need this. I can make my own decisions. I'm getting tired of caring about what others think.

"Kate... I'm sorry for what I said earlier. It was awful."

"It's okay." No, it's not okay. It hurt me. I didn't expect to hear that from my best friend.

"I know you, and I know it's not okay, especially since you've been ignoring me. I know I hurt you."

"I need to go."

"I thought we were going to talk." I turn towards her.

"I already know what you're going to say, that Ryan is a jerk who just wants to sleep with me, and you know that because you have a lot of experience with that type of guy. And I shouldn't do it because I'll end up getting hurt when he discards me. Because you think I'm an innocent and fragile little girl, who's deluded into thinking she's living a fictional romance with her boss. But you're wrong. I can make my own decisions. I know what I'm getting into. And if I regret it later, it's all on me. Thank you for caring, but if I want someone to make me feel like a slut, I can ask anyone's opinion." I walk into the bathroom, leaving her with her jaw dropped.