13. Catriona
Thirteen
Catriona
Rian is not going to break me!
I feel a few inches taller as I stride out of Rian’s office, knowing he’s been just as anxious about the fallout of the punishment thing.
Well, if he thought it would make me yield, then he’s got another think coming!
On the way back to my desk I spot Gemma by the copier.
I slow my steps. Accusing her of sleeping her way up the corporate ladder was bad, but now that I’ve…
done something…with Rian, it makes my guilt quadruple.
“Gemma, do you have a minute?”
“Sure,” Gemma answers, her red curls shielding her face as she continues to sort her papers without looking up.
“I-I wanted to apologise. For the other day, when I… I think my comment came out all wrong. I’m pretty sure I insulted you and hurt your feelings.”
Gemma’s shoulders rise as she takes a deep breath. I nibble at my lip as I wait for her response. With a huff, she faces me. “I’m the one who should apologise. I’m sorry I got offended. I shouldn’t have. I was just surprised that you would think I’d do something like that.”
My cheeks heat with shame.
“Seeing the way you and Rian behaved the morning after the corporate dinner, I guess I assumed…” I can’t bring myself to say the words.
“…that we spent the night together?” Gemma finishes for me.
“Yeah.”
“Nah. I’d like to say I would have declined if he made a pass at me, but let’s be real, he’s totally hot.” She giggles. “But thankfully we’ll never know since Rian wouldn’t do that.”
My eyebrows rise. “What do you mean?”
“He’s too smart to sleep around with his co-workers, you know? Hell, he only escorted Linda to the gallery last night, dropped her with me, and left. Linda was devastated as the poor lass thought she had won the lottery.”
“Really?” I release a breath that feels a lot like relief.
“She’s such a silly girl, but she bounced back quickly. Snogged Darren from accounts before the night was over!”
“Oh, dear,” I say, and I’m reminded why I don’t socialise with colleagues.
“But seriously, Rian is probably saving himself for Alexandra Harrington.” Gemma says the woman’s first and last name like you would a celebrity. I guess the woman is – she’s frequently featured in the local news’ gossip sections.
“I suppose so.” I shift on my feet, wanting this conversation over.
“I haven’t heard of a single woman he’s actually slept with.” Gemma laughs at the confusion that must be painted across my features. “Catriona, you need to socialise more with us. You’re so behind on the office gossip!”
“I guess you’re right,” I mumble despite having just reminded myself why I don’t. “I thought Rian had done the dirty with almost every woman in the building.” I make a face to show I’m disgusted with myself and my own assumptions.
“I have heard that he’s kissed a couple ‘good night’, but nothing more than that, and I don’t know if the females in question made it up.”
“Right.”
He only kissed them. Last night, he did so much more to me, but he didn’t kiss me. It’s a strange thought – the taboo of what we did – it was intimate, yet somehow detached.
“I guess you wouldn’t know,” Gemma continues carefully, interrupting my train of thought. “You’ve never been on one of the office outings with him.”
“No… As you’re aware, we don’t really see eye to eye.” I raise an eyebrow to emphasise the understatement of my words.
“It’s weird.” Gemma cocks her head. “There’s no one he trusts more and yet he always tries to humiliate and embarrass you.”
I shrug and push my hands into my trouser pockets. “It goes both ways. I know that there’s a lot I could learn from him, but I find his manners appalling. And I think you know I don’t hold back trying to expose his flaws…”
Gemma giggles. “I know!”
“I think we both get off on trying to outdo the other. Sometimes I feel invigorated after we’ve had a spat. Well, if I come out on top, that is…”
I definitely didn’t feel like I came out on top when I left his office last night. I quickly guard my facial expression and change the subject.
“Have you been ordered to work this weekend?”
“No, thankfully not. Mona has, though.”
Impulsively, I grab Gemma’s hand and ask quietly, “Are we okay?”
“Of course we are.” She squeezes my hand back and gives me one of her sincere, bright smiles.