23. Rian
Twenty Three
Rian
She stares at me with eyes the colour of the summer sky. Big, beautiful, blue eyes.
“Don’t look so shocked, I can cook,” I insist. She only raises her eyebrows higher. “I’ve always made a point of learning to cook a dish or two from every country I’ve lived in, and I promise you, my Malaysian curry is the best this side of Asia.”
“You’ve obviously never stayed in England then, since you can’t brew your own fecking cup of tea,” she deadpans, and I struggle to hold back a laugh.
How did I end up here, in a bistro having lunch with Catriona?
We’re seated at a small, round table, tucked in the corner of an oddly shaped room that has a mix of industrial and modern style.
Big plants and shelves separate the tables, creating unique and private spaces.
I’ve been so determined the last days to keep a distance between us, yet the very moment we were alone, all that mattered was the challenge in her gaze and mocking curve of her tempting lips.
A mouth I’ve never kissed.
How will I ever make difficult business decisions if I can’t follow through on one personal decision?
All sense is gone. Hell, I only just manage to stop myself from reaching out to undo her bun.
I want to feel that soft hair through my fingers again.
Fist it and force her head back. Like I did when she was kneeling in front of me.
I pull a string of decorative twine from the candle holder to occupy my hands.
“I would love to travel the world while working.” Her eyes are downcast, and she picks at her salad with her fork. I’ve finished my curry steak sandwich already. “You’re so lucky to have had the opportunity.”
She can’t hide the longing from her face, and surprisingly, I feel guilty for how easy it’s been for me – my father pulled a few strings and there I was, in Munich working for Siemens. Someone like Catriona might dream about it but never have the chance to experience it.
“Yes, I’m not too ignorant to realise that,” I admit.
Maybe I can set up a staff exchange programme with some of the companies I’ve worked for?
Maybe I can help Catriona achieve one of her dreams?
“I know I’m fortunate to have had the chance to work abroad.
Not only that, but to work in pretty big companies as well and learn from some very high-profile and complex cases.
” The pride in my voice turns sullen. “As much as I admire the ladies for starting up their jewellery venture, for me, working on a security contract for them is quite a step down from what I’ve become used to. ”
“KSS has a lot of big-shot contracts as well.” She lifts her fork to her mouth, and after swallowing, the tip of her tongue slips out to lick her plump bottom lip. I force my gaze up to her eyes.
“Yes, but my darling father won’t let me anywhere near those contracts. He thinks I need to learn the trade first.” My voice is laced with sarcasm, and I twist the twine between my fingers.
“And he’s right.”
“Jesus…” I lean back in my chair, away from her.
“Seriously, if you’re planning on taking over this company one day, then you need to understand what’s going on, on all levels.”
“Please, Taylor, you sound just like him.” I’ve started opening up to her and had expected some compassion and understanding. I didn’t expect her to take my father’s side. Who am I fooling? This is Catriona Taylor, prim and proper, ice queen, Miss Goody Two Shoes. Of course she’d take Dad’s side!
“Well, maybe you should listen to him. You’re only twenty-eight – it’s not like you know everything there is to know,” she insists and leans forward to emphasise her words.
“If you don’t have firsthand experience of how the small contracts operate, how can you expect to give them the respect and attention they deserve when you’re at the helm of the company?
” She holds my gaze, refusing to give me any respite.
“If you immediately got the sexy big-shot, high-profile contracts to play with, honestly, would you ever think of these ladies’ contract as anything but a small pebble in your shoe? ”
I hate that her arguments hold some truth. Sliding my arm over the back of her chair, I lean into her, so close that my nose almost touches hers, crowding her space. Her eyes widen in surprise. We are in public, after all.
“This lunch is over,” I say, low and threatening.
“Up until this point, you’ve been a very pleasant companion, but now you’re getting on my fecking nerves.
I should have known that paying you with lunch, where you can talk, would be a bad idea.
” I lean back. “Next time the payment will be with you gagged.”
Her breath hitches and her fingers turn white around the fork.
Signs of her arousal that make me instantly hard.
“We’d better head back before I fuck you over this table.” My voice is rough, proof of my own arousal.
The clang of her fork dropping on her plate startles her and wakes her from the spell I’ve put her under.
“Yes, yes, we’d better go,” she stutters.
My lips curl into a smirk. I love that I’m able to rattle her. My ice queen. My diamond.
By the time we exit the bistro, a few minutes later, she’s regained her composure.
“Thank you for lunch, Mr Kearney.” Her back is straight, her chin high.
“You’re welcome, Miss Taylor,” I respond and hand her the twine.
Her jaw drops. “W-what?”
“The knot is called a carrick bend mat,” I explain.
“It…it looks just like a flower. It’s beautiful.” She holds the knotted twine as if it’s something special. Something valuable. My chest expands on a deep breath.
“We wouldn’t go as far as saying I give you flowers, now, would we,” I say teasingly and bump her hip. She huffs and rolls her eyes.
“Where did you learn to do this? On your many travels abroad?”
“I’ve always been handy with rope.” I smirk.
“Did you yearn to be a cowboy as a kid or something?”
I chuckle. “Well, I’ve always liked to tie people up.”
Catriona’s cheeks turn an enticing pink which reminds me of the colour of her other cheeks after I spanked them.
“Anyway…” She drops the knot in her jacket pocket and picks up her pace. She’s keeping it.
We’re a few blocks away from the office when I broach what’s been churning in my head. “So…regarding KSS, you think I’m aiming too high too soon?” My tone is even, despite the gravity of the question. She replies with an equally even voice, not mocking or spiteful.
“Yeah. One step at a time, Rian, and make sure each step counts.”
I know she has a point, but that’s not what echoes in my head.
It’s the first time she’s ever called me “Rian”. I want her to say it again, want to hear her whisper or scream it in throes of passion.
The way she says it though, not just my name, but the whole sentence, is intimate, so unlike our normal banter. There’s a sincerity to her answer, as if she knew it was a serious question. A connection. It’s almost on par with that look we share in my office.
I swallow. Catriona isn’t like any other woman. She doesn’t accept my bullshit but calls me on it and bites back. If she could only relax a bit more. She is so damned uptight. A bit of the softer, laid-back Catriona has showed during lunch, but still with the sharp wit and tongue that I love.
Fuck! My intention to move forward with Alexandra is out the window if I keep having these thoughts about Catriona. Glancing down at her, I know there’s only one way to get Catriona out of my head. Out of my system.
I have to fuck her.
I sigh. Only yesterday I’d been determined to end things with her, and now I’m determined to step up the heat.
I’m a fecking mess.
* * *
“As you know, Friday three weeks from now, the office is closed for the spring barbeque.”
Gemma, Linda and Mona squeal excitedly where they’re gathered around me.
Trevor looks like he wants to join in but manages to calm his inner girl in time.
I’m chatting with my team out in the open office rather than calling them into mine.
It’s an attempt to be more accessible. I’m not sure if this new tactic is to prove myself to Dad or Catriona.
Her opinion of me matters more and more.
As expected, she doesn’t react emotionally to my comment, but pragmatically. “Will we get overtime if we still come in for work that day?”
I fold my arms and lean against one of the partitions by Mona’s desk. “Catriona, seriously. Live a little.” Repeating the line that convinced her to agree to lunch earlier today doesn’t have the wanted effect. She doesn’t fall for it this time.
“I’ve never gone to the spring barbeque and don’t see the need for it.”
“You’ve never been to the spring barbeque? Why not?” Mona and Gemma’s mouths fall open as if horns are growing out of Catriona’s head.
“There’s just always been a lot to do at work and taking a full day off for a staff event seems a bit much,” Catriona explains, but her gaze flicks. I wonder what the real reason is, but I don’t push the issue in front of the others.
Trevor clears his throat. “I’ve only been once, so I’m kind of a novice. What do you think, Catriona, maybe we can go together and keep each other company?” His smile almost wraps around his whole head, and I want to slam my fist right in the middle of it.
“Sorry, Trevor,” Catriona says with a sigh. “We’ve been over this before. I don’t go on dates with colleagues.” She casts a quick glance at me.
“It won’t be a date date. It’s a work event,” Trevor pushes.
“Sorry, Trevor, it’s a no.”
“Can’t blame a guy for trying.” Her rejection doesn’t do anything to lessen Trevor’s flirting.
I grit my teeth. “Trevor, can you come to my office for a minute?” I walk off without checking if he follows.
I sit down behind my desk and make him stand in front of it a little longer than is comfortable, just to be sure I have his full attention.
“Trevor.” I keep my tone low but demanding. “It may be harmless flirting, but if a colleague has told you ‘no’, then ‘no’ it is.”
Trevor’s head reels back, as if I slapped him. Wide eyed, he stutters. “B-but I was just flirting.”
“I’m not going to sit by watching a harassment case unfold in front of my eyes.”
“Seriously, it’s nothing like that! I would never force her to do anything!”
“She’s told you ‘no’ before.” I’m unyielding.
“Yes, but – that’s never stopped you from dating anyone in the office!” He clamps his lips together and his cheeks darken.
“No woman in this office has said ‘no’ to me yet.” My voice is cold as ice. “You can go.”
As Trevor leaves the office, I rest my head in my hands. My scalp stings as I fist my hair and tug. I hate to admit it, but Dad is right. One of my staff has just used my bad behaviour as justification for theirs.
And here I am, planning even more corruptive actions, knowing Trevor’s comment and my father’s condemnation can’t stop me.