30. Rian
Thirty
Rian
“What do you think you’re doing, son?” The words are hissed past Dad’s clenched jaw.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Catriona Taylor is one of my most promising employees. She’s been with us for several years now, she’s hardworking and professional.
She has a hell of a career in front of her, and I’d like to think that career would be at our company.
” We’re the same hight, but somehow Dad manages to look down at me with a disapproving glare.
“I do not want to stand by and watch you give her a reason to leave just because you can’t keep your dick in your pants. ”
The irony isn’t lost on me that for once Dad’s assumptions are right. And yet for some reason I find the accusation more unjust than any other. I start defending myself, but Dad cuts me off.
“Catriona is more than ready for a promotion, but I deliberately held her back and placed you on her team to make sure things would run smoothly when you started. You are not going to ruin her career with your unsavoury behaviour, so I’m only telling you this once – stay away from Catriona Taylor!”
With those words, Dad storms out of the building and into the torrential rain.
Fuck.
I rub my hand over my mouth and jaw as I slowly make my way to the lifts. My entrance on the second floor is a lot more subdued than normal. I avoid looking over at Catriona.
Behind my closed office door, I sink heavily into my chair. Dad is right, there is no chance of a happy outcome to this affair. Even some kind of damage control is unlikely. I intentionally set out to sleep with Catriona so I could get her out of my system.
How fucked up is that?
It’s definitely not the way the future head of KSS should behave.
As if my eyes have a will their own, they land on the conference table where I took Catriona only yesterday.
I have never been as turned on in my life; I lost control and all common sense.
Fucking her in my office in the middle of the day!
I sigh and dig my fingers in my hair, pulling sharply.
Dad will dismiss me without a second thought if he finds out.
Images of that first time, when I spanked her, emerge, and I cringe. How could I have been so stupid?
With a new resolve, I pick up my work. It’s time to prove to myself and my father that I can be a responsible Kearney, making the right decisions that are in the best interests of the company.
And not only of my dick.
For the rest of the day, I’m professional to the fingertips.
When I deal with Catriona, I do it in a cool and controlled manner.
She responds the same way, although I can see the questions in her eyes.
Despite my calm demeanour, my insides are screaming.
I want to tease her, make her smile, or even better, make her bite back at one of my comments.
I used to think it was the flirting with the girls in the office that kept me coming into work in the morning, but I was wrong. It was Catriona that inspired me.
I sigh. Now, more than ever, I need to focus on Alexandra.
I’m joining her and Leo tomorrow night. We’re going to the National Concert Hall for the ballet, of all things.
Both Alexandra and Leo danced when they were younger, and one of their old friends has a lead role in a new production.
I wonder if Catriona likes the ballet? I shut the thought down before it has properly formed.
I can’t stand being only a wall away from my obsession, so I take a leaf out of Leo’s book and pack up earlier than normal.
I’ll work from home. Leo does most of his work away from the office.
Perhaps that will be my way of coping as well.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Catriona at her desk when I leave my office, but I walk straight past her. I feel like an eejit.
I start the next day with the same resolution – to forget about Catriona Taylor. It’s not easy.
As always, my attention is automatically drawn to her when I step out of the lift. And she meets my gaze. Those big blue eyes that I long to drown in. Stay strong! I tell myself as I stride to my office where I can close the door on the sight of her.
My actions have rubbed off, as she’s her old ice queen self when she knocks on my door later in the morning. Her gaze is emotionless, her back rigid and her chin lifted as she gives me updates on a contract.
Damn, how I love her defiance.
I flick through the folder she’s handed me and make her wait a bit longer than necessary. I know I shouldn’t – I should ask her to leave instead of letting her scent fill my lungs and my body with longing.
“The projections aren’t good enough. You need to include a comparison of electronic surveillance only and a mix of physical and electronic surveillance. Have them done by this afternoon,” I bark, annoyed with myself. As I hand her the file back, I keep my gaze cold, just like hers.
She opens her mouth to respond, but no sound comes out. Her cheeks lose their colour and her eyes widen. A sharp intake of breath and she grabs the file.
“Yes, no problem.” Her voice is weak and shaky. “E-excuse me.”
She nearly runs out of the office.
“Catriona?” I call after her, but she’s already out the door.
What the hell just happened? I’d been looking forward to her smart retort when I snapped at her.
Maybe she’s ill? I get up from my chair, but then I still.
She couldn’t be pregnant, could she?
I feel myself pale as well, then scoff at my own stupidity – it’s only two days since we slept together and I used protection. I sink back in my seat.
But what the hell is going on then?