Page 28 of Tangled Control

“Don’t worry, there’s nothing going on,” I insist again, hating the way my voice sounds off, hating that I lied, hating that his words hurt so badly.

Nineteen

Rian

The sight that greets me as the lift doors part has acid churning in my stomach. I stride with purpose towards Catriona’s desk where Trevor leans over the divider, drooling.

I’m not surprised.Fuck,she was sexy last night, her hair loose, flowing like a golden river down her back, halfway down to the pert backside that filled her jeans perfectly. I could hardly keep my eyes from the tempting swell of her breasts through her tight top while wondering if she was wearing another white bra. Knowing the colour of her nipples hidden inside the cups… I was filled with a strong urge to drag her out of the pub and lock her up in my apartment. I forced myself to leave before I did something stupid in public. Like killing Trevor for looking at her. Or burying my face in her hair.

A precious diamond, her cousin had called her. I’ve mistaken her for a block of ice, but she’s undoubtedly a clear-cut diamond hiding behind her thick wall of rejection and ugly suits.

Her hair is in a ponytail today rather than the normal bun, and it sways seductively over her back as she notices me coming her way. My pulse picks up a beat as our eyes connect. I rip my gaze from her and face my new arch-enemy.

“Trevor, can you nip into my office for a sec?” I ask briskly. I can’t erase his knowledge of Catriona’s beauty, but I’ll absolutely keep him too busy to hang around her.

The day doesn’t get much better. Dad is on my case, again, which leaves me stewing with anger. I’ve put in a lot more effort at work lately. But, of course, he’ll never notice that. He only sees what he wants to see – which is me failing. He has Smyth on his side, the senior partner, trying to trip me up. Constantly asking for updates on minor details. It wouldn’t surprise me if theprickstarts questioning commas and full stops. I’m sure there’s black steam rising from my scalp.

Lunch with Mum is a welcome relief, but spotting Trevor hover by Catriona’s desk the moment I get back doesn’t help. Fury and possessiveness simmer in my veins. The same possessiveness that made me head to the pub last night. When I heard that Catriona was going – she never usually does – wild horses couldn’t keep me at home.

Going to the pub was a mistake. It made her more real. It blurred the imaginary boundaries of the office walls, and was an unwelcome reminder that we’re playing with fire, withreallife. Real passion. Real feelings.

Yes, bring on the headache.

The day from hell is finally crawling to an end, and it’s later than I’d normally leave. I can practically taste the red wine I’ll have when I get home. Yes, that’s my plan – the second I get through my door, I’m going to open a bottle, turn off my phone and put on the Jeremy Clarkson series everyone has been talking about for the last few years, that I’ve never got around to seeing. All. By. Myself. And I’ll not give the blonde diamond a secondthought. I get up from my desk and head out into the almost empty main office to leave a note on Orla’s desk with some instructions for tomorrow. She’s old school and prefers written notes to email.

Then I see him,Trevor, sauntering – again – towards Catriona’s desk, with his jacket slung over his shoulder.

What is he still doing here?And will that man ever give up?!

Catriona’s ponytail falls over her shoulder and onto her chest as she locks files in her drawers, her bag already on her desk. Trevor’s intentions are clear as day to any man who has ever tried to chat up a woman. He wants to walk her out of the office and probably persuade her to go for a drink.

Despite having the urge to run, I calmly make my way over. Trevor is leaning on the desk divider, a charming smile covering hisuglyface.

“Miss Taylor!” I bark.

Her gaze snaps to mine, her eyebrows raised at the sharpness in my voice. I’m sure she’s had enough of my shitty mood for one day, but she’s about to get another dose.

“Mr Kearney?”

“I need you to check the latest amendments to the O’Toole contract before you go.”

It’s with sick pleasure I watch Trevor’s face fall, but the irritation displayed on Catriona’s face and the coldness that fills her eyes doesn’t please me. Oh hell no, it turns me on –big time.God, I’m addicted to her defiance.

“I’ll have it for you first thing in the morning,” she says in a clipped tone.

“No, I need it tonight.”

Turning on my heel, I stride back into my office.

Fuck, I’m a complete dick.

* * *

Thirty-five minutes later, she stands in front of my desk, the report in hand and ice-cold anger in her blue eyes. Thirty-fivelongminutes where I could have been at home drinking wine and finding out if all the fuss about Clarkson is worth it. Thirty-five minutes spent waiting for Catriona to walk through my office door.

She doesn’t disappoint. Tension builds low in my spine and my heart thuds hard in anticipation as she only-just-short-of throws the file onto my desk. Resentment oozes from her tense body.

“Your report,sir.”