Page 47 of Tangled Control

“They don’t serve that where you eat?”

“Chowder and fish ’n’ chips.”

“Sounds better than blue cheese and gherkins,” he mumbles, the smirk back on his face while studying the blackboard.

Silence settles between us while we wait our turn. He makes circles with his fingers on my back, circles that must hold magic like the carvings on druid tomb stones, as I can feel the touch all the way down to my toes. I swallow hard as he glances down at me. We haven’t spoken about what happened in his office yesterday, both trying our best to act normal. But there’s nothing normal about his hooded eyes or the way my mouth has gonedry. It’s too warm in here. I unbutton my jacket. Rian’s gaze turns even darker.

The fresh air outside the deli is a relief, I take deep gulps of it while worrying how to get back to the office now that the rain has progressed to torrential proportions.

A big, warm hand grabs mine. “Come on, run!”

I squeal and take off with my boss, the umbrella unable to keep us dry for the short run along the canal to the KSS building.

“I bet you regret playing the role of the knight in shining armour now!” I laugh, shaking the water off my hair and clothes as we enter the reception area.

“Yes, this is the last time I’m a gentleman.” Rian grins back. His gaze travels down and shamelessly rests on my chest, where the rain has made my shirt cling to my skin. My nipples harden and my heart picks up a beat, and not from the running. His grey-green eyes spark with mischief and lust.

“Rian!”

Rian stills at the sound of the clipped voice. A wall falls over his features. I turn and see Arthur Kearney standing by the door, a dry umbrella in hand.

“Dad.” Rian’s voice is emotionless, so different from seconds ago.

Arthur’s gaze land on me, and I quickly bring the sides of my jacket together, hiding the evidence of rain and how Rian affects my body. It is strange seeing them together, so alike, Rian a younger version of his father.

I am sleeping with your son.

“Catriona. Awful weather, isn’t it?” There is no friendliness in his tone.

I’m surprised by his standoffish attitude. Arthur Kearney is known to be a very amicable man, and although I’ve never worked directly with him, he’s shown interest in my career progression ever since I started at KSS. One of the things that Ilike about him is that he’s made an effort to know the name of almost every employee, at least those based in the main office.

But now he’s looking down his nose at me.

He reminds me of Rian at his worst.

“Mr Kearney. Yes, hopefully it’s just a short spring shower.” I quickly glance up at Rian. “Thankfully your son saved me from becoming completely drenched.”

Arthur’s brows furrow as he shifts his focus back to Rian. His son doesn’t offer any further explanation, he just stands there, not saying a word. A very awkward silence settles and I’m not sure what’s going on. Is Rian ashamed of being seen with me?

A heavy sensation forms in my stomach. I swallow the lump in my throat. “Well, again, many thanks, Mr Kearney,” I tell Rian, my tone all weak. “I’ll see you back in the office.”

He doesn’t look at me. I tip my head to Arthur and quickly make my way to the stairwell, that bad feeling only growing. As I ascend the stairs, I squeeze my eyes shut while holding on to the banister, fighting the tears that threaten.

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 notgoing 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.