Chapter 124
Kylan felt incredible-better than incredible-because just a few days ago, when Katrina had been upset about her weight, they had talked it out. He'd reassured her and made her feel beautiful again. Since then, they'd spent many intimate moments together-kissing, touching, and connecting in ways that left him utterly fulfilled. He was happy because she was happy. He was madly in love with her, and she was the most important person in his world.
Lately, she was always on his mind, but it had become overwhelming. He kept thinking of her of her body beneath him, on him, against him. He wanted her in every way imaginable, but that desire came with complications. Kylan glanced down at himself, noticing his growing issue. Tch, damn it. He discreetly shifted under the desk, just in case Isabella came in. He didn't need her seeing him like this.
"Sir?" The sound of Isabella's voice startled him. His head shot up to find her standing at the door. "I have some documents for you."
Kylan gulped, attempting to keep his voice steady. "Just leave them on my desk."
Isabella walked over, swaying her hips deliberately, hoping to catch his attention. But Kylan's focus was locked onto his work, or rather, the pictures of Katrina he had open on his phone. Isabella placed the papers down, leaning slightly closer. "Everything alright, Sir?" He nodded curtly, then handed her his phone. "Can you check something for me? I'm not sure if I have the correct contact information saved."
She accepted the phone and tried to unlock it but quickly realized she couldn't. "I'm sorry, Sir. I don't know the password."
Kylan sighed, disappointed. For a moment, he'd wondered if Isabella was behind the strange texts he'd received earlier. He retrieved his phone. "Don't worry about it. I'll handle it myself."
She bowed slightly. "Understood. Is there anything else I can help with?"
As she began circling the desk, Kylan panicked. "No!" His sharp tone made her jump. He cleared his throat. "I mean, no. I'm fine. I don't need anything."
She frowned, eyeing him. "Are you sure? You look a little flushed."
"It's just warm in here," he replied quickly, shrugging off his blazer. "I've got a lot of work to do."
She sighed in defeat. "Alright. I'll be at my desk if you need me."
"Thank you." He waited until she left, then groaned quietly, tugging at his trousers in frustration. Damn it, calm down. He shook his head, determined to get back to work.
Meanwhile, Katrina was making her way to his office. She was blushing slightly, nervous about what she was about to do. Dressed in a long coat cinched at the waist, with her hair styled, makeup perfect, and heels clicking against the floor, she took a deep breath to steady herself. No turning back now, she thought, stepping out of the elevator and smiling at Isabella.
"Afternoon, Isabella."
Isabella's eyes widened in surprise. "Mrs. Ross, hello." Her gaze flickered over Katrina, thinly veiling her distaste. Why does she always look so good? she thought bitterly. "Can I take your coat?"
Katrina shook her head, still blushing. "No, thank you. I'm just here to see Kylan. It's work-related, so I might be a while."
Isabella smiled tightly. "Of course. Let me know if you need anything."
"Thank you," Katrina replied warmly. As she walked toward Kylan's office, Isabella's eyes caught a glimpse of stockings beneath the coat. Suspicious, she thought, narrowing her gaze. Katrina closed the office door behind her and locked it.
"Isabella, no," Kylan groaned, not bothering to look up.
Katrina hummed teasingly. "Not her."
His head snapped up, and a grin spread across his face as he leaned back in his chair. "Well, hello there, beautiful."
She walked toward him slowly. "Hello. I have a surprise for you."
"Oh?" His interest piqued, and he sat straighter.
Katrina stopped in front of him and tugged at the tie on her coat. "Why don't you pull this for me?"
Kylan reached out, pulling the tie free. "Now what?"
She tapped the buttons of her coat. "These are next."
His hands worked slowly, unbuttoning each one. As the coat opened, revealing skin and the dark green lingerie underneath, his breath hitched. "Wow."
She smiled. "Not over yet." She slid the coat off her shoulders and let it drop to the floor before giving him a slow spin. "Like it?"
Kylan covered his mouth, trying to compose himself. "I-uh-wow. I don't even know what to say."
Katrina stepped closer, kneeling in front of him and placing her hands on his thighs. "I noticed you seem to have...a problem."
He gulped, his cheeks reddening. "I was...thinking about you before you got here."
She smirked, leaning up to kiss him. "Good to know I'm on your mind." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Let me help you." Kylan hesitated. "We shouldn't. Isabella is right outside."
She straightened, pulling him by the hand. "Come on, handsome. I know just the thing to help you relax." She guided him to the office sofa, pushing him down gently. "Tell me if you want me to stop, okay?" Kylan nodded, his pulse racing as Katrina began unbuttoning his shirt. She teased him with soft touches and kisses, completely oblivious to Isabella spying through the keyhole, her face burning with jealousy. Katrina kissed Kylan, then moved her hand up and down on him slowly. She nipped his lip, and then deepened the kiss, taking full control into something more passionate.
After a few minutes, Katrina had left Kylan breathless. She cleaned him up and then looked at him, teasing. "You told me we'd be too noisy."
"We would, you know what I'm like. Once is not enough."
Katrina smiled and tucked him away, then she zipped him up and did his belt. "It never is." She sat on his lap sideways. "So, you like your surprise?"
Kylan nodded, wrapping his arms around Katrina and sighing softly. "I did, and it was definitely a shocking surprise. You look incredible. What you just did... well, I wasn't expecting it, but it was amazing. Then again, you know how I am." Katrina giggled, leaning in to kiss him. "You can owe me later."
"Oh, I will," he murmured, his gaze traveling appreciatively over her. "Every single inch of you. So... are you wearing this tonight?"
She smiled, a playful glint in her eye. "Yes."
He hummed, his hands tracing gentle paths along her sides. "I'm looking forward to it."
Katrina playfully bopped his nose. "Good." She kissed him again, her lips lingering on his. "Anyway, sugar, I have to pick up Clarence from her play date with her uncle."
Kylan lifted her easily, setting her on her feet with a grin. "I'll pick her up."
She walked to retrieve her coat, pausing with a slight frown. "But-"
"I want to," he insisted. He went to his closet, pulling out an old dress of hers, and handed it to her. "Here, wear this, beautiful."
Katrina slipped it on, adjusting the fabric. "Why do you even have a spare dress of mine and no spare clothes for yourself?"
He sighed, a touch of sheepishness in his tone. "Because I like the way your clothes smell, and I don't spill things on myself. The one time it happened, it was Isabella's fault."
Katrina hummed in amusement, nodding. "Alright, sweetheart." She crossed to him and kissed his cheek. "I'm off then."
Before she could grab her coat, Kylan swept her up again, making her laugh as her coat dropped to the floor. "Kylan!"
He carried her to his office chair, sitting down with her still in his arms. "Stay right here. You're not going anywhere, understand?" He hugged her tightly. "We'll go together to get Clarence, okay?" Katrina sighed, her lips curving into a small smile. "Yeah, okay." She nestled her head into the crook of his neck, returning his embrace. "So, you want cuddles?"
"I do."
"While you work? Are you sure you can focus?"
He nodded, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I can." His voice softened. "I love you so much."
Katrina smiled, her arms tightening around him. "I love you too."
Isabella stepped back from the door,
the
her heart pounding as a wave of heat coursed through her. She wanted Kylan desperately. He was so handsome, so perfect, so irresistibly magnetic. The thought of his body, the way he looked consumed by pleasure, and blissful expression on his face when he let go... it was intoxicating. She envied Katrina deeply. She couldn't stand that Katrina got to experience that with him, that she was now comfortably perched on his lap, holding him close while his shirt hung open.
That should be her. She deserved it.
When Kylan whispered, "I love you so much," Isabella let herself believe those words were meant for her. She convinced herself they were. After all, wasn't it obvious? She thought back to the way he'd tried to hide his reaction when she'd visited earlier-surely that was proof he was thinking of her. She told herself this moment, this intimate display, was all for her. It made her crave him even more.
Kylan and Katrina, wrapped in each other's embrace, were blissfully unaware of Isabella's delusions. They were lost in their love, their happiness radiating between them as they held each other. Neither of them knew that just beyond the door stood a woman consumed by a dangerous obsession, her mind twisting reality into something warped and dark.
-0-0-0-
The next day, Kylan was sitting at at his desk, papers and reports scattered before him, his brow furrowed as he reviewed the latest figures. He had been at it for hours, the weight of the numbers pressing down on him, and he was beginning to feel the familiar strain of balancing work and the personal challenges of the day.
The door to his office opened quietly, and Katrina stepped inside, a gentle smile on her face. She was dressed in a simple yet elegant suit, her presence a calming contrast to the chaotic business of the day. Kylan looked up from his papers, his face softening the moment he saw her.
"You're here again," he said, setting aside the document he was reading.
Katrina smiled, stepping closer to his desk. "Clarence and I went to Maine's apartment and the little girl wanted to stay there for a while, and I figured I'd come by and saw Isabella running around with paperwork. I know you've been swamped."
Kylan gave a half-smile, rubbing the back of his neck. "That's an understatement. These numbers don't add up the way I hoped they would."
Katrina leaned over his shoulder, peering at the reports in front of him. "What's the issue?" she asked, her voice quiet but confident, a reflection of the trust they shared not only personally but professionally.
Kylan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's the new product line. We're behind schedule, and the margins are tighter than we expected. I've been trying to figure out how to adjust the budget without sacrificing quality."
Katrina stood straight, her hands resting lightly on the edge of the desk as she considered his words. "Well, have you looked into adjusting the marketing strategy? We've been putting a lot of money into social media and influencer campaigns, but I wonder if reallocating some of that budget toward targeted ads could yield better results."
Kylan's gaze flicked up to her, a spark of appreciation in his eyes. "I've been thinking the same thing. The influencer space is flooded, and while it's effective, I don't know if it's enough to move the needle right now."
"Exactly," Katrina said, nodding. "If we shift focus to a more direct approach, like regional advertising or even email marketing with a strong call to action, it could help. We could also tie it into a special promotion, create some urgency around the product launch." Kylan leaned back in his chair, watching her as she spoke with such calm authority. It was a side of Katrina that never failed to impress him. Even in the midst of tense business moments, she always knew how to bring clarity to the situation. He'd always admired her sharp mind and her ability to stay grounded, even when things were at their most chaotic.
"That's a good point," Kylan said, tapping his pen against the desk. "I think a targeted approach could be the answer. I'll have the marketing team start drafting a revised plan. And I'll talk to the production team about accelerating the timeline for the next batch." Katrina crossed her arms, her expression thoughtful. "What about our financial partners? Do we need to reassess our projections with them? It might be a good time for another round of discussions, especially if we're tweaking the launch timeline." Kylan paused, considering. "You're right. I'll set up a meeting with them early next week. If we need to adjust the terms based on the new strategy, we'll need their support."
They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, the only sound the soft hum of the office air conditioning. Katrina glanced down at the papers on the desk, her fingers lightly grazing the edges of the documents, then looked back at Kylan. "You know," she said, her tone lighter now, "I've always loved working with you. We made a great team."
Kylan smiled, his eyes softening as he met her gaze. "I couldn't do this without you. You're the one who keeps me focused, keeps things running smoothly. I'm lucky to have you by my side-both at home and at work."
Katrina's heart swelled at his words, and she leaned over, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. "We've built something special, haven't we?"
"We have," Kylan replied, his voice filled with affection. "And I'm not just talking about the business. I mean everything. Us, our family... It's all falling into place."
Katrina smiled, her hand brushing over the back of his, a silent gesture of connection. "We've worked hard for this," she said quietly. "But we've also made sure to take care of each other along the way."
He nodded, squeezing her hand. "And we always will. Work can get crazy, but at the end of the day, I know I've got you. That makes everything else easier."
Katrina's smile deepened. "Same here. Now, speaking of taking care of each other, how about we take a break from all this and grab lunch together?"
Kylan raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eyes. "You mean, step away from all this paperwork for a bit?"Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.
"Yes," Katrina teased. "I think you've earned it."
Kylan chuckled, standing up and pulling her into a quick hug. "You're right. Let's do it."
Unbeknownst to them, Isabella, Kylan's assistant, had been standing outside the office door, listening to their entire conversation. Her heart raced as she overheard Katrina's calm, articulate analysis and suggestions. There was no denying how effortlessly Katrina moved between business and personal talk, her voice so smooth and confident.
Isabella's gaze narrowed as she listened, her envy growing more than before. How does she do it? she thought bitterly. How does she come across as so... perfect?
Her fingers tightened around the
stack of papers, she had been
carrying, the weight of them
ckin
suddenly feeling heavier in her hands. Her eyes flickered to the crack in the door, where she could still hear Kylan's voice soft and appreciative. Of course he thinks that way about her. She's got everything-brains, beauty, and a connection with him that I could never have.
Isabella felt a wave of jealousy coil in her chest as she imagined the life they led together. She's always there... Her thoughts darkened. I deserve to be the one by his side. I should be the one talking business with him, the one in his arms.
With a deep breath, she forced herself to step back from the door. Her obsession with Kylan made her wanting to hear him speak with such admiration and ease, just like this, which only fed the fire inside her. But for now, she had to act professional. After all, the day wasn't over, and she had a job to do.
Still, as she turned to leave, Isabella couldn't help but feel the burn of envy deep inside. She wasn't done yet. Not by a long shot.