Contract Marriage with My CEO Boss (Kylan and Katrina)

While Kylan showered, she also unpacked her clothing and then changed into a comfortable sweater dress and thick, fleece tights. It was only forty degrees outside, according to her weather app.

With this in mind, the let her hair down and brushed it out. She plugged her curling iron into an outlet near the floor-length mirror off to the side of the bed. She curled bits of her hair and then sprayed it with a healthy amount of hair spray to keep it all in place. She was

thankful she had the sense to pack flats instead of heels and slipped them on. She touched up her makeup, added a layer of lipstick, and then put on her black peacoat last. at down

By the time Kylan came out of the bathroom, she was ready to go. She sat down in a

near the balcony and watched him meander around the

He had such a particular way of doing things. It was fascimming to watch him carefully fold his towel, ensuring each edge lined up perfectly

He dressed in a pair of pressed black slacks and a long sleeve grey sweater. He paired the look with some dark loafers and then she watched him fiddle with his hair, ensuring it laid the way he wanted it to. Then, he put on his leather jacket and spritzed some cologne across his body

She had half a mind to see which expensive brand he used, but she refrained from doing so while Kylan was watching.

With both of them ready. Kylan extended his hand to her, and she took hold of it. She ventured back down to the lobby and then waited for their car to be brought around at the valet

"Is there any trick to your dad?" Kylan asked as he pulled out onto the road and in the direction of the seafood restaurant her dad was arriving at.

She shrugged her shoulders, her eyes looking outside at the beauty of Portland in the fall. Even in the dark, it really was a true wonder to behold.

"Like I told you, he's an easy-going guy. But he's protective of me. He also has a fairly thick accent, even though he's lived in the states for over three decades. He moved here when. When he met my mom." Her voice tapered off at the end and she felt Kylan looking at her. She kept her gaze strictly on the passing harbor outside.

Kylan pulled into a parking stall near the restaurant a few minutes later and she stepped out of the car, shivering against the cold. She pulled her coat tighter around her and breathed in deeply. The smell of open water, the saltwater breeze, the Autumn chill in the air. It was intoxicating, it was wonderful.

Kylan walked around to meet her on her side of the car. He stood in front of her, his eyes scanning the features of her face. He lifted a band and brushed a bit of hair from of her shoulder, his fingertips grazing her neck.

"You look nice, Kate" he said to her, just as he had told her on a couple of her previous dates

She smiled at him. "You look handsome, Kylan" she told him honestly.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

The corner of his mouth twitched into a half smile and then he held his arm out for her. She took hold of it, and he walked her to the boardwalk and then to the restaurant. He opened the door for her, and she stepped inside -0-0-0-

Alois Morgan was a shorter man, compared to someone like Kylan, at least. His hair had long since greyed, and even his beard was now completely white. Smile lines around his eyes spoke of the laughter that had filled Katrina's childhood. His green orbs were as kind as ever, and when he enveloped her in a tight hug she melted into his arms

His calloused hands from years of working as a fisherman gripped her face gently and he smiled at her, leaning in, and kissing each of her cheeks in

"Mon amour, it's so wonderful to see you here" His deep, rich voice filled her with immediate peace.

"It's wonderful to be here, Dad. Thank you for seeing us." She held on to one of his hands for a mument before he stepped back, bearing at her practically cooed at her, and she fell herself grow warm at his praise.

"You look beautiful, le précieuse

"Thank you"

She turned to Kylan, who stood next to her like a statue. His jaw was visibly clenched, and she allowed herself to take hold of his hand, her thumb rubbing circles into the back of his palm in the same way she had in his offer. "Dud, this is Kylan Ross. He's both my boss and my dance." She was surprised by how easily the words left her tongue, and how confident she sounded.

Her dad shifted his gaze to Kylan, and he smiled, though it was much more tightlipped than when he smiled at her

"The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Ross,"

He extended his hand to Kylan, and she wondered for a moment if Kylan would deny the gesture in the same fashion he did to every single CEO and executive he came in contact with

0

But to her relief, Kylan took hold of her father's hand with his free one. "S'il vous plait appelez-moi Kylan" Kylan easily switched to French, and she saw as her dad's eyes widened and a more genuine smile now broke across his face. You speak French" he asked Kylan excitedly.

Kylan nodded, letting go of her father's hand. They all shifted into their seats, Kylan right next to her and her father across from him. Her hand naturally fell to rest over Kylan's leg, and he wrapped an arm securely around her shoulders. So far, they felt like they looked in love. Or if anything, they at least looked like an actual couple.

"My mother was French. I truly don't know much about my father, but he could have been too, Kylan responded so nonchalantly, and it threw her

Katrina looked at him, taken aback by the bit of information he divulged to her father already. He never knew his father in the same way she had never known her mother? She was shocked. She was sad, and she moved to be slightly closer to his side. "Ahh, yes. I'm sorry you know of that pain her father told y

Kylan, his voice dripping with quiet sincerity.

She chose to sit back and listen as Kylan and her father talked, both of them slipping in and out of French and English with only the kind of ease that came from years of speaking multiple languages. She had never had the pleasure of seeing Rylan seem so at home or so comfortable.

He

even laughed a few times, and she nearly sank into the floor at the sound. It was a lovely sound, and she felt lucky to bear witness to it They ordered far too much food and far too much wine, and she enjoyed every bit of both. The atmosphere in the restaurant helped stoke the fire of comfortable conversation. Low, ambient lighting, subtle, serene music. It was perfect. The meal, her father, and Kylan.

Above all, Rylan, Kylan, who kept his arm around her. Kylan, who smiled at her like he didn't have a care in the world suddenly.

He still kept the conversation's focus away from anything too personal about himself, instead choosing to mostly ask about her childhood in Maine or her father's upbringing in France. Even still, what little he did share about his life was wonderfull

She learned he would have become a chef had he not gone the business route with Ryan. She was both surprised and not at all. She remembered his commercial grade kitchen in his penthouse, and it certainly this words.

be her

By the time dessert rolled around, she was certain her father wasn't going to ask any hard questions, But then of course, he wouldn't b overprotective father if he didn't.

"So, son, please tell me what your intentions are with my only child?" Her father's accent was especially thick after the alcohol he had consumed. Kylan glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and then he cleared his throat. He had the least amount of alcohol out of the three of them, and she was suddenly glad about that.

"Alois, your daughter is both a fine worker, and a fine human being," Kylan carefully began, his gaze firmly on her father's now. "We haven't been together for too long before I proposed to her, but I can tell you that I am enjoying getting to know Katrina an exceptional amount." was a mixture of the practiced CEO tone she knew so well, laced with a softness she hadn't ever heard before.

Kylan's voice

Her father nodded, his fingertips tracing the rim of his wine glass. "Katrina is a special girl indeed, Kylan. She has been through a lot in her life, and instead of it hardening her heart as one would expect, it only made her care for people more." He took a deep breath and fixed Kylan with a surprisingly certain stare; despite how much wine she knew was coursing through his system. "I understand you're a man of status and of wealth. 1 can imagine how that can make one feel entitled to certain things, or experiences. I only hope you don't view my daughter as a stepping stone to reach wherever you're attempting to go." Her father wasn't unkind, but he was stern. Very stern as he stared at Kylan with a firm jaw and a set gaze.. Kylan shifted uncomfortably in his seat, and she moved her eyes to the table now. She felt guilty, incredibly guilty. And and, for some reason. Sadder than she knew what to do with

"Alois, if I may speak candidly for a moment?" Kylan asked her father, sitting up in his chair and bringing both of his hands to clasp in front of him.

"Bien sûr, mon garçon her father responded at once.

With another brief glance at she, Kylan then looked back at her father and took a deep breath. "Je viens de rien, monsieur. Je viens du test. Je n'ai pas connu le bonheur pendant la plus grande partie de ma vie, mais Kate me le procure. Je suis reconnaissant qu'elle soit mon assistante, et encore plus chanceuse qu'elle an accepté d'etre ma femine. Je ne le prendrai pas pour acquis, je peux vous le promettre," he spoke only in French, which frustrated her inquensely

Her French wasn't good enough to understand all of what he said. She only picked up on bits and pieces like her name, that he was happy, and that he promised her father something-

with quier

Her father smiled a tired but gentle smile. "Thank you, Kylan. Please, take care of my girl. She is special So very, truly special" he said it with reverence, and she smiled at him.

She reached a hand across the table, and he gripped hers in his own calloused one. "You have my b meet your Kylan." He patted the top of her hand and she nodded. blessing.

Thank you for allowing me to

"Thank you, pape" She was surprised when her voice sounded choked up, and she realized her eyes were full of tears. Tears, for so many reasons. So many reasons that she wasn't certain she could name if she was asked to Chapter 41

She could feel Kylan looking at her intently, his gaze nearly burning a hole in her profile. She didn't have the heart to look at him though, not right

"So, when is the wedding?" her father asked,

They began to lay out their plans, as Ryan and Max informed them.