Chapter 7 WHEN NECESSARY

Marie adjusted her glasses before walking toward Ryan’s office.

She had called earlier but Ryan didn't pick his calls. It got her worried. Most staff had already left for the evening, leaving only the distant footsteps from security.

She stopped briefly outside his office door.

The lights were still on. It wasn't surprising.

Ryan had barely left the office these past few days, he avoided home like a plague.

She wouldn't blame him.

Marie raised her hand and knocked lightly. There was no response.

“Sir?”, she called out

Still nothing.

She pushed the door carefully.

Then stopped in her tracks.

Ryan was pressed against the edge of his desk, shirt half open, one hand gripping a woman’s waist as she was moaning intensely. He intensified his thrusts not knowing that Marie was there. The woman's bare back facing her as she was handled roughly by Ryan

Ryan turned immediately, looking visibly annoyed.

“Jesus, Marie.”

She looked away instantly. “I’m sorry, sir”

Ryan stepped back from the woman, irritated already. He fixed his pants, his shirt still looking like a mess“You should’ve knocked.”

“I knocked.”

“You could’ve knocked louder.”

The woman with him looked so pissed because of the interruption.

Marie kept her eyes away from them. “I didn’t mean to……..”

Ryan exhaled sharply and buttoned his shirt properly. “What is it?”

“There’s something important.”

His annoyance remained visible. “It couldn’t wait ten minutes?”

Marie hesitated briefly before answering.

“It could but I didn't know you were busy.”

The woman adjusted her clothes calmly as she picked up her purse.

“I should probably leave,” she said lightly.

Ryan rubbed his jaw. “Yeah.”

Her smile faded while walking past Marie. “Interesting timing,” she muttered as she left.

The door closed behind her.

Silence followed.

Ryan walked behind his desk again. “What’s so important?”

Marie finally looked at him properly.

His hair was slightly messy, he looked tense, sleeves rolled halfway up his forearms. Even though irritated, he still looked composed and handsome.

That annoyed her more than it should have, something about him made her weak.

She looked away again.

“That investor is arriving from the UK tomorrow evening.”

Ryan sat down slowly. “And?”

“He requested a private dinner before discussing contracts.”

“That’s good.”

Marie nodded once. “I need to add that he’s conservative. He is family-oriented and traditional image matters to him.”

Marie continued. “He prefers dealing with men who shoulder responsibility. Married men……it's a plus to him.”

Ryan leaned back slightly now.

“I would love to know how that affects me”

“He specifically asked whether you were married or engaged.”

Ryan gave a dry laugh. “That’s ridiculous…….that doesn't equate to competence.”

“To him….it does.”

Ryan rubbed his temple lightly.

Marie placed a file on the desk.

“His company controls part of the northern infrastructure financing group.”

That got Ryan’s attention properly.

“How much influence?”

“Enough to help get what we want. If we execute his projects, we stand a chance to beat Jace.”

Ryan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

That information changed everything.

“When’s the dinner?”

“I will fix it next week.”

Ryan opened the file quickly, scanning details.

“Joseph…..,” he muttered.

Marie nodded. “He is also a Mormon. I forgot to add.”

Ryan closed the file again slowly.

“That explains it …….And he wants to deal with a responsible guy.”

“Yes.”

Ryan leaned back silently for a moment.

Then his eyes lifted toward her.

Marie immediately sensed where this was going.

“No sir……that's not possible”

Ryan laughed hard. “I haven't asked yet.”

“Hopefully not.”

A small smile appeared on his face.

“Marie.”

“No.”

“It’s just one dinner.”

“That is a terrible idea.”

Ryan folded his arms. “You’re the best option.”

“I’m your secretary.”

“You’re also the only woman I know that won’t embarrass me …….I need someone with etiquette"

Marie stared at him.

“You think I am reserved?”

“You have got to be .”

She sighed softly.

Ryan studied her carefully now.

She looked tired too. More than usual.

Her dark hair was pulled back neatly as always, though a few loose strands were caught up in her glasses. Her face carried a tired look. She was competent and hardworking.

Ryan knew though he rarely acknowledged her

Marie crossed her arms. “You just got out of a relationship.”

“Exactly.”

“And you were just fucking someone now.”

“Are you jealous?”

“Hell…no!”

Ryan looked unimpressed. “You walked into that accidentally.”

“That doesn’t make it less disturbing.”

“It wasn’t disturbing……it's just sex. Don't tell me that you are a virgin.”, he fixed keen eyes on her

“To me it was.”

The words came out faster than she intended. Ryan looked at her, she immediately looked away.

A brief silence settled between them.

Then she straightened slightly.

“This is a bad idea.”

Ryan’s voice softened slightly. “I need this opportunity.”

“That’s emotional manipulation.”

“It’s practical desperation. Ryan stood and walked around the desk slowly.

Marie flinched as he came closer.

“I just need one evening,” he said calmly.

“Dinner. Conversation. That’s all.”

Marie looked up at him. He was so close that she could feel his breath on her skin. She wondered if he knew the effect he had on her.

Ryan had always been handsome, and lately there was something sharper about him.Pain changes people easily.

His face still carried traces of exhaustion, but it somehow made him look dangerous instead of weak.

Marie hated noticing things like that.

Ryan spoke again.

“You’d be helping the company too.”

“You’re using that against me now?”

“If it works…..I don't mind.”

Marie rubbed her forehead lightly.

“You really think pretending to be engaged is smart?”

“No,” Ryan admitted. “but I don't mind taking the risk”

Marie stayed quiet then finally asked,

“How long?”

“One dinner……. just that dinner”

“You promise?”

“Yes.”

She narrowed her eyes slightly. “I guess I have no other choice”

Ryan smiled again. “Marie……”

She looked at him tiredly.

“If this goes wrong, I’m blaming you entirely.”

“It won't.”

“And no couple lovey dovey shit.”

Ryan raised a brow slightly. “Lovey dovey?”

“Don’t start.”

“Fine.”

“And if anybody from the office finds out, I quit.”

“You’re being dramatic.”

“I’m serious.”

Ryan nodded once. “Understood.”

Marie exhaled slowly, covering her face with her hands. She shyly agreed.

“Okay.”

Ryan looked mildly surprised she actually agreed.

She noticed immediately.

“Just business….no pleasure”

Ryan chuckled quietly under his breath.

The sound caught her off guard slightly.

He rarely laughed lately.

Marie picked up the file again quickly before her thoughts drifted somewhere stupid. “I’ll arrange the dinner details.”

Ryan nodded.

“And Marie?”

She looked back.

“Thank you.”

The sincerity in his voice made her pulse

race.

She recovered quickly.

“You owe me.”

Ryan leaned casually against the desk.

“Sure”

Marie stared at him for a second before turning toward the door.

Then paused.

Without looking back, she said quietly:

“One date”

“One fucking date it is.”