Page 195 of Savage Suit

“I think not, Ryan.” My voice was clipped. “I’m your boss.”

“Except whenyoudecide you’re my boyfriend,” she snapped.

I thought of Megan. My stupidity blackened my mood further. “I own the company as your boss and head the Keegan family as your boyfriend.”

Her gaze landed on a paperweight, but it was too far away for her to reach it without getting up. I was grateful for small favors. Otherwise, she would’ve lobbed the thing at my head and knocked me the fuck out.

“Boss I agree with. I cannot gainsay your decisions if I want to keep my job. However, being the end all, be all, of the Keegan family doesn’t give you authority over me, Noah.” Her gorgeous eyes narrowed. “Especially as only a boyfriend.”

“Are you saying I’ll have more influence over your decisions as your husband?”

“Of course. Marriage isn’t something to take lightly. It’s a binding contract in the eyes of the law and in the sanctity of the church. That doesn’t mean I’d allow you to run roughshod over me.”

“It just means it would be harder to walk away,” I said, thoughtful. Marriage would make it harder to lose her.

“I take my role in my family seriously, Noah,” Ryan said, “but the dynamics change when you have a significant other. Unless it is a matter of life or death, you, our relationship, has to take priority in my life. I expect the same consideration from you.”

“There will be times where we have to put each other’s feelings aside and do what’s best for our family,” I said carefully.

“It depends on what it is.”

“It doesn’t matter the circumstances,” I replied in a tone that brooked no additional argument.

“You think?” Ryan challenged. “Give me an example.”

“Timothe,” I said, because I could think of no one else I detested as much as Ryan disliked Megan. “Suppose Armani was out of town and Timothe needed your help taking care of the kids. He requested you stay with him until she returned. For whatever reason he also didn’t have access to money and he needed that too. But he and I had come to blows and I didn’t want you around him. He isn’t your family, Ryan, but those kids are. Armani is, and she’d expect you to help.”

She studied me and my muscles tensed. Ryan was so perceptive and, to me, guilt rang in my scenario. When she sighed and glanced away, I breathed easier.

“We both know you’d say fuck me and do whatever was needed to help.”

“Either I’d take the kids with me and tell him he could visit them until Armani returned or I’d give him the money he needed. If I had to stay at the house, then I’d invite you to stay with us. I would find a way to take care of my sister’s children without disregarding your feelings and disrespecting our relationship.” She huffed. “That’s a pretty shitty scenario just to make your fucking point. I’ve already given in. What more do you want me to say? I’m disappointed I won’t experience a business trip. Doubly so because I would’ve gone to Paris and had a whole freaking suite at the Ritz.”

“You would’ve been working,” Reid pointed out. “You wouldn’t have gotten much sightseeing done.”

“I would’ve been working in Paris and staying at the Ritz, Reid. Hello? That would’ve been an experience on its own.” She looked at me. “My career is important to me, Noah,” she said softly. “I can’t retire until I’m ready. You have got to let it be my call.”

I frowned. “Aren’t you intending to work until you have a certain amount in your bank account?”

“Yes. That isn’t going to happen overnight.”

“It could,” I told her, testing the waters.

“Yeah, sure, maybe if I was a shareholder in a big company. I don’t know of any other way.”

“Bonuses,” Reid supplied.

“True,” she said, then changed the subject. “Oh God,” she groaned, shaking her head, and glaring at me, alleviating my concern she was in pain. “I can’t believe I’m about to say this.”

Happy expectation flooded me, but I stayed calm. “What?”

“Depending onstuff—” She gave me a meaningful look.

Us, I silently inserted.

“I might find a position with little to no travel involved. And if there is, driving distance only.”

“Cars are more dangerous than planes,” I told her.