Chapter 51 51
Maisie's Pov
After a warm shower, I put on comfortable clothes. And by clothes, I meant one of Roman's black shorts and T-shirts. They were baggy on me but at least, I felt comfortable in them. I loved the smell of his scent on my skin.
He'd told me he was in a meeting so I waited for him but at that moment, I wanted nothing more than to sleep. My eyelids were heavy. I was exhausted.
I heard a soft click on the door and every trace of sleep vanished.
The second he stepped into view, my eyes widened. His hair was disheveled as if he'd run his fingers through it a dozen times, his tie was askew and his eyes… They were dark. I hadn't seen him like this before.
“Roman?”
He took a step closer but said nothing.
“Are you okay? What happened to you?” I asked, stepping closer.
“Nothing.” he answered.
Anger bubbled in my veins. “Just talk to me. What happened?”
In two long strides, he closed the gap between us, cupped the back of my head, and kissed me.
I moaned as he took several steps forward, bumping me backward until my back pressed to the nearest wall and caused one of the portraits to shake.
He picked me up in his arms, and my shorts rose higher up my thighs. One of his hands slid up the side of my leg while the other, which was on the back of my head, came around to grip my face between his long fingers.
The grip was possessive and powerful, and it definitely sent a message.
“I will not let anyone hurt you.” he growled in my mouth.
Hurt me?
I searched for words to say but hardly had enough time to catch my breath, because his mouth was crashing down on mine again. He removed his hand from my face and drew me closer in a tight hug.
I forced my lungs to catch my breath and then, I pulled away to look at him. “Tell me everything.”
He did.
“What the hell!” I gasped.
“That was my reaction too.” He sighed as he stroked my back.
“I didn't experience any of this opposition three years ago. Matter of fact, no one noticed me. Why the sudden change?” I whispered.
Roman's fingers tapped my forehead and I lifted my chin to take the grapes he fed me.
“It's because you're not a weak woman, Maisie. Your mate is the man who saved the pack when the Alpha couldn't and you're the woman who made that happen. To them, it wouldn't have been possible if you hadn't been you who convinced Clyde to consider partnering with DI.” he popped one grape into his mouth and drew himself up towards the bed's headboard while taking me with me.
“I still don't get this insane rivalry people have.” I shook my head when he tried to feed me more grapes.
“Me neither.” He sighed again.
“So what's the plan?” I asked, staring at the tattoo's on his chest.
“We do what they tell us to.” Roman said curtly.
“Are you serious?” I gasped.
“Yes.” Roman took my hand and gave them a light kiss. “Acting our way will ruin everything. Let's get married as they wish but until then, we destroy each and everyone of them.”
“The mating ceremony is two months away so we need to bide our time.” I said. Suddenly, memories of Xavier's confession flashed through my mind.
“Did you know Xavier came here?” I said.
“Let me guess? He finally confessed his love to you?” Roman rolled his eyes.
I blinked. “Wait… how do you know? Were you eavesdropping?”
“Darling, I have enough dignity. Of course not.” He scoffed. “The mating ceremony is two months away so he's hoping you'd change your mind before the wedding.”
“The nerve of that asshole!” She hissed.
‘See? We're soulmates.’ My wolf.
“That's what he believes. Poor guy.” Roman shook his head.
“He thinks I have a thing for him.” I looked at him with a grin. “I wonder how he'll react when he realizes the truth.”
“I can't wait.” Roman leaned in to kiss me before pulling away. “The Healer's Project?”
“It's almost ready. The scientists will give us a result by the end of the week.” I smiled.
Roman stared at me for a moment before he grinned.
“What is it?” I blushed.
“You're an extraordinary woman.” His head dipped, and my chin tilted up like a flower leaning toward the sun. Then his mouth was on mine.
“We're moving to Phase 3 of our plan nextweek?” I asked between our kiss.
“Yes,” he breathed out. “Now, shut up, darling, I have to have you.”
My fingers slid into his hair while I tipped my head back further, giving him as much access as possible. He tasted like mint and, fuck… him.
A moan slipped from my mouth to his. He answered with a tortured groan of his own, his hands tightening around my hip and nape in a way that had heat kindling between my thighs.
I'd never felt so free and so… alive.
The next morning came in so quickly. For a moment, I was asleep and the next, I was awake.
I blinked twice when I caught a flash of gray out of the corner of my eye. I looked up, and the air died in my lungs.
Roman.
No jacket, no tie, only a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up and suspenders running crisp lines down to a pair of perfectly tailored charcoal pants. He was so handsome that I had to force oxygen past the knot in my chest.
Our eyes connected and he smiled. He reached the bed and leaned down to kiss me.
“Good morning, darling.” he greeted.
“Morning, love.” I smiled at the nickname I'd given him.
He seemed to like it because he leaned in and scooped me into his arms.
“Roman!” I squealed when he peppered kisses on my cheek.
He stopped and set me down on the bed again. “Blame yourself for looking so beautiful at the shy of 7.”
My cheeks heated at his compliment. When did he get so cocky?
“Well, I inherited my mother's genes.” I gave him a bitter-smile. I had lost my parents to an accident when I was a young pup. The Pack's orphanage raised me till I was 18 and the rest is history.
“I have your mother to thank then.” He kissed me again and stalked towards my walk-in-closet.
“What are you doing?” I asked with a laugh.
“Picking out your clothes.” He answered casually.
I wrapped the sheets around me and got off the bed. “Even my underwear?”
“Especially those.” he turned to me and grinned.
“Pervert!” I smacked him playfully on the back.
“Oh really?” He began to unbutton his shirt.
“No!” I ran to the en suite and he chased after me.
Two orgasms later, we walked downstairs wearing matching powerful black suits. Everyone stopped to stare at us. I was loving the attention. Now, I understood why Emma called me an ‘attention whore’.
The maids helped us to our seats and I thanked them.
“Wow, don't you look lovely.” Kylie smiled. As usual, she was wearing a white crop that showed part of her cleavage. I didn't bother to look at the rest of her. I knew they'd be indecent.
“Thank you, Luna Kylie.” I took the compliment which was obviously for Roman. “Jason picked out my outfit today.”
“Did he?” She smiled but it didn't reach her eyes.
Good.
“You look amazing, Miss Chloe.” Xavier said shamelessly.
I forced a smile. “Thank you.”
I felt Roman's hand on my thigh during breakfast as if to reassure me of Plan 3. Plan 3 was the most dangerous we'd ever thought of and the most questioning thing I'd ever agreed to do but it would be worth it.
I pushed back my chair and grabbed a napkin. Then, I walked to where Xavier stood and wiped his lips.
His eyes locked on me. He was a bit startled. Who wouldn't? But he was quick to regain his composure and smile.
“There’s something on my face?” He asked with fake innocence.
“Yes.” I added, turning my back to Roman as I wiped Xavier's lips. I knew Roman would be boiling and would kill Xavier if I continued so I pulled away.
“Thank you, Miss Chloe,” Xavier faked a chuckle. “I didn't know I was such a clumsy eater.”
“Neither did I.” Kylie laughed like she didn't notice what I did. She probably thought I had eyes for her husband and so, saw mine as prey.
And as I expected, she fell for the bait I set out.
“Why don't we all have dinner tonight?” She asked, looking around at us.
Xavier lifted his coffee mug and signaled at me. Roman lifted his and signaled Kylie.
Let the game of cheating wives and husbands begin.