Chapter 31 31
Maisie's Pov
I made sure to avoid Roman all weekend like the plague — a meeting with Clyde and Emma, an appointment at the dentist's, anything to not look at his face. All I had to do was focus on the revenge plan and not some hot Alpha I shared an apartment with but I couldn't focus because I was leading an army of movers into the BlackRock Pack.
Jennifer, my old maid and friend took charge of guiding the movers through the mansion.
She was the same as I remember — kind, warm, and very humble. The same Jennifer who stayed by my side when I lost Aria. The same Jennifer who was the sister I never had.
I was a stranger but she was perfectly friendly to me. She even got me cookies.
We stopped in front of a carved wood door and she turned to face us.
“Everything has been set. Your room is ready. Would you like anything else?” She asked with a smile.
“No. That will be all. Thank you.” Roman replied for the both of us.
“You're welcome, sir.” She replied in a calm tone. Unlike the rest of the staff who flirted with Roman and spoke in fake posh tones, Jennifer was the only one who acted normal and I was glad.
With its king-size bed, walk-in closet, and ensuite bathroom, the room could’ve passed for a master bedroom.
“This is our room.” Roman said.
Xavier had set us up in the suite not far from his and Kylie’s. Heaven knows why he did that but it was too late to switch rooms.
We both turned at the same time and I sucked in a breath.
One bed.
As if reading my mind, Roman looked at me. “Xavier isn't a traditionalist so we'll have to share one bed.”
“Wow but he and I stayed in separate rooms until marriage.” I muttered under my breath.
“I didn’t realize you were so eager to share a bed with me.” Roman smirked.
My cheeks pinked and I hated the fact that he was smiling. “I didn’t say I wanted to share a bed with you.”
I cleared my throat. It was time to switch tactics. “Since we’ll be staying here for a while, we should go over the house rules. Again.”
Roman leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms. “Seriously? This again?”
“Yes. Anything with you is possible.” I scoffed.
He arched his brow. “Anything? Like what?”
“Do not change the subject.” I hissed. Why won't I stop blushing? “We're not in our apartment anymore. We're in the pack and I've lived here enough to know when or not to do certain things.”
“Fine. Let’s hear your rules.” he drawled. I'd just noticed his strong northern accent. Like these, when a flicker of it slipped in so smoothly, it was like it’d been there all along.
My spine tingled again, this time more insistently.
I ignored it and ticked off the rules on my fingers. “No smoking indoors. The wolves here go feral when they notice and when they do, the pack house becomes a smoking hound.”
Roman scoffed. “I don’t smoke.”
“No hogging the bathroom, TV, or other communal amenities. The hot water here runs out quickly and I don't know if they've fixed it yet so don’t, you know, spend too much time in the shower.” I emphasized the last part.
Roman’s eyes gleamed with laughter. “Noted.”
I ran through a handful of others before I reached the grand finale. “And…” I paused for dramatic effect. “No bringing girls over. Ever. As Xavier's Beta, there'll be lots of parties and girls will be thrown your way so… don't… I don’t want random people coming in and out of my flat.”
I shouldn't have mentioned it to him because I've done so before but this was the BlackRock Pack. He was good-looking, single, and rich. The women would throw themselves at him every day. Plus, Xavier wouldn't hesitate to throw crazy parties for his Beta's and Gamma's so I didn't know if Roman could resist bringing someone over.
His brow creased. “Maisie, I have absolutely zero interest in bringing other women over even if Xavier throws them at my feet.”
I ignored the tiny flip in my stomach. Just what did he mean? Didn't he have any interest in any woman? A girlfriend? A mate? Did he have anyone but doesn't want to mention her to anyone?
No. I wasn’t going there. It didn’t matter anyway. Roman and I would never be more than business partners and temporary roommates. He was keeping his relationship life a mysterious self and so should I. I don't know if that made any sense.
“So the rules are clear.” He smirked again and I told myself I'd had enough.
“Can you please stop doing that?” I asked.
He blinked. “Stop what?”
“Stop trying to seduce me with that smirk.”
His eyes flooded with surprise, and I immediately wanted to snatch my words back.
Shit.
A slow smile spread over his face, turning his dimple into a lethal weapon that made butterflies riot in my stomach. “I wasn’t doing anything but I’m happy to hear you’re being seduced.”
I opened my mouth to retort when laughter echoed outside the door. I froze. We weren't expecting any company.
I looked at Roman and he shrugged. Then he motioned to the door and held it open.
“Jason, I came as soon as I heard you'd arrived.” Kylie said out of breath. Then she poked her head through the door and flashed me the fakest smile she could. “Oh, hey there.”
“Hi.” I smiled back.
“We're having a little move-in party for you both. Why don't you join us?” She reached in and gripped Roman's arm.
This woman doesn't know when to quit, does she?
“Sure. We'd love to.” Roman replied.
Kylie didn't wait to hear my reply before she dragged him with her.
The nerve of that bitch.
I followed the laughter to the open balcony, where everyone was seated. And by everyone, I meant Xavier, Rayes, Elder Steven, Lydia, a few faces I didn't recognize and Roman and Kylie, who was seated next to him. She was practically glued to his side.
I ignored her and took a seat next to Rayes. I hadn't seen him in a while and like everyone else, he didn't recognize me but making small talk wouldn't kill anyone.
The maids served ordered food and alcohol, so everyone ate and talked. The balcony was large enough so everyone sat comfortably on the outdoor couches and chairs.
I slip past a few wolves to place the platter of snacks and fruit on the glass table. When I start to collect the empty wine glasses, Rayes stops me.
“You don't have to,” he said, and took the glasses from me. “Chloe, right?”
“Yes.” I smiled and extended my hand.
He gave me a gentle smile and shook my hand. “I'm Rayes, Xavier's Gamma and the voice of reason around here.”
He wasn't lying.
I laughed. “That’s a lot. I hope you get laid for overtime.”
“I'll get by.” He shrugged.
“Maisie!” I heard Lydia call for me.
“Duty calls.”
“I heard. Welcome to the pack.” he gave me a light pat on the shoulder before he went to put the dishes away.
I walked back to the balcony when I realized there were not any seats available. Kylie hogged the last empty one next to Roman. I nearly peeled her off his side.
“Here, you can take my seat.” I turn to find Xavier standing. The smile he gave me crawls under my skin.
“She’ll sit with me.” Roman’s voice cut through the room like a knife.
When I turned to him, finally meeting his eyes, he didn’t look needy or desperate. He had this dark look in his eyes that told he'll make sure I sit with him.