Chapter 32 32
Maisie's Pov
Xavier continued to stare at me as if he expected me to sit in the chair he’s offered, but I grabbed a plate of snacks and headed to Roman.
I waited for him to move over but he didn't. Instead, he leaned back and tapped his thigh.
Low oohs fill the air and my cheeks are heated. Just what was he doing?
“You can sit here, Chloe. Jason and I can share the seat.” Kylie said shamelessly, earning a glare from Lydia.
Without a word, Roman gripped my hand and pulled me into his lap.
I tried to ignore the soft tremors moving through my body and the electric feeling twirling between my body but I couldn't. Roman was warm and comfortable.
His palm flattened against my stomach and he drew me back so I’m flush against him.
“Better?” My hair was in his face when he asked me that but he made no move to brush it away.
When I didn't make a move, he made a circular motion on my stomach and I squirmed.
“Better?” He repeated.
“Yeah.”
“You two look cute.” Lydia chimed and the rest of the room agreed. Suddenly, it became another round of interviews like the dinner.
Roman would answer occasionally while I munched silently on the pretzels and fruit on my plate. I could barely concentrate with his arms around me or feel his heartbeat against my back.
When I was done with my fruits, I started to get up to take it inside, he stopped me. “Stay. I’ll take it in later.”
With his arm on my stomach and his hand on my leg, I was trapped. It became worse when he started drawing strange patterns on my thigh. I feared if his hand moved past the hem of my skirt, I wouldn't tell him to stop.
“Anyone up for seconds?” Xavier asked, lifting a bottle of wine.
A few wolves said yes but Roman and I declined. When Kylie noticed Roman wasn't drinking, she put her wine away.
What was up with her?
I turned to find Xavier staring at me. There was something heated in his gaze, something dark. I knew that gaze when I saw it. It was a look he'd give me in the past. Only me. A look that told me he desired me. But that was all in the past. The old me would swoon but the new me felt disgusted by it. I wanted nothing more than to wipe that look off his face.
I broke our gaze when I felt Roman gently shift me off his lap and stood.
He leaned in to whisper behind my ear. “Duty calls.”
I looked over his shoulder to where Xavier stood. He had summoned Roman via telepathy.
“I'll be back. Disturb me if you need me.” Roman whispered and then he was off.
“Thanks for having us,” I told Lydia who engulfed me in a hug.
“You’re welcome.” She smiled.
Her husband, Elder Steven, came over with a stoic look on his face. He still didn't like the fact that Roman and I replaced Gavin and his mate.
“Welcome to BlackRock Pack once again.” He nodded.
“Thank you.” I nodded back.
Before anyone would come over to congratulate me, I took a few plates and escaped to the kitchen. Thankfully, it was half-empty.
“Leave us!” a familiar voice hissed and the maids scurried away from the kitchen.
I cursed under my breath before turning away from the sink to find Kylie walking straight to me.
“Luna Kylie.” I smiled as she neared me.
“Cut the crap!” She snapped.
“Oh,” I acted surprised. “Is something wrong?”
“Yes!” She grabbed the collar of my blouse and pulled me closer. “You're the thing that's wrong here.”
My smile grew bigger. “Me? How? The only thing wrong here is you dragging me by my clothes.”
She scoffed. “You bitch.”
“That's harsh, Luna.”
“Stop talking!” She gave me a light shove and I hit my back against the kitchen island but I didn't wince.
She gripped my jaw and lifted it. “I believe I wasn't verbal enough last time. Stay away from Jason.”
“No.” I replied defiantly.
“How dare you!” She lifted her arm to slap me when we got interrupted.
“Mom?” Howard peeked through the door before he pushed it open and entered.
His brows furrowed as he glared at me
“Who are you?” The rude idiot said.
“I'm Chloe, Beta Jason's mate.” I introduced myself with a smile. “Who are you?”
The question seemed to have caught him off guard because he took a step back and looked at Kylie for help.
Kylie hissed and grabbed his arm. “What did I tell you about leaving your room during a gathering?”
“I was bored.” Howard's voice trailed off as she dragged him away.
A sigh escaped me and I winced when a sharp pain shot up my spine. Dammit.
“You okay?” Rayes walked in with three kitchen maids.
“Yeah.” I swallowed the pain and nodded.
“You sure?” He arched his brow. “The maids told me Kylie sent them away.”
“She wanted to talk privately.” I shrugged.
“Did she give you an earful?” He asked, not minding the maids. It was clear no one liked Kylie.
“Nah.” I sighed.
“But if Kylie wants to try anything, you can tell me. I’m here if you need me.” he smiled.
Those words shot a sharp sting up my spine. I’d heard those words from Rayes a lot. Now, they sounded foreign. Why was that? Was I just overthinking it?
I moved away from the counter and winced loudly. Shit.
“Chloe, are you okay?” Rayes gasped.
He didn't get the chance to reach me because my view was completely obstructed because Roman stood between us. The only thing I could see was the back of his black T-shirt and the way it clung tightly to his back.
“You’re needed in the balcony, Rayes.” His deep voice rumbled and I made a nervous swallow.
Rayes was about to protest before he dragged his feet out of the kitchen.
When he left, Roman gripped my hand and I followed him out.
We arrived in our bedroom and the door clicked behind me.
I started to say something, but words failed me when Roman pivots, standing mere inches away.
“Are you seriously trying to make me jealous?” he asked suddenly.
The question threw me off and his towering frame wasn’t helping either.
“W - What?” I stuttered terribly.
His hand moved to the hem of my blouse, crumpling the fabric. “Rayes? Really?”
“He and I were just talking.” I scoffed despite the heat zipping up my spine. “Besides, Kylie couldn't keep her arms off you.”
“And I kept pushing her off.” He suddenly ran his thumb along my bottom lip.
The warmth of his touch made me shiver and I swallowed. “I told you lots of women will throw themselves your way including Kylie.”
He dropped his hand as if realizing something. “Did she threaten you?”
His words were a blast of cold air. How did he know?
Without a word, he whipped me around and lifted the back of my blouse.
“Roman!” I hissed.
The material bunched around his fist and I could feel the rage pouring off him.
I spun around and clutched his hand. “It’s nothing I can't handle.”
“She hurt you!” he growled.
“I'm fine.” I looked into his eyes. They were glowing. Those were the eyes of a wolf about to hunt. He was furious. Very furious.
“I'm fine.” I repeated, taking his hand to my cheek. “Don't mind Kylie. I can deal with her.”
“She hurt you, Maisie. That is unpunishable and you know it.” He said, throwing me off-guard.
I recovered quickly and cleared my throat. “There’s been a change of plans. I'll deal with Kylie for now. You handle Xavier. Think you can do that?”
Roman rubbed his thumb over the curve of my jaw and gave me a dark look that could make even the devil weep.
“Keep to your word. If you don't, I won't promise the safety of Kylie or everyone in this pack if you get hurt again.”