Chapter 33 33
Maisie's Pov
I can’t describe how I feel right now.
I stood at the edge of the bed, staring at the large mattress. How do I even sleep on this thing? Worse, how do I even share it with Roman?
Roman, on the other hand, didn't seem bothered about sharing one bed or at least he looked like he wasn't. After we'd made it back to the room and he told me what he'd do if anyone hurt me again, he went straight to the en suite to shower.
And while I was gobsmacked, I left the room to grab my nightclothes so I could change into something more sleep-friendly. By the time I returned, Roman was already tucked in bed, his glasses still on his face and a laptop on his lap.
I watched his fingers clicking on the keyboard and my crazy, hormonal mind latched onto how beautiful they were. It sounded crazy but Roman had beautiful fingers. Physically, everything about him was beautiful.
His ocean-blue eyes, his sharp jawline and elegant, sculpted cheekbones; his lean frame and thick, longish black hair grazing his collar somehow looked both tousled and perfectly coiffed. He was a Green statue that came to life. Out of nowhere, I felt the insane urge to ruffle his hair but I didn’t have a death wish, so I kept my hands to myself.
His brows furrowed and he rubbed his hand over his jaw. That action alone was enough to make me question my celibate decision.
When he reached for a notebook beside him, the sheets slipped down his chest and I swallowed a gasp.
He was half-naked!
He wore nothing except for a pair of sweatpants. His arm and back muscles flexed as he reached for the book and I hated that I noticed.
My eyes lingered on the sculpted planes of his shoulders, and a weird sensation tightened in my stomach.
This was my first time seeing him shirtless and I can't say I hate the view. But a man like this took up too much space. Too much oxygen. If he kept this up for much longer, I was going to suffocate from the lack of air.
“If you keep staring at me like that, I’m going to charge you.” Roman drawled. He lifted his gaze from his laptop to meet mine. I was quick to drag my eyes from his chest up to his face but it was too late. My cheeks had already heated.
“I wasn't staring.” I cleared my throat.
“Of course, you weren't.” He said dryly.
I scoffed at the remark and crossed my arms over my chest. “Usually in situations like this, the man will take the couch while the lady gets the bed.”
“That's what gentlemen do, Maisie, and I am no gentleman.” His eyes met mine this time and they were dark, like grey storms gathering around the edges. He meant what he said. Every word.
“Well, good to know.” I turned around to grab another mattress. I wasn't sharing a bed with him.
“What are you doing?” I heard him ask.
“What does it look like I'm doing?” I gathered the heap towards the couch. It was small and my back would suffer but it would be worth it.
“Maisie.” Roman called my name and I wanted to hear it again.
“Yes?” I tossed the mattress and paddled to the walk-in-closet to grab an extra sweater because the room was cold when I froze.
Roman propped an arm on the doorframe beside my head. I blinked. How the heck did he get here so fast? Then I remembered; he was one of the strongest Alpha's in the world.
“Does my half-nakedness bother you or do you hate me enough to not want to share a bed with me?” He asked in a silky voice.
I inhaled softly and that was my mistake. His scent filled my nostrils and my wolf whimpered.
What's going on? This is the second time she's doing this.
“Maisie?”
“Yes.” I replied without thinking, forcing myself not to breathe in too deeply.
He chuckled. “Yes what?”
“Yes, your half-nakedness bothers me. It’s inappropriate.” I bit out.
“If you think this is inappropriate, then I'd have to tell you to get used to it. I sleep hot.” he said.
Sleep hot. That's one way to put it.
His hand reached for my cheek and he frowned. “Come to bed. You're cold.”
“N - No. I'm not.” I stuttered terribly.
“The couch looks uncomfortable and the bed is warm. Wanna die before getting your revenge because it seems like what you're doing.” He said dryly.
I hugged my arms around my waist and, after another moment of hesitation, nodded.
Fuck my life.
I walked to the bed and pulled back my covers.
“Get some rest. We have a lot to discuss in the morning.” he said as I slipped in beside him.
“Sure.” I said with a nod and turned on my side.
“Goodnight.” He said to my back.
“Goodnight.” I said it as a whisper.
I was curled in a fetus position with the pillow clenched underneath my palm and lying so close to the edge. There would be nothing good about the night because I wouldn't catch a wink of sleep like this.
After a beat of silence, a warm hand wrapped around my waist and pulled me closer.
A gasp left me and I turned to find Roman staring back at me.
“You'll fall off. Stay close.” He said, his hand still curled around my waist. While holding my gaze, he pulled me closer till there was no space between us.
“There.” A satisfied smile graced his lips. “Goodnight, Maisie.”
“G… Goodnight, Roman.” I breathed.
He let go of me and resumed working on his laptop.
Just a second ago, I feared I'd fall off in my sleep. Now, I'm so close to him our clothes touched.
“Get some sleep, Maisie.” He said without looking from his laptop.
“I know.” I whispered, still staring at him.
I didn't know how long I watched him till sleep lulled me away.