Chapter 35 35
Roman's Pov
My hand slid to her throat and I dug my fingers into her smooth skin. Maisie’s eyes widened to a dark, hypnotizing blue and she rewarded me with a soft moan when I slammed my lips to her.
Fuck me.
She tasted like sweet surrender, all wound up and ripe for the taking. I couldn’t believe I didn’t do this sooner.
My hand drifted from her hair and onto the elegant curve of her cheekbone. I traced it down to her chin, keeping my touch featherlight. I wanted to absorb every detail of her face into my mind until I could close my eyes and picture her as vividly as if she were standing in front of me. Perhaps then I would understand the hold this woman had on me.
“Roman.” My name fell off her lips in a sweet, breathless plea. One word, and the full force of my desire snapped from its leash.
I swallowed the sound of my name from her mouth. More than that, I wanted to bury myself inside her and ruin her so thoroughly till it'll make the devil weep.
I wanted to fall to my knees and worship her with my mouth. To touch her, taste her, fucking drown in her. I finally had her in my hands. Maisie was mine.
I tangled my hands in her hair right as I hooked my hands beneath her thighs and lifted her without breaking the kiss. Maisie instinctively wrapped my legs around my waist while she let me devour her thoroughly.
“You’re going to be the death of me.” I lifted one hand and rubbed my thumb over her cheek. “You never should’ve let me kiss you, Maisie.”
I knew I shouldn't have stayed that close to her. That was the first mistake. The second mistake was kissing her back.
“Not when you kissed me first.” She whispered against my lips.
Fuck. This woman will definitely be the death of me.
I let out another groan before I kissed her again, hungrily and thoroughly, like a man starved.
Maisie's lips were still warm against mine when the door opened and the air shifted with the weight of another presence.
I pulled back just as he turned his face away, pretending very hard not to see what he had clearly already seen.
“Oh,” Xavier said in a fake casual voice. “I didn't realize I was interrupting.”
I tried to hide my disappointment as I set Maisie on her feet. What was this asshole doing here?
Maisie, on the other hand, greeted Xavier with an embarrassed smile and looked away.
Xavier turned fully with his back to us, as he cleared his throat. “Jason, I need you in my office.”
Of course he needs me. I nearly rolled my eyes at his request.
I looked down at Maisie. Her eyes searched mine with a nervous, questioning expression on her face. Goddess, she was beautiful when she was flustered.
“We'll talk later,” I murmured. Then because I clearly hated peace, I leaned in and kissed her again. It was short and soft but it made her breath hitch and pissed off Xavier. I knew that much because I could feel the irritation radiating off him.
I pulled away, gave her a soft smile, then turned and followed Xavier out.
The walk to Xavier's office was painful. No one said a word and the silence stretched on forever. Not that I was complaining. I couldn't bear the thought of hearing Xavier speak. Even sharing the same air with him infuriates me.
After what seemed like a thousand years, Xavier broke the silence.
“Chloe came to see you.” He said.
I nodded proudly at the memory. “Yeah. She came to bring me lunch.”
Xavier nodded back. “You're one lucky man.”
I smiled and said nothing because if I opened my mouth, I might say something reckless like, she tastes better than anything I'd ever eaten in my life, but I held back. Xavier had no right to hear how Maisie tasted. Only I did.
We reached Xavier's office, pushed the door open and there she was. Kylie. In a dress that barely qualified as clothing. I stopped dead in my tracks and so did Xavier.
“What the fuck are you doing here?!” He snapped.
Kylie gasped like someone had tossed tomato sauce over her white mini dress. (something Maisie would never wear). “Xavier! Why would you talk to me like that in front of Howard?”
Xavier didn't even blink. “You're the Luna of our pack. Why are you dressed like a goddamn hooker?!”
“I came to surprise you.” She said, pouting her red-painted lips.
“Oh, I'm surprised,” Xavier said flatly. “Now, leave.”
Howard tugged at her hand. “Mommy?”
“Wait outside, baby,” she said sweetly, ushering him out. The moment the door closed, her expression turned to stone.
“I just wanted to bring you lunch!” She snapped. “You know it's been a while since I've done that!”
“I’m not hungry,” Xavier replied. “Take your food and get out of here.”
That's when she did it.
Kylie turned and fell straight into my chest.
What the fuck! I froze like I'd been struck by lightning.
She clutched my shirt, pressing herself against me. “Xavier is being so mean to me.”
Every muscle in my body screamed to shove her away. Hell, I wanted to chuck her out the window. Instead of giving in to my violent tendencies, I forced a smile and placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Come on, Kylie. He didn't mean it like that.”
Yes, he did, but apparently, I was playing mediator.
“You should at least appreciate her effort.” I added, glancing at Xavier. “No need to be harsh.”
Kylie nodded against my chest, still clinging to me. Way too much.
Her fingers traced my chest and I wanted to peel my skin off. I shot Xavier a look and he sighed a long, heavy sigh.
“Fine. I'll eat the damn food.” he said dryly.
Kylie squealed softly and pulled back, giggling like she'd won the lottery. She leaned up and kissed my cheek. “Thank you, Jason.”
I resisted the urge to disinfect my face.
She turned to Xavier and smiled. “Enjoy the food, babe. I'll prepare dinner tonight.” Then she smiled at me. “Im looking forward to seeing you there. I want us to eat together. Just the three of us.”
I arched my brow. “The three of us?”
Xavier didn't miss a beat. “Jason should bring Chloe.”
Kylie's smile twitched. “Chloe? Oh, she probably has plans with Lydia. Those two are always talking.”
“No,” Xavier replied. “She doesn't.” He looked at me and smiled. “Bring Chloe for dinner. I'd love to see her.”
My jaw tightened. I knew exactly why he said that and I hated that it worked.
Kylie's nails dug into her palm but she forced a smile. “Of course.”
“Good.” Xavier nodded.
“Enjoy your lunch. I'll see you later.” She said then left.
The second the door closed, Xavier collapsed into his chair.
He dragged his hand through his hair and opened his laptop. “Now that that nightmare is over, set up a meeting with Clyde Monroe.”
My gaze dropped to the cute flask on his desk and I gestured to it. “You're not going to eat that?”
“Throw it away.” Xavier said in a heartbeat.
I shrugged, picked up the container and dumped it straight into the trashcan. Then I sat beside him and pulled out my phone, already drafting the email to Maisie.
“Meeting tomorrow with Clyde. Plan goes live.”
I hesitated, then I added : “We'll talk later. I promise.”
I did it because today lines were crossed and today, we'd be drawing another one.