Chapter 47 47
Maisie's Pov
5 HOURS BEFORE XAVIER'S ENCOUNTER.
Roman didn't leave after he followed me into my office. That was the only time I'd ever seen him so vulnerable, so carefree. He wasn't teasing me or anything but he did loiter in the kitchen, made coffee for both of us and helped me with some work. It felt odd and right at the same time.
“You omitted a word.” He pointed out from behind me. When did he get behind me? “Maisie?”
“Yeah. Um… where is it?” I asked, wondering where the omission was.
“Here.” He leaned in and tapped on the third paragraph on the screen. He was close. I could smell his perfume. It had the same scent every time. The same scent I liked. Only this time, I could smell the lavender and wildberries. I had to bite on my bottom lip to stop myself from saying anything stupid.
I nodded quietly and corrected the omission. When I was done, I saved the file and sent it to Clyde.
Roman pulled away just in time for me to get up. He must've sensed the tension in the air. Things were always tense when he was around me.
I stared at him and instinctively wet my bottom lip. This man was hot. And I wasn't just talking about his looks. His physique… lips. My eyes lingered on his lips and I suddenly remembered our kiss. We still hadn't talked about that.
When I opened my mouth to speak, he stopped me.
“You and Tyler… how'd you two meet?”
The question was off-putting and awkward to drag a sharp breath through my lungs.
“Apparently, he works here. Clyde hired him when I was away. I checked his background like I did every staff member here and he's clean. He's just an employee.” I explained.
His eyes never left mine as he replied. “An employee who somehow flirts with his boss?”
“He doesn't know I'm his boss.” I sighed.
“I know that.” He started towards me and I took a step back. Fuck. What am I running away from?
He tried to say something but I lifted my hand in midair to stop him.
“We're good. Tyler and I.” I whispered.
“And what about us?” He raised a brow as he finally stood in front of me, finally reaching my orbit. “Are we good?”
“Why not?” I blinked. Why the heck was I blinking?
“From where I stand, we're not.” His hand found my waist and pulled me closer.
I gasped when my chest brushed his. “Roman… we're square.”
“You sure? You seem to prefer texts from little Tyler.” he pinched my waist again.
I slapped my palm across his chest. “He's not little. He's 26 and I don't prefer texts from him.”
“So you prefer me instead?” He grinned.
I rolled my eyes. “Of course. I'd pick you anyday.”
When I realized what I'd said, my eyes widened.
“N - n - no! I didn't mean it like that. I was just…” I rambled on gibberish words till Roman tilted his head and laughed. Now, I'm embarrassed.
He dropped his head to my shoulder and smiled. “You're cute.”
“Yeah. Sure.” I patted his shoulder. “Can you let go? We're in my office. Anyone might walk in any second.”
“We both know that's not true.” He pulled back to look at me.
“Really?”
“You’re just trying to get rid of me, aren't you?” He hooked his hands beneath my thighs and lifted her.
I gasped again. “Roman!”
“You were saying?” He raised an eyebrow.
My cheeks heated as I wrapped my legs around my waist. I didn't want to fall off.
Roman took us to the couch, not letting go of me till I straddled him. It wasn't an uncomfortable position to me at all. I just didn't like the idea that I was sitting like this outside of sex.
“You should be at work.” I told him.
“I have people working round the clock. They'll be fine. Besides,” he grimaced. “I can't stand looking at Xavier.”
I stifled a laugh. “You're not the only one.”
And just like that, we stared at each other.
Jason and I weren't in a romantic relationship or any kind of weird sexual arrangement. But he was rich and handsome enough that he didn’t need to lure anyone into anything.
I've seen wolves at the pack line up to do his bidding without him having to ask. He could have anyone. Why me?
‘That’s because he's your mate’. My wolf whispered.
I shook my head. ‘He can't be.’
‘Don’t deny it. You smell the mate's scent from him.’
‘It could be anyone.’
She didn't reply. At this point, she was tired of me. I’d be tired of me too
“Maisie?” He called my name.
I looked away, my eyes tracking the movement of the second hand passing by on the wall clock. I couldn't look at him. If I did…
His hand gently touched my jaw and made me look at him. When I did, I fell. I fell so hard I couldn't feel the bottom. I was falling in love with this man.
My head screamed at me to stop and turn back before it was too late. But like a reckless fool, I forged on.
“We can't do this.” I whispered.
His hand froze on my waist but the weight of his stare was a physical press against my skin.
“We signed a contract, but the boundaries blurred the moment we kissed. It’s time we revert to the original terms of our agreement. We’re partners only for mutually beneficial reasons. That’s all we are. Nothing more, nothing less.”
The words stacked up like bricks in the wall I was building between him and my misguided heart. He didn't say anything. Just stared at me. I suddenly wished I didn't say anything else.
“Nothing more, nothing less.” His lazy repetition of my words sent a shiver of unease down my spine.
“Yes.” I got off his lap and walked towards my desk. My phone buzzed noiselessly. It was a call. I had to take it.
“Nothing more, nothing less huh.” This time he said it with a scoff.
“Yes, Roman. We're not crossing the line again.” I turned around to face him.
“Line? We're mates!” He snapped.