Chapter 49 49
Maisie's pov
I needed to leave before Roman woke up.
The second my feet grazed the rug, I heard him.
“Where are you going?”
I froze, my toes curling into the plush rug.
Stay calm. Stay cool. Even if his voice makes you recall a particular X-rated memory.
My cheeks heated but I attempted a neutral expression when I turned.
Roman leaned against the headboard, charcoal silk sheets rumpled around his waist. A smooth expanse of olive skin stretched over the naked, sculpted planes of his shoulders and tapered down to a lean waist. His V cut arrowed beneath the sheets like an invitation to pick up where we left off a few hours ago.
I forced my gaze up only to find his eyes waiting for mine. A knowing smirk tugged on his lips as he leaned back, oozing casual arrogance and pure male satisfaction.
Smug bastard.
Yet it didn’t stop butterflies from erupting in my stomach.
“I’m going to work.” I said breathlessly.
His eyes trailed towards the clock on the wall. “It's 7pm.”
“Hmm. I didn't notice.” I discreetly tugged on the hem of my shirt. Well, it's not my shirt. I was wearing Roman's shirt and it fell somewhere between scandalous and mid-thigh.
His eyes flicked down and darkened.
The heat spread from my face to somewhere south of my stomach.
“Perhaps not, but that’s not why you’re sneaking out of my arms.” Some of the sleep evaporated from his voice.
“No?” My voice squeaked like a door hinge in need of oil.
“No.” His gaze met mine again.
“Well, I…”
His lips parted on a sardonic breath. “How many times are you going to make me say it?”
“I don't know.” I said softly.
He regarded me with dark, hooded eyes. “I marked you, darling. You're mine now. Well, you've always been mine. I just wanted to let everyone else know.”
“So that means this isn't business?” I clutched the hem of his shirt.
“Come here, darling.” He stretched his hand.
I walked to where he sat and let me scoop me into his arms.
“Business would be going to DI,” he said, lifting my body to straddle his hip. “Business would be completing a project or starting one so no, Maisie, it's not a fucking business anymore.”
The butterflies in my stomach took flight again.
“Oh.” I managed.
“Yes, oh,” he said dryly. “Your turn, darling.”
“It’s not just business for you.” I fought back the nerves in my stomach. “And it’s not just business for me.”
“Good.” He smoothed his hand over my thighs and brought me closer. I stifled a wince when I felt his erection pressing against my ass.
What do we do now? Kiss? Continue the conversation? Go our separate ways?
I got my answer and it wasn't in the option.
Roman rolled his hips and I moaned.
“That's what I thought.” He grinned.
One second, I was on top of him. Next, I was lying beneath him, screaming his name.
Three orgasms later, Roman was walking me down the parking lot and into his car.
“Thank you.” I smiled when he opened the door for me and held my hand till I got in. What a gentleman.
On our drive to the pack, our conversation shifted from work and food to weekend plans. It was hard to believe Roman and I didn't see eye to eye until now. Right now, being with him was like breathing. It was easy. Effortless even.
When we relapsed into silence, the warmth in my veins died a quick death.
Now that this has started, what does it mean for us?
As if reading my thought, Roman's hand found mine and he gave it a light squeeze. “I would try distance but it’ll still make me want you more. Your laughs, your smiles, the sparkle in your eyes when I teased me and the fire in them when I piss you off… I want all of it, Maisie. Can I?”
For a moment, I was lost for words. I only nodded and he smiled as he kissed our linked hands.
The second Roman's car drove through the pack’s gates, everyone was all over us.
“Welcome back, Miss Chloe.”
“Let me take your briefcase for you, Beta Jason.”
Hands touched my arms. Someone pressed my jacket around me even though I wasn't cold. Another even offered Roman a drink. There were smiles everywhere. I suddenly felt nostalgic. This was the complete opposite of the way I was treated here. The only person who regarded me then and still do was Jennifer. Now, they're all over me like I'm not the same person.
Roman reached for my hand and tugged me closer to his side. “Let's go.”
We took a few places forward before Kylie showed up.
Of course, she did.
She walked towards us with Howard following beside her, all soft smiles and wide eyes like she'd rehearsed it in the mirror.
Howard waved shyly at Jason but scowled at me.
“Jason,” Kylie said in a sultry voice that made my skin dry. “I didn't know you were back.”
Roman didn't even slow down.
“Good evening, Kylie.” he replied in a flat tone.
She shifted closer. “You look exhausted. Maybe you'd like —”
“No,” Roman, already turning his body slightly towards me. “If you'd excuse me, my fiancee would like to retire to our room.”
The rejection landed like a slap.
I smiled.
Roman's hand settled at my lower back as he guided me through the halls while soft whispers and “aww’s” followed us. I was loving tonight's energy.
Roman stopped at the door and showed me his phone. It was a message. Elder Ivan wanted to meet with him. Then he leaned in and brushed his lips against mine. It was quick and I wished it'd last. I know he did too.
“I'll be back.” He said.
I nodded. “I know.”
Then he left.
I turned and realized Kylie hadn't. This time she was alone and she just stood there like a statue.
“I still don't get what he sees in you.” She said tightly.
“Really. Yet I'm the one with the engagement ring.” I replied sweetly.
Her jaw clenched. “Is that so? You wouldn't be so cocky when I —”
“Enough.” I cut her off with a sigh. “Why are you even here? You obviously aren't concerned about the pack and all you do is dress in slutty clothes and smile so Jason will even know you exist but he doesn't. He already has me.”
Her face turned a deep shade of red, I feared it would explode. “What?!”
“Kylie,” I deliberately interrupted her again. “If desperation was a rank, you'd be Alpha by now.”
She gasped this time. “What the —”
“You’re married, love, but you flirt with a man who doesn't even look at you,” I continued calmly. “In front of his mate. While holding your child. It's embarrassing.”
Her eyes began to fill.
“And before you cry,” I added. “Save it. Tears don't rewrite reality.”
She broke.
Kylie, the self-made bitch Luna of BlackRock Pack, turned and fled down the corridor, sobbing.
I grinned. Then, I went back into my room and shut the door.
My peace lasted for only ten minutes.
Xavier showed up.
He stood awkwardly near the entrance, his hands clenched like he was about to face execution. Then he came into the room and confessed his feelings to me.
I listened and then I told him what he wanted to hear.
He grinned like a schoolboy when he left. If only the idiot would realize he was a pawn in my game of chess.
My phone rang almost immediately after.
“Miss Maisie,” Dr. Michaels said the second I answered. “I've been calling you.”
“I was busy.” If having sex with Roman counts, then yes, I was very busy.
He cleared his throat. “The Healer Project is showing results. It's detecting diseases, mostly early stages and cellular levels but…”
I arched my brow. “But?”
“It's slow.” He sighed.
My brows dropped in a frown. “How slow?
“Too slow to matter in emergencies. I'm restructuring the team to improve the processing speed.”
“Good,” I said. “Do it.”
Then I added, casually, “Also, begin the weaponization trial.”
“You're still going on with this.”
“Yes,” I nodded. “Begin the weaponization trial as soon as possible.”