Chapter 91 91
Roman’s pov
I made the decision without thinking.
It seemed my default setting was giving Maisie anything she wanted and didn't.
I hoped no one ever discovered this weakness. It would be catastrophic for me and for her.
Her eyes widened with delight before she shook her head. “We can’t. You have work.”
Right after she woke up, I told her I wanted us to go away on a fun trip. Just the two of us and she'd looked at me as if I'd grown another head.
The truth is I had more than work. I had business that required immediate handling and even the cold, rational part of me insisted I return to it today as originally planned or it'll be a bad decision on my part. However, I hadn’t built my empire by making bad decisions.
Besides, I hadn't heard Maisie say she'd even gone on any fun trip and despite her protest, I could see the glimmer of hope in her eyes. She really wanted to have fun and I would rather lose an empire than see her sad at my hands.
“It’s the weekend,” I said. “We’ll leave today. Four extra days in Clover Island won’t hurt.”
Her face lit up. “Okay. I mean, if you insist.”
My mouth curled into an indulgent smile as she rambled on about all the things she wanted to do once the revenge plan was over.
After last night, I’d come to terms with my choice. I wouldn’t hold myself back from what I wanted anymore. And no matter how much I’d tried to deny it in the past, this was what I’ve wanted since I first saw her. Maisie in my arms, happy and safe and mine.
Since we only had four days to explore Clover Island, Maisie and I packed as much into our itinerary as possible.
Clover Island was the most beautiful island to ever exist in the GreyWood Pack just West from my pack. It had the best recreational resorts and had the world's most visited beaches. I'd visited this island with my late brother, Jason. Now, I am here with my mate and the love of my life.
Hiking, sunset sails, helicopter tours, visits to local museums and secluded beaches…we did it all.
We woke up at sunrise and returned to our hotel past dinnertime, where we spent hours exploring each other as thoroughly as we did the island.
Whether it was slow and soft or rough and hard, sex with Maisie was as much an emotional release as it was a physical one.
However, on our last day, we stuck with something more low-key since I had a board meeting and we had to fly out early in the morning.
I'd taken control of our itinerary since I’d been to Clover Island before, and I'd be damned if I steered her wrong.
That afternoon, I planned a surprise.
I led her outside our hotel and peeled my fingers off her eyes.
Maisie blinked for a few seconds before she finally looked up at me.
“Is this a surprise?” she eyed the Harley parked next to us as I fitted a helmet on her. “I never would’ve pegged you for a motorcycle kind of guy. It’s kind of sexy.”
If anything here was sexy it wasn't Hartley. It was the woman standing next to it.
In a simple white T-shirt she'd taken from my bag (not that I mind. I love seeing her in her clothes) and jeans, she looked very sexy.
Four days of sun and relaxation had replaced the stoicness with the playful, charming woman underneath, and I wanted to hold on to her for as long as I could.
“Kind of?” I noticed a dark brow as I straddled the motorbike. The engine roared to life and sent a thrill through my blood.
“I can’t make a final determination until I see what your actual driving skills are like,” she said solemnly. “So yes, for now, it’s kind of.”
“You’re talking about driving skills?” My brow rose higher. “Darling, you almost rear ended our guide yesterday.”
She rolled her eyes like she knew I wouldn’t let that go. Truth is, I couldn't.
“It wasn’t my fault,” I huffed. “He came out of nowhere!”
I pressed my lips together, trying my best to suppress the laughter threatening to spill past my lips.
“It’s not funny.” Maisie's cheeks flamed. “Maybe I wasn’t the best driver in the world, but I try… and… I felt bad about you driving us everywhere, so I offered…stop laughing.”
“I would never laugh at you,” I said with a grin. “I will also never get in a car with you behind the wheel again.”
“I take back what I said.” she climbed onto the back of the bike and wrapped her arms around his waist with a disgruntled frown. “You’re not sexy at all.”
“It’s okay.” My shoulders shook with laughter as we pulled away from our hotel. “I’m sure I can change your mind.”
“I doubt it,” she muttered, but the wind swallowed my words as we sped down the island’s tree-lined roads.
It took us twenty minutes to reach our destination. It was a secluded beach on the shore, and even though it was almost sunset, it was empty save for the gorgeous picnic set up on the sand.
Pillows, cushions, and blankets surrounded a low table draped in a silky white cloth. Tiny candles flickered next to a bottle of wine and a sumptuous dinner spread.
Maisie sucked in a sharp breath. “How did you…”
“I had the hotel set something up.” My lips curved into a smile. “Don’t worry. They’ll break everything down after we finish eating. Not a speck of litter will be left behind.”
“It’s beautiful.”
I watched her swallow. I guess it was finally sinking in that this was our last night on the island. So much had happened since we’d arrived.
She looked at me and it was almost as if I could read her thoughts.
We were mates but we weren't married yet.
We’d never had that conversation, and sex didn’t necessarily mean anything in today’s day and age. Most wolves had sex with the same person for months and still didn’t consider the relationship exclusive.
Maisie and I settled at the table.
Dinner was objectively delicious, but I barely tasted it because I was too busy thinking about what Maisie really thought about tonight and I could tell she couldn't hold it in any longer.
Her gaze met mine and she smiled. “Thank you for the past few days, Roman. They were just what I needed.”
“You’re welcome, darling.” I added, hoping to lighten the suddenly tense atmosphere.
“It's ironic how far we've come for mere partners. I mean… after the plan, we can…”
I blanked the rest of her words, ice dousing the hat in my veins. “Mere what?”
Maisie shivered softly and I wished I'd made the dinner arrangements indoors. “Wasn't that our agreement?” A few kisses and sex don’t change anything.”
I didn't answer her question. I simply rose to my feet, peeled off my jacket and draped it over her shoulder. Then, when she tried to ramble on again, I covered her mouth with mine and kissed her.
“Tell me…” I curled a hand around the nape of my neck. “Does this feel like a mere partnership to you?”
“No,” she whispered.
“I want to make a few things clear.” My lips brushed hers with each word. “Touch another man, he dies. Let another man touch you, he dies. Tell me I can’t touch you…” His grip tightened on the back of my neck as his voice dropped. “And I will fucking die.”
Maisie whimpered. “Roman…”
“This isn’t about words, darling. It’s about us. Do you think I would disrupt my schedule and fly to Clover Island in the middle of a work week for anyone else?”
“It’s a nice destination,” she said weakly.
“I thought it was obvious, but in case it isn’t, you’re mine, Maisie.” My touch branded her skin with hot possessiveness. “I don’t want to see other women, and I sure as fuck don’t want you seeing other men.” Ice frosted the word men. “You belong with me. Exclusively. There is not a world or lifetime where that’s not true.”
Emotion stung the backs of her eyes, but she managed to smile.
“Roman Delacroix, are you asking me out?”
“Not just that.”
It seemed almost comical that someone like me would do something as mundane as ask someone out, but that didn’t stop my stomach from fluttering or my mind from playing through the past year.
“So…” My mouth grazed hers and then I went down on one knee, whipping out a green velvet box.
I held out a 24-karat ruby diamond and began in a shaky voice. “There was nothing fake about the way I’d taken care of you, Maisie. There was nothing fake about the way I supported you, and believed in you. Nor was there anything fake about the way I felt when I was with you. I could be me and you'd want me anyway, flaws and all. You accept me for who I am and you've made me a better man. I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you so what do you say, darling? Want to grant this poor man's wish?”
Maisie's eyes glistened and she buried her face in her hands.
My heartbeat accelerated. Damn it. Did I say something wrong?
“Darling, are you alright?” I was up on my feet in seconds and holding her.
She let me remove her hands from her face.
I thumbed away her tears and cupped her cheeks. “You alright?”
“I am now.”
My lips curled into a grin before I kissed her again. Softer this time, more tender.
Maisie melted into me and let my taste, touch, and the last few hours of our dream sweep her away to a place where our worries didn’t exist.
I was used to being alone. Even when I was surrounded by people, a part of me isolated itself until I felt like I was watching a movie of my life instead of living it.
I had never belonged to someone, nor had someone ever belonged to me. The idea was equal parts thrilling and terrifying.
But what was even more terrifying was the realization that I didn’t mind belonging with Maisie.
Not even a little bit.