Chapter 98 98
Maisie's pov
The gates opened as soon as Roman drove into the gas compound. When he killed the engine, he walked around to my side and held the door open. He held out his arm and I hooked mine around it. Xavier would do this in a million years. I was starting to wonder if he even married me for love before Kylie came into our lives. Everything in the past was just sad and bleak. Looking back, I'm glad I signed those divorce papers.
“Shall we?” Roman said.
I raised my brow slightly. “You sound like a tour guide.”
“No. Billionaire Alpha sounds more appealing.” He smirked.
I cringed at his reply but I also laughed. Roman was effortlessly funny.
The front doors opened before we even stepped inside.
Of course they did.
“Hey, guys. How was the date?” Emma leaned against the doorway like she'd been waiting her entire life for this exact moment.
“Well,” she said, straightening up, her eyes flickering between us. “Judging by your faces, I'm guessing someone's night was successfully ruined.”
I stepped out of the car, smoothing the fine lines on my dress like I hadn't just laughed myself into near suffocation ten minutes ago. “Ruined is an understatement.”
Roman joined me, composed now, like the laughter had never happened.
Clyde stood behind Emma, quieter but observant as always. He didn't say anything at first, just studied us as we approached. Then he said :
“Did it work?”
I looked at Roman and he looked at me. Without even trying, we both smiled.
Emma clapped her hands once, delighted. “I knew it. I absolutely knew it.”
We moved inside together and went over the plan again.
We went over every single detail and by the time we finished, Emma looked like she had just watched the most entertaining show of her life.
“That,” she said, shaking her head slowly, “was art.”
Clyde couldn't help but smirk. “That's amazing.”
I leaned back into the couch, my fingers loosely intertwined. “They weren't expecting it.”
“That's why it worked,” Roman said.
Emma leaned forward, eyes gleaming. “So what's next?”
There was a pause, not long, but enough for the weight of that question to settle.
Then Roman said, “We make it official.”
I turned to him and he didn't even hesitate to say the full words. “We let the whole world know we're together. And we'll do it right here in the BlackRock Pack. What better way to hurt Xavier than show him the woman he let get away is doing far better than him?”
Emma whistled proudly. “Damn. That's cruel. I love it.”
Clyde nodded thoughtfully. “It will definitely force a reaction from Xavier. He'll become desperate soon enough.”
“He already is,” Roman said. “By the time he makes a move, we'll be ready for him.”
Roman's gaze met him and I smiled. “Let's do this.”
A few minutes later, Emma immediately started talking about announcements, events and media leaks of I and Roman's relationship. We met with the photographers who took pictures of us at the Garden and posted all of them. Our walks together, the coffee shop, the trips we'd taken around the pack were all documented and posted on the biggest media outlet on the entire planet. In less than 20 minutes, our phones started blowing up with messages both curious and congratulatory. I expected to hear from Xavier soon enough.
When we were done talking, we had dinner in the large dining area and decided to call it a night after that.
After a hot shower, I slipped into my favourite pajamas — Roman's shirt and shorts.
When I neared the bed, he pulled me in, allowing me to lean on him like my personal pillow. Roman fussed over the fuzzy white blanket, ensuring it covers my legs, and situated his own pillow behind him. Then he wraps his arms around me and closes his eyes. There’s a part of me that wants to sit and talk to him instead. To hear his voice and the low vibration of his chest when he speaks. To let the overflow of serotonin wash over me anytime he focuses on me. But sleep is more important.
With a light brush of his lips against my ear, he whispers, “Goodnight, darling.”
“Goodnight, Roman.”
I don't know how many hours passed but I knew it was morning by the time I awoke.
Before I could open my eyes, I felt a hand swipe a loose strand from over my eye. My hand slid up the owner of the hand's chest, and he held it. Instinctively, he kissed the inside of my wrist and felt the flutter of my pulse against his lips. He knew I loved it when he did that. The simple, affectionate touch makes my whole face light up, and although I tried to hide it, I bet he could see my shy smile.
“Did I wake you?” Roman's voice was raspy from sleep.
“No, but I can go back to sleep if you want to continue watching me like a creep.”
He chuckled. “Only you can be disoriented from sleep and still have a quip ready.”
“Yup.” I snuggled into him.
“Emma and Clyde are situated in the other wing of the estate. They should be awake by now.”
“What made you like this?” I asked with a smile. “So caring and sweet. Was it your mom?”
The question made Roman smile. “Yeah, she was a big reason. While growing up, I'd watched her take care of people and now, I'm an adult, it made me become this overprotective father figure. Cole and the other guys like to rag on me about it.”
I smiled, “You might not look it but you'll make an amazing father.”
He stared at me for a second and it made me realize what I just said.
I tried to shuffle away from the blanket but he caught my wrist just in time.
“Where do you think you're going?” He asked with a grin.
“Um…. Bathroom?” I said shyly.
“Let's go together, darling.” He scooped me into his arms and got out of bed.
“Roman, wait. I take back what I said.” I said between laughs.
“No can do. How many kids do you want? Let's make that happen.” He led me into the en suite and about 10 minutes later, I was screaming his name in pleasure.