Chapter Forty-Seven
Blair stirred, her body heavy with sleep, warmth cocooning her from all sides. She stretched slightly, only to pause when she felt eyes on her. Slowly, she blinked her way awake, turning her head to find Roman watching her from his place beside her.
“You’re staring,” she murmured, her voice husky from sleep.
Roman’s lips curved slightly. “You’re beautiful when you sleep.”
Blair felt a flush creep up her neck as she buried her face into the pillow. “That’s unfair. I probably look a mess.” Thinking her long hair would be all over the place.
“You look like mine,” he said simply, reaching out to brush his fingers over her cheek.
She exhaled softly, leaning into his touch. “I am yours. Sir…”
His eyes darkened at her words, and for a moment, she thought he might roll over and claim her all over again. He leaned in, brushing his lips against hers in a slow, lazy kiss that sent warmth spiraling through her.
Then he groaned, pressing his forehead against hers. “Fuck. I have a meeting at nine. We need to get moving, or do you want to stay home today?”
“I’m fine working today. I’m only sore. Nothing is broken.” Blair reminded him.
Blair laughed softly when he leaned down to kiss her again, slipping out of bed before he could trap her beneath him. “If you need to get to work, stop kissing me.”
Roman smirked. “That’s impossible.”
As she stood, a small wince crossed her face. The moment she stretched, the stiffness in her body from yesterday’s events made itself known. Every muscle ached, a deep soreness settling into her limbs. She rolled her shoulders, stretching carefully, but Roman caught the subtle tension in her movements.
His gaze sharpened as he sat up. “You’re sore.”
Blair turned toward him, lifting a brow. “I was always going to be sore after yesterday, Roman. Whether it was from the accident or what happened between us last night, my body was in for it.”
A muscle in his jaw ticked. “I should’ve been more careful.”
She crossed back to the bed, placing her hands on his chest. “Don’t do that. I wanted last night just as much as you did.”
His hands slid to her waist, his thumb rubbing circles against her skin. “Still, I’m taking you into the shower with me. The heat will help. I can give you a back rub.”
Blair liked the sound of the back rub but arched a brow at him, anyway. “So this is for my benefit, not yours?”
His smirk returned. “It can be both.”
With that, he pulled her toward the bathroom. The moment they stepped under the hot spray, Blair sighed in relief, the warmth working over her sore muscles. Roman stood behind her, his hands massaging her shoulders before trailing down her back.
“Better?” he murmured against her ear.
She hummed in response, leaning back against him. “Much.”
His hands roamed lower, his touch deliberate yet teasing. “And how are you feeling? About yesterday?”
Blair inhaled deeply, tilting her head against his shoulder. “It’s a lot to take in. But I don’t feel unsafe, if that’s what you’re asking. I know you have Ethan watching me. It just doesn’t make sense who would want to hurt me.”
Roman’s grip tightened slightly. “We will find out, Blair. I need to know that you feel protected. That you know I won’t let anything happen to you.”
She turned in his arms, looking up at him. “I do, Roman. I trust you.”
His eyes darkened as his fingers trailed lower, his touch lingering over her hips. “Good.” He pressed a lingering kiss to her collarbone, his lips brushing over wet skin. “Because I’m never letting you go. You agreed to marry me and carry my babies. We might have to get married soon. I have been taking you without protection.”
“I had noticed.” Blair shivered, though it had nothing to do with the temperature of the water. Roman’s hands moved over her slowly, deliberately, worshipping her without rushing. They didn’t take things further, but the heat simmering between them promised that they would have no trouble making up for it later.
After a while, he pulled away reluctantly. “Come on. If we stay in here much longer, I’ll be late.”
Blair smirked. “Like that’s ever stopped you before. You are the boss.”
Roman chuckled, handing her a towel before wrapping one around his waist. “Fair point. But this time, I have to behave. For now.”
Blair stepped out of the shower, watching him with amused affection. “We’ll see how long that lasts.”
Roman’s smirk was sinful. “Not long at all.”
In the car, Blair sat quietly for a few minutes before turning to Roman. “I should call my sisters today. Let them know what happened yesterday before they hear it from someone else. If they find out I didn’t tell them first, they’ll kill me themselves.”
Roman kept his eyes on the road but nodded. “That’s smart. You don’t want them worried or caught off guard. Call them when you get a chance this morning.”
Blair sighed. “Keira is going to freak out. Sutton will be furious. I didn’t tell her immediately.”
Roman’s fingers flexed on the wheel. “They should know what’s going on, but make sure you tell them that I have someone watching you. No one is touching you, Blair.”
She reached over, placing a hand on his thigh. “I know.”
A few blocks from the office, Blair glanced out the window before turning to Roman. “Let me out a block from the office.”
Roman’s jaw ticked, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. “Not a fucking chance.”
Blair sighed. “Roman, please. We talked about this.”
His voice was firm, unyielding. “No. It’s not up for debate. After what happened yesterday, there is no way in hell I’m letting you walk alone, even for a block.”
She exhaled heavily, knowing she wasn’t going to win this argument. He was being his normal shithead self. A concerned one, but a shithead still. “Fine.”
Roman smirked. “See? That wasn’t so hard.”
Blair shot him a glare but didn’t push it. Moments later, he pulled into the underground parking garage of their building, cutting the engine. He turned to her, his eyes scanning her face. “This is where you belong. With me. Safe.”
She rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at her lips. “You’re impossible.”
Roman leaned in, pressing a kiss to the corner of her mouth. “You like me bossy.”
Blair sighed dramatically. “Unfortunately, I do.” Heat flooded her body. Oh, she did.