Chapter 33

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Blair sat in the passenger seat of Roman’s car, arms resting on her thighs, her gaze fixed out the window, though her mind was miles away. The night before was still fresh in her mind, lingering in her bones.

Every breath felt like a reminder. A reminder of him, of the heat between them. Every little movement of her body felt like a trace of his touch on her skin. She could still feel him, his lips, the weight of his body, the way he’d claimed her. The way his hands had been everywhere, firm and sure. She was still ever so slightly sore. But in a good way. He had taken her as soon as they walked through the door yesterday and then again in the early morning hours.

It had been unreal. Not just the way they’d fit together physically, though, that had been perfect, but the way they seemed to understand each other without saying a word. It felt like something deeper than she’d ever had with Dan. How had she missed that before?

Her fingers curled into her palms, the heat from their time together still sparking in her chest. It wasn’t just about the physical, though. That was only part of it. There was something more here. Something she wasn’t sure Roman would feel, too. He’d never been the type for anything long term, and she wasn’t sure if that would ever change. But damn, she wanted him.

Wanted more than just a fling? Had her feelings for Roman been there before?

Roman’s voice broke into her thoughts, low and steady. “You’re quiet this morning.”

Blair forced her eyes away from the passing scenery to look at him, even though her heart was still pounding. Trying to piece her feelings together. To understand them. “I’m fine… Just thinking.”

Was that a lie? Maybe to him, but definitely to herself.

Roman glanced at her, his brow furrowing slightly, but then he turned his eyes back to the road. “About?”

She paused, trying to gather her thoughts. “You know… everything.”

A long silence followed, thick and stretching between them. She could feel the tension, the way it coiled tighter with every. second. She wanted him. She was sure of that now. But she wanted more than just a short–term thing.

Roman’s calm exterior was a sharp contrast to what was going on inside her head. His hands were steady on the wheel, his jaw clenched, but there was nothing to read on his face. It was like he’d learned to guard his emotions. He hadn’t given her anything, at least not anything she could hold on to. Not yet.

Blair took a deep breath and turned her gaze to the window again. Just another Monday. Don’t think too much. Focus on getting through the day, because it’s too soon for anything serious. It had only been a few days, and she was thinking too much.

When they neared the office building, she felt the familiar pull in her gut.

She wasn’t ready for the office gossip. Not yet.

“Drop me off a block away,” she said, voice tight, eyes still ahead. She was already reaching for her bag, avoiding his gaze.

She could still see Roman’s brow furrowed. “What?”

“I don’t need the whole office knowing… our business,” she said, avoiding his eyes still. She didn’t want anyone seeing her with him, not yet. It was too much, too soon.

There was a beat of silence, and then a low sigh slipped from his lips. His fingers tightened on the wheel, but he didn’t argue. “Fine.” As he pulled the car over to the curb.

Blair didn’t look back as she got out of the car and walked away, the morning air biting into her skin. She didn’t need to explain herself to him.

16:12 Wed, 18 Jun

Not now. Her mind was already on the next task at hand: making it through the day without anyone finding out. She couldn’t deal with that complication. What if Roman broke it off in a few weeks? She didn’t want everyone knowing she was another castoff.

She passed Maggie at reception, offering a quick wave before stepping into the elevator. She could’ve sworn she saw the flash of Dan’s head from the corner of her eye, but by the time the doors closed, he was nowhere in sight. Thank God for that.

The elevator ride up would have been interesting. How would he have handled himself in front of others, but at least she didn’t have to see him? The last thing she needed was a confrontation with Dan. A thought suddenly crossed her mind. Shit, Dan. He could tell everyone about her and Roman. A cold sweat broke out on her skin, but then she remembered Dan’s ego. He wouldn’t tell anyone. It would mean admitting that Blair had chosen another man over him. A small smile spread across her face. God, how true that was. She wanted to be with Roman. She smiled as the lift stopped at her floor, stepping off with the weight of her thoughts settling in.

Kara looked up from her work almost immediately, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. “Well, well, well,” she said, studying Blair carefully. “Somebody had a good weekend.”

Blair froze for a second, her heart skipping. Shit. She tried to mask her reaction, but the flush creeping up her neck was a dead giveaway.

“What do you mean?” she asked, her voice a little too high, a little too innocent.

Kara’s grin widened. “Come on, you can’t hide it. That glow, the way you’re walking today… it’s clear. You got some action, didn’t you? Please don’t tell me it was Dan.”

Blair’s stomach churned at the mere mention of his name. She shook her head, the disgust clear on her face. “No. God, no. Dan’s a no.”

Kara raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. But before she could pry further, the door to Roman’s office opened, and the man himself walked over to them, holding a stack of mail. “Kara, can you please make sure these get sent today?”

Blair’s stomach twisted at the sight of him. Her eyes met his, and for a split second, the room seemed to shift. There was something in the air between them now, a kind of unspoken tension. A secret. She could feel Kara watching. Blair watched as Kara’s mouth formed a circle. Before she breathed out an “O.” in acknowledgement of what she had picked up.

Oh my god, Roman didn’t say good morning to her, like this was the first time he had seen her today. Blair felt like smacking herself in the forehead or smacking him. He didn’t say a word. His eyes flicked to Blair, just briefly, before he handed the mail to Kara. Roman left them and went back to his office. The door clicked shut behind him.

Kara leaned back in her chair, watching Blair closely, the sly smile never leaving her face. “So… you and him?” she asked, her voice dropping to a teasing whisper. “What’s going on? There’s definitely something between you two. Did Roman have anything to do with that bounce in your step?”

Blair’s heart skipped, her breath catching in her throat. She hadn’t planned on talking about it, but Kara wasn’t going to let it slide. She had seen something. The way the air shifted when Roman entered. The tension. Kara was sharp, way too sharp.

Blair hesitated for a moment, then let out a soft breath. “It’s… complicated.”

Kara raised an eyebrow but smiled, clearly understanding more than Blair wanted her to. “I get it. I’m happy for you though, Blair. He’s a good guy.”

Blair didn’t say anything at first. Her throat tightened, and for a second, she thought she might choke on the words she couldn’t say. “Thanks, Kara. But it’s still… not that simple.”

Kara replied. “Whatever it is, you deserve to be happy. I can keep a secret. It’s nobody’s business but yours.”

Blair exhaled, the tension lifting just a little. She was grateful for Kara’s understanding, for her willingness to keep things quiet.

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