Roman knew it was getting late and they should call it a day, but he sat at his desk after Blair had just delivered him a coffee and the typed up meeting notes had been sent to his computer already. It was the one thing that had stopped him from making a move on her sooner. Well, two really. He hadn’t wanted to lose her as a secretary. She had been the best one he had ever had. Also, there had been the problem of her fiance. Roman leaned down and pulled out the file he had hidden in his bottom drawer. The investigation he had run into Dan’s department had given him more information that he had planned. It had all started last month when a discrepancy had appeared in the accounts of the sales department. When he had started the investigation, it hadn’t been to catch out Dan but to find out if they had a thief who was embezzling money. That little mystery was still a work in progress. They had set up a trap, so the next time money was taken, they would discover the thief. While conduc
Blair bit her lip. She was feeling anxious about going home with Roman and concerned about the logistics of getting to his place without anyone from the company finding out. It was late, so there wouldn’t be many people around, but the possibility of being seen was still a major risk. She had researched public transport options online and discovered that there was no direct bus service in that direction. Keeping her relationship with Roman a secret was important to her, and she definitely didn’t want anyone knowing that she was staying at his place. In hindsight, she realized she should have discussed the plan with him before now.The office phone buzzed on her desk. Lifting it, Blair put it to her ear. “Blair, I was about to leave for the day, but Jessica Kingston is here to see Roman.” Kara let her know straight away.That shocked her. In the two years she had worked here, she had only met Jessica once. “Hold one second, Kara.” Blair said before putting her on hold and ringing thr
Roman look first at Blair to see that she had a frosty look in her eyes. Just what had been going on here. Maybe he shouldn’t have left Jessica in her company for so long. But he wanted to talk to his lawyer first before speaking to Jessica. Better to have all the facts in front of him beforehand. But Ashley, his lawyer, had been as surprised as him by the visit. But she had warned him to not promise anything until speaking to her first. “Jessica? Please.” Roman used a hand gesture to invite her into his office. Not missing the smirk, Jessica gave Blair as she moved away from her desk. She brushed against his body as she walked by him to enter his office. It took everything in him not to move away. He would not show her any emotion, but she left him cold, when once she had been able to set his body aflame. Roman mouthed to Blair. “Wait for me.” Realizing too late they hadn’t spoken about traveling home together and now wasn’t the right time. She gave him a small nod. Satisfied, Roma
Blair watched Roman’s door, wondering what was going on inside between them. She heard Roman’s laugh and then nothing for a long time. Suddenly, the door was swung open to reveal a clearly upset Jessica. She didn’t say anything, just stomped across the room towards the exit.“Goodnight Mrs. Kingston.” Blair thought it polite to say to the woman.She was shocked by Roman’s next words. “The only Mrs. Kingston is my mother. If Jessica insists on keeping my name, it’s Ms. Kingston if she really is to up herself to be called by her first name.”This only seemed to ignite Jessica’s temper, and she gave a small squeal and left the offices. Roman was on his mobile within seconds. “Peters, make sure one of your team sees Jessica leaves the building with zero fuss, please.” Roman put his phone back in his pocket. “Well now, that’s dealt with. Shall we go home?” Blair had so many questions but kept them to herself. She didn’t have the right to question him about his ex wife. Not now, maybe not
Her phone started ringing as soon as she left the building. Pulling it out of her bag, she saw Roman’s name on the screen. She answered straight away.“Hey. I’m ok.” She continued to walk towards the bus stop she had arranged for Roman to pick her up from.“Stay where you are. I’m coming to get you,” Roman said in a demanding tone.“No, you are not. You will meet me at the bus stop like we arranged.” She would not back down.“Blair…” She could hear he was upset by her stubbornness. “He followed you out of the building.”“Knowing you, Roman, you have Peters following him right now to make sure he isn’t following me. So I’m safe. If it makes you feel better, you can stay on the line with me while I walk.”When he didn’t deny her charge about Peters following Dan, she knew she was right. “Fine, but I don’t like it,” came his frustrated voice over the phone.Blair changed the subject of the conversation as she continued to walk, her heels clicking on the sidewalk. “I have to go home on S
Roman arrived at the three-car garage and pressed the remote button to open the door. He slid his car into an available spot. Besides the vehicles he kept at the office garage in his private section, Roman stored two other cars here. She didn’t understand why some men felt the need to own so many cars. When she had done very well without one. Depending on how long she stayed here, that would have to change. She had a license but hadn’t needed to use it while living in the city. Roman’s estate was on the outskirts of the city. She had been here before when Roman had hosted a party here for his business partners. Dan had attended with her that weekend. It had been a horrible weekend for her. Dan had been upset about the time she had to spend in Roman’s company. She had been expected to stand beside Roman when people had arrived. She didn’t understand it now any more than she had then. Roman turned off the car. Unclipping his seatbelt, then hers. “Lets go inside. I had the housekeeper
Roman took Blair’s hand before leading her to the master bedroom.“Maybe I should unpack before going to bed.” She had never been to this side of the house before. The times she had been here, there had been no need to enter the master bedroom.Roman shook his head answering “Jenny had one of the day staff do that for you already. Everything has been pressed and hung up before we got home.” Pulling her into the room and up against the wall where he pinned her in place with his body. His grip was firm. The movement made her heart race.Her eyes darting around the dimly lit room. It was large like the rest of the house, and the only light was burning on the bedside table. The bed was a super king, which was understandable when Roman was over six feet tall. Blair was glad to see he didn’t have satin sheets on the bed. She didn’t know how she felt about satin sheets.Roman released her wrist, lifting his hands to undo her hair, letting the mass fall over her shoulders. “I love your hair.
Saturday afternoon Blair was sitting in the lounge room reading when the doorbell rang. She looked around for Roman. He had taken a call and walked away so he could leave her in peace while she was involved in her book. She spied him through the glass doors leading outside. He was still on the phone. Shrugging, she could answer the door. Putting her book aside, Blair got up and cross to the door. Looking through the side glass panel, to see a gorgeous man standing there. He was tall, taller than Roman, with thick midnight black hair and dark eyes. This must be Roman’s friend from university. Blair turned the lock and opened the door. “Hi.”The man gave her a once over. She didn’t feel he was checking her out in a sexual way. If she had felt that way, she would have put him in his place. Blair wasn’t sure if Roman had said anything about her to him. “I see Roman still has impeccable taste. I don’t mean to be rude, but Roman told me he couldn’t be late tonight because he had plans. No
The SUV cruised smoothly down the highway, the late morning sun casting warm streaks of light across the seats.Roman kept one hand on the wheel, the other curled around Blair’s fingers resting on the center console. Keira and Sutton sat in the back, the latter scrolling through her phone while Keira hummed along to whatever pop track was playing softly through the speakers.She was so glad that her sisters liked Roman. It made everything so much easier. She wasn’t looking forward to today, but with Roman and her sisters by her side, she would get through it. But when this was over, she wouldn’t be helping her aunt and uncle out anymore. They could only take gratitude so far, and she was all out. After the way they had treated Sutton when she had come home pregnant, but their total acceptance of Laura’s pregnancy and the fact that they had said Laura couldn’t help falling in love with Blair’s fiancé... The lies people told themselves to make it okay. Her cousin was a slut.Blair glan
Blair stood in front of the vanity mirror, the soft hum of activity echoing faintly from downstairs as preparations for their departure continued. She adjusted her earring, watching her reflection with a mix of dread and determination. The engagement party was being held today. Dan and Laura’s. And somehow, she had to get through it with her head held high.Behind her, Roman moved about the room, buttoning the crisp white shirt that clung to his chest and arms in all the ways that made her thoughts stray from anything remotely appropriate for public.Blair bit her lip as her eyes lingered on him. He was effortlessly gorgeous, confident, powerful, every inch of him a distraction she didn’t need right now. But God, did she want him? Since the accident, since the moment Ethan had pulled her out of the way of that falling concrete, they hadn’t touched each other sexually. The mild concussion had taken precedence, and Roman hadn’t pushed. He had been gentle. Thoughtful. Patient.But this m
Roman sat behind his desk at the office, the light coming in from the floor-to-ceiling windows behind him cast him in shadow to anyone entering the office. His phone was on silent, though his gaze kept flicking toward it every few minutes. He’d told himself that leaving Blair with his family was the smart move. Eleanor and Rose were both fiercely capable, but it didn’t make being away from her any easier. He was constantly worrying about her.He should be focused. Peters had sent over a folder of updates that morning, and Roman had already skimmed the contents twice. No obvious threats. No strange activity flagged with her family. No signs of who might be targeting Blair. And yet, the pit in his stomach hadn’t gone away. So who the hell was doing this?He scrubbed a hand over his face, frustrated. Whoever was behind this was careful. Too careful.A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. Kara poked her head in. “Roman? The catering team confirmed they have arrived at the estat
Blair barely had time to prepare herself before Roman’s mother, Eleanor, enveloped her in a warm embrace the moment she got within reaching distance. The embrace was warm and welcoming, and it surprised the hell out of Blair.“Blair, darling,” Eleanor said as she pulled back, keeping Blair’s hands in hers as she scanned her over with a keen eye. “It’s so good to finally meet you face to face, though I wish it were under better circumstances.” Curving an arm behind Blair’s back.Before Blair could respond, James Kingston stepped forward, his presence just as commanding as his son’s, though far less intimidating. “You gave us all quite the scare,” he said, his sharp gaze flickering to Roman. “I assume you’re handling this situation.”Roman gave a curt nod. “It’s being handled.”James sighed, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “I trust you are taking every precaution? This wasn’t just a random accident, not after it happening twice within twenty-four hours.”“I know that,” Roman said tightly.
Blair exhaled in relief as she stepped outside the hospital doors, the cool breeze brushing against her skin. Roman was beside her, his hand resting possessively on the small of her back, guiding her toward the waiting car. She was exhausted, her body still sore, but at least she was going home. It amazed her really that she was so tired. She had slept, but she was still tired. But during the time it had taken the nurses to come around with the paperwork for her to sign, all she had done was think. About why someone would want to kill her? And who had so much hatred toward her that they would go to such extremes?Ethan opened the back door of the sleek black SUV, nodding to Roman before stepping back into position. Roman helped her inside, making sure she was settled before joining her. As soon as the door shut, sealing them inside the quiet comfort of the car, she leaned her head back against the seat with a sigh.“God, I hate the smell of hospitals,” she murmured.Roman smirked, re
Seeing Sutton standing here waiting for him hadn’t surprised him. If it had been his sister Rose, he would be demanding answers as well. He had expected this conversation. He exhaled slowly, bracing himself.“What is it?” he asked, keeping his voice even.Sutton studied him for a moment before speaking. “I need to know something, and I need you to be honest with me, Roman. Is there any reason, any at all, that Blair would be in danger because of you?”Roman’s jaw tightened. “No. Well... I’m not one hundred percent sure, but it wouldn’t be business. Everything I do within business is legitimate. I have my men on it. They will not leave one stone unturned, and neither will I, Sutton. You have my word.”Sutton didn’t back down. “Are you sure you didn’t make an enemy in business? Someone with a grudge? Someone that lost out in a deal? Something from your past? Because I swear to God, if you have knowingly put her in danger—”Roman cut her off, his voice firm but calm. “I would never put B
Roman stood by Blair’s bedside, watching as she spoke quietly with her sisters. She was still pale, exhaustion clear in the soft lines of her face, but there was a fire in her eyes that reassured him. She was strong, but even the strongest needed protection. And he would make damn sure she had it.He needed to make some calls, so with one last glance at her, he squeezed her hand and murmured, “I’ll be back soon. I just need to make a few calls. Try to get some rest.”Blair gave him a small smile. “You don’t have to hover, you know. My sisters are here to do enough of that for you.”Keira smirked from her chair. “Oh, don’t worry. We’ll keep her entertained. You go do your brooding billionaire thing.”Roman rolled his eyes but smirked. He actually liked Blair’s sisters, even Keira, who had a sharp tongue and a wicked sense of humor. She was the kind of woman who would be a handful for any man. Sutton, on the other hand, had a quiet intensity that reminded him of himself. She took respon
Blair stirred as she slowly became aware of the steady beeping of a heart monitor and the faint murmur of voices around her. The antiseptic scent of the hospital filled her nose, and the stiffness in her body reminded her that she was definitely not in her own bed. Her head ached, a dull, persistent throb, and her ankle was elevated, wrapped tightly.Before she could fully open her eyes, she felt the warm, firm grip of a familiar hand holding hers.“Blair,” Roman’s voice was quiet but filled with intensity. “Are you awake?”She forced her eyes open, blinking against the brightness of the room. Roman was seated beside her, his expression unreadable but the tension in his posture evident. His other hand rested on her thigh over the hospital blanket, his grip grounding her. He looked… well, rumpled. Not his normal self.“Hey,” she murmured, her voice raspy. “You look like hell.”Roman let out a breath, something between a laugh and a scoff. “You’re the one in the hospital bed, sweetheart
Ethan barely had time to move Blair into a sitting position before the sound of screeching tires tore through the air. She almost flinched after what had happened yesterday. But it was Roman’s car that came to a halt so fast it nearly skidded, the driver-side door flinging open before the vehicle had fully stopped. Roman was out in an instant, his eyes locking on Blair where she sat on the pavement with Ethan crouched beside her. She could see that Peters was with him.His face was thunderous as he strode toward them, looking around at the broken concrete shattered around the ground. “What the fuck happened?”Ethan straightened. “That,” he pointed to the pieces of concrete, “fell from the building. Miss Warner was almost hit. I pushed them both out of the way. Unfortunately, they both hit the sidewalk and the side of the building pretty hard.”But at least she hadn’t got her head crashed in by a fulling building. There was no way of surviving that.Roman’s jaw clenched, his gaze flick