BLAIR POVPerhaps it should have been no surprise, but Ronnell started the day far less than his grumpy usual self. After we dressed, we had the video call with Nathan and then we grabbed a quick breakfast and he actually spoke to me instead of silently glowering at everyone in his vicinity. We didn't flirt. By tacit agreement, that didn't happen when we were working. Well, except for the time he got me off his office. But we had been alone with no witness so that didn't really count. Zelda, Raphael and Lucas were waiting for us at the headquarters, like yesterday. The men acknowledged me this time, but Zelda's gaze barely fitted over me. She was all about Ronnell, immediately latching on to this side. I didn't have to stick around to see if he was going to ignore me in favor of her. Daniella from the HR whisked me away for my first interview with a security agent. Today was already going much better. Daniella was sweet and enthusiastic. A manager on the headquater floor, she told
RONNELL POVBlair smoothed her hands over her sunny yellow top and flickered her eyes to mine. Even unsure, she was stunning, taking my breath right out of my lungs in her ripped jean that hugged her ass and a flowy top that showed a lot of tattoos and a peek of cleavage.She had left her hair down at her own request, and it was all I could do not to shove my fingers in it and gather it in my fists.It had been a few days since we returned from Dubai, and everything seemed to have gone back to normal. While I was drinking every beautiful inch of her, she was worrying her lip and working herself into an anxious ditcher. “Are you sure I should come with you? Won't it be awkward or even weird?” I took her hand and tugged her against me, giving her ass a hard squeeze. “I'm not going if you are not with me. And if I don't show, my sister will beat my door down since I have missed the last few brunches.”“Because of me?” Because I had chosen to spend my precious free time with her and Na
Ronnell POVI stared at everyone's curious stare, they seemed to be eager to know what relationship I had with Blair. To be sincere, I had been jealous ever since I saw her with that guy in the bar, never thought that the jealousy would led me into acting harsh and stupid.I cleared my throat before responding. “While I can't deny the fact that I had asked Blair to the weekend brunch, she is not here as my employee.” I reached for her hands and wove our fingers together. “I would go with option two.”William slapped me on the shoulder. “You're kidding, right?” Sarah shook her head. “I know Ron, he isn't kidding.” Mathews' cheeks puffed up, and he blew out a heavy breath. “I'm sure this didn't just happen in time since we saw you on Thursday.” "No," I replied, turning to face Blair who was already watching me expectantly with slight shock. She nodded, silently urging me to continue. "Ever since I met Blair, I've been drawn to her. I tried to suppress my feelings to maintain a profes
Ronnell POVI stared at Blair who looked worried and distressed, I gently wrapped my arm around her shoulder, I dipped my head down to whisper some reassurance in her ear. “You don't need to panic, you did nothing wrong, Princess.”Then I turned to address the rest of the table. “Blair and Nathan are staying with me and have been for a couple of months.”Blair's eyes peeked around before her voice boomed through the room. “Ronnell caught me at my worst. It was so embarrassing and a really long story. Unfortunately, Nathaniel's dad left me in a major lurch. My house was in a big mess, and I…well, let's just say it was a bad situation. Ronnell refused to let us stay there, so we're living at his place, temporarily.”Silence followed for several moments. Sarah was the first to break the silence. “Well, of course he did. Ronnell would take his shirt off his back for people who are clearly important to him.” Sarah patted Mathew's arm, no doubt sending a silent message to keep his mouth sh
Ronnell POVHad I not left Nathan's pants in the bag on the table, I wouldn't have returned to retrieve them after using the restroom. Consequently, I wouldn't have discovered the convenient side exit door, instead of having to navigate through the crowded dining area to the front door.If I hadn't left through the patio, I never would have heard William call me a Mother Crises. If I had been able to move my feet and open my mouth, I could have freely announced my presence and wouldn't have heard Ronnell's friends question why in the world he would be with me if not to save me from the same fate his mother must have also suffered. If only…I had heard everything, and even though I had tried to play it cool by rushing back inside and exiting out of the front door instead, I couldn't pretend well enough for Ronnell not to have figured it out that something was off. The moment we got back home and I had put Nathan in bed for the evening, Ronnell took me by the shoulders and led me into
BLAIR POVI wandered through the home improvement store, aimlessly, my mind a blank slate for home renovation ideas. Nathan, strapped securely to my chest, seemed more interested in the colorful displays than I did. As I browsed my way through the store, a spark of inspiration ignited, a vision of my revitalized home taking shape in my mind.“Maybe paint should be the first plan. What do you think, Nathy?” He kicked his feet, which I took instantly as an agreement, so I stopped in front of the swatches. “Now, what color should we pick? We can't paint the whole house blue like your room, even though I love it. Do you even know that I picked it for you before we even met, and it suits you? The thing is, not everyone loves it as much as we do, so we have to go neutral if we eventually sell the house. Mama wants a pretty neutral environment though, not boring white.”A throat cleared next to me, followed by a low chuckle. I had been so entranced by all the colors that I hadn't noticed Nat
BLAIR POVWilliam extended his hand, his throat clearing as he did so. Ronnell hesitated to release me, but eventually did, his arm still resting protectively around my shoulders.William held my hand between both of his. “Let me start by saying that I went out of line. I know you heard what Mathew and I said, and I'm horrified. I apologize for hurting you. That was not my intention, but it doesn't matter because I know I did. So, I'm sorry Blair.”I slightly nodded my head, while swallowing hard. It was clear he meant it, but Ronnell was stiff beside me. Maybe he wasn't as forgiving, but I didn't have any ill will towards William…or Mathew, for that matter.“You were looking out for Ronnell.” I knocked my head against Ronnell's arm. “I can't fight you for that.”Mathew cleared his own throat as he made his way towards the living room. “Go ahead and fight us for it. We were assholes, underestimating both you and Ronnell.”I would have shrugged, but Ronnell was holding me tight enough
BLAIR POVThings were finally looking up. For the first time in ages, I felt like I had my life under control. Just when I thought I was finally out of the woods. Boom, Smith decided to rear his ugly head.Christ, I hated him.Hated. Smith.He had texted me once last week, and I had just rolled my eyes at the text. SMITH: hello, Blair! I know that it has been a long time since we had talked, but we need to catch up as soon as you have a minute. I want to know how the baby is, and how you are. We have a lot to discuss.We obviously have nothing to discuss. Not over text, and we were never going to see when he had been an asshole with no intention of stepping up when I relaid the news to him at first. He just didn't get the chance to jump in whenever he liked without any concern for the waves he had made.This week was even harder to ignore.SMITH: hey love, I get it that you're angry, but you can't keep my baby from me. I want to meet him. I keep emailing you messages and plans so we