Roman leaned against the cool marble sink, watching Blair through the mirror as she fixed her hair. Her fingers moved quickly, twisting strands back into the sleek style she’d worn before he had thoroughly undone her. He smirked to himself, proud of the disheveled state he had left her in. The way she had clung to him, the way she had moaned, sir. He could still hear it echoing in his head.
“You’re staring.” Blair muttered, adjusting the last few pins and smoothing down a stray curl.
“Am I?” he asked, arching a brow. “I thought I was merely appreciating my secretary’s dedication to maintaining a professional appearance.”
Blair shot him a glare through the mirror. “Well, you sure do like messy me up.” Then she flashed Roman would bet she was remembering just how he liked to mess her up.
Roman grinned, stepping closer and resting his hands on her hips. “Semantics. Either way, you look stunning–though I personally prefer the thoroughly ruined version of you. I love your hair down and wild.”
Her cheeks flushed again as she reached for her compact, dabbing at the remnants of their heated encounter. “I have work to do, Roman, and so do you.”
“I know,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to her shoulder. “But watching you try to pretend nothing just happened is my new favorite pastime.”
She rolled her eyes but didn’t push him away. Instead, she focused on fixing her lipstick. Roman watched as she reapplied the soft pink shade, his mind flashing back to how those lips had looked wrapped around his… shit. His cock jumped in his pants. If he wasn’t careful, he would have her on her knees. But she was right. They had work to do.
“Stop that,” Blair scolded, catching his expression.
“Stop what?” he asked innocently.
“Thinking whatever it is you’re thinking.”
Roman chuckled, stepping back and adjusting his tie. “Fine, I’ll behave. For now.”
Blair let out a small sigh, as if she didn’t believe him for a second, then squared her shoulders. “I’m going back to work.”
He smirked. “Try not to think about me too much while you’re typing up those reports.”
Blair huffed before she smoothed down her dress as she stepped out of the bathroom, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. She had taken her time fixing her makeup, ensuring there wasn’t a single trace of what had just happened between her and Roman. Not that she regretted a second of it. Her body still hummed from his touch, her lips tingling from his demanding kisses. His ego was inflated enough with hearing that.
But now, it was back to reality. Back to being his secretary, not the woman who had just moaned his sir against the glass windows of his office.
She was almost at her desk when her phone vibrated in her hand. Blair glanced at the screen and immediately regretted it. Her aunt Viv.
Sighing, she answered, tucking the phone between her ear and shoulder as she settled into her chair.
“Aunt Viv,” she said, already bracing herself. “What’s going on?”
“Well, hello to you too, Blair,” Viv responded, her voice clipped. “I was hoping you’d sound a little happier to hear from me.”
Blair bit back a groan. “It’s been a long morning.”
1/3
16:13 Wed, 18 Jun
Chapter 39
“Well, it’s about to get longer.” Viv said. “I’m calling about Dan and Laura’s engagement party”
Blair’s stomach dropped. “What engagement party?”
There was a pause, then a sigh. “I assumed you already knew. It’s this weekend. They wanted to wait, but now that Laura’s pregnant, they can’t delay any longer. It would look bad.”
Blair barely kept herself from cursing. Of course, they couldn’t wait. That would ruin the perfect little narrative they were spinning.
And why are you telling me this?” she asked, gripping her phone tighter.
*Because you’re expected to be there,” Viv said simply. “You know how this works. It’ll look bad if you don’t come and wish them well.”
Blair let out a dry laugh. “Wish them well? You mean my ex–fiancé and the woman he cheated on me with?”
Viv’s voice hardened. “I know this isn’t easy, Blair, but you don’t have a choice. People will talk if you don’t show up.”
“People will talk either way,” Blair muttered. “Why does it matter what they think?”
Viv exhaled sharply. “Because, like it or not, this isn’t just about you. Your absence would make a statement, and not a good
one.”
Blair pressed her fingers against her temple. This is ridiculous.”
“It’s necessary,” Viv corrected. Then her tone softened slightly. “Listen, I know you’re upset. I wouldn’t be thrilled, either. But you need to be there and you need to be civil.”
Blair clenched her jaw. Civil. Right.
“And one more thing,” Viv added, her voice carrying an edge of warning. “Keep an eye on Keira.”
Blair frowned. “Why?”
“You know how she is,” Viv said. “She has no filter, she hates Laura, and now Dan, too. She’s bound to stir up trouble if you don’t keep her in line. This party is going to be a delicate situation, and the last thing we need is Keira making it worse.”
Blair rubbed her forehead. Keira was smart–mouthed, reckless, and didn’t believe in playing nice when she didn’t have to. And when it came to Laura and Dan, she definitely didn’t have to. Why should she have to?
us.”
talk to her,” Blair said, though she wasn’t sure how.
ke sure you do,” Viv warned. “Because if she causes a scene, it won’t just reflect badly on her–it’ll reflect badly on all of
Blair didn’t bother responding. She knew how this worked. Knew what was expected of her.
“Fine,” she finally said. “I’ll be there.”
“Good,” Viv said, satisfaction in her tone. “See you this weekend.”
The line went dead, and Blair let out a breath, staring at her phone.
This weekend was going to be hell.
2/3
16:13 Wed, 18 Jun
Chapter 40
