She wanted to bow out, make up some excuse as to why she couldn’t work for Roman. Wesley would probably question her later, but support her as long as she threw in a handful of favors. Roman had barely acknowledged her presence, but he must have seen something in her gaze when she looked at him. Probably the daggers she projected knowing if looks could kill he’d be dead.
He didn’t speak, just narrowed his eyes and uttered the words sure to make her reconsider. “I love the color of these pale yellow walls. Much more soothing than green.”
Green. Her safe word. The only word that came to mind when he was staring at her with his pale green eyes. The same ones that bore into her at that moment, daring her to drop him as her client. She’d never used it in the whole time they’d been together, but she fought against the need to rail against him right then, begging him to let her go about her business like nothing happened.
That morning, she felt on top of the world. After the last couple of nights with him, they were on an even keel. But that afternoon, she felt as though her whole world was crumbling beneath her, and she wouldn’t be able to dig herself out in time before she was swallowed in its wake.
“I’ve always appreciated the yellow.” She smiled without any emotion behind it, standing up so he’d take the hint. He did, rising and holding out his hand for her to shake again. His siblings followed his lead, making their goodbyes.
“I have the relevant information, and I will look over it and schedule a meeting with you later on this week.” Now leave, so I can have a silent freak out in my office.
“Excellent. And I’m at my club most nights this week if you need to get in touch with me. I’ll be there tonight, as a matter of fact. You should check it out, if you’re not busy.”
“No, thank you,” she declined in front of her boss.
“Your loss.” He shook hands with Wesley and walked to the door, turning around to give her another message. “I’ll be waiting.” A wink later, he was gone, sucking the air out of the room with him. She read his statement for what it was, ignoring the heat gathered between her legs at his summons to the club that night. Shit just got real.
***
“What happened today, Roman?” She closed the door to his office at the club that evening, trying to control the growing unease she felt as the day wore on. “What were our rules? Rule number three, I believe—what happens here, stays here. Guess what? If I have to represent you, what happens here won’t stay here. And you ambushed me at work.”
His voice was quiet. “You think I want to ask this of you? I shouldn’t be in this position, but I am. I’m sorry if you’re the best lawyer I know to complete the job because you know what’s at stake. Would I have involved you if I had a choice? No. Did I try and honor your wishes? Yes. Is that an option any longer? No. And I didn’t give you heads-up because I thought you wouldn’t accept the case. There are other things at stake here. Have you thought about what will happen if the list gets out?”
She had, and every additional scenario made her sicker. “You think I don’t know that? I’ve been over it all afternoon. But you knew that,” she jabbed her finger in his face, “and you ambushed me without any consideration of the ethical position you put me in. I had to lie in front of my boss. The boss who particularly dislikes me no less. ”
“Would you have taken the case?”
“Yes. Because I know exactly what it means for you and me if the list gets out. I may not have slept with Gina, but my reputation is on the line.”
She chuckled at the look of surprise on his face. The walls were closing in on her and if she didn’t laugh she’d be crying. “You think I forgot who Gina was? How could I forget anyone who wore such tacky lipstick? But your question is moot because you gave me no choice.”
“You agreed to the arrangement,” he argued.
“This could ruin me! Don’t you get it? Everything I’ve worked for could be gone if I’m caught up in this. I’m a lawyer, and I won the last case I needed to before making partner. I am this close,” she held her thumb and forefinger apart for emphasis, “to having it confirmed by my firm. And you can’t guarantee they won’t find out.”
He shrugged, hands held out in frustration. “They’re not mutually exclusive, Alexandra. You’re kidding yourself if you believe you can just come in here several times a week and pretend like what we have is going to stay here. My club is on the line, and I need you to save it. You walked in on your own accord a couple months ago and begged for a relationship with me. I told you no, but you insisted.”
She ran her hands through her hair, recognizing the futility of any arguments she had against him. He was right; if he used someone else, there was a greater chance they would lose, and her name would be released along with everyone else.
“All right.” She nodded. “I’ll help you out. I’ll win your case. But don’t blindside me again.”
“Perfect.” He reared back in the chair, storming toward her, grabbing her hand and pulling her out his office before she realized what was happening. The club passed in a blur on the way to his room, the thrill at the prospect of being with him after their argument making her wet.
“Strip,” he ordered, unbuttoning his dress shirt once they reached the room. Not moving fast enough for his tastes, he came over and pulled her to him, kissing her roughly. “I said strip.” She pulled her shirt and bra off, crossing her arms over her breasts so she didn’t feel so exposed. He came to her, unbuckling her jeans and laying her down on the bed. She’d never felt more sheltered in the comfort of his arms than when he lay beside her and pulled her to him. His hands cupped her face, his mouth inches from hers.
“You’re mine.” She turned away when he tried to kiss her, overcome by the unspoken emotion blazing in his eyes, but his hands tightened on her chin, pulling her back so she watched him. “You. Are. Mine.” He punctuated his statement with a kiss. Her heart blossomed. She’d wanted these words for weeks, and she was fully committed to Roman. She wanted him, and nothing was going to stop her from having him. The lies they told in the dark about maintaining separation threatened to be exposed and for once, she was relieved, since she was so damn sick of lying.
“I’m yours.” She nodded before his lips slammed over hers. Her nipples hardened when he pinched her breasts. His hands seeming to be everywhere at once. This wasn’t making love; this was sex, pure and simple. He leaned back, unbuckling his belt while she lay there panting. She whimpered when she felt his fingers between her legs, entering her.
“You’re soaked,” he whispered against the side of her breast, swirling his tongue around the nipple. She tried to press against him, seeking more, but he denied her.
“Not quite.” He pulled out. “You know the rules. Your orgasms are mine.” He traced his tongue down her stomach, onto her outer thigh, pressing tiny kisses along the way. Her muscles quivered, pleasure running through her while he used her body as he saw fit. He brought her to the brink twice before pulling her back.
“I get it.” He ignored her statement, moving his mouth to her center and attacking her without abandon. “I get it,” she gasped again, because she needed release. She was in pain, seeking the comfort he kept denying. He was trying to fuck her into submission, letting her know who was boss. Once again, he brought her right to her peak, only to move out of the way. His lips were wet, covered in her juices, and she was done.