Beneath Her Bastard Boss

Chapter 4

“You’re not just an asshole, but a shithead too… always thought so,” Blair slurred, her tongue feeling too heavy in her mouth. She knew she shouldn’t be saying this, but she couldn’t stop herself.

Roman chuckled, leaning back. “I think I should get you some coffee.”

“Don‘ want it.” Blair waved a hand dismissively, nearly hitting herself in the face. “I want… a man that ain’t a cheatin‘ rat.” Her eyes drifted over him, and despite her best efforts, she noticed–really noticed–how attractive he was. “Did you… did you ever cheat on your ex–wife?”

She’d met Jessica once. It hadn’t been a pleasant experience.

Roman’s expression didn’t change, but his voice softened. “Not all men cheat, Blair.”

“W–why’d she teave you then?” Her head tilted as if she were trying to piece together a puzzle.

“There are a lot of reasons marriages fall apart,” Roman said, dragging a hand down his face. “Not all of them have to do with cheating on the man’s part.”

It took Blair a moment to process that. Then her eyes widened. “She cheated on you?” she whispered, as if it were some great secret. “Was she an idiot?” Her boss was gorgeous–thick dark hair, intense gray eyes, chiseled cheekbones. And his body… well, from what she could see, it was fine. Not that she’d ever been interested before. She’d always been with Dan. Had been with Dan.

Roman reached over, gently lifting her chin with two fingers when her mouth fell open. “I worked a lot. Some would say I drove her to it.”

Blair blinked at him, then shook her head, making herself dizzy. “Thass not an excuse… nope… no, no, no.” She dropped her head back onto the couch, exhaling loudly. “Should get a divorce before that… cheaters… all of ‘em…”

Roman studied her with an amused expression. “You know, this is the most I’ve ever seen you relax around me.”

a hand lazily. “Thass ‘cause you’re… you’re normally soooo difficult to deal wit” she muttered,

His lips twitched. “I expect the best. That’s why this company

sound that was half a grunt, half a laugh. “Suppose so. Her head

in silence for a moment before asking, “What happened,

at him, her vision slightly unfocused. “I was an

Because you trusted the wrong

out a shaky breath. “Dan an‘ I grew up together,

“No, I didn’t,”

“I… I was always going home… back home, all the time, when I moved to th‘ city for this job. He… he got a job at Kingston’s, and I was happy ‘bout it. Now I

Roman gestured to her bare

lifted her hand, staring at it for a second before letting it

was holding

he askin‘ so many questions? Why was he bein‘ so… nice? “Me. He

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Wed 18 Jan

Chapter 4

you loved him, why

was a little sloppy. “If what I saw t’day was anythin‘ to go by…” She trailed off, frowning. Maybe… maybe she’d always known somethin‘ was off. There was no passion. No fire. She’d loved Dan, but maybe not the way she was supposed to love the man she

wasn’t

happened?” Roman pressed, his voice gentler

she slurred. “H–havin‘ sex with…

jaw tensed.