Beneath Her Bastard Boss

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 morning, for the first time, her head was clear. No lingering ache. No dizziness. She felt good. Her body ached for him in a way that told her just how long it had been.

She swallowed, trying to redirect her focus as she applied a final layer of gloss to her lips. From the mirror, she watched Roman slide his belt through the loops of his tailored trousers. Every movement he made was efficient and controlled, but she could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his jaw flexed when he thought she wasn’t looking.

He was frustrated. Not with her, never with her, but with the lack of answers. She’d seen the way he pored over the files Peters had sent, how his expression darkened every time he came up empty. He hated not being able to protect her fully. And while Blair appreciated every step he’d taken to keep her safe, part of her wanted to tell him it was okay to let go for just one day. But maybe it was taking his mind off where they were going today.

He caught her watching him in the mirror. “You ready?”

Blair turned and nodded, smoothing the front of her dress. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

Roman crossed the room to her, his hand settling lightly on her hip as he studied her face. “If you’re not up for this, we don’t have to go.”

Blair gave a small smile. “I have to go. We have to go. If I back out now, it’ll be like giving them the power. And I’m not doing that. It was my hometown. I don’t want anyone to pity me.”

He nodded once, but his eyes searched hers. “You feel okay?”

“Yeah,” she said softly. “No headache. I’m good. Really.”

Roman’s eyes dropped to her lips, then lower still, as if he was thinking the same thing she had been earlier. That tonight, once this party was behind them, things between them were going to get back to normal.

her temple. “I’ll be right there with you the

and

doorbell sounded, telling them her sisters had arrived. They

hallway. She opened the door to find Keira in a sleek navy dress, her hair twisted up in a way that screamed effort disguised as effortless. Sutton stood beside her, elegant and

Keira said, eyeing Blair. “You look super–hot for someone

deadpanned. “You know how much I love public

walk into a room full of traitors and gossips, might as well do it looking like

1/2

(+28)

Chapter 56

head. “Blair, this isn’t your public humiliation. It’s theirs. They can’t hide Laura’s

to him, and she raised a brow. “Nice suit. Trying to outshine

trying,” Roman replied dryly. “It’s just

“God, you’re growing on me. Like

grinning. Roman did feel sorry for any man that ended up with Keira. He was going to need balls

sighed. “Can we all try not

smiled faintly.

them both a look, then stepped into her heels, steadying herself as Roman grabbed

over with,” Blair muttered

her shoulder. “Oh, come on. Could be worse. We could be going to a tax audit. At least at this party, we get

over her shoulder as they all walked toward the car.