Beneath Her Bastard Boss

ས ༢92%

+28)

Blair woke up to Roman’s fingers drawing lazy circles on her bare shoulder. For about three seconds, she let herself sink into the warmth of his body against hers, the way his breath tickled her neck. Then reality crashed back down like a brick. Shit, she couldn’t just stay here.

Last night. The dinner. Luca. Sutton’s secret burning a hole in her chest.

“Morning,” Roman murmured, his voice still deep with sleep.

“Hey.” She tried to slip out of bed, but his arm tightened around her waist.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Shower. We have work.”

“We also have that conversation I promised you.” His voice had lost that sleepy edge. Now it was all business. Dangerous business.

Blair’s stomach twisted. She’d been hoping, stupidly she knew, that maybe he’d forgotten. Or at least decided to let it slide. But Roman didn’t forget anything, and he sure as hell didn’t let things slide.

“Roman, I really don’t—”

“Nope.” He sat up, running a hand through his hair, watching her. “You used sex to distract me last night. Which, don’t get me wrong, worked like a fucking charm. But now it’s morning, and I still want answers. Something happened last night to upset Sutton and got you spitting mad.”

Blair finally managed to wiggle free and padded over to their dresser. Her reflection in the mirror was telling–she was wearing a deer–in–headlights expression that screamed ‘I’m hiding something massive.

“There’s nothing to tell you,” she said, pulling out clothes at random.

Roman glared at her. “Right. And I’m the Pope.”

Really? Because I’m sure there’s a sin about the way you make love.” With that, she headed into the bathroom. She could

his eyes on her all the way. It made her feel like she was under a microscope. Shit, she hated keeping things from him.

enty minutes later, they were in the kitchen. Roman moved around, making breakfast. Jenny, his housekeeper, was off siting her daughter, so for the next week or so, they had the place to themselves. Roman had cleaners come in during the day. Shame really, because the buffer of another person would have been nice. She watched him, waiting for him to start interrogating her because she knew it was going to come.

He only waited until they had finished their meal before bringing it up again while they cleaned the kitchen.

“So,” he said, not looking at her. “Sutton seemed pretty upset when she left last night.”

Blair should have known he wouldn’t let it go. “She wasn’t feeling well.”

“Uh–huh. Please, Blair, I’m asking because I care.”

“She’s fine. I’m fine.”

Roman finally turned around, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed. “Really?”

“She got sick. People get sick.” Shit, he looked hot–and angry. But that didn’t stop her from heating under his gaze.

narrowed. “Or did someone say

1/4

16:21 Wed, 18 Jun

Chapter 82

pretty sure he could hear it. She wasn’t very good at hiding things or how she was feeling. “Nobody said anything to anyone.” No one had said anything. So she wasn’t lying about that. “You’re worrying

off the counter and moved closer to her. “Then explain to me why you’ve been lying to my face for

haven’t been lying… If someone said something, I

Her name was a warning. Low and quiet and absolutely not fucking around. “Don’t make this

towel down on the

to finish

have meetings today, a lot of meetings.” Blair hoped

a

I do. We have

it was sharp and bitter. “Responsibilities. Right. Like the responsibility to be honest with the person you’re supposed to be building a life

a slap. Blair grabbed her purse and keys, suddenly desperate to get out of this kitchen,

Friday,” she said. “We have the weekend to talk.” Shit, she hoped she came up with

I want the truth. Because one of the things we promised each other was

couldn’t tell him. Not yet. Not until she talked to Sutton and figured out

trying to control it. His hands gripped the steering wheel. The silence felt like

literally anything that might get her out of this mess,

rang.

Sutton.

probably a little too

and shaky. Panicked, “Oh my God, Blair,

Are you okay?” Blair sat up

I’m not okay, I’m at work and… fuck, what am

here… I mean

to come by this week? Well, he did. Early, Like, eight AM early, and Blair…” Sutton’s voice cracked. “It’s

It made her blood turn to ice.

“Luca…”

2/4

16:22 Wed, 18

92%

28

Chapter 82

body felt

clearly picking

still not sure if she

her pacing and the sound of her voice echoing. “It’s Luca. He’s here right now. I

mind was racing. Luca owned the

“Oh shit,” Blair breathed.

Oh shit, is right. He doesn’t know it’s me yet–I mean, I was able to get away. Go

you need me?” Blair interrupted. “I can come. I can be there

was firm despite the panic. “No, this is my mess. I have to deal with it. I just… I needed to tell someone. I needed you to know in case this all goes to hell. It’s just a lot, Blair. I can’t see him and his wife together… It would-” She

“Sutton-”