Mag-log inA lit cigar burned between Roy's lips, the smoke swirling lazily around him, a relaxed expression spread across his face while a woman sat on a smaller stool by his foot, attending to his toenails with rapt attention, her eyes never once daring to stray from her task.Somewhere behind him, the soft clink of glasses echoed from the suite's private bar where Stephanie stood, pouring bourbon into two glasses.She picked up both glasses and sauntered over to where her husband sat, her hips swaying with every confident step she took in her fitted jumpsuit, the kind of walk that commanded attention without even trying.The woman tending to Roy's toenails kept her gaze firmly downward, unbothered, or perhaps simply wise enough to mind her own business.Stephanie came to a stop beside Roy, holding out one of the glasses toward him with a playful tilt of her lips."Baby, I poured a glass for you."Roy lazily opened his eyes, his gaze settling on his wife with languid appreciation. A small smil
The elevator doors slid open and Roman stepped out into the penthouse, with Erin following right behind him.The entire ride back had been wrapped in silence. Erin had chosen his words carefully, the way he always did when he could tell Roman was sitting on something dangerous.But Roman never went into what happened at Rose's condo. He only left him with a few words as an explanation in a very calm tone that did not match his expression."We fucked and I didn't like it."And that was the end of it. Nothing more came, and it was very apparent that he was in no mood to talk.Erin didn’t push further. He knew better than to. The air around Roman on that ride up was so stiff and suffocating it made even breathing feel like it needed permission.Whatever Rose had done, it had left something dark and ugly settled on Roman that Erin could not quite put a name to. Perhaps it was something murderous?He had seen Roman angry before. He had seen him cold, ruthless, completely detached. But this
Roman groaned, his fingers pressing hard against his temple as his eyes cracked open.The first thing that hit him was the head splitting pain and the blinding light pouring in through the blinds.Like a thousand bells ringing inside his skull, dragging him out of whatever dark heavy place he had been buried in.He managed to drag himself up to sit, and as he did, the sheet slipped from his waist to the floor.His gaze dropped down to see that he was completely naked.He froze momentarily, before dragging the sheet back up to cover his lower half, his eyes sweeping across his unfamiliar surroundings.This definitely was not his place, and he could not recall how he had gotten here. He threw his legs over the side of the bed to the soft rugged floor, massaging his temple with both hands as he tried to piece together the events of last night.He remembered leaving Erin in the private lounge and making his way down to the bar to continue drinking alone, free from his PA's company.He rem
The condo was dim when Rose pushed the door open, steering Roman inside with one arm hooked around his waist.He was heavy against her, his feet moving but barely cooperating, his head drooping slightly as she guided him through the entrance.She reached for the light switch with her free hand and the room flooded with light.Roman's eyes adjusted slowly, blinking against the brightness. His gaze swept across the unfamiliar space. The furniture, the layout, the walls. None of it was his.He straightened slightly, his brows pulling together."This isn't my place.""No," Rose said simply, already steering him toward the couch. "It's mine."Roman stopped moving, planting his feet. "Why are we here?" It came out flat, not quite a question."You were in no condition to go anywhere else.""Where's Erin.""He went to get something." She waved her hand dismissively. "He'll be back soon. Just sit down Roman.""I don't want to sit down." He made a move to pull away from her but his own legs bet
"She asked you to marry her?" Erin repeated, making sure he heard correctly and his ears weren't playing tricks on him.Roman swirled the drink in his hand, his gaze fixed on nothing in particular across the room."You heard correctly. She asked me to marry her."The lounge fell into a silence so thick it was almost uncomfortable.Erin set his glass down slowly, his eyes still on Roman."And what was your response."Roman shrugged."I rejected her, naturally."Erin fell silent as the words sank in like a coin tossed into a pool of water.Never in a million years could he have guessed that Alana would propose to Roman. He was left with one question. Her motive. Her reason for being bold enough to ask such a thing of him."Do you know why she was crazy enough to even make such a proposal?" he asked."She overheard my conversation with Mr Beaufort. It was one of the old man's usual calls with his threat of seizing my position and handing it over to Damien, but this time he wanted me to m
"MARRY ME!" Alana yelled after him just as he reached the door.Roman stopped mid-step.Slowly, he turned, amusement flickering in his now cold eyes before a low, cruel laugh slipped past his lips."Seems you've finally lost all sense," he said when the laughter faded.He stepped closer, his towering frame swallowing the space between them as she tilted her head to meet his gaze."What makes you think you can make such a bold request, Alana?" he murmured, his cold fingers brushing against her lips.A shiver ran through her, stealing her voice for a moment. Then she straightened, her fists tightening at her sides."Because I'll be the best wife you could possibly ask for, and we both need this marriage," she said, forcing confidence into her tone as a small smile curved her lips.Roman tilted his head, a dark smirk forming on his lips."Is that so?" he whispered, his hand slipping beneath her dress as she gasped.His fingers gently brushed her inner thighs, his gaze never leaving hers







