Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHLOE
T he following morning, Roman looks as wide awake and in control as he always does. He certainly doesn’t look like he was awake half the night, tossing and turning like I was.
I was so damn close to throwing caution to the wind and inviting him into my suite for a drink last night. It’s absurd, but sitting next to him at dinner, standing next to him in the elevator on the way up to our rooms, had me wanting to throw myself at him. To tell him to have his way with me, any way he wanted.
If I’d had one more glass of wine, there’s a good chance I would have. But I wasn’t quite tipsy enough to risk his rejection or to forget what the repercussions of a one-night stand with my boss could be.
So I slipped into my suite and rushed to the shower so I could take care of my pent-up arousal. Not that it helped me sleep. If I’m lucky, I don’t look as frazzled as I feel.
Roman looks up from his phone as I approach, giving me a quick once-over. “Good morning. Did you sleep well?”
Is that a trick question? “I did.” Hopefully I sound at least a little awake. “Did you?”
One side of his lips curls up in that sexy smirk of his. “I did. Eventually.”
I try not to read too much into his words. There’s no way he was kept awake by thoughts of me the way I was with thoughts of him. He’s probably referring to the few hours of work he no doubt did before going to bed.
“We have another busy morning ahead of us. But it’s only a half day.” He guides me out of the hotel to our car, his hand on my back. Does he even realize that he does it? Or is it second nature to a man like him? Not that I’m complaining, I like the feel of it there too much to say anything.
“I’m looking forward to hearing your speech,” I say as I slide inside the car. He follows me and leans back against the leather, his demeanor completely relaxed.
“It’ll give me a chance to reinforce the King Group’s new direction,” he says. “We need to show those in the industry that we’re not resting on our laurels. The way the company used to do business isn’t effective anymore.”
Shifting in my seat, I survey him, though I do my best not to dwell on how good he looks. “I think what you’re doing with the King Group is admirable. You should be proud of yourself for leaving the past behind and embracing the future.”
I don’t directly mention his father, relatively certain he’d prefer not to talk to me about the man. I do, however, want him to know how much I admire him. It can’t be easy, what he’s done. Rejecting his father’s way of doing things and forging his own path. I hope he realizes that.
His icy gray eyes pierce into me, stealing my breath in a way no other man’s ever have. “Leaving the past behind can be a challenge. At times, it’s far more difficult than it appears.”
His words linger in my chest, and a hundred questions float through my mind.
How much have his dad’s actions affected him?
What choices has he made to be where he is today?
Is he living the life he wants to live?
As much as I long for answers, to see beneath his cool exterior to the heart of him, it’s not in the cards. He’s my boss, and I’m his assistant. Despite how I itch to know more, there will always be limits to what he shares with me.
“I think the hardest part of letting go of the past is trusting that the future holds something better,” I tell him.
“Have you let go of your past?”
Swallowing past my dry throat, I look back at him, unsure how to answer. “Th-there’s nothing in my past holding me back.”
“We’ve all got something,” he says. “Though sometimes it’s easier not to admit it.”
Nonplussed, I press my lips together, assessing him.
Without waiting for a response, he turns to his phone, which is, per usual, buzzing with incoming emails and messages. No wonder he never rests.
Maybe he needs someone who’ll make him.
The thought flashes through my head and I latch on to it. Has he ever had that? A person who doesn’t mind reminding him that it’s okay to take a break. A woman who can show him that there’s more to life than the King Group.
Did his ex-wife do that for him? A little spark of unwanted and completely irrational jealousy ignites inside me at the thought of her. At the knowledge that there’s a woman out there who’s seen beneath his armor. Who’s been the recipient of his tender smiles and his passionate touches. Regardless of how their marriage turned out, it must have held love or something resembling it at some stage.
And like a fool, I’m jealous of the woman who invoked that in him.
God, I’m a mess. Being jealous of my boss’s ex-wife is ridiculous. A woman I’ve never even met, though I’ve kept an eye out for her at the expo. According to Sophie, she’s dating Roger Haverscombe, and since I had the misfortune of spying him on the other side of the room at one of the demonstrations yesterday, I know he’s here. Thankfully, I don’t think he saw me.
Would he bring her with him?
Are she and Roman on good terms or bad?
With a mental slap, I chastise myself for going down the ex-wife rabbit hole. I should be concentrating on my job, not Roman’s past relationship. Determined to do just that, I go through my own inbox, filtering out the emails that need to be forwarded to him.
Once we arrive at the convention hall, our first stop is a showcase on how smart technology is redefining green urban spaces. From there, we attend a panel on building green cities, featuring industry leaders from various sectors, including sustainable transport, renewable energy, and green architecture. The discussion touches on how urban developers can collaborate with tech companies to transform current cities into more eco-friendly environments.
During the panel, I spot Roger, who’s sitting in the audience with a beautiful brunette next to him. Stiffening, I side-eye Roman to see if he’s noticed them, finding him intent on the discussion happening on stage.
Discreetly, I study the woman. Katherine’s profile is as stunning as the photos online suggest, and her long glossy brown hair cascades down her back in a thick waterfall. She’s wearing a short skirt that emphasizes legs that go on for days. Stupidly, my heart sinks a little. She looks like she could be a Victoria’s Secret model.
I’m still trying to surreptitiously study her when she turns, her gaze immediately landing on me. Despite the urge to whip my head in the other direction, I force myself to stay still, unwilling to make it obvious that I’ve been watching her.
Instead, I offer her a casual smile. As if we just happened to catch each other’s eye. Without returning it, she surveys Roman, then me again, and I swear her eyes narrow a fraction.
With a flip of her hair over her shoulder, she turns toward Roger and places her hand on his leg.
Suppressing a wince, I turn back to the front of the room. So, not a warm-and-fuzzy person, then.
Refusing to be caught looking at her again, I focus on taking notes as the panel discusses issues and answers questions.
Once it’s done, I gather my purse and tablet and make my way down the row of chairs to the aisle. I stumble a little, and instantly, Roman’s hand is on my hip, steadying me.
The heat of his palm, even through the material of my skirt, steals the air from my lungs. How would it feel if he were to grip me like that with both hands? If his big body was behind me, keeping me still, preparing to pull me back onto his?—
I clamp down on that train of thought. I shouldn’t be picturing those kinds of things in the middle of a crowded hall. I shouldn’t be picturing them at all. But at this stage, I’ve all but given up trying to control my reaction to him.
Once I’m steady, he lets go, and without looking back, I keep moving, thankful for the few seconds I’m given to compose myself before facing him again.
As we exit the room, I subtly check the crowd around us for Roger and Katherine. When I don’t find them, I relax, realizing only then just how tense the thought of bumping into them has made me.
Roman leans down, his head angled toward me, and speaks into my ear. “Let’s get to the luncheon.”
I nod, doing my best not to shiver at the warm wash of his breath over my skin.
He leads me to a large banquet room dotted with round tables that are slowly being claimed and heads straight to the front. I spot my name card, but before I can sit, he pulls my chair out for me.
“Such a gentleman,” I say with a teasing smile.
He leans close. “Not always.”
Freezing, I blink up at him. There’s no way I heard him correctly.
In response to my stare, he inclines his head, his lips curled up, encouraging me to sit.
When he takes the seat next to me, I turn, giving him a thorough inspection.
“Is there a problem, Miss Callahan?” There’s a hint of amusement in his voice.
“No. No problem.”
Beside me, a man dressed in black appears, holding a tray. “Wine, ma’am?”
I peek over at Roman for direction. It feels wrong to have wine when I’m technically working.
He quirks a brow at me, which I take as permission.
Turning back to the server, I give him a polite smile. “I’ll have a glass of white, please.”
“And you, sir?” he asks Roman when he’s filled my glass.
“I’ll have the same as the lady.” He gives me a lazy smile.
I cock my head and squint. He’s different today. Almost relaxed, even playful. I couldn’t guess what’s caused the change, but I’m not complaining.
When the server steps away, I pick up my glass and, holding his gaze, take a sip. The light, fruity flavor explodes on my tongue. Not wanting to lose out on a single drop, I lick the remnants from my lips.
Roman’s pupils dilate. “Good?” he says, his voice low.
“Delicious.” My own voice comes out softer than I intend, but the way he’s looking at me has my body tingling.
With his own glass in hand, he takes a sip, his eyes fixed on mine. A potent pulling sensation grows in the space between us, drawing us closer, making it impossible for me to look away from the strong column of his throat as he swallows.
“Good?” I mirror his question, my voice still breathier than it should be.
“Perfect.”
Finally finding a modicum of control, I look away, hoping like hell he can’t see the desire reflected in my expression. As I do, I discover that the table has begun to fill up with other attendees. Most of them seem to know Roman, and when they greet him, he introduces me as his assistant.
Through his introductions, I discover that the man sitting next to me, Mikael, is the assistant to the UN Sustainable Development Advisor, the man who spoke on how technological innovations have successfully advanced sustainable development goals yesterday.
The two of us chat as the first course is served, and when I steal a look at Roman, he’s watching me with his brows lowered and a muscle pulsing in his jaw.
A little thrill rushes through me. Is it possible that he’s jealous? I shouldn’t like the thought, but I do. A moment later, though, he turns away and falls into a conversation with the woman sitting next to him.
I do my best to focus on Mikael and our conversation, but all my senses are attuned to the man sitting on the other side of me. To the low rumble of his voice, to the scent of his cologne, to the brush of his leg against mine. Each detail small but building on one another in a way that makes me hyper-aware of his presence.
Throughout the three courses, a range of speakers take the stage to discuss various topics. After the dessert plates are cleared away, it’s Roman’s turn to give his speech.
As he pushes his chair back and adjusts his navy-blue suit jacket, I smile at him and mouth, “Good luck.”
He dips his head in acknowledgment, eyes holding mine for a beat too long, and then he’s gone, his powerful strides eating up the distance to the stage.
As he takes the podium and scans the people in the audience, they hush. I bite my lip at the way he so easily commands the room, my mind briefly flashing back to Lola’s words about me being attracted to a man who’s in control.
Maybe she’s right after all.
When he begins, I straighten in my chair, immediately captivated by him. His speech focuses on the future of sustainable urban development and how the King Group plans to integrate green technologies—like those from EcoTech—into future projects.
He reaffirms his company’s commitment to reshaping urban landscapes with sustainable practices and innovative technologies, as well as the importance of corporate responsibility in setting industry standards.
At one point, his focus turns to me, so I give him an encouraging smile. It’s a sentiment he doesn’t need, based on the way his peers hang on his every word. How could they not? With his sheer presence, and his smooth, deep voice, he could be up there reading the phonebook and have the entire room enraptured.
After he wraps up his speech and the applause dies down, the emcee invites the attendees to ask questions. I’m focused so intently on the discussion that when someone pulls out Roman’s empty chair next to me, I startle.
It takes a moment for the woman’s identity to register, and when it does, my stomach flips.
Katherine.
“Hi. Can I help you?” Flustered, my words come out more clipped than intended.
I think the curve of her mouth is supposed to be a smile, but the flatness in her almond-shaped brown eyes belies the sentiment. “Roger tells me you’re Roman’s assistant.” She keeps her voice low, so as not to distract the people around us who are listening to the Q and A.
Sitting back, I run through a list of possible reasons for Katherine’s visit. I don’t know the woman, but this doesn’t seem right. There can’t be any harm in telling her the truth, though.
I give her a polite smile. “That’s right. I’ve been working for him for about three months.”
She nods, her focus veering to the man on stage for a moment. She licks her lips before settling on me again. The move sends another involuntary stab of jealousy through me. This is the woman he shared his life with, his hopes and dreams, his true self.
All the things I find myself wanting more every day.
All the things I can never have.
So when Katherine watches me once more, I make sure my expression gives nothing away. If she knew my true thoughts, I can only imagine it would leave me vulnerable.
Or Roman. And that’s the last thing I want.
“I wanted to introduce myself,” she says. “I’m Katherine King.” She watches me a little too carefully, as if waiting for me to react.
I don’t. My expression remains even, despite the way a knot coils in my stomach at that name. King . “It’s nice to meet you.” Defenses up, I don’t offer my own name.
As casually as if she’s still his wife, Katherine picks up Roman’s still-partially full wineglass and takes a sip from it. Then she graces me with a smile that makes it clear that despite how hard I fight to suppress the urge to snatch it from her, she can sense it anyway.
Setting the glass down, she angles toward me as if she’s about to reveal a secret. Despite myself, I move in too. An instinctive reaction.
“Just a word of warning, darling. Don’t let yourself get too invested in this… job.” Her eyes flick to Roman, then back to me. “Although the King men might let themselves get distracted by a pretty face, their one and only priority is the King Group. When it comes down to it, they won’t let anything, or anyone, come between them and their goals. Believe me, I know.”
Mouth twisting, she picks up Roman’s glass again and finishes it off.
“Roman and I have a professional relationship, and that’s all.”
She lets out a delicate snort. “That’s what I told people at the start as well.”
I glance up at the stage and find Roman’s eyes fixed on us. Not wanting him to be distracted from the Q and A session, I give him a reassuring smile.
His jaw firms, but without skipping a beat, he launches into a comprehensive explanation in response to a question someone from the crowd fires at him.
When I turn back to Katherine, I catch the flare of irritation on her face. It’s only there for an instant before her expression smooths.
“Thank you for sharing your experience,” I tell her, as serenely as I can. “But you don’t need to worry. As I said, none of that applies to me.”
“Well.” She gives me a smile so phony that her lips barely move. “I hope for your sake that it stays that way. Roman and his father aren’t as different as he’d like everyone to believe.”
A shot of anger stiffens my spine, and this time I don’t hide my reaction. I’ve never met Roman’s dad, but I’ve heard enough to know that he isn’t a good person. Roman may guard his true self, but considering what he’s done for me, I struggle to believe he and his father share many of the same traits.
“Like I said.” My voice comes out tight. “I appreciate your concern, but it’s misplaced. Since Roman will be coming back soon, and I’m sure Mr. Haverscombe is wondering where you are, you should probably return to your seat.”
She scrutinizes me for one more second, then pushes back her chair and stands. As she looms over me, it’s hard not to be intimidated by her statuesque beauty.
And it’s impossible not to wonder what it was about her that drew Roman in with so much force that he married her. Considering the beautiful women he must be regularly surrounded by, what was it that caught his eye and stole his heart?
With a flip of her long hair, Katherine spins on her heel and sashays away.
When I look back at Roman, he’s watching her go. More little thorns of jealousy prick at my chest.
Jealousy that is so misplaced it isn’t funny.
Ugh. How did I end up in this situation?
With a sigh, I pick up my wineglass and drain it.