Chapter Eight
Abigail loved artwork, and she loved looking at stunning décor. The charity gala was held in a beautiful place, and it really did take her breath away.
Roman wrapped his arm around her, and she couldn’t help but smile up at him. The truth was, her stomach was twisting in knots because this was so far out of her league, and she didn’t have a clue what she was doing.
People were talking, and there was a band playing, filtering in soft music so it wasn’t too loud.
Several men she recognized came and talked with Roman.
All of them told him what a star she was, and that he hit the jackpot in hiring her.
She smiled and held her hand out to thank them.
Some of them had offered her jobs with amazing benefits, but her father had taught her never to turn her back on a company that had given her so much.
Abigail was not a fool, and knew in the business world it often didn’t swing both ways. Companies were not always loyal to their staff, even loyal staff. This was not the case between her and Roman.
They were loyal. Her hard work had paid off, and he was a good boss. She knew that. He wasn’t cruel. He terminated contracts with businesses that were caught up in scandal. Roman, in his own way, cared.
She had researched the company, knew it had nearly gone broke, and people feared they would lose their jobs. That had come before Christmastime, but between Roman and his grandfather, they were able to save it from the brink.
There was more to Roman than met the eye.
“So, what are you donating?” she asked.
“I’m not donating anything, but I am auctioning off a yacht.”
“A yacht?”
“It was my father’s, and I’m tired of having it in my possession. I never use it. The truth is, I don’t like being out at sea. Too many shark movies.”
Abigail laughed and pressed her face against his chest. “You’re too much.”
He kissed the top of her head.
“Abigail.”
She tensed up, because it had been a full year since she heard that voice.
Roman’s hand was at her hip, and she looked in front of her to see Brad standing right there. He didn’t look too good. His hair was overgrown, and he’d tried to tame it by slicking it back, but it just looked greasy.
“Brad,” she said.
“It is a surprise to see you here,” Brad said.
“This is my boss, Roman. Roman, this is Brad.” She gave the introductions, explaining his position and the law firm.
“Abigail, what a delight to see you.”
She was shocked to see Benjamin, one of the partners at the firm, suddenly join their group, grab her hand as if to shake it, but then pull her in for a hug.
Benjamin had been one of the few men Brad worked with that she liked.
He was a family man, through and through.
He loved his kids, and when he was supposed to be wooing clients, he tended to get his wallet of pictures and show off his family to anyone that would look. She loved looking at his family.
“How’s Tracy?” she said.
“She’s doing well. Dawn has flown the nest and gone off to college.”
She let out a gasp. “College already? Wow. Time really does fly. Is she enjoying it?”
“Loving it. She is a natural, I tell you.”
She chuckled, then turned to Roman. “This is Benjamin, one of the partners, and his wife is Tracy, and he has four kids, and Dawn is the oldest and finally gone away to college. If I remember rightly, you were nervous because she was seeing a musician, and you didn’t want her to throw away her potential. ”
Benjamin laughed. “That is right. I have certainly missed you, and I was gutted to hear it didn’t work out between you and our Bradley boy.” Benjamin grabbed Brad around the back of his neck. She knew he hated being called Bradley.
“I’m sure you didn’t expect her to continue a relationship with Bradley cheating on her.”
From the look on Bradley’s face, she knew he hadn’t been honest.
“Cheating?” Benjamin asked.
“I think this is our cue to leave,” Abigail said. “It has been lovely to see you again, Benjamin. Wish Tracy all the best, and tell Dawn to enjoy herself.” She grabbed Roman’s hand and tried to get lost in the crowd.
Much to her surprise, Roman was being difficult.
“What is your problem?” she asked.
“Do you miss him?” Roman asked.
She looked at him, a little taken aback. “You’re talking about Brad?”
“Yes, I’m not exactly talking about Benjamin. Trust me, I’ve been caught out, listening to him talk about his family. Longest hour of my life.”
Abigail grabbed his hand, pulled him out of the main room, and he didn’t fight her this time.
The music felt loud, and there were people milling in the hallway. One of the rooms was taken, and she was pretty sure what was going on inside there wasn’t legal, at least not in a public place.
She made her way down the hall and pulled him inside a quiet room. It had what looked like a conference table.
“What is the problem?” Abigail asked.
“That’s the first time you’ve seen Bradley, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, and?”
“Did it bring up any feelings? Are you wanting to call this off?”
She frowned and looked at him, and that was when it suddenly occurred to her what was happening here. “Are you jealous?”
“Don’t be absurd.”
“But you are. That’s why you’re acting this way. You think I want to get back with that cheating asshole?” she asked, pointing toward the door.
“You were with him for three years.”
“And they were the most miserable of my life.” She put her hands to her head.
“I don’t even know how we were still together.
He never wanted to celebrate my success.
He only ever told me I was dumb and wouldn’t amount to anything, while he had the college education and was going to make partner one day, and that I needed to support him.
He’d be the one to give us a better life, and I was a waste of space. ”
“What?” Roman asked.
“You think I want to get back to him? Seeing him cheating on me fucking sucked because trust me, no woman wants to see that, but I was so glad because I could finally get rid of him. I didn’t want to see him tonight, and trust me, it has not brought anything up.
” She moved toward him and put her hands on his shirt, under his tuxedo jacket. “But you’re jealous?”
She stroked her fingers across his stomach, and he reached out, cupping her cheek, but then slid his hand back to grab her neck and pull her in close.
“I don’t like to think of any man close to you. You’re mine, Abi.”
He slammed his lips down on hers, and she melted against him. It felt so good to have his lips on hers.
All day she hadn’t been able to get that conversation out of her mind. The one where he wanted her to break her rules. She didn’t want to keep putting barriers up.
He spun her around and pressed her up against the wall. Lifting her leg, he ran his hand up her thigh, and when he found she wasn’t wearing any panties, they both moaned.
“Did you go this way for me?”
“I wore panties but Sharleene said they interfered with the curves of the dress.”
“Fuck me, you are perfect. You know that, right?”
“I don’t want Brad, I just want you. Please, Roman, fuck me.”
He lifted her up, and she reached for his pants, sliding open the zipper, easing out his cock, and then they lined up, and she sunk down on his length, and they both cried out. The pleasure was intense.
Inch by inch, he sunk inside her, and she loved that they no longer had to worry about condoms. She loved feeling his naked cock sliding inside her, and she loved how he watched his seed spilling from her pussy. There was never a dull moment with Roman.
It scared her how close she was starting to feel to him. This was magical between them, and no one was going to be able to take that away from them.
****
Roman put his hands over Abigail’s eyes and turned her to face one of his favorite places.
The gala the previous night had been a whirlwind.
They fucked in the conference room, and then, knowing his cum was spilling down her leg, they mingled for the auction.
He took her in the back of the limo, and then back at his apartment, where he made love to her long into the night.
He made her watch as he fed her his cock.
Now, he asked her if she’d like to know one of his secrets. Abigail had never seen him dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt before, but that was how he was dressed.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“Yes. I want to know where we are.”
He lifted his hands from her eyes, and she squinted and then looked. “An animal shelter.”
“This is one for dogs. I know they’re all over the city.”
“Why are we at an animal shelter?”
“Because I have an agreement with myself that every time I go to a gala, I match a donation or double it sometimes, to an animal shelter.”
“How did I not know this?”
“Because this is not one I put down on the books. This is what I take out of my own money, and it’s not to look good, nor for tax deductible or some shit like that. This is exactly what I do.”
Abigail’s mouth was open just a little.
“I’ve surprised you?” he asked.
“Yeah, you have. This is incredible. I am shocked right now. This is a shocked expression.”
“Shocked?”
“You like dogs?”
“I love them,” he said. “Come on.” He took her hand and led her into the animal shelter.
“Hey, Catherine,” he said, talking to the older woman behind the counter.
“Roman, I was wondering when you were going to return.”
“Catherine, I’d like you to meet my Abi. Abi, this is Catherine. She is the one who founded this place, and has been running it for nearly thirty years.”
“It’s so good to meet you. He never brings a woman to this place,” Catherine said. “That must make you special.”
“I don’t know if that makes me special or someone he’s comfortable sharing this side of himself with.” Abi turned to him, and there was a look on her face he couldn’t quite decipher, but she appeared intrigued.
“So, have you come to meet the newbies, see some of the oldies? Work? Or donate and leave?” Catherine asked.