Page 34 of Forbidden Boss (Manhattan Billionaires)

“I’m still on the fence about it, to be honest,” I said, grinning.

More laughter, and Rome relaxed next to me.

“Nikki was a contractor for the company,” Rome explained. “We met just before her contract finished up.”

“Rome is being modest,” I said, patting him on the chest with my free hand. His arm slipped around my back to tug me closer. “What really happened was that I got myself locked in a supply closet, and he pried the door open with brute force. The rest, as they say, is history.” And a very specific contract including an NDA. I wiggled my finger splint. “I’ve got the scars to prove it.”

The older couple laughed, delighted. Rome’s fingers tightened on my waist.

“I’m glad to see it. I’ve always said you needed someone to stand beside you, Blakely.”

“I think he needed someone to keep him from fumbling his way through these things,” I said, waving a hand at the event at large.

“Fumbling,” Rome repeated, glancing at me with arched brows. “How would you know I’ve fumbled?”

“Please,” I said. “It’s obvious.”

“I take offense to that.”

“But am I wrong?”

“That’s not the point.” Rome scowled at me, which made my smile widen. He caught himself and cleared his expression, then reflexively scowled again.

I laughed. He was cute when he wasn’t trying so hard to be an intimidating jerk.

Roseanne let out a chuckle and shook her head. “Well, seems like you’ve found the right woman for the job.” She turned to me. “I just adore your purse.”

“Thank you! It’s so silly. I love it.” I held up the bedazzled blue bow, stroking it softly with my fingers.

“I have a small collection of Judith Leiber bags myself,” Roseanne said. “Sometimes they’re just the right thing for a bit of fun.”

I smiled. I liked this woman. Too many people took themselves too seriously, but fashion and style was one area that was best when there was an element of fun, or campiness, or the unexpected. I’d bought this bag for this event because I thought it would be a good icebreaker, but I also bought it because I loved it, and it wasn’t something I’d be able to afford on a regular salary.

We fell into an easy conversation. I asked her about her gown, and she told me it was a custom design. When she found out I used to work in vintage fashion, her eyes lit up.

“Youhaveto come see my personal collection. I’ve got so many wonderful vintage pieces. Mostly they’re stored away in a climate-controlled room, and to be honest with you, most of them don’t fit anymore. But I’d love to share that with you. Wouldn’t that be wonderful, honey?” she asked her husband.

Wilbur, who had been deep in conversation with Rome beside us, glanced over. His gaze softened as he met his wife’s, his hand curling around her lower back. “What’s that, sweetheart?”

“Nikki used to work as a buyer for a vintage fashion store. I said she should come see my collection sometime. I’d love to show it off to someone who gets it.”

“If I were a suspicious man, I’d think Blakely here planned this.”

Rome cleared his throat. “What if I did?”

Wilbur chortled and clapped Rome on the back so hard he rocked on his toes. The older man shook his head. “I guess that would mean you really want our business. When are you free to come down? We’ll be there for the holidays.”

Where was “there?” He was asking me, so I shrugged. “Whenever suits you,” I said. I glanced at Rome questioningly. This seemed a bit extracurricular. Would he be mad if I went over to Roseanne’s place to look at clothes?

“It would give us time to iron out the last details to finally put some ink to this deal, hey, Blakely?” Wilbur’s eyes glimmered as he glanced at my boss.

Rome nodded. “I’ll have to check my schedule, but I should be able to clear a few days to take the jet down before the end of the year.”

“Great!” Wilbur exclaimed, and Roseanne beamed.

I, on the other hand, frowned. “A few days? The jet?”

“My clothing archive is at our primary residence in Grenada,” Roseanne explained. “We’ve got a gorgeous little island there. You’ll love it.”

---