Chapter 22
Taya
My whole body stiffened. I didn't dare to move, afraid of getting Roman even more aroused.
I fought to suppress my disgust and keep calm. "Beta Starke, when I fall in love with you one day, I'll be bold enough for you, too."
Roman pulled me against him, my dress still soaked in red wine, pressed against his chest. He lowered his head to kiss my neck. "I can't wait that long." After saying that, he lifted my dress until it was bunched around my waist and started to unzip his pants.
All the color drained from my face, and I struggled with all my might.
But all that did was turn Roman on even more. He held me even more tightly in his arms and clamped his teeth down on my neck harder. "Beta Starke!"
Trapped, I could do nothing but hopelessly try to press my hands against his chest.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
I frantically looked around for my bag. Shit. It was on the opposite sofa, too far out of reach.
My palms were covered in a cold sweat, anxiety spreading through my body, but I had to force myself to calm down.
"Roman...you want the project from Alpha Knight, r-right? I can get it for you i-if you let me go!"
Roman was fiddling with his pants again. When he heard me mention the project, his fingers paused. "You can help me get it?"
"My plan to seduce Alpha Knight may have failed, but there was a moment when he mistook me for Ms. Thorin, and he kissed me. I recorded a video. If I use it to blackmail him and help you secure the project, he'll comply. Without question."
***
When Roman heard Taya could help him get the project, his interest was immediately piqued.
The bidding for the new project would start next month, and his father said that if he could secure it for the Starke Pack, he would hand over the position of Alpha to him.
However, his competitor was the Collins Pack from Chicago, one of the top pack companies in the country. It would be difficult for him to defeat them based on reputation and talent alone. The Collins Pack had more resources and were more competitive, could probably complete the project at a cheaper rate.
All Roman could do was try to win Griffon over personally, befriend him and make Griffon want to work with him.
But dealing with Griffon was far more difficult than he initially thought.
If it weren't for Preston's assistance, Roman wouldn't have been able to even meet the Alpha.
Befriending Griffon would be impossible.
But if Taya could somehow help him, then...
Something wasn't adding up, though.
Confused, he asked her, "Why didn't you blackmail him into being with you?"
"Who said I didn't? I've threatened him before. I said I wanted to be his girlfriend, but he refused," she replied.
Roman narrowed his eyes. "If he refused you, what makes you think he'll agree to anything now?"
"If he doesn't agree this time, I'll just send the video to Ms. Thorin," Taya said firmly, shrugging one shoulder.
Roman raised an eyebrow. "You proposed this because you don't want to sleep with me. Didn't you?"
"Yes," she said, plain and forthright. "I told you before that I can't be physically intimate with someone I don't love. Right now, all I can do is help you with this project."
Roman never expected her to admit that so freely and directly, especially being in the position she was in. A girl who had no power, no wolf, no pack to protect her.
It made him look at her differently.
A few days ago, Taya had impressed and persuaded him with her cleverness, but today she earned a bit of his admiration as well.
Roman thought that Taya had no interest in money or power, so finding out that she loved Alpha Knight was surprising.
No wonder she didn't have eyes for Roman. She was interested in someone far more powerful.
Intelligence, ambition, tactics, negotiation. The small woman in his arms was formidable in all aspects.
Maybe if he left it to her, she could help him get the Westen City project, but...
Roman grabbed Taya's chin, forcing her to look at him. "I'll bite. Just this once. But if you fuck up, all of my pack guards will take a run at Harper." Harper was a weak spot for Taya, and just the leverage he needed to make Taya comply.