Chapter 108:Claiming Marks

(Scarlett's POV) Roman pulled me onto his lap the second we settled into the living room. His arms circled around me possessively as though I might slip away. His hand reached up, smoothing over my hair as if he was trying to calm a restless wolf. "You’re clever," he murmured, a smirk tugging at his lips. His ice-blue eyes softened just a fraction as they roamed my face. "Strategically brilliant, actually." I blinked, unsure what brought on the unexpected praise. "What are you talking about?" He leaned closer, and his deep voice dropped to an almost teasing whisper. "You, little wolf. The way you’ve been outmaneuvering Sarah, Grace, Alexander… even Nathan." "That’s not strategy." My voice edged with embarrassment. "It’s survival." "Maybe," he said, his hands sliding down to rest lightly on my waist. His eyes grew warmer, but it didn’t lessen the weight of his gaze. "But I like it." There was something more behind his smile. Something that stole the breath right out of my lungs.