Chapter 8
DANIELLE
I’m in the office before anyone else, and I head straight to the kitchen.
I need coffee, despite having a semi-decent sleep last night. The office is so different with no one here; it has a tranquil feeling to it that I can’t help but fall in love with.
The glossy cabinets are exactly like what I want at home, but they're way out of my price league.
One day.
I dream of this. Of having enough money that I don’t have to get up at the crack of dawn to go to work; to have a swim in my pool before reading for the rest of the day.
Oh, the life of a CEO.
“Morning.”
I almost drop my mug, my shoulders hunching in shock at the deep voice that's addressing me from the doorway.
It’s none other than Blake James, and he is gazing at me like I’m holding his newborn child.
“Jesus, you scared me!” I press my hand to my heart, which is slamming harder than it ever has against my chest.
Blake isn’t suited and booted today, which only throws me off even more. Ripped jeans and a tight shirt distract me, and I force myself to turn away.
I’ll never forgive him.
“Danielle, I need to talk to you before anyone else arrives.”
Ha, he needs something from me.
The answer is no, whatever it is.
“Oh?”
“Coffee, milk, no sugar, please,” Blake says, and I turn to stare at him in disbelief.
“What?”
“Can I have a coffee, please?” Blake corrects himself but continues to smirk at me. “Pretty please.”
I roll my eyes, turning back to grab a mug.
He has some serious gall.
“What do you want, Blake?”
Pouring the coffee into the mugs, I purse my lips, wondering what on earth he could possibly want from me.
If it’s to do with the business, he’d be better off asking Issac.
“Danni.”
Pain slices through me at the sound of my nickname on his lips, but I narrow my eyes, refusing to let him get to me.
“Here’s your coffee. What do you want?”
Blake takes the coffee from me, lifting it to his lips. “Fuck, that’s hot.”
“Funny that.”
“I need to ask you something, and it’s going to sound crazy, but please hear me out.”
I cock an eyebrow at him, taking a seat at the oval table beside us. “Go on then, ask.”
Blake looks uncomfortable, and I savor the moment. He clears his throat, pacing the room a little before I roll my eyes. “Blake, I’ve got things to do—”
“I need to get married.” His words tumble out of his mouth so quickly, I almost don’t catch them.
“Excuse me?”
“The contract. For me to take over the business.”
I’m so confused, but Blake has no problem spelling it out for me.
His navy-blue eyes meet mine, and he slumps into the chair beside me. He looks defeated, and I’m thoroughly bewildered.
“You want me to help you find a wife? There are websites for that, Blake,” I scoff, unable to believe he's asking me of all people to help him.
Blake lifts his eyes to mine, heaving a deep sigh. “I know that,” he snaps. “I mean, I have to marry someone who knows the business, someone I can trust not to fuck me over.”
The penny drops, and blood rushes in my ears like a steam train.
“Wait,” I babble, tapping a nail on the table between us. “Are you asking me to marry you?”
Blake winces, turning his head at the sound of the staff members that are now entering the building. “I’ll make you a partner. I’ll give you an allowance, a car, whatever you want. You just have to pretend to be in love with me.”
My mouth drops open and I shake my head. “You must be out of your mind.”
Blake looks pained as he continues. “You’ll need to live with me.”
“Blake, be serious—”
“For five years, then you’ll never have to work again. I swear.”
Falling back into my chair, I squint at him, trying to work out if this is some kind of sick joke.
I’m his ex—his scorned ex, no less.
Why would he ask me?
Blake is staring at the center of the table, looking like he’d rather swallow his tongue than ask me again.
“Ask someone else,” I whisper.
“I’m a billionaire, you know that. You’ll never have to work again, Danielle.”
I stare at him in disbelief. “Exactly,” I snap. “You’re a billionaire, Blake. You could marry anyone you want.”
“I don’t want anyone,” he states quietly. “I want someone I can trust.”
“I’m not for sale, Blake!” I hiss, unable to believe his audacity. “I’ve got a life, thank you very much. I’ve agreed to go on a date with Issac—”
“That can’t happen,” Blake interrupts, looking up at me with stern eyes.
“I can do whatever I please, thank you very much. I can’t pretend to be in love with you for five minutes, let alone five years!” I jump to my feet, but he does the same.
Pinning me against the kitchen sink, he stares into my eyes, his hands on either side of me.
“Is it really so hard to do? For a million dollars? Ask for anything, and it's yours. Come on, Danielle. For me, for us.” He’s so close I can see the passion swirling in his eyes, his breath fanning my face as I gasp.
“For us? Never.”
He grins, moving back so he can rub his chin. “Fine, for the money. For the company. For your career.”
“As long as it’s not for you,” I seethe.
“Is that a yes?”
I screw up my face, thoughts of what this would mean for me racing around my mind.
But a pretend wedding?
To Blake?
“No one can know it's not real, Danielle. Five years. If I can find a way to end this early, I will.”
“You must know so many women; why me?” I whisper, as he steps closer.
“Because you’re the only one I’ve ever loved.” His eyes hold mine. “And the only one I’ve ever trusted.”