Chapter 10
DANIELLE
This contract is making my eyes ache.
It’s two a.m., and I need to stretch my stiff muscles.
So far, I can't see anything that means I come out badly in any of this, but it's just whether I can marry Blake James for money.
I would have married him once for nothing but love, so why is this so difficult?
I reach for the ceiling, throwing down my highlighter. The last few pages are dense—full of sub-clauses I can barely read through the exhaustion—and I skim them faster than I should.
In four hours, I’ve got to be up for work, and I haven’t got a thing to wear that's clean.
If you lived with Blake, you’d have a walk-in closet and a swimming pool, my inner voice tells me.
“I’d probably also murder him,” I mutter, climbing into bed.
My dreams are filled with Blake and Issac, and I wake up more exhausted than when I went to sleep.
I’m half asleep when I arrive at the office, but before I can open the door, Blake is there, his gaze running over me with surprise.
“Are you unwell?”
“What?!”
“Issac said you were off at lunch yesterday.” Blake raises his eyebrows, walking alongside me.
“I’m fine,” I reply. “Well, as good as can be expected.”
Blake rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. “Yeah, I get that. So, did you read the contract?”
“Blake, you need to learn some patience. Also, why are you here so early every morning? It’s most unlike you.”
The elevator ride seems to last forever, but Blake is thankfully quiet for several beats. “I’m worried,” Blake exhales finally, earning himself a double take from me.
“About?” I sneak a look at him. His jaw is tight, his eyes narrowed.
“The company. Decisions need to be made, contracts need renewing, and there's nothing I can do until I’m the CEO.”
Pressing my lips into a firm line, I huff, leaving the elevator first.
“Danielle,” Blake calls after me, his hand reaching to my arm. “What is it that’s stopping you?”
I stare down at his hand, raising an eyebrow in disbelief. Only Blake James could ask that. “Aside from the moral trauma and life experiences I’ll be putting on hold, you mean? Or lying to my family? Putting my entire life on hold, Blake, to help you?”
Blake exhales through his nose, gazing at me in the way only he can. “You can say no; you realize that, right?”
“I can’t. I need the money and the opportunity,” I admit, crossing my arms over my chest. “Also, I’m not sleeping with you.”
Blake shakes his head, looking offended. “Of course not. Unless you want to.”
“Blake,” I warn, stepping closer to him. “No jokes, no games, and no random women in our house.”
Blake’s eyes light up, and he nods so fast I swear his head is going to fall off. “Yup, fine. No men either.”
I scowl at him. “In the house or in general?”
Blake rolls his eyes. “Is this about Issac? Do you want to date him?”
“Maybe; I kind of want that choice.”
I’m aware I sound petulant, but I’m giving away my freedom here.
Blake studies me, glancing around as he shrugs.
“You’d have to see him in the house because to the world, you and I are happy, trying for babies and shit.”
“Babies?” I snap, wondering where the fuck it said that. “It didn’t say that in the contract!”
“No,” Blake says with a grimace. “But my mother wants to be a grandma so bad, so prepare for that, if you do it.”
“But your mom knows it's not real, surely?” I gasp in horror.
Blake looks awkward, flashing me a pearly white smile.
“What did you do?” I frown, but he holds up his hands.
“Nothing, it's just going to make her wonder why you don’t want to have my babies. So many do.”
I stare at him, shaking my head. “No, I can’t do this with you.”
“I’m sorry! It was just banter,” Blake pleads, reaching for my hand.
I snatch it away before he can touch me. “No more banter then.”
“Will you do it?” Blake catches my hand, turning me toward him as the elevator dings. His gaze flickers behind us, and I see the panic in his eyes.
I can say no.
“You know I’ll look after you, Danielle. You can do whatever you like, with whoever you like; just don’t get caught.”
The office starts filling up, and I close my eyes, nodding my head. “I’ll do it. Just remember what I said.”
“No banter, no women, no men except Issac, no babies. Did I get it all?”
“No. I’m not sleeping with you,” I remind him in a low voice.
Blake smirks, then coughs. “Yep, like I said, unless you want to.”
“Which I won’t. This is a business transaction, Blake; don’t be mistaken because I won’t hesitate to use clause 244.”
Blake’s head snaps up, his brain whirring behind his blue eyes.
“‘If the wife is mistreated in any way, including sexual assault or abuse of any manner, she has the right to press charges and terminate the contract,’” I breathe out, enjoying the disbelief on his face.
“I would never do that!”
“Good. Then we’re clear. Have a good day.”
Turning on my heel, I hear him call after me, “I’ll get the lawyers here today. Make sure you’re free.”
“Make sure I’ve got satin sheets,” I throw back, earning us curious glances.
“Yes, dear.”
I’m called into Blake’s office two hours later, and I wonder how he got the lawyers here so quickly. Briefcases slap onto the mahogany tables in his office, and I’m directed to a leather chair at the side of Blake. Across from me is Issac, and he stares through me like I’m not here.
The briefest of introductions are made, but then we’re straight down to business.
“Mr. James gave you a copy of the contract, correct?” a man to my right asks, peering at me over his spectacles.
“Yes,” I confirm, clearing my throat.
“Any questions?” Five pairs of eyes lock on mine, and I take a deep breath.
“No women in the house. Blake has to maintain a professional demeanor throughout. This is a business transaction.”
One of the lawyer’s scribbles something down, whispering in his partner's ear.
“No men either,” Blake declares, avoiding my gaze.
I frown. “You said I could date Issac,” I argue as Issac lifts his eyes to mine.
“No thanks, Danielle,” Issac responds, shaking his head. “You’re marrying my best friend. Fake or not.”
Oh.
I’m not surprised, not really. I wouldn’t want to be seeing some guy if he was pretending to be married to my best friend. Especially if she was his ex.
Five years of celibacy it is, then.
I can do this.
Blake addresses the lawyers, and I realize he’s asking how soon his rights can be implemented.
“When you’re married, Mr. James, for the CEO rights. But the family fortune is after five successful years of marriage.”
“We don’t have to have children, right?” I ask as the lawyers shake their heads.
“No, Miss Vee.”
I relax a little and feel Blake’s eyes on me.
I would’ve loved to be marrying him years ago, children and all. The conversation turns technical, and I pay as much attention as I can until a pen is offered to me.
“When will the wedding be?” a lawyer questions us, and I turn to Blake, praying he knows I don’t want a big wedding.
“We could run off and get married, true romance, huh?” Blake suggests, reading my mind.
Thank God.
“Of course. Just remember, it has to be believable.”
Issac is stony-faced, watching me hesitate over the marked lines. “Are you sure, Danielle?”
I look up, expecting to see Issac looking at me with concern; instead I find Blake watching me.
“I promise I won’t fuck you over.”
I nod, wondering for the millionth time if I’m making the right decision.
Money.
Business.
Career.
Five years.
I drag the pen across the lines, and the more I sign, the easier it becomes.
Danielle Vee, soon to be Danielle James.
“Right, let’s go and get a drink,” Blake commands, nodding at me.
“No thanks, I’ve got to work. Let me know the plans via email,” I reply tightly, lifting from my seat as elegantly as I can.
“Plans?” Blake frowns, tilting his head with confusion.
“Your address, the venue, whatever.”
Blake laughs, and Issac leaves the room, giving me a curt nod.
“I’ll take you to the chapel now if you like. Get it over with, then you can move in with me. It’s simple, really. Just tell me what you want because I’m forever in your debt.” At least he’s being respectful about it all.
“Fine.”
“Good. Thank you, Danielle. I mean it.”
I meet his eyes, ignoring the way my stomach lurches. “I know you do. Don’t fuck this up; we both need this.”
I turn on my heel, heading for the restrooms.
What have I done?