Chapter 22
DANIELLE
Five years.
It’s a long time, but to know we’ll have another expiration date on our relationship is enough to send me running for the hills.
Blake sleeps soundly beside me, the soft rise and fall of his chest beneath my fingers soothing me somewhat.
We’re together right now.
I can’t believe how easily we fit together—despite every intention I had to keep as far away from him as possible.
A fake marriage on the outside, but a real love on the inside.
I allow my mind to drift, wondering what it would be like to be with Blake James for real.
Would he commit? No other women?
Unlikely.
He’s said as much himself; he isn’t capable of giving me more.
Staring at his dark hair sprawling over the pillows, tears sting my eyes.
As much as I appreciate his honesty, I’m already in too deep.
Whatever this is…it’s happening.
Blake stirs, shifting to his side so he’s facing me. His eyes open, focusing on me as a smile curves on his lips.
“Uh oh, what are you thinking about?”
“Just how ugly you are.”
Blake laughs so hard it turns into a cough, and I smirk to myself.
He’s an arrogant fuck.
“So ugly you couldn’t keep your hands off me last night.”
“A woman has needs.”
“Yes,” Blake says with a grin. “And I’m here to satisfy those needs.”
My head throbs a little from the champagne, but when Blake strokes my forehead with his thumb, it dissolves away.
What is he, Jesus?
“Healing hands,” I whisper, closing my eyes as his other hand cups my chin.
“Is it wrong that all I want to do is be inside of you again?” Blake mumbles into my ear, tugging my lips to his.
Five years.
That’s all I can do.
“Blake.”
His lips leave mine, and he stiffens. “Yeah?”
“Can we try?”
Silence.
His hand stills on my cheek, his forehead against mine.
I want to reach into his skull and search his brain, find out what he’s really thinking right now.
“I wish I could, Danni.”
There it is again, the refusal to entertain a serious relationship.
Instead of stomping away from him, I throw my leg over his thigh, straddling him. I grip both of his wrists, pinning him to the bed as I gaze at him.
“You can, you fucker. Stop pushing it away.” Blake stares back at me, and for a second, I wonder what the hell I’m doing.
“You deserve better.”
“Then try and be better.”
What am I doing?!
Blake swallows, his gaze travelling down my jawline, caressing my collarbone as he sighs. “I want to be good enough for you. I’ll try.”
It’s all I want.
“No other women?” I lift an eyebrow at him, and he grabs my hips.
“No Issac.”
“No one else,” I whisper as he flips us over, his hair falling into his eyes.
“I’m a bad husband. I’m possessive, demanding—”
“Hot, good in bed—” Our lips collide, tongues fighting for dominance as his fingers circle my nipple.
“Jealous. Dominating.”
My nails drag down his back, and he hisses, his teeth dragging my bottom lip into his mouth.
I need him inside of me.
My hips are bucking to meet his, and he shoves his boxers down impatiently. I claw my panties to the side as he thrusts into me, stilling as we gaze at one another.
“You’re mine, Danielle.”
He pulls his length out of me, slamming it back in as I cry out.
I’m not ready to be dominated yet, so I lace my hands around his neck, wrapping my legs around his waist as he frowns.
“Stay still,” I murmur the instruction, grinding myself against him. Instantly my clit is alive, stimulated by his pelvis.
I’m rocking back and forth beneath him, and he’s struggling not to react.
“Fuck, Danni.”
“Mm, that’s so good,” I moan, sucking in a breath when I notice Blake watching me.
“Ride me,” he commands softly, twisting us so I’m on top.
I move my fingers to my clit, pushing his away as his eyes darken. “Let me use you,” I tease, circling my finger and rocking my hips.
Blake moves his hands, lacing them behind his head as he watches me ride him.
My other hand caresses my breasts, and I feel Blake stiffen inside of me.
I’m getting closer to orgasm, but I try not to show it, letting him feel it from the inside instead.
“Danielle…” Blake chokes out, reaching up to pinch my nipple with his fingers. “I’m gonna cum.”
His words ignite me, and I stare down at him as my core clenches around his cock, my own ecstasy finally releasing.
“Oh, Blake,” I husk, throwing my head back as my fingers work my clit.
Blake grips my hips, lifting me up and down his length as I shudder helplessly above him, owned by his fingers.
I feel him filling me, and he sits up, dragging my mouth to his.
My legs wrap around his waist as we rock our hips against each other, both surfing the same exquisite wave.
His lips find my neck, and he sucks, my hands tugging on his hair.
“I fucking love this,” Blake growls in my ear.
One word away from telling me what I want to hear.
One word.
But I’m patient.
Blake James will be mine.
BLAKE
“I fucking love you.”
The words leave her mouth so easily; too easily.
I’m still inside of her, still panting against her damp skin as she gasps, her eyes wide.
Her hair is wild, her lips swollen from kissing.
She’s as close to perfection as I’ll ever get, yet I’m still scared.
I’m scared of losing her.
Scared of hurting her.
But I can’t lie to her; or to myself.
“I love you too, you know I do.”
That’s not a lie. I really fucking do.
I carry her to the shower, still balls deep the entire time.
We fuck in the shower again; I don’t know how she does what she does to me, but it’s like I’m a teenager again.
Fuck work.
Fuck meetings.
I’m spending the day with Danielle; the rest be damned.
She cooks breakfast in my shirt, the curve of her ass showing as she reaches up for the plates.
I’m hard pretty much all day, and she makes the most of it.
I see the old Danielle often.
Cute smiles, flushing at my compliments, her sassy mouth putting me in my place when needed.
We watch movies.
We sleep.
We fuck.
Then, we talk.
I’m in love, and I’m fucking terrified.
I want to buy her something, anything, but she’s having none of it.
“Let me treat you.”
Danielle shakes her head, her hand waving around us. “Your house is stunning, Blake, let’s enjoy that.”
“You ought to try the pool.” I wink at her and she’s up, stripping down to nothing as my eyes drink her in.
“Race you.”
She’s faster than me, but all I’m wearing is shorts. She gets to the water first, but I soon catch up with her, dragging her into the cavern at the end of the pool.
I bring her to orgasm before I fuck her, and she’s clinging to me like I’m the air she breathes.
“I love you fucking me,” she whispers, her mouth meeting mine, our kisses matching the speed of our lovemaking.
“Good, because I want to spend the rest of my life doing it.”
Danielle freezes, and I know I've said something wrong.
“What?” Danielle breathes, clutching me close to her.
I’ve lost my rhythm, and all I can think of is how I’ve just ruined everything by saying that.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—”
“You did or you wouldn’t have said it, Blake. Shut up, don’t ruin this.”
But I already have.
I don’t tell her that, and instead we finish off what we started with such passion, I almost believe my own bullshit.
Rest of my life?
I wish.