Chapter 23
BLAKE
The sound of the doorbell jolts me from my slumber, and Danielle barely stirs from beside me.
I take a moment to study her, the way her hair curls against the sheets she’s got tucked under her neck, her breathing deep and comforting.
I’m fucked.
The doorbell rings again, and I decide whoever it is will feel my wrath.
It better not be anyone from the office.
I’m the fucking CEO—I can take the day off whenever I choose to. The only person who can question me is sleeping in my bed.
A smile forms on my lips as I tug my bottoms on, vowing to return to bed as soon as possible so I can wake Danielle properly.
Preferably with my head between her thighs.
I’m still thinking about that when I answer the door, finding Issac staring at me.
Great.
“Morning,” he says, shuffling awkwardly. His eyes are darting around me, and I roll my eyes.
Issac is fucking obsessed with my girl, and I’m over it.
“Coffee?” I sigh, leaving the door open so he can enter. His gaze burns holes into my back, and I turn to him, arching a brow.
“So, you and Danielle are both out of office?”
I don’t much like his accusatory tone, to be honest, and I tell him as much with my raised eyebrow.
Issac continues to stare at me, his jaw clenching stubbornly.
“Issac, we need to talk.”
I pour black coffee into two mugs, lifting mine to my lips.
The liquid scalds my mouth, but I barely feel it.
I need to tell my best friend to leave Danielle alone.
“I already know what you’re going to say.”
I sink into a chair by the pool, watching as Issac glares at me. “Do you?” I’m not so sure that he does.
“You’re fucking her.” Issac spits out the word, his eyes narrowing as he crosses his arms. “Even though you know how I feel about her.”
So he does know.
“Issac, calm down, bud.”
“You’re sick, you know that?” Issac’s vein throbs in his neck, a sure sign that he’s pissed. “You force her to marry you, then you seduce her?”
Too far.
I gaze at him, a ghost of a smile on my lips.
Is that what he believes? That I forced her to marry me? Is that what gets him to sleep at night? It’s a difficult situation, but I’m not going to sit here and let him speak about me like this.
“Issac, get a fucking grip.”
“I knew it.” His eyes have a wild look in them, almost like he’s going to lunge for me or something.
I probably deserve it, but not for Danielle.
For being a dick, probably.
But never for Danielle.
“So, she’s like a live-in plaything?” Issac sneers, glancing around us. “I thought she was better than that.”
“Watch your fucking mouth,” I warn, forcing myself to drink the coffee.
Issac laughs, shaking his head with amusement.
Like I’ve said something funny.
But I haven’t.
“She’s not really your wife, Blake. You can drop the protective act now.”
My head snaps up, and his expression changes, confusion replacing the mockery he’s used to reserving for me.
I hate the fact Danielle is my fake wife.
I detest it.
“She married you for the money, Blake,” Issac continues, waving a hand around us. “For your wealth. For the business.”
I exhale, pinching my nose as he continues his assault.
“Every chick falls for you. Nothing new, right? But you knew how I felt about her. You knew she liked me, and you couldn’t fucking stand it. Your ex liked me better than you, and you didn’t like that.”
I rise, slowly and steadily.
I’m eye level with him now, and I’m wondering if he’s come here to start a fucking war.
“It’s got nothing to do with you, Issac!”
I’m about to elaborate when a sleepy voice interrupts me, a warm hand settling on my shoulder as it pulls me back.
Only slightly.
“Blake? What’s going on?”
Issac turns away, and I lift my hand to the one on my shoulder, kissing it softly.
Danielle isn’t looking at me; she’s staring at Issac.
She’s only wearing a robe, and despite all of this, I just want to spread her legs and fucking devour her.
Issac can watch.
“Issac?” Danielle frowns, glancing at me. “Anyone?”
“Issac is pissed that I stole you away from him,” I snap, glaring at Issac who’s refusing to look at us. “And apparently, I forced you to marry me, and I seduced you. All while thinking of how upset my best friend would be.”
I’m trembling now, and I take a step toward Issac who finally meets Danielle’s eyes.
“Blake didn’t steal me from anyone, Issac.” Danielle looks alarmed, and I realize it’s because Issac looks pretty pissed off. Does he think there’s more to them than there is? He’s not the sort of guy to throw punches, not over a woman, anyway, but right now he looks like he wants to kill me.
“We had a one-night stand.” Danielle licks her lips as Issac nods, a grim smile on his face.
“Then you fucked my best friend. Married him for money.”
“Issac!” I step closer, but Danielle tugs me back, shaking her head at Issac.
“What the hell is wrong with you?!”
“You fucked in the office, didn’t you?” Issac stares past me, a bitter laugh leaving his throat. “Everyone’s on about it. Amelia saw you fucking. How professional of you both.”
“Fuck you!” Danielle whispers, shaking her head as though to rid his words from her mind.
“Been there, done that. Remember?” Issac has the audacity to smirk at her, and I’m done.
“Out,” I command, pointing to the door. “Now, Issac, don’t make me fucking throw you out.”
Issac frowns, disbelief in his eyes.
Best friends for years. Gone, all in the blink of an eye.
All good things come to an end.
“You’re a piece of shit, Blake James. You’ve ruined your dead father’s last wish…as if you could ever fall in love! And with a woman who marries for money and fucks your best friend? Great choice.”
My fist connects with his jaw so hard he topples backward, landing into the garden chairs with a crash.
“You fucker!” Issac roars, scrambling to his feet.
“Get out.”
I turn back to Danielle, who’s covering her mouth in horror, her eyes wide.
“I’m sorry you heard that,” I whisper, pausing when the front door slams behind a very pissed off Issac. “He’ll calm down.”
Danielle shakes her head, her fingers reaching out to stroke my cheek. “I don’t care about Issac. Or his words.”
I pull her close to me, burying my face in her neck, inhaling her scent. “Either way. I’m sorry. You don’t deserve that.”
“It’s okay, Blake.”
“It’s not fucking okay. You’re not just some girl to me, alright?”
She nods.
Of course. She knows.
Her smooth skin is warm beneath my touch, and when she asks me what I’m doing, I answer with actions.
Lifting her onto the kitchen counter, I spread her legs like I’d imagined doing moments ago.
Danielle rests her legs on my shoulders as she bites down on her lip, rolling her head back as I trail my tongue up her thigh.
“If I’m not some girl, what am I?” she asks throatily, as I pause to rest my lips on her clit.
My senses are in overdrive, and I inhale her arousal before answering her. “You’re my wife.”
“On paper,” Danielle gasps as I suck on her clit, reading it with my tongue.
She’s right. On paper.
“What do you want to be?” I mumble into her, her thighs quivering as I lift her ass from the side, presenting her to me like the breakfast I crave.
“Mm,” Danielle moans, her nails scratching against my scalp. “I want to be yours.”
“Mine,” I growl, inserting a finger into her tight hole. “You want to be mine?”
Danielle doesn’t answer because she’s nearing insanity, her breathing ragged as I finger fuck her, my mouth sucking again on her clit before I lift my head to hers.
She’s coming undone, but I’m not finished.
“You are mine, Danielle. Do you hear me? You’re mine. And you know what else?”
“Blake!” Danielle cries out, and as she contracts around my finger, I push my pants down, rubbing my cock against her wetness.
Thrusting into her always feels like the first time, and she hisses as my thumb finds her clit.
“I’m yours.”