Chapter 20
DANIELLE
Again.
It’s happened again.
“Dinner. Drink. Straight from work,” Blake mumbles into my ear, easing himself out of me.
My head whirls when he spins me around, dragging me back into his arms. “You’re beautiful, and I’ll do what you want with Skies. Dinner and drink.”
I adjust myself so I look semi-decent and give him an annoyed look.
This only seems to amuse him, and he presses his hands on either side of me, his breath hot on my face.
“Why are you looking at me like I’ve done something wrong?”
“Because.” I sound petulant, and I know it.
But I can’t come up with an answer to his question that wouldn’t involve tearing his ass apart for breaking my heart all those years ago.
How he left me without another word, then walked back into my life, and gave me an offer I couldn’t refuse.
Now this.
This…mess.
Blake rests his forehead against mine, his eyes stormy.
“Because of how I left things between us?”
I move him back, nodding as I duck under his arm.
“Yes. That, and the fact we’re…” My words trail off as I see I’d not closed one of the blinds. “Oh, fuck.”
Blake follows my gaze to the blind, letting out a chuckle when he sees the line of vacant desks beyond it.
“Lunch hour. Don’t panic, no one will have seen.”
I feel sick. “Blake!”
Blake widens his eyes, holding up his hands. “It’s barely used, I swear. Hey, relax.”
He strides over to me, wrapping his arms around my waist as he gazes down at me.
I hate myself for staring back at him, and even more so for the way I replay the past half an hour in my mind.
Blake sets me on fire like no one else ever has. One look from him can have me on my knees, begging for him to own me.
Maybe that’s what it is between us.
Sex.
As much as I don’t want to admit it, it’s a distinct possibility. Blake will deny it regardless, just so I don’t think he’s an asshole, but what about me?
“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, Danielle.”
Then he does this.
“Why don’t we work from home for the rest of the day? Hmm?”
His hand slides to my ass, pinching it as I yelp.
“Sorry, you’re just so sexy. What do you say? Day off with your husband?”
I’m intoxicated by his impulsivity, but I have to remain calm and keep my feet on the ground.
“It’s funny,” I say, backing away from his embrace. “You say it’s not just about sex, but that’s all you seem to want to do.”
Glancing back at the vacant desks through the window I’d missed, I sigh.
If anyone saw us…
“It’s not,” Blake argues, resting his hands on his hips. “I said I want to take you out for dinner and drinks tonight.”
“To get drunk and fuck,” I add sadly, shaking my head. “I’m going back to my office.”
Blake opens his mouth to argue, but he doesn’t say a word.
I’m not sure what’s worse: the fact he said nothing, or the fact I wanted him to.
I hold my head up high as I walk back to my office, stopping for a drink of water halfway. The drinks dispenser allows you to choose whether you have ice-cold water or tepid; right now, my body feels like it’s bubbling with lava, so I opt for the cold water.
I close my eyes, gulping it down like it’s going to save me from myself, refilling it as soon as I’m done.
I’m shaking.
I spent years without so much as exchanging a word with Blake James, and within a few months of working for his father, I’m fulfilling my marital duties as Blake’s wife over his fucking mahogany desk.
Jesus, Danielle.
“Hey, are you alright?” A hand steadies my arm in a way that declares the intimacy between us, and I wonder what I’ve done to deserve this. “You seemed a bit edgy back there.”
Issac peers at me with concern, a slight frown creasing between his brows.
“What the hell happened to you?”
“What?”
Issac’s smile freezes on his face as his eyes skim over me, taking in the creased clothes and messy hair.
“Your lipstick is smudged.” Issac points at his mouth, mirroring where my lipstick must be. He steps back, paling slightly. “I’ve got to go.”
I can’t say anything.
Part of me is glad he’s suspecting that something happened with me and Blake because it means whatever we have between us is over.
But another part of me feels bad for him, and I want to run after him and reassure him.
Blake strides out of his office, his gaze finding mine as he spots me at the water machine.
Despite all the deep breaths and cups of water, my body is alight again.
Blake turns toward me, his eyes locking onto mine until he stops, like he’s walked into an invisible force field.
Issac heads into Blake’s office, and Blake gives me a strange smile.
Almost like he’s sad to walk away from me.
I receive an email later that day that tells me Skies will be coming in for talks tomorrow afternoon.
He’s done it, he’s actually done it!
I let out a little laugh, leaning back in my chair as I email the public relations team, asking them to get the media involved.
Skies is a great company, and the fact they’re family-run will melt hearts all over. I begin researching their problems, making notes as I go.
The problem with travel is that it’s anything but consistent; the weather can affect it, for crying out loud, not to mention politics, global warming, and economics. Natural disasters can cause delays for months on end, and it seems to be happening more and more lately.
Airlines are losing money flying with empty seats, and more and more people are holidaying in their own countries to save money and boost their economies.
It isn’t a surprise that Skies is in this position.
Email subject: Deal
Blake James to Danielle Vee:
Happy now?
Blake James.
Chief Executive Office of James Luxury Travel.
Email subject: Re:Deal
Danielle Vee to Blake James:
It’s the best decision.
Kind regards,
Danielle Vee.
Retail Oversight Manager for James Luxury Travel.
Email subject: Re:re:Deal
Blake James to Danielle Vee:
You need to change your signature on your email. It’s out of date.
Dinner at seven?
Blake James
Chief Executive Office of James Luxury Travel.
Email subject: Seven is fine.
Danielle Vee to Blake James:
Just dinner? Sure.
Stop seducing me.
Kind regards,
Danielle Vee
The real CEO of James Luxury Travel.