The Tie That Binds: A Marriage of Convenience Novel

Daniel was quiet the entire way home. We didn’t get a chance to speak to each other privately between entertaining guests, packing up to go back home and finishing some last-minute things for work tomorrow.

He looks pissed off as we enter the lift, and he’s yet to say a word to me. I don’t understand what’s making him so angry. He’s the one that exposed his kiss marks, and he’s the one that declared he had a girlfriend, only to avoid me afterwards.

He drops our luggage to the floor as soon as we walk in and scoops me up. I yelp as he lifts me into his arms, one hand underneath my knees and one wrapped around me. He carries me to his bedroom and kicks the door open before placing me on his bed.

I’m surprised when he helps remove my flip-flops and kicks his own off before lying down next to me. He rolls on top of me, glaring.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, my voice quivering.

“Nice bathing suit you had on today. Dominic picked it out for you?”

My eyes widen. “Oh, that,” I murmur nervously.

“Hmm, that,” he repeats. He glances at the red strap that’s peeking out from underneath my sundress, his eyes darkening. If I’d known it would upset him this much, I would’ve taken it off at the mansion. I kept it on because it dried nicely while I sunbathed, and I figured I’d want to shower before bed, anyway.

He grabs the hem of my dress and lifts it up. “Off,” he orders.

I raise my arms obediently and let him take it off. He throws my dress on the floor and stares down at my body hungrily.

“I’ve gotta say, it does cup your perfect tits beautifully,” he says. He grabs a handful of my breast and squeezes. He glares at my bikini top and puts his hands on the cups before pulling it apart in one fell swoop. The fabric tears like it’s nothing, and I gasp as my breasts spring free. He throws the remains of my bikini top on the floor with force, as though it personally offended him. He leans down and takes my nipple into his mouth. I moan and arch my back, making him chuckle. He roams up my body and places his lips against my neck, sucking harshly. My eyes fall closed as a thousand different sensations crash through my body. Daniel pulls back and looks at the mark he made with satisfaction before doing the same thing on my collarbone, my chest and my stomach.

He pauses when he reaches my bikini bottoms and stares at it in anger. He looks up at me. “I saw you. I saw the way you hugged him. I saw the way he stroked your hair and held your hand. The way he pulled you away and towards the house. Did you let him into your bedroom? Did he go through your outfits to pick out the one he liked best?”

He trails his nose against my inner thigh before sucking down and leaving another mark. I tremble underneath him. I’m beyond turned on. He’s never been this rough with me before, and I’m almost embarrassed to admit that it drives me crazy.

Daniel glances up at me and grins before tearing off my bikini bottoms. He kisses my lower stomach and moves down until I’m trembling with need. He looks up at me and then drags his tongue down my slit He moans at the same time as me. “I knew you’d be fucking delicious,” he whispers. He swirls his tongue around my clit and has me ready to come within seconds. I bite down on my lip and try my best to hold on as he tortures me with both his tongue and his fingers. The combination of the two is almost too much for me, but every time I’m about to come, he pulls away.

“I don’t want him even thinking about you,” he snaps. “You’re mine, Alyssa, and I’m done playing games. I’m done stepping aside and trying to do the right thing. You’re mine.”

He pushes a finger against my g-spot while he swirls his tongue around my clit and I almost lose it. “Ohh, fuck. Dan. Please…”

“Say it, Alyssa,” he whispers.

“I — what?” I can barely think straight.

He finally pushes me over the edge and I shatter on his lips, coming harder than I ever have before. I’m still trying to catch my breath when Daniel gently lifts me into the bed and pulls the covers over both of us. He rolls on top of me, his clothes cold against my skin.

He brushes my hair out of my face and kisses me so sweetly that my heart feels like it might burst.

“Tell me you’re mine, Alyssa. Officially from now on. No more games. No more blurred lines. No more flirting with other people and making each other jealous. No more guessing and no more miscommunication. I want you, heart and soul. Tell me you want that too.”

He looks so vulnerable as he stares down at me. I pull him to me and kiss him as gently as he kissed me. Is he actually asking me what I think he’s asking? My heart is racing and hope blooms within me.

“Only if you promise me, there’ll be no more pulling back and hiding your thoughts and emotions, no more unwarranted jealousy and definitely no more separate bedrooms,” I whisper.

Daniel exhales in relief and drops his forehead to mine. “I promise, Alyssa. I promise.” He glances at his walk-in wardrobe and grins. “I better make some space for you, huh?”

I giggle and throw my arms around him. He nuzzles my neck and pulls back to kiss me. I moan against his lips, already wanting more.

A thought crosses my mind and I suddenly feel vulnerable. I pull away and glance at him.

“What is it, baby?” he whispers.

“I… do you… it kind of seems like, I don’t know. Do you not want to sleep with me?” I say, my words coming out rushed. I’m blushing and feeling embarrassed that I have to ask at all.

Daniel looks at me with wide eyes. “What?” he says. “What the fuck?”

He grabs my hand and shoves it down his shorts, making me feel how hard he is. “Alyssa, you could merely glance at me and I’ll want you. Hug me, and I’ll be hard. I always want you, baby. What could possibly make you think I don’t?”

I hesitate.

“Communication, right baby?” he reminds me.

I nod. “It’s just that you never seem to want to go all the way with me. You’ll kiss me and then just go to bed… or you know… you’ll touch me and then you won’t let me touch you in return and just go to sleep. It makes me think you might not really want me.”

Daniel groans. “Alyssa, I’ve been trying to treat you respectfully. I didn’t want to rush into anything with you. You’re not some one-night-stand or a girl I know I’ll dump in a few weeks. You’re my wife. I wanted to do right by you.”

He pulls a hand through his hair and shakes his head. “God, Alyssa. I’m dying to sink my cock deep inside you. Fuck, you were so wet just now, all I could think about was how you’re going to feel wrapped around my dick. I’m throbbing at the mere thought of it. I need you so desperately, baby… But you’re not just a quick fuck. I wanted it all with you. I wanted to make out with you and play with you without any expectations. Just pleasuring you brings me enough satisfaction.”

I bite down on my lip and throw my arms around him, hugging him tightly. “Okay,” I whisper. “You’ve done it. You’ve done right by me. Don’t make me wait much longer, Daniel. A few more days and I’ll jump you myself.”

He smiles and kisses me tenderly. It’s been a long time since everything has felt so right in the world, but tonight it truly does.