The Tie That Binds: A Marriage of Convenience Novel

“You got laid, didn’t you?” Linda says, grinning.

I frown at her. “What are you talking about?”

“You keep smiling at your screen and zoning out. That’s never happened to you before. You’re always hyper focused on work, so it can only mean one thing. A man is involved. Besides, that’s obviously a hickey on your neck.”

Jake and Luke stare at me with wide eyes, both of them obviously curious. Jake looks at me wistfully, as though part of him is hoping it isn’t true. He hasn’t tried to pursue me since he started working with me, and I’m so relieved. It’d just get messy, especially if Daniel caught wind of it.

I glare at Linda. “Fine,” I admit. “I’m dating someone. We’ve been seeing each other for a little while and finally made it official. I’m just kind of giddy, I guess.”

Linda squeals and claps. “Oh, my god! You’re actually dating someone!” I roll my eyes. She seems more excited about it than me. “Wow, you’ve never dated in all the time I’ve worked with you. Not that I know of, anyway. I’ve never seen you this happy before. It’s kind of weird to see you looking your age.”

Linda is five years older than me and started at DM just before I did, though I did get promoted faster than her. I’ve always appreciated that she takes me seriously despite my age, but I guess part of it might be that I’ve always been really serious. Her smile drops when Daniel walks into the office. She nudges me and looks down. “Don’t tell the boss,” she whispers.

“Why not?” I ask, confused.

She shakes her head and turns back to her screen. “Just don’t,” she murmurs.

Daniel pauses at my desk with a wide smile on his face, causing the butterflies in my tummy to go wild. He places a coffee cup on my desk before holding a couple of other cups up for the rest of the team.

We woke up together this morning and got ready for work together. It was incredibly sweet and exciting. I loved it. I wish we could’ve gone to work together, but Daniel had a meeting at Devereaux Inc. I discreetly ogle him as he hands out the rest of the cups. He’s wearing the tie I picked out for him this morning. We barely managed to get dressed between the kisses. I take a sip of my coffee and look down at it with a wide smile. He got me a mocha? It’s my ultimate guilty pleasure, but I rarely let myself have one. How did he know? Daniel winks at me and walks towards Kate to give her a cup of coffee before he disappears into his office.

I’m antsy and eager to get some time alone with him. I need his lips on mine. I try to focus on work as best as I can. We’ll be going to Singapore together next week and I’m so excited about it. It’ll be our first trip together, and I want it to be perfect.

“Alyssa,” Daniel shouts. I jump up, immediately back into work mode. I think back to my schedule and whether anything could’ve gone wrong but come up empty. I walk into his office and close the door behind me.

I walk around his desk. “What’s wrong?” I ask. He grins at me and lifts me onto his desk. He parts my legs and stands between them, cupping my head gently. He lowers his lips to mine and kisses me.

“God, I missed you,” he whispers. His hand trails down my leg as he kisses me until he reaches the lace fabric of my panties. He pushes it aside and moans against my lips. “So wet for me already, baby.”

He pulls away and sits down on his chair. I try to close my legs, but he shakes his head, his hands keeping them open.

“Do you remember that time you sat down on my desk and caged me in with your legs? We were arguing and I was being cold to you.”

My smile vanishes. “Yeah. You told me you wanted to see other people,” I snap. I try to jump off his desk, but he holds me in place.

He rises and presses a kiss to my lips. “Easy, baby. Let me finish. I thought you were the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. And when you sat down on my desk, your stunning legs on either side of my thighs and those damn red lace panties right in front of me… All I wanted was to bury my face between your legs.”

He grins at me and leans in to kiss my inner thigh. “So let me overwrite that bad memory, my love,” he murmurs, before pushing my underwear aside and finding my clit with his tongue. He laps me up and then inserts a finger, playing with my body expertly. He makes me come hard right there on his desk, his name on my lips. I cover my mouth with my hand and try my best to keep my moans quiet as I shatter.

Daniel pulls back and puts his finger in his mouth with a wicked grin. “Fuck. So good,” he moans. “I’ll never get enough of watching you come for me, Alyssa.”

I blush fiercely and jump off his desk, unsteady. Daniel grabs my waist and helps me balance until my legs finally decide to work again. I’m trembling and panting, my head still spinning from how hard I just came.

“You — you…” I snap.

Daniel stares at me, his brows raised.

“Did you actually need something?” I say eventually. He shakes his head and grins up at me so cutely I can’t even be mad.

“No playing around at work,” I warn him, before storming out. I must’ve looked angry with my red cheeks and my mild annoyance because my team immediately falls silent and work diligently.

I’ve only been working for about ten minutes when the intranet messaging system pops up. I click on it, expecting it to be someone from one of the other departments. Instead, it’s Daniel.

Daniel Devereaux: but I like playing with you, Wifey. There are so many things I’ve been fantasising about doing to you. Surely you won’t begrudge a man such a small request?

Alyssa Carter: Have you lost your mind? This is the work intranet! It’s on my screen! What if someone walks past me?

Daniel Devereaux: I’ll fire them. Do you know how long I’ve wanted to bend you over my desk and fuck you? Baby, I want you kneeling down between my legs underneath my desk. I want you sitting on top of your desk with your legs spread wide… You can’t just kill my dreams, my love.

I clench my thighs together. I just came and I’m already ridiculously turned on again. How does he do this to me?

Alyssa Carter: You can’t just fire someone, Dan. There are these things called labour laws. You’d better get to work. Stop making me wet and desperate for you.

Daniel Devereaux: Wet and desperate, huh? How do you expect me to work now? All I can think about is your tight, hot pussy. I’m taking you tonight, Alyssa. I can’t wait any longer.

My eyes widen, and I gasp. Linda glances at me and I immediately click away my chat with Daniel.

“You okay?” she asks.

“Yes, it’s nothing. Just forgot to plan a meeting. The boss will kill me if I don’t do it ASAP,” I blurt out randomly. She nods in understanding and gets back to work.

All I do for the rest of the day is count down the minutes until Daniel and I are finally alone in the privacy of our home.