The Tie That Binds: A Marriage of Convenience Novel

I’m still distraught when I get home that evening. Both of our security guards smile at me as I walk in.

“Congratulations on your new job title, Mrs. Devereaux,” they say.

I smile at them shyly. “Thank you. How did you know?”

They both laugh and glance at each other, exchanging an amused look. “Mr. Devereaux has told every single person in the building at least a couple of times.”

I blush and smile to myself. I thank them again as I make my way upstairs. When I walk into the house, everything is quiet and I pause in the doorway. There seem to be a hundred candles throughout the apartment and even more roses. Daniel is standing by the dining table with a wide smile on his face. I walk up to him and kiss him. He laughs and kisses me back gently.

“Well, if it isn’t the new CEO. I’m so proud of you, Alyssa. You have no idea.”

I hug him, and he wraps his arms around me. Just looking around sets my heart at ease. He wouldn’t have gone through all of this effort if he’s planning on divorcing me.

“Everything looks beautiful, Daniel. I can’t believe you did this for me.”

He kisses my forehead and pulls a chair out for me before pouring a glass of wine. He serves and pampers me all night. He cooked us a three course meal that I’m beyond impressed with. I know he’s worked much harder than I have today, so for him to have done all of this on top of his regular workload warms my heart. I can totally see us spending the rest of our lives together like this. I can only hope he feels the same way.

“And how does it feel?” he asks.

I grin and lower my eyes shyly. “It’s the same as any other day. I don’t know how hard it’ll be going forward, but you were right to say I’ve already been doing the job for weeks. I might not have said it yet, but I’m grateful you’ve continued to train me. I’m grateful you trusted me with DM when many said I was still too young and too inexperienced. Thank you for standing by my side and for always being there to catch me when I fall. I could never have done this without you. It’s not just the last year either. Even before that you’ve always had my back, and I want you to know I’ve always appreciated it. You’ve always been my role model, you know.”

Daniel stares at me with wide eyes and lowers his eyes humbly. “I just did what I was meant to do. I’ve been your mentor for years, Lyss. I always knew this was the end goal, and I never once doubted you’d make it. If I wasn’t going to have your back, then who would? I’m honoured I got to be the one at your side as you learned and grew as a person. You never cease to amaze me, you know. Every year you surpass my expectations, and every year you become more and more dazzling. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that you’re here with me at all.”

I get up and walk around the table to sit in his lap. He hugs me tightly when I bury my face in his neck. I’m overflowing with love for this man. He’s been there for me since I started at DM five years ago. He’s always challenged me, and he’s always taken me seriously despite my age. He’s always trusted me and given me responsibility that even my father didn’t want to give me. It’s thanks to him I’ve managed to grow as quickly as I did. It’s not just professionally that he’s always been there for me. Subconsciously, he’s always been the one I’ve trusted the most. He’s the first one I called when the hospital told me about my dad. He’s the one I called when I needed help with university applications and when I had doubts about interning at DM. He’s also the one I’d call if I got too drunk on nights out with my friends and he’s the one I’d plead with if my dad was being unreasonable about anything. I’ve come to rely on him a lot throughout the years. I just never realised it.

Daniel cups my cheek and kisses me gently before dropping his forehead against mine. “My amazing wife,” he whispers. I smile and bite down on his lower lip before kissing him fully. Daniel buries his hands in my hair and deepens the kiss. It feels different tonight. There’s a sense of desperation laced with emotions neither one of us dares to name.

He carries me to our bedroom and I hold on tightly. We’re both quiet as we undress each other. We’ve mostly been rushed and passionate, but tonight everything feels sacred. The way he touches me makes me feel like he loves me as much as I love him.

My eyes fall closed when he slides into me. He tangles his tongue with mine and then pulls back. “Look at me, Alyssa,” he whispers. I do. I look into his eyes as he slowly makes love to me. I’m overcome with emotions. Everything feels more sensitive than usual, and I can barely take it. I feel like I might fall apart.

Daniel bites down on his lips and I know he’s close. “Alyssa, my love,” he whispers. He thrusts into me slow and hard, driving me crazy. I’m done for. I’ll never get enough of this man.