The Tie That Binds: A Marriage of Convenience Novel

I’m on my third cup of coffee and it’s only ten in the morning. There’s so much prep to do for our trip to Singapore on top of my regular workload. Recently Daniel has been giving me more responsibility and while it’s been exciting, it’s also been nerve-racking. The learning curve has been steeper than I expected, and I’m constantly exhausted.

I look up when I hear the clicking of high heels and freeze. The entire office falls dead silent. While Daniel has been with many women, none of them have ever shown up at the office. I stare at her in surprise, my eyes falling to the paper bag in her hand. She’s clearly bringing Daniel food. It’s from Regale, on top of that. So much for nothing happening between them. My heart aches and my stomach twists.

Part of me is hoping that she’ll be denied entry, but I know that’s wishful thinking on my part. Kate glances at me and looks annoyed before she lets Giselle into Daniel’s office. I’m tempted to follow her in. I’m curious about what she’s doing here. It’s almost like I want to catch Daniel cheating. Like seeing it will finally make it real.

Kate leaves Daniel’s office door wide open and she huffs as she walks back to her seat. Looks like she isn’t a fan of Giselle either. I can’t focus on work at all as her laughter rings through the office. The sound of it grates on me.

Daniel walks out of his office with a wide smile on his face and looks at me. “Lyss, can you come to my office?”

I look up at him and back at my screen.

“No. I’m busy.”

Jake looks at me with wide eyes. “Have you lost your mind?” he whisper-shouts.

I shrug. What’s Daniel gonna do? Fire me?

Linda looks at me and tilts her head towards his office, silently urging me to get up and go already. I’m sure my refusal is increasing her anxiety, even though she isn’t the one that’s being asked to go in.

“Please, Lyss,” Daniel says, still smiling. I glare at him and get up, walking painfully slow. He places his hand on my shoulder as soon as I’m within reach and closes the door behind us.

“What is it?” I snap, not bothering to hide my annoyance. Daniel grins and walks up to Giselle.

“Come have some food with us, Lyss. Giselle brought some Tapioca pudding. That’s your favourite, isn’t it?”

I look at him like he’s crazy. “Have you lost your mind? That’s what you called me in for? Stop wasting my damn time, Daniel.”.

Giselle smiles at me and looks as though she’s curious about me, even more so after my outburst. “Liz? Is that short for Elizabeth? It’s nice to meet you. I’m Giselle,” she says.

I nod at her politely. “It’s short for Alyssa, actually.’

I turn to walk back out, but Daniel grabs my hand and holds on tightly. I glance at him, dismayed, while Giselle jumps up.

“Oh my god, Daniel. This is Alyssa? Your Alyssa?”

She smiles from ear to ear and I look at him, beyond confused. He nods at her and smiles just as wide. He pulls me closer and throws his arm around my shoulder.

“Yep. This is my wife, Alyssa.”

Giselle shakes my hand, and there’s not a trace of jealousy or displeasure on her face. She seems genuinely excited to meet me.

“Oh, my god. I’ve been hearing about you for years. To think Daniel and you finally ended up together. I’m so happy for you,” she gushes.

I glance at Daniel, whose smile falls just a touch and frown. What is she talking about? I guess she might’ve heard about us having grown up together. I smile at her but can’t help but feel awkward.

She looks at her watch and grabs her bag. “I need to go now, but thank you so much for hiring my cousin as Regale’s sous-chef. I promise she won’t let you down. She made these dishes for you as a thank you, and I told her you’d fire her if she makes the smallest mistake. She reassured me she’s got this, though.”

She walks to the door and turns back. “Oh yeah, before I forget. I already instructed my PR team to deny all allegations about me and you, Daniel. I apologise, Alyssa.”

I nod at her, dazed. She smiles at us and then walks out, closing the door behind her. Daniel picks up the tub of pudding and takes a bite before offering me a spoonful. I reluctantly open my mouth and let him feed me.

It’s pretty damn good, but I’m in no mood to admit it. Daniel sits down on the settee in his office and pulls me over. I stumble and end up on his lap. Rather than let me go, he throws his arms around my waist and shuffles my weight to balance me onto his knee.

He pushes my hair away and rests his chin on my shoulder. “Told you I didn’t cheat on you, Lyss. It really was just a business meeting. Her cousin was there too, but she stayed back to talk with the chef. When I said I wanted to take back everything I said to you, I meant it. I take it back. Let’s reinstate the no cheating rule.”

I’m silent as I think things through. What is he thinking?

“I don’t know, Dan. It might be better if we do see other people. Considering your track record, it’d be a surprise if you can actually last three whole years without getting laid.”

Daniel chuckles and tightens his hold on me. He brushes his lips against my ear, eliciting a shiver from me.

“Who says I’m planning on going without sex for three years?” he whispers. He presses a soft kiss against the back of my neck and my eyes fall closed, desire pooling between my legs. Is he saying what I think he’s saying?

“Surely you don’t think I’d actually sleep with you,” I say, my voice far huskier than I intended it to be. Daniel chuckles and another wave of desire crashes through me.

“Do you want to bet on whether or not I can make you beg for it?”

I clench my thighs and shift in his lap. How does he get me wet so quick? I’d be mortified if he found out.

I move to get off his lap, but Daniel wraps his arms around me and holds me captive. “Tell me you’ll be faithful to me, Alyssa. I’m not asking you to sleep with me. I’m just asking you not to sleep with anyone else.”

He presses another kiss to my neck and my lips fall open, barely suppressing the moan longing to escape.

“Tell me you’ll be mine for as long as we’re married, Alyssa. Promise me you’ll be mine like I am yours.”

I lean back against him with my eyes still closed. “Are you mine, Daniel?” I ask, my heart racing.

He grazes my neck with his teeth before biting down softly. The way he nibbles on the most sensitive parts of my neck sends delicious tremors down my back.

“Yes, sweetheart. I’m yours,” he says. “I promise.”

I involuntarily arch my back, grinding my hips up against his leg. I’m overcome with desire. I want him to touch me. I want his hands on me and his lips on mine.

Daniel’s hands wander up slightly until he’s holding me right below my chest. He draws circles with his thumb on the underside of my breasts and I whimper.

“Daniel…” I whisper.

I turn to face him just as his office door opens. I jump up and straighten out my clothing as Kate walks in. She glances at me and then nods at Daniel, a small smile tugging at the edge of her lips.

“Your eleven am meeting is commencing soon. I escorted Mr. Davis to conference room A,” she tells him.

Daniel pulls a hand through his hair and sighs before nodding at her. I look down in embarrassment. We almost got caught behaving inappropriately. I’m certain my face is scarlet and I can’t walk out of Daniel’s office looking like this. But then again, my team will probably just think I got scolded for something.

Kate smiles and then walks out of the office, leaving us standing alone. Daniel looks at me and brushes my hair behind my ear.

“I need you to promise me, Alyssa.”

I cross my arms over my chest to hide my hard nipples and look away. “And what if I won’t? I’m not the one who decided to create or abolish the rule in the first place. You do whatever the hell you want and expect me to agree. What if tomorrow you change your mind again?”

Daniel closes the distance between us and buries his hand in my hair to tip my head up. “I won’t change my mind. We can get it down on paper. I’m happy to sign a contract. I’ll give you my DM shares if I ever cheat on you.”

I look at him wide-eyed. “You’re really serious about this, huh? Why did you say you wanted to start seeing other people only to change your mind again two weeks later?”

He drops his forehead to mine. “It’s complicated, Lyss. Just know that I didn’t and won’t ever cheat on you. Can you say the same?”

I look into his eyes and nod. I can’t imagine wanting someone else, and that’s before we’ve even slept with each other.

“Yes. Okay. I promise you fidelity, Daniel. But this time we’re signing a contract.”

He grins at me and kisses my forehead gently.

“I’ll get Vincent to draft it,” he says. His eyes linger on me before he walks out, leaving me standing there with my heart racing.