The Tie That Binds: A Marriage of Convenience Novel

“Ugh, I knew you’d be unbearable once you started dating. I’d rather have the ice queen back instead of this giddy, giggly mess,” Luke mutters, his disapproving eyes roaming over me. Usually I would’ve glared at him, but today I grin and blow him a kiss. He shudders and looks away, much to my amusement.

After spending ten minutes coming up with an excuse, I finally walk into Daniel’s office with a document he needs to sign. He looks up and smiles at me as I approach. He hugs me and I relax in his arms. He’s been at Devereaux Inc. every morning, and the office just isn’t the same without him. I rise to my tiptoes and press a kiss to his lips.

“How’re you feeling?” he whispers.

My cheeks burn. “Fine, just a bit sore.”

Daniel drops his forehead to mine and sighs. “I’m sorry, Lyss. I didn’t know. I wish you’d told me you were a virgin. I would’ve gone easier on you. Maybe stretching you out first would’ve helped.”

My embarrassment increases and I shake my head. “It was fine,” I murmur. And it was. It hurt at first and it felt uncomfortable for a while, but towards the end it was all right. I struggled to get used to his size, but I’m sure it’ll be fine over time.

Daniel pulls away from me and shakes his head. “Maybe we shouldn’t have,” he whispers, and my heart drops. “Why did you wait to lose your virginity? Were you saving it?”

I panic. The truth is that I thought I was in love with Dominic, and throughout the years no one managed to convince me otherwise. Even when I dated, my heart wasn’t really in it, so none of my relationships went any further than second base.

“I wasn’t saving it, per se. I just… it just never happened.”

Daniel stares at me thoughtfully, a hint of agony flashing through his eyes. “Hmm, I see,” he says. He takes a step away from me and I miss him instantly. “You’ll be sore for a while.” He looks torn and regretful, and I don’t know what to make of his reaction.

“It’s fine. I’ll be fine. I’m okay. I’m sure it’ll be better next time.”

He nods at me but looks uncomfortable, which in turn only makes me feel more awkward. I take a step closer and wrap my arms around him. I push my breasts against his chest and drag his head down towards me. I kiss him and relax against him when he kisses me back, passionately this time. A small moan escapes my lips and I feel him harden against my stomach. I slide my hand down his chest until I’m cupping his hardness, but he jumps back. I freeze while Daniel looks at me with wide eyes.

What just happened? “Ah, we’re at the office, Lyss,” he murmurs. I glance at the desk behind him. The same one he lifted me onto before he buried his face between my thighs. The same one he said he wanted to bend me over.

“Uh, yeah,” I whisper. I clear my throat and hand him the document I wanted him to sign, both of us suddenly stiff and awkward. I can’t help but feel like something is wrong as I walk back to my cubicle, but I can’t figure out what.