Blake looks uncomfortable, and I savor the moment. He clears his throat, pacing the room a little before I roll my eyes. “Blake, I’ve got things to do?—”
“I need to get married.” His words tumble out of his mouth so quickly, I almost don’t catch them.
“Excuse me?”
For the next small reading break, it helps to have a book ready.
Take a look atLokepuband save one for later.
“The contract. For me to take over the business.”
I’m so confused, but Blake has no problem spelling it out for me.
His navy-blue eyes meet mine, and he slumps into the chair beside me. He looks defeated, and I’m thoroughly bewildered.
“You want me to help you find a wife? There are websites for that, Blake,” I scoff, unable to believe he's asking me of all people to help him.
Blake lifts his eyes to mine, heaving a deep sigh. “I know that,” he snaps. “I mean, I have to marry someone who knows the business, someone I can trust not to fuck me over.”
The penny drops, and blood rushes in my ears like a steam train.
“Wait,” I babble, tapping a nail on the table between us. “Are you askingmeto marry you?”
Blake winces, turning his head at the sound of the staff members that are now entering the building. “I’ll make you a partner. I’ll give you an allowance, a car, whatever you want. You just have to pretend to be in love with me.”
My mouth drops open and I shake my head. “You must be out of your mind.”
Blake looks pained as he continues. “You’ll need to live with me.”
“Blake, be serious?—”
“For five years, then you’ll never have to work again. I swear.”
Falling back into my chair, I squint at him, trying to work out if this is some kind of sick joke.
I’m his ex—his scorned ex, no less.
Why would he ask me?
Blake is staring at the center of the table, looking like he’d rather swallow his tongue than ask me again.
“Ask someone else,” I whisper.
“I’m a billionaire, you know that. You’ll never have to work again, Danielle.”
I stare at him in disbelief. “Exactly,” I snap. “You’re a billionaire, Blake. You could marry anyone you want.”
“I don’t wantanyone,” he states quietly. “I want someone I can trust.”
“I’m not forsale, Blake!” I hiss, unable to believe his audacity. “I’ve got a life, thank you very much. I’ve agreed to go on a date with Issac?—”
“That can’t happen,” Blake interrupts, looking up at me with stern eyes.
“I can do whatever I please, thank you very much. I can’t pretend to be in love with you for five minutes, let alone five years!” I jump to my feet, but he does the same.
Pinning me against the kitchen sink, he stares into my eyes, his hands on either side of me. “Is it really so hard to do? For a million dollars? Ask foranything, and it's yours. Come on, Danielle. For me, for us.” He’s so close I can see the passion swirling in his eyes, his breath fanning my face as I gasp.
“Forus?Never.”
