Page 34 of Dark as Knight

“Couldn’t sleep.” I shrug. “Never heard of a meeting running this late before.”

“It didn’t. I went to my office after. I needed to get a few things done and figured since I was already downtown…” I nod. “Is there something you want to say, Stella?”

“It doesn’t look good, my fiancé out late night after night while I’m at home with no idea where you actually are.” I didn’t realize I was upset by this until now. It does feel like a double standard considering he’s lectured me a few times now on my behavior in all this.

“I was at the office,” he doubles down. “I can get you the security footage if it helps. And before that I was at Morton’s, stayed till close.”

“And the night before?”

“Same. I had work that needed done so I stayed late at the office.” I stare at him, unsure if I actually believe him. He steps toward me. “Look, I’m sorry. I know that work has been exceptionally busy but the good news is, there’s a fuck ton of money at the end of this contract and while we agreed on eloping, it doesn’t mean there won’t be a kick-ass honeymoon.” He reaches out and touches my chin softly.

“Oh yeah?” I smile, giddy at the excitement of a luxury vacation that I’d never be able to afford on my own. “Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“Will we fly first class?” I can’t hide the excitement at the thought of my own private bed on a plane.

“No, darling.” He smiles. “We’ll fly on my private jet.”

I shake my head. “I seriously keep forgetting just how rich you are. I think my brain has trouble computing that.” He laughs and then the moment dissipates between us, but the tension, that thick, underlying feeling of something so much more brewing between us hangs in the air. I can’t help myself, I reach my hand out toward him, my fingers fidgeting with a button on his shirt. “Don’t you ever get lonely?”

“Yes.” My eyes dart to his. I’m surprised he admitted it.

“Then why not choose not to be lonely?” I step closer to him, my fingers sliding from the button to flat against his abs. I can feel his muscles tense beneath my touch, his hand darting out to grab my hand, stilling my movements.

“Because if I choose to not be lonely, Stella…” His hand releases mine, the other dropping his jacket on the floor. He cups my face. “I will fuck up your entire world.” His voice is low, his breath warm as his eyes bore into mine. He stays like this for several seconds like he’s fighting something. He leans in closer, his lips brushing against mine. “You are far too good for a man like me.” Then he steps back and picks up his jacket.

“Maybe that’s exactly what I need.” My own voice is strained. “To learn a lesson.”

He smirks, shaking any wrinkles out of the jacket. “Trust me, Miss Porter, I can think of about half a dozen lessons I’d love to teach you right now, the hard way.” His hand is back against my cheek. “I know it’s lonely and it will be at times because this isn’t real, but this is what you signed up for.” My eyes blink rapidly, like an involuntary response of blinking back a stray tear.

This isn’t real. I say that to myself over and over again, hoping it takes root instead of these feelings.

“Just think of the money, Stella.” He smiles, then steps away toward his bedroom. “Good night.”

Chapter 10

Atlas

The restraint I’m showing by walking away is taking every ounce of willpower I have. My legs feel like lead weights. I’m seconds away from turning around when I manage to shut the door behind me.

“Fuck.” I toss my jacket on my bed, running my hands through my hair as my cock begs for attention. I reach for my belt, undoing it along with my zipper. I shove my hand beneath the waistband of my underwear, fisting my cock.

“Ohhhh, fuck yes.” I lean against the door, my head making an audible thump as I close my eyes and allow myself to get lost in the fantasy of fucking her. I squeeze my shaft, my strokes growing feverish as my orgasm builds. My neck is strained, so I push off the door, turning around to lean one hand against it as I jerk my cock. The door creaks beneath my force and if anyone was on the other side, they’d know damn well what’s happening in here right now.

I’m panting, my legs burning as I pump my hand up my length one last time. My release spills on the floor, my breath coming out in near shouts as stars burst behind my eyelids. My shoulders sag, and I rest my forehead against the back of my arm as I try to catch my breath, knowing full well there’s a good chance Stella heard me just now… and I hope she did.

I stand in the far corner of my office, staring out the large plate glass window. The last time I had a ring in my pocket was because I had figured I was going to marry Eleanor. Obviously, a stupid assumption on my part. But this time it’s different; it’s a safe risk because it’s not based on love.

I pull the ring from my pocket, rolling it around between my fingers. It’s the same one that I had designed for Eleanor. Call it bad luck or maybe just poor taste, but like I said, it’s not a real wedding so I can’t imagine that Stella would actually care. Not to mention she’ll never find out. She’ll be too distracted by how large and glittery the diamond is, I’m sure.

I picture Eleanor’s face as I hold the ring. The image of seeing her the other night at the event flashes through my brain. I know I wasn’t imagining things when I thought she looked tired and thinner. What I didn’t expect was for her to call me the next day and confirm my suspicions, also letting me know that she was, at current, very unhappy and contemplating whether or not she had made a huge mistake in leaving me.

As much as I wanted to pull her into my arms and hug her and let her know that everything was going to be okay and that I was sorry she left me too and that I missed her dearly, I didn’t. Because I can’t take the risk that she’ll walk away from me again before we would get married.

I assured her she simply was having a hard time adjusting to seeing me with someone else and that I was head over heels in love and truly happy for the first time. Her eyes filled with tears and I watched her heart break in front of me before she walked out of my office without another word.

So I did what any man would do who was battling his feelings of still missing love lost and possibly falling for someone he can never have. I drank myself almost to death, stumbling home only to have Stella help me to bed. I was so close to telling her everything that night. I wanted to pull her to me and feel her lips against mine as I buried myself inside her, forgetting everything that was going on around me.

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