Chapter 4: Having My Name On Her Lips Drove Me Crazier

Daniel’s POV

Just as I have ordered Lady Jane, my house staff—the meals, the drink, the decor. Everything was perfectly placed in order.

“Leo… I just sent you an address, go and pick up the lady and bring her here. She will be waiting”. I commanded Leo through my phone.

I dropped my phone, and the reflection of how I met Annabel crawled into my mind.

How she bumped into me that night. Her swollen face from tears she was holding back, her shattered voice and how she kissed me back just to make Stephanie jealous. Her excellent presentation, her fierce appearance and the urge to always challenge me.

I have lived all my life not wanting anything to do with any woman. Not after how my father abused and neglected my mother. The pain of seeing my mother struggle to give me a better life. It only made me believe that the best solution is to stay out of marriage.

I declined to attend her wedding because I knew it was not going to end well. Marriage is pointless. Because, what is the need to officially join a union?

I did my investigation, and it was clear the man that my mother got married to is just in her life because of my money and our family status in society.

He has a huge loan. For all I care that marriage is nothing but a simple business transaction. But what I don’t get is what will my mother gain from it? Could she really be in love with that man?

And the only reason why I had Stephanie beside me is to use her as a distraction for my mother. Since she can’t stop singing to my ear, why I should get married and give her grandchildren.

I picked Stephanie because my PA brought her. She said she would fit into this act. Well, she has been doing a good job.

But the latest obsession is what I don’t get.

That night, I had gone to the club to have fun when I saw Annabel run out of the room. Just then, I sighted Stephanie's bare-skinned and half-covered with just a duvet and a man sitting beside her.

She felt guilty. But seriously, I don’t even give a fuck.

It is just an open relationship. A contract.

Do you, while I do me. Just don’t get cut by my mother. Simple.

I was still in deep thoughts when the entrance door opened and Leo entered. Besides, he was Annabel.

Standing pretty just like the first night I saw her, but the difference now—she wore a sincere smile unlike her swollen face with tears battling to fall off that night.

My eyes were still locked on Annabel. “Leo, you can leave us.”

Leo responded and left immediately. Leaving just me and Annabel alone.

Everywhere, we felt quite just the pound of our hearts and the tick of the clock.

I moved closer to her. “You made it”. Our eyes are not leaving each other.

She nodded.

“Well, the table is set”. I pointed at the table, leading the way while she walked behind me.

After dinner, Lady Jane had cleared the dishes. “The meal was nice”. Annabel broke the silence.

I looked at her. “I’m glad that you loved it”.

We burst out in laughter. One conversation leads to another. At that moment, we were very comfortable around each other.

Just again we went silent. “Mr. Stroke, what next”. She asked, her face looking at every other place but me.

I leaned forward. “So what…do you think two mature people do in a closed door”. My voice is clearly sultry.

She did not speak, nor did she look at me. But I could see her cheeks turn pink from blushing. I cupped her cheeks, forcing her to look at me, which she did. We stared at each other for a long moment, our faces inches apart. My lips hovering around hers. Our hearts race in a fascinating way.

We got too close, and I wrapped my mouth with hers, holding her neck to stable her. Our tongue tangles as we swallow everything we give each other. She was getting heated up.

And God, I wanted to take her here. Right now. But I felt guilty. It feels like I’m trying to take advantage of her by promising to fund her project.

I mean her app is very good. And there is no doubt that she is among the top competitors. And clearly from the record, so far she has been selected by the board members. All they need now is just my approval before emailing her.

So using her will make her feel like she was selected because she slept with me.

Just then, I broke the kiss and pulled away.

Her expression changed. It was clear she wanted me too, as I wanted her. But I don’t know on what ground.

Is it for my money?

Is it because of my status? Or was she actually doing it just to get her app picked?

Could she be doing it to get back at Stephanie?

Just then she broke my thought. “Daniel, what’s with the change of mind?”

I creased her hand with the thumb of my fingers as I fought to stabilize my urge to bend her over here and make her scream my name begging for more. “Annie…the truth is that I only invited you over because I was lonely”. I lied through my teeth.

Disappointed. “Ohh…fine. Mr. Stroke, I’m sorry if I have crossed my limit. I promise I will not interfere with your business or make our small friendship come in between our work relationship if I eventually get lucky enough to be picked”.

I picked up her hands. “Annabel, just be yourself around me. That’s all I need”. My eyes wandered around the room. "And I don’t get intimate with my employees. So you have nothing to worry about”.

After that, we left the dining room and went to the living room. I popped the champagne as we began to swallow it.

We continued laughing and making all sorts of jokes, before we realized how wasted we were. I was already close to Annabel.

Our eyes searched for each other. I leaned close to her. “ Annie… I can’t hold it anymore”.

She whispered. “Me either”.

With no delay, our mouths locked together. Engaged in a deep way. Passionate and raw kiss.

I lifted her like she weighed nothing and carried her to my room. Our mouths do not separate from each other. I kept planting kisses on her mouth, nose, ear and then neck. And that was when it struck me.

Her scent. She smells like a strawberry mixed with vanilla ice cream. It was irresistible. A scent that I will wish to have beside me every day.

Annabel’s leg was wrapped around my waist, not letting me pull out. She threw her head backwards as I kept kissing her.

My hand went down to her dress, pulling it up as I cupped her breast, squeezing it like my whole world revolves around them.

A soft moan escaped her mouth. “Mr. Stroke, take me,” she pleaded.

Just her sultry voice drove me crazy, and a growl escaped my chest.

I pulled down her lacy panties and found her already dripping wet. The sight left me dilating. I pressed my fingers inside and gave her a thrust. She responded by widening her legs to let me in.

Then I thrust again, and again repeatedly until she was screaming my name. “Dan… Dan. Please. Take me, I’m all yours”.

Having my name on her lips drove me crazier. I pulled off my shirt and was about to unzip my pants when she dozed off. Probably from the alcohol I gave her.

That was when realization hit me harder.

Fuck.

What was I doing? She was acting under the influence of alcohol. And I was about to take advantage of that?

I couldn’t even control myself.