The Tie That Binds: Chapter 16

I wake up to the smell of coffee and follow my nose, only half awake. I pause in front of the kitchen, my eyes widening at the sight I’m being presented with. Daniel is standing in front of the coffeemaker in his pyjama bottoms but without the shirt he usually wears with it. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this. He’s hot. Daniel turns and I sigh at the view. Muscular chest, a six-pack complete with V muscles and a thin trail of hair on his lower abdomen that disappears into his pants. I should probably try harder to hide the lust I’m feeling, but I’m weak this morning. I blame the lack of coffee.

I look up and almost miss Daniel’s dark eyes. His gaze trails over my body, lingering on my chest. I’ve gotten comfortable enough to ditch the robe, and if I’m honest, I’ve been enjoying the way he looks at me when I’m wearing nothing more than a skimpy nightgown. Daniel blinks a couple of times and then his stoic expression is back on his face, all traces of lust gone. The attraction I could’ve sworn I saw was gone so quickly that I’m second guessing myself.

He smiles at me and hands me a cup of coffee. I accept it gratefully and take a big sip before lifting myself onto the counter. I swing my dangling feet as Daniel moves around.

“Pancakes?” I ask, as I watch him stir what looks like some type of batter. He nods as he works quietly. I lean back and admire the way his body moves. I’ve been making breakfast all week, so I guess he feels like it’s his turn today. If this is the view I’m presented with whenever he makes breakfast, then I’m certainly not complaining. I might even sacrifice his delicious dinners for it.

“Can you show me how this coffee machine works later?” I ask, staring at the huge monstrosity that really should be in a coffee shop instead of a home. He’s made coffee every morning while I was making breakfast, but at some point I’ll need to figure it out.

Daniel chuckles at my expression and nods. “It’s quite simple once you get the hang of it.”

I shake my head. “Making coffee isn’t something that should come with a learning curve.”

Daniel laughs again and the butterflies in my tummy go wild. “You know, you never laugh at work. You rarely even smile. It’s a good thing, too. The girls would be all over you even more.”

I speak without thinking, and it isn’t until Daniel looks at me with a smug expression that I realise what I said.

“Hmm, maybe I should start smiling more.”

I bite down on my lip. What does that mean? Does he want the girls at work to be all over him? The idea doesn’t sit well with me.

“Well, come to think of it, you have no problem smiling at Kate. It’s just the rest of us you can’t be bothered with.”

Daniel turns off the stove and walks up to me. I grip the counter tightly and contemplate jumping off so I can create more distance between us. He looks intense and somehow I feel like I’m in trouble.

He puts his hands on my thighs and spreads my legs as he pulls me flush against him. I squirm as his abs push against my inner thighs. His skin against mine feels amazing. I place my palms behind me and lean back on the counter, inadvertently pushing my barely covered breasts out. Daniel grabs me. His large hands cover my tiny waist almost entirely. His eyes fall to my breasts and he bites down on his lip. His gaze slowly trails up until he’s looking into my eyes.

“This again, Alyssa?” he murmurs. I’m breathing hard and I’m struggling to remember what we were even talking about. “I told you I’m treating her the same way I always have, but if you think the way I treat her is inappropriate, then I’ll be sure to address that. You’re my wife, Lyss. You’re the only woman in my life. Why is it you insist there’s something between me and her when there isn’t?”

I narrow my eyes at him. “Nothing there? How would you feel if I ignore your existence and invite someone else to an event we’ll both be at? If I let him hold my hand in your presence? Besides, she’s the woman you met during your MBA, isn’t she? The one that was unavailable. She’s divorced now, so I’m not surprised you started flirting with her. Sharing cotton candy with her was quite cute, I gotta admit.”

Daniel pulls me closer and drops his forehead to my shoulder. “Lyss, I’m sorry. You’re right. It was a shit thing to do, but isn’t it the same thing you’ve always done to me when Dominic’s around?”

I look away because it’s true. Even after we got married, I’ve probably prioritised Dominic, even when he didn’t do the same for me.

“Dressing up to go for dessert with him when you’ve never once dressed up for me. Laughing with him and making inside jokes that you know I won’t get. Making me feel like an outsider even though I’m your husband. It doesn’t feel nice, does it? How would you feel if I go running as soon as some other woman calls me, even though you cleared your busy schedule to spend some time with me?”

I stare at him, realisation suddenly dawning. He cleared his schedule to watch a movie with me last night? Come to think of it, he’s been working on the sofa every night while I watched movies beside him. Did he work longer hours so he’d be free last night? I’m racked with guilt.

“I didn’t know, Dan. I’m sorry. I don’t know what you expect me to do. He’s still my friend. He seemed so upset last night on the phone…”

I’m making excuses and I know it, but there’s nothing I can say that will make this better. I didn’t realise Daniel felt like he’s been second best. I didn’t really think he cared about anything I do at all.

Daniel pulls away from me and walks out of the kitchen, the half-baked pancakes still on the stove. I sit there in a daze as the last couple of weeks flash through my mind.

He’s right. Every single day I’ve made him feel like an outsider, but then isn’t that what we were going for? Didn’t we get married under the assumption that nothing between us would change?

I jump when Daniel’s bedroom door slams closed. Seconds later, I hear the ding of the lift. I hop off the counter and walk to the living room only to see the doors close again, only a sliver of Daniel visible before the doors shut.

I groan and make my way to the bathroom to get ready. I’m running late because I spent all morning overthinking things.

I stare at my outfits and decide to go for something sexier than usual. Something that might distract Daniel from his anger.