The Marriage Sacrifice

“I didn’t want to have your father in my life like that.” He stroked his fingers down her arm. “I didn’t anticipate falling for you, Sage. I did, and I don’t want to not love you.”

She chuckled. “You’re going to love me for a long time.” She went to step away from him, but he grabbed her arm, stopping her from leaving. “What?”

He slammed his lips down on hers, sliding a hand to her ass to cup her against him, and the other he sank into her hair, holding her firmly in place.

She didn’t fight him.

Sage melted against him, and he was in heaven just from being near her. She was everything he ever wanted, and he didn’t want to let her go.

“I love you, Sage,” he said.

“I love you too. Let’s get down to business though. I don’t want you worrying anymore.”

“I don’t deserve you.”

“Well, let’s help make sure that one day you do. Besides, I’m the one that doesn’t deserve you, but I’m going to make it up to you. I promise.” She moved away from him, and his heart raced.

Sage was even more than he could have ever imagined. She was his savior, his love, his everything.

****

Three months later

The Booker deal was Dom’s, and his company was finally out of the red. Sage closed the recent file and sat back in her office chair, smiling. She had set up her office in Dom’s office. Blue always slept between them, but where Dom had his chair facing his office, she had hers turned to the window so she could look out of the city.

Their marriage was surprisingly solid after the revelation on their wedding day. She would always remember the feeling of being hurt, but as the cab driver had driven her around the city, giving her a chance to think, she knew there was way more to the story than what she’d heard.

When she realized how bad Dom’s situation was, she knew she couldn’t stand by and do nothing. She had to help him. She had to do something, and especially after her grandparents’ letter.

She wasn’t a corporate businesswoman. She wouldn’t win any awards for the way she was or her vision. She wasn’t business-minded, nor did she have what it took to take care of business, or at least that was what she’d thought. She would do whatever it took to keep the controlling shares now. Her father wanted her to give up her shares, but her grandfather had taught her to read everything she signed.

She missed them both.

“Excuse me, are you Mrs. Duke?”

She turned toward the door to see Billy.

“Billy, what are you doing here?” she asked, getting to her feet. After the first day with Dom, she had stopped wearing her suit, and she stood out at the office like a sore thumb in her jeans and shirt.

“Sage, I had no idea I was picking you up.”

“Did Dom call you?”

“Yes, he wanted me to come and escort his wife home. I’ve got the address, but it’s not where I usually take you.”

“Dom called you?”

“He said you’d only trust me. I guess, I know why now.”

She chuckled.

“You stayed married to him?” Billy asked.

She hadn’t been able to call Billy the day of the wedding. He had a small family gathering during that weekend as she had invited him to come.

“Yes, I stayed married to him.”

“Are you happy?” Billy asked.

“Yeah, I am.”

“Well, that’s the main thing, isn’t it? Love?”

“It is, and I do love him.”

“Does he love you?” Billy asked.

She grabbed her bag and coat. “In his way.”

“I can drop you off at your place. I don’t have to take you to him.”

“It’s fine. Believe me. I’m happy to go home.” They had been sharing each other’s places for the last week. They hadn’t slept together, but they did share a bed. He held her close, and it was a little complicated. They were working through their problems.

They did have to make a decision about where they were going to live.

Walking with Billy down to his cab, he opened the door in the backseat and she climbed inside. Sitting back, she asked Billy about his family, keeping the topic firmly away from her and her chaotic love life.

He finally arrived at Dom’s apartment block, and she pulled out some money to pay him.

“You know me by now, Sage. I don’t want your money. I hope you find happiness with your man.”

“Thank you, Billy.”

Climbing out of the cab, she made her way inside, and like always, Billy waited for her to enter the building before driving away.

She nodded at the reception desk ladies and went straight for the elevator. She pressed the button for the right floor, and waited.

She didn’t have to wait long before the doors opened up, and she stepped toward Dom’s door.

Lifting her hand, she was about to knock when she noticed something red peeking out from under the door.