The Marriage Sacrifice

“You want to take me out to dinner?”

“I’m not a good cook, as otherwise I’d offer that. I know you’re not a big fan of restaurants.”

“How about I cook?” she asked. “I don’t have anything else to do. I’ve got food in my fridge that needs using, and I hate wasting anything. I could cook us something and even give you some leftovers for work tomorrow?”

“It sounds very domesticated.”

“It’s not a date.” She spoke fast.

“I know. We’re just two friends who are getting married and will one day have to hang out a lot. Why not start now? This lunch wasn’t so bad, was it?”

“No.”

“What was that?”

“No, it wasn’t that bad, and you know it. Actually, I was wondering if you’d like to do something with me?” she asked.

“Besides dinner tonight?”

“I’m still cooking you dinner tonight, but I’ve got a thing tomorrow. Would you like to come?”

“Do I get to find out what this thing is?”

“No.”

“Nothing?”

“Nothing.”

“I’ve got to go on blind faith?”

“Yes. Can you do that?” she asked.

“I think I can manage it, unless we’re killing someone?”

“No death, no nothing. I’ll pick you up tomorrow. Do you own anything other than a suit?”

“Of course.”

“Good. You’re going to need it, and I advise you don’t wear anything too fancy.”

Chapter Three

Sage didn’t know what the hell she was doing. She knew where she was going and why, seeing as she’d been doing it for the past three years, but inviting Dom, it was crazy. When she got to his place, she was going to tell him not to bother. Being in a suit wouldn’t work, and if he owned anything but, it was probably designer. It had already been a pretty hectic morning, but she’d been able to get four hours of nonstop writing in before she had to even think of the rest of the day. She always worked every spare moment she could, but she also liked to deal with her commitments to helping others and volunteering.

The cab pulled up outside of his extravagant building.

“Do you mind waiting?”

“No problem, Sage. Anything for you.”

Billy, the driver, she’d helped him out when he’d made a mistake with his wife. He’d forgotten their anniversary, and with Sage’s help, she’d been able to set a perfect romantic meal for him. She’d also babysat his three children that night so he could more than make up for it. Since then, whenever she needed a cab, she had his personal number and he was a close friend.

“You’re a star.”

“You go and get your man.”

She chuckled but slid out of the car, making her way inside the building. She didn’t want to go all the way up to his room, so she stopped at the main reception.

Two women were talking, and she quickly glanced at the time to see she wasn’t able to wait.

“Excuse me. Could you put a call in for Dominic Duke?” she asked.

The women turned toward her, and within a matter of seconds they’d looked her up and down and decided she wasn’t worth their time.

“I’m afraid Mr. Duke doesn’t take personal calls.”

“He’s expecting me.”

“Yeah, I’m really sure of that.”

They went back to talking to each other.

Sage wasn’t in the mood to get into this argument. She had never used it since putting the ring on her finger.

“I’m sure he’d be expecting his fiancée,” she said, holding up her hand with the diamond ring on her finger.

It was weird. From the moment the ring had been put on her finger—by her mother, not by Dom—she’d never taken it off. It was a Duke heirloom, worn by his grandmother, who refused to give it to Dom’s mother, so he had it in his possession for when he was married.

She didn’t want to get married, but yet, hadn’t taken the ring off. Weird.

“I’m Sage Boyle. Dom’s expecting me.”

The two women went bright red and practically tripped over each other to get to the phone to call him.

“I’m so sorry,” the woman said, who hadn’t made it in time.

Sage merely smiled. She wasn’t about to spoil her day because of these two women. They wouldn’t be the first two who decided she was worth nothing when it came to Dom.

“He said he’d be right down. Would you like a beverage or a snack while you wait?”

“No, that’s fine. Thank you for your help.” She stepped away from the desk and walked toward the doors, staring out at the open street.

She could do this.

Spend the day with Dom.

It wasn’t like their time together over lunch was so hard. She rather enjoyed his company.

The elevator opened, and Dom stepped off. He came toward her, and for a split second, Sage forgot to breathe. There was just no way a man who had spent most of his life in a suit could look so good in a pair of jeans and crisp white shirt, and yet, as he walked toward her, owning the outfit, she couldn’t help but feel a pulse of arousal between her thighs.