Blackmailing His Runaway Bride by Dance-is-me (carter reed .txt) 📗

Twenty

Isabella sighed as she heard Charles's response.

But no, she wasn't shocked.

At the back of her mind, she always deduced that Charles wanted to marry her for a reason that wasn't just love.

Definitely, the first thing that came to his mind when he saw her wasn't; Oh, I am going to marry her.

"Isabella?" She looked up at his worried eyes. "I can explain," he said, his hands ready to hold onto hers as though she was about to run away and that was the only way to stop her.

Shrugging lightly, she said, "You don't have to."

"I-"

She had her seat. "Charles, it is fine. You don't have to explain anything. How do I put this?" she asked as her eyes trained forward thoughtfully. Then, suddenly, she clicked her fingers as she found the phrase she was searching for. "Let's just say we are using each other."

"What? What do you mean?" Charles finally sat opposite her, his presence soothing Isabella more and more.

"I am getting married to you for protection from my ravaging ex-husband and you are doing it for your real father." She nodded slowly as her eyes met his focused ones. "That's how it is."

Charles heaved a deep breath. Sitting back, he watched her with utter seriousness as though he was trying to solve a puzzle. "I-" He sighed again. "We are doing more than using each other right?" While he asked that question, his eyes carried further concern. He almost seemed hurt.

Isabella could see the version of herself from two weeks ago replying to his question with a negative response. That version of her would have used him to fill the void inside her momentarily. But things were different at that particular moment. A lot of things had happened that gave her a clear picture of something she needed.

She had finally realized that staying away from Charles would do her no good.

So Isabella nodded, and then said, "It can't be helped." Then, she looked to the side like a shy bride. "I can't help it," she confessed.

Amused suddenly, he asked, "Help what?"

"I can't help but do more than use you."

"Well, if that statement means you are going to be with me for a long time, use me all you want." She broke into a smile on hearing his heart-stirring response.

Charles was doing it again... making her feel loved.

Just like he did back at her office.

As he pleasured her at that moment, she forgot about it all.

Her problems, her crazy life... everything became a blur as desire rushed through her because of his kisses.

Even the pain connected to her sexual life disappeared. His touch was just magic.

It always was.

Her smile persisting, she stole a look at the man in front of her who had just been distracted by a notification on his phone.

As her gaze became more and more endearing, she deduced that Charles did not totally forget her over the years. She could tell by the way he went down on her.

Then she wondered if he even tried to forget her after what she did.

Definitely, if he did try to do that, she would hate herself forever, whether she acknowledged it or not. Isabella felt guilty enough for leaving him on a day that was supposed to be blissful.

It might be selfish of her to hope that the man didn't try to erase memories of her, but that was how it was.

"Thinking about me?" Charles' voice broke through her thoughts.

Isabella chuckled. "Maybe," she replied shyly, her small hands rubbing through her arms. "Charles?"

"Yeah?"

"Did-" She wanted to ask him how he fared after she left him waiting at the altar. She changed her mind instantly. "Do you know what you'll do when you meet your father?"

"I don't know, Bella," his reply came out a bit heavy.

"Are you sure he is your real father?"

"My mother confirmed it when his letter came through." Charles's poise became more majestic as he crossed a leg over the other.

"He sent a letter?" Isabella frowned. "That's oddly old-fashioned."

"I know. But the contents were crazier."

Isabella's brows quirked. "Marriage?"

"Marriage."

"You must have been torn. I bet you had no idea what to do at first. Not to talk of who to get married to."

"Actually," he started to speak as he adjusted in his seat, his hand running through his hair stylishly like he were in a photoshoot. "I crazily considered Miss Kane at one point."

"Your secretary?"

"She is a pretty woman." Isabella felt a tug within her in reaction to his words but she didn't show how his words affected her on her face. "I bet my mother would have loved her to be my wife. But..."

"But?"

"She is not you." Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out. Even her throat felt instantly parched. "You have no idea, Isabella. Even without having you around, I still wanted you despite what you did." He chuckled and leaned forward, his elbow on the decorated table, his hand cupping his face. "That was the crazy part. I still wanted you."

"I- I didn't know what to tell you back then. Or what to say." Isabella couldn't utter more words. Doing so would be like digging more of her sad life out of the huge box she had tucked them into.

Charles smiled. "I am glad I have found you like this. And, I am glad you are going nowhere. That way, I will ensure I have my revenge at the end of the day."

"You-" Isabella's words suffered a hitch. Charles gave her a suggestive look in response and Isabella felt her cheeks grow warm. Her vagina might have creamed a bit as well.

He threw her an air kiss. "I look forward to the coming days, Bella. You better get ready."

"Ohhh," she moaned quietly as his words hit home thanks to the seducing tone he carried in his voice.

"I am famished. Let's eat, yeah?"

"I-" She cleared her throat and asked instead, "Do you think the court will dissolve the marriage?"

‍​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‍