Chapter 10 You want to marry me

Satisfied I watch the news about the opening of the mall in the evening. And just what I had thought, Aziel and I are prominently featured. So, my business planning of events is successful, see if I also have success privately. If everything goes according to plan, Danner should be at my door in minutes. This morning when we got back to work, I didn't have time to follow the social media posts. I immediately went into a meeting with my staff about a possible takeover or investment sharing in the mall project. It got hectic, and at the end was mentally exhausted. My staff is very driven and focused, so it was definitely a fruitful meeting. We have put in place all kinds of strategies to approach current shareholders, but also kept the option open for an aggressive buy. There are too many participants in the mall project, I never do business with more than two partners in an investment. Dordrich is the biggest in this area, so we need a good strategy. And so here I am at home, relaxed on my couch, waiting for my next move. Sure enough, I hear a heavy humming engine pulling into my driveway. A smile comes over my lips, that Danner is so predictable, I can even tune my clock to him. And of course, he doesn't knock, this mister has his own door keys, so he promptly walks through the door as the landlord. "Loraine!", he sounds dominant. "Is Aziel on you again or are you trying to make me mad? First Dordrich and now Aziel?!", he rams on and comes to stand in front of me with his hands on his hips. Slowly I get up and meet him at eye level. "What exactly is your problem? I'm single and can hang out with whoever I want. Have I ever questioned or stopped you from doing so?". He does not give up. "You know I can't bear to see you with other men. Why didn't you call me to accompany you to the opening? You know I'd have put everything aside to go with you," he explains firmly. "Is that so? Last time you left me high and dry in the parking lot. You were supposed to get me in half an hour. And after that you were unreachable, Kaylah called you all day. You saw the miscalls but didn't think it was necessary to call back. Do you think I'd come to you on my knees? Who do you think you are?", I sneer at him. He stares at me with narrowed eyes. "What does that question mean? What am I to you? Are you doing this to get something else from me, princess?". I lift my nose at him and walk to the kitchen to pour some refreshments. With a glass in my hand, I turn to him. "Then what would I want from you, Danner? And why should I use others to get that? Am I not womanly enough to ask you for it, at least if there really is something I want to achieve". When I look into his eyes now, I see a different emotion, the anger is gone. He slides closer and takes me in his arms. Only now do I notice how much I've missed his warmth these two days. With a glorified sigh, I place my head on his chest and settle comfortably in it. I feel him relax and he starts stroking my hair. "Are you applying for more security, an upgrade of our relationship, Loraine?". Too lazy to think about his words, I happily push my head more against his chest. Danner has always been my most reliable partner, I always feel so good with him. We connect fantastically, we have so much in common. "Hmmmm," I answer happily. He picks me up, walks back to the sitting room and places me on the huge sofa. Then he lays down next to me and places my head back on his chest. "Loraine, you know I'm more than willing to give you what you want. Why don't you please tell me with your own words what it is? I want to hear it from you!". His lips are now on the crown of my hair, while I'm still in his arms, drunk with his warmth. I close my eyes and wrap my hands over his body. And then I fall into a deep sleep, on the well-known safe man's chest. Hours later, when I open my eyes again, I first lie still to orient myself. I look up and see an unshaven man's chin. Slowly I raise my head, and then I recognize Danner. Ooohhh mighty heavens, Danner slept in my house! That's against my protocol, I don't have male sleepovers. When I slowly let the blanket slide off me, I notice that I am naked. I do the same with Danner and notice he is naked too. I hold my head with both hands to get a clear picture of last night. I remember falling asleep, but nothing more. "Good morning, Mrs. Winfield. Did you sleep well?", the man next to me asks still sleepy. My eyes open wide, I can't remember being engaged or even married to Danner. He sees the haggard expression on my face and lets out a soft laugh. "We're not there yet, but we'll sort it out before too long. I've waited so long for this moment, I feared my patience was in vain," he whispers, caressing my face. I look at him in amazement, as if I see a ghost in front of me. "What are you talking about anyway, Danner? And why are you in my bed? You know the agreements." He smiles with a loving expression on his face. "Don't worry, I'll be back tonight to do everything properly. I love you Loraine, now and always." What the hell!! Love is not included within the clear arrangements of our relationship. This is really going too far now. Danner has fits of madness, he clearly is manic. "Listen, this is going too far, Danner. We don't love each other, we have a friends with benefits relationship and nothing more. Don't go beyond your limits. You've been making nasty mistakes lately that I can't bear it no more. I don't want you lose, but please stick to the agreements strictly", I tell him seriously. Now it's his turn to look at me strangely. He throws the sheets off completely now, gets out of bed and stands before me in his glorious nakedness. "But you wanted to take our relationship to the next level, make it permanent. You want to marry me." ?