Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Chapter 10: Why Won't You LetGo

Blake's Pov

The words left my mouth before | could stop them. Astrid spun around, nearly losing her balance. When she saw

me, her eyes narrowed with drunken hostility.

Before she could respond, the music stopped, the lights on. On

still resting on the dancer's chest.

ge, Audrey threw up one hand to block the light, her other

“What's going...” Her words died as her eyes found ine standing nex Astrial. Approaching the stage, | caught the

slight widening of her eyes, seemingly surprised by my appearance. Why this expression?

The shirtless dancer, a young man, stepped forward. Hey man, what u wanna do?”

His body was positioned protectively betweenand Audrey. The sight of him young, muscled, still glistening

with stage sweat - made something dark twist in my chest.

“Get out of my way.” The words cout like ice. | tried hard to keep my voice flat despite the rage burning

through my veins.

Through the harsh stage lighting, | could see phones being raised. | should have stopped them, but | didn't

bother.

The dancer shifted, muscles tensing, but didn’t move. “Miss?”

“Looking for me?” Audrey's voice carried that new edge I'd never heard before tonight. The stone she'd

used at the hospital when demanding divorce.

“What do you think?” The muscle in my jaw twitched as | watched her, standing there in that red dress that

looked nothing like anything she’d worn in our three years of marriage.

“Should | call security?” The dancer asked, still playing protector.

| almost laughed. Security? At The Underground? Every bouncer in this club knew better than to interfere with

Blake Parker.

“No need ” Audrey's voice was gentle as she addressed the dancer. “He’s my ex-husband.”

“Ex-husband?” The words tasted like arid. | could feel the vein pulsing in my forehead, my carefully maintained

control slipping.

“That's what you'll be, sooner or later. Her calm was infuriating. This wasn’t the woman who'd spent three years

carefully tiptoeing around my moods. This was someone else entirely someone who didn’t seem to care about

consequences anymore.

“Let's talk downstairs.” She gestured toward the VIP section, adding with a hint of steel in her voice, “Unless you

want tomorrow’s Page Six headline to be Parker Group CEO's Public Meltdown at The Underground“?”

The mention of publicity should have cooled my temper. Instead, it st fueled the fire. How dare she threaten me?

How dare she stand there, looking so different, so untouchable?

She turned to the dancer, her smile warm in a way it hadn't been foin weeks. “Keep the show going, I'll

handle this.”

“Will you cback later, Miss?”

“Sure.”

Great! We'll save your spot!”

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Chapter 10: Why Won't You LetGo?

The casual exchange made my blood boll. Without waiting for more grabbed her elbow gentler than | wanted to,

harder than | should and steered her toward the VIP lounge.

The lounge was soundproofed, | barely waited for the door to close fore rounding on her. You check out of Mayo

Clinic just to Watch male strippers?”

She leaned against the window, the city lights spilling from the adjacent panes creating a halo around her

silhouette. The sight was strangely disconcerting, “Just enjoyed a dance show. Don’t make it sound so

scandalous,”

Since when did the perfect Mrs. Parker hecsuch a wild one?uldn’t keep the sarcasm from muy

voice.

“I'm no longer your wife! We're getting divorced! Her eyes flashed wh an anger I'd never seen before. As a single

woman, | can do whatever | want. Watch dancers, date men- it’s none of your busing anymore!”

Something snapped insideat her words. | crossed the space between us in two strides, caging her against

the window with my arms. “We're still legally married.”

“Why won't you sign the divorce papers!?” Her voice cracked slightly. I'm stepping aside for you and Laurel, what

more do you

want?”

The mention of Laurel nshould have remindedof my obligations, of promises made. Instead, it just

fueled the possessive rage burning in my chest. This woman, who'd spent three years being the perfect wife,

was suddenly acting like none of it mattered.

For three y years,” she continued, each word like a shard of ice, 1 accepted your shof our marriage, your

obsession with Laurel, everything! The moment she’s back, I'm giving you both what you want. Isnt that

enough?”

Her eyes were bright with unshed tears. “Why won't you divorce me? Why won't you letgo?”

Her vulnerability made something inpause. After a moment of tense silence, 1 frowned, “It's not about

Laurel. Don't interfere

withand her.”

“Fine! Then you shouldn't interfere withgoing to clubs and appreciating other men’s abs!”

Without warning, | grabbed her wrist, ignoring her startled gasp as pressed her palm flat against my abs. Her

eyes widened as she instinctively looked down at where I'd placed her hand. | watched her face carefully, noting

how her cheeks flushed slightly at the

contact.

“You wanna touch this, huh?” | sneered, completely showing my sarcasm. “Why look elsewhere when your

husband is right here?

Satisfied now?”

“Not really,” she said, pulling her hand away with obvious distaste. She grabbed a tissue and wiped her hand as

if touchinghad sullied it. “The dancer outside is much better. Maybe spend less tshopping with Miss Rose

and more tat the gym. She might like you better then”

She flashed a cold smile and headed for the door. “I've said what | needed to say, I'm leaving.”

Before she could step out, | grabbed her arm, pinning her against the door with my body,

heard her sharp intake of breath from pain, but something primal had taken over. | gripped her chin and crashed

my lips against

hers.

The kiss was rough, demanding. | felt her freeze in shack, her body gid against mine. When | finally forced her

lips apart, she started struggling.

“Stay still,” | growled against her mouth, my voice rough with desire. Isn't this what you wanted? Using these

tactics to get my attention, because | haven't touched you in so long, right?”

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Chapter 10: Why Won't You LetGo?

My hands started roaming lower, voice dropping to a husky whisper. I'll give you what you want.”

n

“Blake! This is a club!” The panic in her voice was evident as she tried to push the away.

“It doesn’t matter!” | could hear the pulsing music and crowd noise through the door. “If that’s what you want so

badly, we'll just do it right here.”