The Favor

by Suzanne Wright

“They’re my rings on her finger. It’s my name she’s taken. It’s my bed she shares. She is mine. So whether you care for her or not isn’t fucking relevant.”

“But for now,” he added, pitching his voice lower, “you’re here with me, wearing my rings, living in my home, using my surname.” The note of possession in his tone made my nape prickle. “Essentially, you’re mine for the time being, Vienna. And I’ll let you go when I’m good and ready.”

“Seriously, if being an asshole burned calories, you’d be fucking anorexic.

“I’m a very selfish being. If you keep being so sweet, I’ll get used to it, and I might not want to lose it. Then we’ll both be in trouble.”

After that, we meandered around the reptile house. I wondered if the snakes might react to the presence of their evil master, but no.