The Favor

by Suzanne Wright

Dane had a reputation for being someone you did not cross or underestimate. He was driven. Relentless. Assertive. Unforgiving. Intimidatingly intelligent. Richer than God. And, until several months ago, married to his job. Now he was married to me. He was also my boss.

“I do care for her, she’s—” “Not yours,” Dane finished. “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.”

“Not yours,” Dane finished. “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.”

“Vienna knows I’d never let her go.”

“My most prized possession, as it happens,” said Dane. “And I have every intention of keeping her. Deal with it. Accept it. Leave her alone. Get rid of this dream you have of winning her back. It won’t happen.”

Quit banking on me fucking up and losing her the way you did. I’d never let someone so important to me walk out of my life.”

He looks at you like you’re the only thing worth his attention.”

“But I’m glad he was dumb enough to let you go, or you wouldn’t now be mine.”

“Because what do I always get?” “What you want.” “Exactly, baby girl.” He gently tapped the tip of my nose. “Never forget it,” he whispered.

“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.”

“Dane, he’s not worth it.” “No, he’s not. But you are.”

“That’s my girl.”

“You should have known better than to think I’d so easily let you go,” he whispered, the words so low and soft I barely caught them.

For as long as you wear these rings, you’re mine; no other man has the right to touch you. I’d never fucking allow it.”

“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.”

“She’s the only woman I ever have loved.”

“Other hand, Vienna. I want to see your rings while your fingers are curled around my dick.”

Either way, you are mine, and you’ll stay mine,”

“You’re all I want. You’re all I’ll ever want.”

He breathed for me. I breathed for him.

You’re the only person in my life who’s ever made me feel content. The only person I’d ever want to share my life with. And the only person I’d never want to live without.”

“I love you, Dane. I don’t expect you to say it back. I don’t even need to hear those words. I just want you to know.”

“Love you, baby girl,” he said, his voice low and soft. “You told me you don’t need the words, but you deserve to hear them. I don’t want you to ever be unsure of what I feel for you. I need you to know deep down to your bones that you’re the most important thing in my world. I need you to know I could never love anything or anyone the way I love you.”

I haven’t done anything at all to deserve you, but I’ll never give you a reason to regret being mine. Not ever, Vienna. You can count on that. On me.”

“You can’t fool me. I know you’re happy.” His expression softened, and he looked both sober and gentle at the same time. “I don’t have a single reason not to be anymore, do I?”