Possessive Fake Husband

She laughs. “I know, I know. It’s a little… self-helpy. Did you know it came out in 1936?”

“No,” I admit. “I figured it was from the ‘80s or something.”

“Nope, 1936. It’s super dated. Basically, the whole idea is to be nice to people, find something to like about everyone, and praise them about it.”

“Sounds like good advice.”

“I don’t know.” She picks up a pen and chews on the end. “Seems like you’d end up being pretty… cheesy, I guess.”

“I’m guessing you’re reading it for a reason.”

“Well, we need to convince people, right?” She shrugs. “I figured it can’t hurt. Saw it at the used book store around the corner. You know your neighborhood is amazing, right?”

“I know,” I say, grinning. “This place cost a fortune. Worth every penny.”

She chews her pen for another second, studying me. I look back at her, head tilted to the side, before she puts the pen down.

“So what are you doing here?” she asks.

“I came to talk to you.”

“Figured. What’s up?”

I put my bag down on the table and open it. I take out a small box before passing it over to her. She frowns at it, opens it, and stares at the ring inside.

“I didn’t get you a proper engagement ring,” I say.

She takes it out and holds it up. The ring sparkles in the light. A single, enormous diamond surrounded by multiple smaller diamonds with a simple white-gold band. “Holy shit,” she says.

“I know.” I laugh and shrug. “But I wanted you to have something nice. Go ahead, put it on.”

She hesitates then slides it onto her ring finger. It fits perfectly and matches the simple wedding bands she picked out.

“This is… really nice.” She frowns and takes it off. “I can’t take this. Seriously, it must have cost you so much.”

“It cost me a lot,” I agree. “Took a really nice chunk out of my savings. But it’s yours and you have to wear it.”

“No way.”

“Seriously.” I push the ring toward her as she tries to hand it back to me. “Listen, Maggie. I’m not joking.”

“I can’t take something like this. It’s too expensive, it’s too…” She trails off and slumps back, staring at the ring.

“It’s too real?” I ask.

“Yeah,” she admits. “It’s too real.”

“Put it on.”

She hesitates and looks up at me. I can see the uncertainty and fear in her eyes. I understand what she’s feeling.

“Go ahead,” I press. “Wear it.”

She slides it back onto her finger. She bites her lip, staring down at the enormous, beautiful, and stupidly expensive ring.

“Do you like it?” I ask. “And be honest. I can get something else if you don’t.”

“I love it,” she says, her voice soft.

“Good.” I smile, genuinely pleased and a little surprised about that. “I need you to understand something.”

“What’s that?”

“I’m serious about that.”

She frowns at me. “I know you are.”

“No, Maggie. I’m serious about this. About you and about the companies. I’m not going to backstab you, I’m not going to throw you to the wolves. We’re in this together and I’m going to take care of you.” I learn toward her, staring into her gorgeous eyes. I feel my heart beating fast as a strange desire pumps through my veins.

I picture kissing her again, tasting her lips. I picture grabbing her hair and pushing her down on my bed, her breasts spilling out of her shirt, her pussy soaking wet and open for me, waiting for my thick cock to take her. I picture her body sweating as I fuck her, cock pumping deep and rough, her hot breath on my neck, her moans in my ear, my cum deep between her legs.

“You’re my wife,” I say, my voice low. “And I take care of what’s mine.”

“But… it’s not a real marriage.”

“That doesn’t matter.” I tilt my head. “You’re mine.”

She stares at me, lips parted. Fuck, she’s beautiful. I’m tempted to go around this table and make that little fantasy very much a reality, but I hold back. I know this isn’t the time.

“Okay,” she says finally. “I believe you.”

“And you’re in this with me?”

“I’m in.” She looks at the ring. “How much did this cost?”

“Three hundred grand.” I stand up.

Her eyes go wide and she stares at me. “Wait. Josh. What?”

“Three hundred grand.” I shrug. “Not a big deal.”

“That’s so much money. Are you joking?”

“Nope.” I grab my bag and throw it over my shoulder. “I have to get back to the office.”

“Wait!” She stands up. “Three hundred…”

“Wear the ring, Maggie. I’m in this for real, don’t forget.” I walk to the door and look back. She staring at me, a look of shock on her face, and I can’t help but laugh.

I walk outside into the sunshine and feel good, really good.5MaggieI stare at the ring on my finger and it feels like it weighs a thousand pounds.