Page 105 of House of Lies
“How fitting,” I say, holding back a smile.
As he places both rings on my finger, I notice the wedding band on his. It’s entirely matte black. He briefly removes it, revealing the exact engraved words on the inside. He slides it back on before I can get another look.
“Thank you.”
I want to joke about how hard it’ll be for me to part with the rings when our time is up or how I hope his next wife will love them as much as I do, but I bite my tongue and remain silent.
“I should have thought of this sooner. What did you do with your old rings?”
“I sold them when I left.”
“I still have the wedding band I took from Mattia.”
“Why do you still have it?”
“It was the only reminder of my marriage to you when I didn’t know where you were. I couldn’t bring myself to take it off.”
He can’t be real. My nightmares have been replaced by dreams in which I have a perfect man as my husband, and I fall so deeply for him that there’s no coming back. But it feels like a dream, and I’m bound to wake up sooner or later.
“There was something else I wanted to discuss with you.”
“I’m at your service, husband.”
His dick twitches between my thighs. I raise my eyebrow, pursing my lips.
“Keep calling me that and see what happens.”
“Keep calling you what? Husband?”
It happens again. I’m interrupted mid-laugh as his possessive mouth takes control of mine. There’s no urgency in his kiss. He does it like he has all the time in the world.
“What do you want to talk about, husband?” I say it just for the sake of it.
“You’ll pay for this, solnyshko.”
“And I can’t wait for it. Are you going to bend me over your knees and spank me?”
“For fuck’s sake,” he mumbles. “Is this what you want, Mrs. Mordvinova? Do you want me to punish you for that smart mouth of yours?”
“Yes, please.” I flutter my eyelashes. “But first, tell me what you want to talk about.”
“I need someone to look over my business.”
“All right?” I’m not sure where this is going.
“I need someone I can trust. I oversee everything, but someone else looks after contracts, accounts, and taxes.”
“I’m not sure if I understand.”
His eyes light up as he grins.
“I want you to work with me.”
“Are you serious?” I laugh. “I don’t have a degree. I didn’t go to university.”
“To hell with degrees, Caelia. You’re the smartest woman I know. If anyone can learn something new, it’s you.”
“I appreciate the vote of confidence, Kaz. I really do. But is this what you want, or are you doing me a favor because you think I need something to occupy my time?”