Page 102 of Possession

Rocco picks up his drink and takes a big gulp before his empty glass hits the table with a thud. “You’re whacked in the head, Landyn. You want me to go back to school when you just told me you dropped out after two years?”

Landyn is committed to the task. “That’s different. I wasn’t a superstar.”

“Fuck,” Rocco mutters and glances back at me. “Do something about your wife.”

“Whoa—” I start.

But I’m interrupted by mywife’sgasp. “You did not just say that!”

I put a hand up to stop the conversation. “Let’s get past the GED. I’m going to start taking you to meetings with me after that. We can debate superstar status later.”

“You can’t be mad at me,” Landyn demands. “I’m only trying to look out for you.”

Rocco sighs and proves he has more patience than he pretends to for the woman who’s taking over both our lives. “I’m eighteen. I don’t need a mom.”

Landyn’s hand lands high on my thigh and slides north. When I look down to see what the hell she’s doing, I’m awarded with a beautiful smile, proving that a day of rest, trash TV, and an orgasm might’ve helped just a little.

“Do I look old enough to be his mom?” she teases.

I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me, but talk of her being a mom causes the blood to rush to my dick. I can’t help it. I lean down and claim her mouth for a quick kiss. “No, chica. An annoying older sister maybe. We’ll talk about you being a mom privately.”

A chair scrapes across the wood. Rocco’s plates clank against one another as he stacks them high and stands. “I’m going to let my food settle and hit the gym.”

“You should study,” Landyn quips. Rocco rolls his eyes. “Do you want me to quiz you?”

“No.” Rocco heads straight to the kitchen and mutters, “Carry on with the honeymoon. I’ll be just fine on my own.”

When he’s out of earshot, I drag my hand up her back and turn her makeup-free face to mine. “You’re laying it on a little thick, baby.”

She’s not smiling or teasing anymore. She’s serious when she shakes her head. “No way. I’ll never quit. I’m determined to save him like he saved me.” She pokes me in the chest. “And you need to help me.”

I lean in and kiss her again, but this time it isn’t quick. I don’t give a shit about the cameras or convincing anyone this is real. My obsession and desperation are rapidly escalating at equal rates when it comes to my fake wife. As much as it kills me why I need to keep her close to me wherever I go, it was the slap in the face I needed to realize that I want her. I don’t know what we will look like when this operation is over, but I’m determined to make her understand and pray she doesn’t hate me when I tell her the truth.

The first might be easier to do than the latter, though neither will be fun. I’m not looking forward to it even though I can’t wait to get us the hell out of here.

“Baby, I’ll help you do anything. I’m pushing him to get his diploma, but he’s a man. He’s got to want it.”

She leans into my chest and slides a hand up, wrapping it around my neck. “You have to do everything in your power. Promise me, B.”

B.

Fuck.

That’s a step in the right direction. She has no idea the effect that has on me.

I nod and wonder if there’s anything I won’t do for her. “I promise.”

A small smile settles on her lips. “Thank you.”

I nod. “It’s been a good day, chica. I hate to end it this way, but I need to work and make some calls.”

“I know you said you wouldn’t leave me, but I can entertain myself while you work.”

After I showered, I threw on a pair of jeans and a clean tee.

I’m never casual. It’s small, but it’s claiming a piece of my old self.

But when Landyn threw on a pair of short shorts with a tank that really just made me want to rip them off her, there was something about its normalcy that made me not give a shit about looking the part.

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