“You can’t, Avery. You love him.”
“How can I love a man who doesn’t even accept me for me?”
“You don’t even know that.” Ella stepped up, putting her hands on her shoulders. “Talk to him.”
“I thought you hated him.”
“I don’t hate him, but since you’ve come by Darkest Dreams, I’ve got the chance to see you both together, and I know you’re happy. If you’re happy, then I am happy.”
Picking up the letter that had fallen to the floor, she took a deep breath.
“Where is Dominic?” Ella asked.
“He had to go away for business. I just freaked out.”
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“Do you love him? And I don’t mean care, or like. I mean love.”
She licked her lips, and nodded. “Yes.”
“I think he loves you as well.”
“If he loves me then why is he trying to change me?” she asked, staring at the letter. What other reason could it be?
“You really need to talk to Dominic. I’ve seen the way you two are at the club, and it’s not as simple as saying he’s trying to change you. Nothing in life is ever really simple. Trust your Dom, Avery.”
She nodded, and forced a smile. “I think I went off the deep end there.”
Ella hugged her. “Now, I don’t mean to rush you off, but I’ve got a date.”
“You have?”
“Yes. Don’t sound so surprised. I want to have what you’ve found with Dominic.”
“I’ll leave.” She made her way toward the door.
“Avery,” Ella said, calling her name.
“Yeah.”
“Stop overthinking everything. I believe this is innocent, and Dominic is not a bad guy. It’s me saying that, no one else, and you know I struggled with him in the beginning. This thing between the two of you is real. Trust it.”
“Have a good date, Ella.”
“Talk to him.”
Leaving Ella’s apartment, she stepped out of the building into the cold winter’s night. Dominic had to go halfway around the world on a business meeting, and as much as she was pissed at him now, she missed him.
Patting her body, she tried to find her cell phone, and cursed when she realized that she’d left her cell phone at home.
“Crap.”
She’d not even considered calling him to talk about it.
Heading back to her apartment, she couldn’t help but reflect over the change in their relationship in such a short time. Apart from in working hours, they spent all of their time together. Three weeks ago, they’d even gone back to Darkest Dreams to announce they were a couple. Several of the subs, and what surprised her, the Doms, were really upset about that.