“Yeah, but I don’t want to. So, this thing with Rome is permanent? I’ve just got to accept it?”
“Yeah.” I still couldn’t picture myself getting married. I couldn’t even tell her I loved her. I gave up my dominance for her, but there were other things I couldn’t budge on. Maybe it would take more time. Or maybe it just wouldn’t happen.
“Can’t you just keep running Ruin and go back home to her?”
I shook my head. “You know that will be too difficult for me.”
“It’s not like you were cheating on Isabella while you were here.”
It wasn’t the same thing, and he knew it. “If we’re done here, I should be getting home.”
When Jackson didn’t move, it was clear the conversation wasn’t over. “Isabella has been better.”
I wanted to say I didn’t care, but I did. I didn’t feel anything for her, but I certainly didn’t want her to be miserable. I spent a year of my life with her. I wanted her to have something passionate with another man, whether it was a Dom or a regular man. “Good for her.”
“But she still asks about you a lot. When I told her you were walking away from Ruin, she was disappointed.”
“Life goes on, right?” Even if Jackson wasn’t finished with this conversation, I was. I turned and walked back to the office.
Jackson caved and followed me. “How’s that psychopath? Has he left Rome alone yet?”
“I think I chased him off. He obviously values his life and made the right decision to walk away.”
“If he gives you guys any trouble, let me know. I wouldn’t mind killing him with my bare hands.”
Jackson could be an enigma sometimes. He could piss me off like crazy, but when it came to the things that mattered, he was there. “Thanks.” We just crossed the bridge to the other side when Isabella appeared. Like she had a radar and could track my every movement, she always seemed to pinpoint my location.
Judging by the surprise on her face, she wasn’t expecting to see me. She stared at me with her mocha-colored eyes, taking me in just the way she used to. There was still longing there, memories of the intense relationship we used to have.
I was so focused on her face, her jet-black hair, that I didn’t notice the man behind her. He caught up to her and circled his arm around her waist, oblivious to the eye contact Isabella and I shared.
She and I passed each other, her shoulder nearly brushing against my arm. It was just an instant, and then it was over. I kept walking, and so did she. I was glad to see her with someone else, to see her beautiful face instead of a waterfall of tears.
It finally took the guilt off my shoulders.
I hoped that was finally the end for her and me, that she accepted the fact that I was devoted to another woman for good. There was no possibility of us getting back together. I was happy where I was—with the woman I was obsessed with.
When Isabella was out of earshot, Jackson spoke. “You took that well.”
“I don’t care if she’s seeing someone else.”
“I know that. But they’re on their way to a playroom. I’m sure that brings up memories for you.”
I’d never forget the way a whip felt in my grasp. I’d never forget the way a woman’s ass reddened under the bite of my leather belt. Zip ties, chains, and handcuffs all flooded my mind, the arousal accompanying it.
I pushed the thought out of my brain, refusing to let them in. “I’m fine.”
Rome and I didn’t speak on the way home.
I drove through the nearly empty streets and back to my house at the edge of the city. She was silent from her side of the car, either because she was upset or because she was exhausted. Normally, I could read her pretty well, but right now, I was totally clueless. Without looking into those stunning green eyes, the portal to her soul, I was blind.
I pulled into the garage, and we walked into the dark house. We’d been gone for an hour and a half, so we would both be tired at work in a couple of hours. But I’d rather deal with her being a little tired than being kidnapped by that psychopath.
We went upstairs and removed our clothes so we could get back into bed. My thoughts kept switching to the depraved things I wanted to do to Rome. I continued to picture her hands tied behind her back with her ass in the air, her ankles chained together by shackles. I imagined her suspended from the ceiling with her legs wrapped around my waist. I pictured spanking her with my palm until both of her cheeks were red.
Now I was as hard as stone.