She rested her arms on the table, sitting so still she practically looked like a statue. “Actually, I think he has some good points. And I’m worried about you.”
“There’s nothing to worry about.” With Rome, I was happy. Even with the vanilla sex, I was satisfied. When she lived with me, I enjoyed every moment of her presence.
She tilted her head and regarded me with those large almond eyes. “Cal, I know you. I know you better than anyone.”
I disagreed with that. Rome knew more about my past than anyone else—even Jackson. But I would never tell her that.
“You might be happy for the time being because she’s pretty and new…but that will fade away. The man I know needs control and domination. He needs to give out orders like a commander and expects them to be obeyed. He needs to serve out punishments when necessary. He needs a sub, not a girlfriend. Don’t change who you are for one person. As time goes on, your unhappiness will grow. And then you’ll be locked into something you can never get out of. You’ll be stuck.”
I clenched my glass and bit the inside of my jaw. “Neither one of you has your facts straight. She will be my sub. This one just needs more time than the others.”
Isabella shook her head slightly, her slender neck flawless. “We both know that’s never going to happen. Vanilla women like her never come to the dark side.”
“You don’t even know her.”
“Actually, I do.”
My heart dropped into my stomach.
“I did some research. And I can tell she’s never going to submit. Women like that are far too proud to get on their knees. You can argue with me all you want, but we both know it’s true. Deep inside, you know Jackson and I are right. You won’t admit it to yourself because you know you aren’t strong enough to walk away. And that’s the coldhearted truth.”
I squeezed my glass again, wishing it were full. “Even if I agreed with you, I would never be your Dom again. Once a relationship is over, it’s over.”
She stared at me like she didn’t believe a word I said. “You want to know how I know that’s bullshit?”
I didn’t blink.
“Because I’m the best sub you’ve ever had, as you’ve told me dozens of times. I obey every command, and I like it. The longer this continues with Vanilla, the more you’re going to miss me. And I just want you to know that I’m here for you—whatever you need.” She stretched her arms across the table but didn’t touch my resting hand. “Because I’m still your sub. It’s still my job to obey you, to understand you. One day, you’re going to snap because you aren’t getting what you need. But I’ll be there—waiting.”
I pulled both of my hands under the table so she couldn’t touch me. If Rome’s ex touched her, I would be livid with jealousy. But I felt the hair on my arms stand on end. I felt my stomach drop. My pulse quickened in my neck, and I could feel the vibration under my skin. Being a Dom was the greatest feeling in the world. There was no high like it. The longer I was with Rome, the more my true colors came out. And sometimes, the self-doubt got to me, deep in my soul, and I worried I wouldn’t be able to break her. That she wouldn’t give me the chance to be the Dom I was bred to be. She would expect romance, love, and a happily ever after.
But what terrified me even more was what would happen if that moment came. If she refused to submit to me and give me what I needed, would I have the strength to walk away? Because I was obsessed with this woman, had been since the moment I laid eyes on her, I did things with her I never did with anyone else. I took her virginity, I had vanilla sex with her nearly every single night, and I was completely devoted to her.
What if Jackson and Isabella were right?
What if I had changed?
What if I let someone change me?