“Not what you expected?”
“He’s rich, like really rich.”
“Scary rich?”
“Yeah, you can’t tell anyone, though. He loves his privacy.”
“I won’t. I’ll only hurt him if he hurts you. Friends for life, Avery. Women have to stick together in this day and age. It’s a nightmare out there.”
“Agreed. So, do you forgive me?”
“Depends. What is he like in the sack?”
“Seriously?”
“Come on, Avery. Give me something.”
“He’s amazing,” she said, laughing. “Now, can we bring him back so I don’t have to go crazy, and start gouging out women’s eyes? They’re eating him up.”
“I suppose.”
Avery climbed out of her chair, and walked toward Dominic. She was aware of all of the stares, and she wanted them to look. She wanted to stake her claim on the man that they had all been drooling over, and that belonged to her.
“It’s okay for me to come and sit?”
“We’re okay for now.”
She leaned down, and claimed his lips, letting them all know that this man was taken, and that he belonged to her.
Breaking from the kiss, she felt rather smug.
“Just so you know I can do that every single time a guy looks over at you.”
“Certainly, Sir. I just wanted everyone in this damn café to know that you’re mine.” She said the last word with a little growl to her voice.
“Now, that is what I’m talking about. It’s about time you staked your claim.” He sank his fingers into her hair, and pulled her down for another kiss. Licking along her lips, he plunged his tongue inside.
“Come on, kids. You’re giving the whole café a porn show, and I don’t think we can take it much more,” Ella said.
Avery chuckled. Her cheeks were on fire, but she didn’t regret it. That kiss was really something.
* * * *
“You know it’s really freaky going to visit your girlfriend’s man,” Ella said, opening the door a little more.
“I felt we got off on the wrong foot earlier today, and I wanted to make it right.”
“Where’s Avery?” Ella asked.
“I dropped her off to pick up some more clothes. I wanted to take her out to a restaurant, only she hadn’t packed anything, and she didn’t like the thought of me paying for dinner and a new dress.”
“She told me you were wealthy, like scarily wealthy.”
“I have a huge bank balance. It has never been a cause for concern before.” Avery had already told him that she’d let Ella know the truth. “My wealth is one of the reasons I want to keep her for myself.”
“Keep her? She’s not an item you can just put on some shelf.”
He stared at Ella. The anger was coming off her in waves. “You really don’t like me.”
“What I don’t like is the effect you have on Avery, or what you do to her. You didn’t see how besotted she is with you. I don’t like it.”
“I’m not going to hurt her.”
“You’re a rich playboy. You may not intentionally hurt her, but you’re going to hurt her.”
“I came here to tell you that I love her.” There! He’d finally said the words aloud, and he meant them.
Ella stared at him. “You love her?”
“Yes.”
“Have you told her?”
“Not yet.”
“Why not?”
“And you wonder why you can’t find a Dom? Have you ever thought of trying to be a Domme?”
“This is my friend. I brought her to Darkest Dreams. I’m responsible for her. I don’t want to see her get hurt. I only wanted to help her, and yet, I’m worried that I’ve led her to you. You’ve got an exceptional reputation for being a good Dom, Dominic. I don’t deny that. What you don’t have a good reputation on is being the guy that a woman needs. Avery, she’s a good girl through and through. Darkest Dreams, opened her up, and now she’s in a relationship with you. One of the most qualified Doms I know. I have a right to be worried. I could take this to the club for them to see if you abused your power.”
“I didn’t abuse anything. If you’re such a good friend, then you would see that I’m actually granting Avery the love and respect she deserves. She doesn’t want to be watched by everyone at the club as if she was just some specimen, and that’s what I bring when I’m at the club. I’m there as a Dom. I’m needed, and because of that, any relationship I have would be under scrutiny. I don’t want that for Avery.”
“What do you want?”