Dominant

Chapter 22

I hear a gentle knock on the door. "Ryland? May I come in?" Donivan's voice calls softly.

"Yes." I say, smiling slightly. I look in the mirror as he walks in.

"You look photo-ready. I haven't seen you smiling since you got here. I like it when you smile."

I look down and sigh. "I haven't had much to smile for the last three weeks, Donivan. I thought Mark loved me. But I was very wrong."

He sighs, turning me to him and setting a cup of coffee in my hand "Well, you aren't the first to be fooled by his words, Ryland. I know Richard was fooled as well as many others to believe his affections to be true until he dropped them as well."

I sip my coffee and chuckle. "Oh, so you know Richard too? How many other of Mark's servants did you take in like me?"

"If you are implying I felt for Richard how I do for you Mr. Northstrum, you are wasting your breath." He says softly. "I have slept with no other man in my lifetime besides you."

I think back to the night before. How submissive Donivan is compared to Mark. He was very gentle. Passionate. And very. Very vocal. I shiver as the thought of Mark travels into my brain. He was so dominant. Rough. But very passionate. For a while, I almost thought he was being sincere.

"Have you... Thought about my offer?" Donivan mumbles, twiddling his fingers.

"I don't think I'm ready to date yet. We had a great night last night... It was... Beautifully passionate. I just don't think I'm ready yet." I say softly.

Donivan smiles. "Best things come to those who wait. And that I shall. I will go get the car started. Then it's off to dinner." Donivan rushes out as I adjust my bowtie. After hooking this new job I'm on the way to a real career, as hard as it is for me to believe that right now. I fell and now I'm getting back up again.

"Please, I just wanna talk to him!" A familiar voice calls downstairs. I pause and open the door to me and Donivan's bedroom.

"Donivan? Is everything okay?" I call out.

"Just a solicitor, love!" He replies quickly.

"BULLSHIT! I'M NO SOLICITOR! LET ME SEE MY FIANCÉ RIGHT FUCKING NOW!" A deep voice screams angrily. I slowly make my way down the stairs to see Donivan holding Mark back from walking inside.

"Donivan. I can handle him." I whisper, causing Donivan to step away from Mark. I look at him flatly and feel my heartbreak. He looks... Better than he did our first time separating, at least. "What do you want, Mr. Fischbach?"

"I came to take you home." He says, irritated.

"You will not speak to me like that." I say sternly. His face paints with confusion and I adjust my bowtie "And I am not going home with you. You are not my fiancé anymore. You made it very clear what I was to you. And now you are gonna leave."

Mark looks to Donivan for help, then back to me. "five minutes. To talk alone. That's all I ask."

I look at Donivan and he gives me a sympathetic look. We both know I have to do this. Or he will never leave me alone. "Fine." I give Donivan a peck on the cheek, watching Mark visibly tense up. "Go start the car, babe."

Donivan smiles widely. "Alright."

I grab Mark's hand, leading him to Donivan's office. He walks in as I close and lock the door behind me. I turn to him to find him staring silently at me with disbelief.

"Your mother stopped by the house to have you visit your dog. When she told me what happened at the party that night... That you said... I... I came to apologize." He says softly

"Okay... Well, now you have. Is that all you came for?" I say bitterly.

"Don't be like that. I want you to come home."

"I am at home." I say lowly.

"That is bullshit. I know you don't love Donivan." He says irritated. "You love me."

"Well, you don't love me so it doesn't fucking matter how I feel. You told me yourself. I'm just another notch in your belt. I don't want you, Mark. I don't want to try to make you love me. My love for you will eventually fade."

"NO, IT WON'T!" He yells, pinning me against the wall. His eyes fill with tears as he looks at me, starting to sob quietly "Because in these three weeks, I have buried myself in liquor. In these three weeks, I have contemplated ending it all. In the three weeks you have been gone, you were the only thing on my mind. I said a stupid thing in anger but I love you. I do. And you can't tell me when you were sleeping with Donivan in these three weeks, you weren't thinking about me too." He whispers.

I push Mark back and shake my head. "I just wanna be away from you right now! I just wanna see what life is like without you holding me back! I want a real relationship. I want a real marriage and a real love life with someone who isn't embarrassed of me. With someone who wants to celebrate us and with someone who is willing do to whatever it takes to have me. And Donivan is offering that to me. I want time away from you."

Donivan walks in and looks at us both, clearly oblivious to our conversation "Babe... We are gonna be late to dinner. Mark, you are free to join us. I know you've missed Ryland."

Mark quickly wipes his eyes and his face begins to burn red. "I uh... I was just acutely aware of his absence at the Manor... I would love to go. If. Uh. Ryland didn't mind..."

I look down and sigh. "Yeah. You can go."