“This room belongs to my submissive. Just as it has belonged to every other submissive who came before you and every submissive who will come after. Emma Lia is my new sub, and she will use this bedroom as long as we are in a Dom-sub relationship.”
Claudia laces her fingers and cups them over the top of her head. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
“You’ll find a new Dom, and you’ll forget all about me.”
“I don’t want a new Dom; I want you. I’vealwayswanted only you. Even when I was submissive to Easton. Because I love you, Tristan. Do you really not see that?”
Fuck.
Fuck.
Fuck.
I didn’t want this to happen, and that’s why I was honest with Claudia from the start. I told her that this relationship would never go down a romantic path. I’m not that guy. I don’t fall in love.
“I’m sorry, Claudia. I don’t want to hurt you, but this arrangement is over. Take off your collar.”
“Please don’t do this. We’re perfect together, and I know that we could become so much more. I can make you happy. I know that I can.”
Claudia’s desperation is pathetic, irritating… and useless. Any doubt that I might have had about ending things between us disappeared the instant that Emma Lia walked through the door of my hotel suite tonight.
She instantly became mine.
“I’m not going to change my mind, so stop. Groveling is unbecoming and beneath you. Now remove the collar.”
Claudia blinks rapidly, and several tears drop down both of her cheeks as she reaches behind her neck. I love some fucking tears, but not when they’re attached to unwelcome emotions. And Claudia’s love is most unwelcome.
Claudia hands over the diamond necklace and goes into the bathroom. She comes out with a tissue in her hand, dabbing at her eyes and cheeks. “This woman has ruined everything between us.”
“That’s so not true. I’ve been feeling a pull to do something different for a while. I was just waiting for the right person to come along. And now she has.”
Claudia flicks her wrist. “This has been my home for more than a year. I don’t want to be anywhere but here.”
I don’t know what she expects from me. “I’m sorry, but you can’t stay.”
“Living in a hotel will be hell. You know that it will be. At least let me stay until I find a new Dom.”
Two submissives. One old. One new. Both under the same roof. It’s asking for big trouble. “It won’t work.”
“You’re the Dom. Your new sub will have no choice but to make it work if you tell her that’s what she must do.”
Claudia isn’t aware that my relationship with Emma Lia isn’t consensual. She isn’t going to come into this house playing the part of an obedient submissive, and I’m afraid that Claudia’s presence will only complicate an already fragile situation.
“You dropped this bomb on me without any kind of warning. Don’t you think that I’m at least owed a little time to get my bearings? Make a plan for myself and my future without being thrown out on the street?”
She’s being a bit melodramatic. Being put up in the hotel of your choice isn’t the same as being thrown out on the street. But she’s right about one thing. She needs to make a plan for her future.
“You can move into the guest room on the third floor until you make other arrangements.”
She dashes toward me and throws herself into my arms. “Thank you, Tristan.”
I hope like hell that I don’t regret this.
“You have to stay away from Emma Lia. I don’t want her to know that you’re living in the house. It’ll only cause problems between us.”
She nods. “I understand.”
“And you must begin your search for a new Dom tomorrow.”
