Chapter 168: Chapter 168 Breaking Down Walls
Dominic
Lately, I’d noticed something was off with Elara. Though she’d always turned her back to me when we slept, now that small back seemed to radiate anger.
Today, I didn’t bother asking for permission. I went straight to her company to pick her up.
The receptionist’s face flushed when she saw me walk in. "Good afternoon, sir. Who are you here to see?"
They were almost done for the day. She probably thought I was a client with an appointment in the business department.
My lips curved as I spoke two words. "Elara."
"I’m her husband. Could you let her know I’m here? Thank you."
The receptionist’s eyes widened. "Oh! Yes, of course, right away!"
Soon, Elara’s assistant came to escort me. "Mr. Wolfe, this way please."
Within minutes, word had spread through the entire company. "Elara’s husband is Dominic Wolfe!"
Some of them had already recognized me.
I smiled as I walked toward Elara’s office. If she wouldn’t announce our relationship, I’d do it myself.
Elara had just hung up the phone when she saw me walk into her office. She looked surprised. "You... what are you doing here?"
"My mate is angry with me for some reason, so I came to fix things," I said calmly.
Her ears turned pink as she gave me a look, then nodded at her assistant, who was clearly loving this drama. "Thank you. You can go now."
When the door closed, Elara pursed her lips. "Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?"
I pulled out the chair in front of her desk and sat down, raising an eyebrow. "What, am I not allowed to surprise my wife?"
"Or are you ashamed to be seen with me?"
"I wanted to come, so I came." I glanced at my watch and tapped the desk. "It’s five thirty. Time to clock out, Mrs. Wolfe."
Elara sighed.
She shut down her computer and grabbed her coat. "Fine. Let’s go home."
She’d barely taken two steps when I reached out and pulled her onto my lap, my hand securing her twisting waist. My low chuckle vibrated through my chest and into her back.
I kept a faint smile on my lips as I caught her chin. "Tell me. What have you been upset about these past few days?"
I felt her respond to my hot breath brushing against her ear, that building warmth making her cheeks flush.
"I’m not upset."
Elara tried to turn her head away, but I nuzzled my nose against the side of her neck, blocking her escape.
"Still claiming you’re not angry?" I kissed her puffed-up cheek affectionately. "Look at that pout. You’re sulking like a teenager."
I chuckled softly, holding her tighter. "I’m your husband. We’re mates. If you keep bottling up your anger, you’re the one who’ll suffer for it."
Unfortunately, instead of comforting her, that statement only made her tense up more.
"Let go!" Elara bit her lip. "I don’t care if I suffer!"
"Alright, alright, don’t be angry." I ran my palm along her spine, stroking up and down, trying to soothe her.
Elara pressed her lips together. "Dominic, when we signed that contract, we agreed that if your ex came back, you’d tell me right away. I promised I’d leave without getting in your way."
"But you can’t have her come back and not tell me."
My eyes got narrow. "What ex?"
"Wait, did someone tell you gossip at my friend’s wedding?"
Elara sat quietly against my shoulder and rolled her eyes. "You told me yourself."
"Your tattoo. Don’t try to tell me those aren’t your ex’s initials."
I stared at her in shock, then burst into laughter. The smile grew wider and wider until I couldn’t stop.
I couldn’t help myself. I kissed her red earlobe. "You’ve been angry for days because of that?"
"What else would it be?" Elara said back.
I narrowed my eyes, suddenly wanting very much to kiss her.
And what I wanted to do, I did.
I skillfully parted her lips, my tongue sliding gently into her mouth.
Elara couldn’t help but shiver.
But what remained of her rationality kept her from surrendering completely. She pushed me away with some force. "Dominic, I’m trying to have a serious conversation with you!"
Suddenly, I pulled her up and set her on the office desk.
I put my hands on both sides of her, trapping her in my arms, pressing my forehead against hers, my voice deep. "Am I not being serious?"
Elara breathed hard, hitting my chest. "You’re crazy!"
I unbuttoned my shirt one button at a time, pulling it down below my collarbone, then stepped forward.
The tattoo was right there in front of Elara’s eyes. E.D. Clear as day.
"Look closely at what this is. Elara, there has never been any ex between us."
"Look carefully. Think about who E is, and who D is!"
I’d done everything I could to show her how I felt. But this final realization had to be hers.
Love can’t be forced. I wanted Elara to choose me herself.
