Page 74 of A Good Girl's Guide to Dominance
“Hey,” Rome says, looking past me and staring daggers into Zane. “Do we have a problem?”
I place a hand on Rome’s chest as he gets up from his seat and stands beside me. “Rome, it’s fine. Zane was just leaving.”
“Was I?” Zane responds. “No, I wasn't. I was waiting to be introduced to your friend Nia. Who’s the guy whowon'tbe getting lucky tonight?”
“Zane, walk away,” I tell him, because I see the rage growing in Rome’s posture, his muscles tightening and jaw clenching as he forgets everyone in the bar, including me, and only looks at Zane.
“Walk away?” Zane continues, totally unfazed. “You don't tell me to walk away. You're just a sub. You have no say in anything because you're just a hole for me and my new friend here to fuck. Now do your job and introduce me to—”
I never see the punch coming. Rome’s body moves so quickly that I don't recognize the moment his arm cocks back and shoots forward like a battering ram. His fist slams into Zane’s face, and Zane’s head snaps back so far it looks like the back of his head touches his shoulder blades. In the speed of a blink, his body crumples to the floor on top of itself.
Everyone around us moves away like a fire just broke out, as Rome reaches down and grabs the unconscious Zane by the face.
“Who the fuck do you think you're talking to?” he blares. “She is mine. Do you hear me? Mine! Don't you ever talk to my woman that way. Don't youeverdisrespect her. I will break your goddamn neck!”
Even though he's already knocked out, Rome hits him again, sending blood splattering across the floor and staining people’s shoes. The bearded man from before grabs Rome by the arm and pulls him back, but Rome turns and pushes him off, not wantingto be touched by anyone. The man puts his hands up to let Rome know he doesn't want any problems, and everyone backs away, leaving Zane on the floor by himself.
Everyone in the bar stares at Rome, wondering what he's about to do next. My heart races as he pulls out his wallet and throws a hundred dollar bill on the bar between our two drinks.
“For the trouble,” he says to the bartender, then he grabs me by the hand. “Come on.”
Fighting back a smile as I look down at the incapacitated Zane, I grip Rome’s hand and begin to follow his lead out of the bar. “Yes, Sir.”
Forty
Rome was so upset at the bar that I didn't think he’d follow me home, since we were in separate cars leaving the office. I honestly thought he’d just make a quick turn onto the highway and go find solace in the peacefulness of his own house, so I’m pleasantly surprised when his car pulls into the driveway as I'm walking through my front door.
I don't even know what to make of it all. One second, everything was normal while Rome and I laughed and tried to have a good time after what was clearly a bad day for him. I’d finally gotten him to unclench and start smiling, showing the best, most infectious parts of his personality. The next thing I knew, Zane was there wearing an extra layer of asshole. He decided that disrespect was the only tool he could wield against me after what happened between us, but he didn't know Rome was there … and neither of us knew that Rome would defend me with violence at the slightest show of opprobrium. Chaos ensued and we had to make a quick exit, leaving everyone in Heartless reeling. Call me crazy, but now that it’s over, I’m not reeling. I’m flattered.
Maybe I'm wrong and simply speaking to my bias, but every heterosexual woman wants a man that will protect her and make her feel safe. We all want to know that when other men—the pieces of shit who like to hurt women—are around, that ours will be the one to stand up for us, and kick a little ass if necessary. In a world full of danger for women, safety is paramount, and it is a rarity to find a man both willing and capable of providing it without being a bully himself. Tonight, Rome showed me that—along with all of his other green flag attributes—he is that kind of man.
Unfortunately, when he rushes through the door after me, he doesn't look at all happy about what just went down. His adrenaline is clearly still pumping as he comes in and immediately starts pacing around the room, but the frustration and exasperation that stitched itself in his mannerisms at the office has returned. He looks miserable and on the verge of tears.
“Hey, it’s okay,” I say as he walks right past me before turning around at the door and doing it again. “Rome, just calm down. It’s over. You did what you had to do.”
“What if they call the cops? They’ll probably call the cops,” he says in a panic.
“Okay, then we’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” I reply, hoping my words will console him, and let him know that if he gets in trouble I’ll still be here for him. “But for now, just try to calm down. I honestly think it’ll be fine. Everyone saw how he was acting.”
“Who was he?” he barks. “I just knocked out a guy I didn't even know.”
“He's just some guy I met on a dating app once,” I answer. “He was upset that I chose not to sleep with him. I guess the embarrassment still stings even though it was months ago.”
Still pacing, Rome says, “Well, he should've known not to talk to you that way. He shouldn't talk toanywoman that way, butespecially you. I couldn't allow that. I never will. You think he's still there? I should go back and make sure he remembers that you belong to me.”
With a sudden burst of energy, Rome rushes toward the door like he’s actually going to go back to Heartless to do even more damage to Zane, forgetting that he was just concerned about a police presence. As he tries to pass me, I reach out and grab him by the hand to stop him.
“Rome, stop,” I say, tugging his arm and pulling him close to me. I wrap my arms around his waist and force him into a hug. “Everything is okay, babe. You're all over the place right now. Just calm down.”
Rome finally stops moving and slowly puts his arms around me, wrapping me up and bringing back that feeling of safety that warms my soul. I breathe him in and squeeze, trying to do the same for him.
“Thank you,” I say into his chest as I listen to his heartbeat.
“For what?”
“For what you did at the bar. Zane was being ridiculous, and while I didn't expect you to knock him out, I'm glad you did. I always knew you'd protect me, but it was amazing to see it actually happen. I don't necessarily condone violence, but I kinda loved it.”
Rome lets out a breath and I feel his tension begin to melt away. “You don't have to thank me for that. You're mine, Nia. I'd throw myself in front of traffic before I ever let a man disrespect you. I mean that with all of my heart.”
