Page 74 of Taming Her

“I can message Mel?”

“Yes, and the other girl, the one getting married.”

“Sandy. Really?”

“I’m not a monster, Ava. I want you to still have your friends, but you have to realize they’re not the main part of your life now.”

“You are.”

“No.” He stepped close, tipped her face to his. “Well, yes, I am but at the moment I want you to think about your relationship with yourself.”

“What do you mean?”

“Now you have a clear head you have the clarity to work on your thoughts and dreams. This course is a first step.”

She rested her hands on his waist. “I understand.”

“Friends are important but they don’t need to be in your life every minute of every day, and phones do that.”

He stopped himself from adding that her friends actually hadn’t done her any favors. They’d enabled her bad behavior, made it the norm instead of pulling her up on it. When he did let Mel and Sandy and whoever else back into her life, he’d have to be very careful.

* * *

Ava checked the time. She had another five minutes with her phone, then she’d do as Griff had asked and place it back in the cupboard.

I’ll let you know about next week, Mel. I’ve got something on.

What have you got on? Shopping?

Ava frowned.No, an online course.

A course? What is it? Wine tasting LOL

Her frown deepened.I’ll tell you when I see you, but it’s going to take up a lot of time.

So shall I come round, bring a couple of bottles of bubbly to lubricate you while you study?

No, I’m not at home.

What? Where are you, woman?

With a friend, you don’t know him.

Him!!!!!!!

Someone I used to know. We ran into each other. Hit it off again.

A friend with benefits, you lucky cow. Give me details. I’m dying here?

His name is Griff and he’s a policeman.

Kinky bitch, is he cuffing you to his bed?

Ava rubbed her temples. Her relationship with Griff felt new and sacred, she didn’t want to share details. She was still getting used to them being together and how he was with her. Mel wouldn’t understand that Griff believed in punishing her for her own good, and that she was going along with having her bottom reddened when she didn’t obey his rules.

I have to go, Mel, but I’ll be in touch soon. xxx

Quickly she turned the phone off and put it as high as she could reach in the cupboard. She had all the photographs of the garden she needed stored on it.

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