Page 104 of Masters of Secrets

“The date went well?” she asked as they started walking toward Asad, who was impatiently hopping back and forth, still waving them on. Connor took shorter steps than usual… to keep up with Morgan, of course. Not because it would drive Asad nuts when he was trying to get them to hurry. Funny enough, Morgan was taking her time, too.

“I think so. She was surprised, I think, to find out that I was her secret admirer⁠—”

“I bet,” Morgan murmured.

“But we had a good evening. And she said she’d be interested in seeing me again, and not just at Marquis. I think we’re going to date, and I’m going to… explore.”

“I’m happy for you.” She tilted her head to look up at him, smiling, and he could feel that she really meant it.

“I’m happy for you, too, but I’m even happier for me,” Asad said gleefully, grabbing Morgan’s hand now that she was in reach and pulling her along with him. She shot Connor an apologetic look over her shoulder. “Tonight is going to be so much more entertaining than I anticipated. Come on!” He got to the door and opened it, pulling Morgan in along with him, no knocking needed. Law tended to leave it unlocked when he knew people were coming over.

Taking a deep breath, Connor followed them.

Chapter Seven

Connor

“Law! Law, Connor has something to tell us!” The gleeful note in Asad’s voice made Connor smile and shake his head. At least he had one friend who would completely back him up. Following Asad and Morgan down the hall into the kitchen, he found Law there with Iris, Q, and Sam. The gang’s all here.

He couldn’t decide if that was better or worse.

Ripping off the band-aid with Asad had been impulsive, which wasn’t like him, but it had been a relief. He’d been fairly certain how Asad would react, and it felt easier to tell just one of his friends instead of all of them. Having Morgan there had been helpful, too. The two of them had become close even before she’d gotten together with Asad, and he’d known she would accept him as he was.

He didn’t know Sam or Iris as well. Though he liked both of them, his time with them was due to their being connected to Q and Law. Eventually, that might change, but they hadn’t had enough time to get close or anything. A small part of him cared a little about what they thought, but not as much as he did about Law and Q.

Those were the two he didn’t want to disappoint.

And as much as part of him enjoyed getting one over on Law, he also didn’t want his friend mad at him. He would only be able to enjoy it if Law wasn’t actually upset with him. It was the thought that Law might be truly angry that was making his stomach churn. Asad’s glee was somewhat reassuring in that he didn’t think Law was actually going to be angry, or else he wouldn’t be looking forward to the reaction.

“Oh?” Law asked, raising one eyebrow as he looked up from where he was standing behind the counter. It looked like he and Iris were assembling food to go out on the grill. She was beside him, short and cheerful, smiling up at Connor as he came in. Law wasn’t that much taller than her, but he packed a presence. Asad liked to joke that he was the Filipino Mr. Clean, and with his bald head and stern demeanor, he’d make a good one, though he’d have to shave his goatee.

Looking back and forth between Law and Connor, Asad made a little circle gesture with his hand. Go on. Tell him.

Connor’s courage was failing him, especially with that look on Law’s face.

“I had dinner with Mistress Julie last night.” There. That was the truth, even if it wasn’t everything.

Law frowned and looked over at Asad. He clearly realized something was up because of the way Asad was acting, but he hadn’t caught on yet.

“It wasn’t just dinner, though, was it?” Asad prodded, stepping over to put his hand on Connor’s shoulder. Some of his glee had dissipated, as though he’d realized that something about this was making Connor nervous, so he was stepping in to help. “It was a date.”

“A date?” Law blinked.

Beside him, Iris’ eyes widened, and from over to the side, he heard Samantha’s small gasp and Q’s low murmur. They were picking up what Asad was putting down, but it appeared Law was a little slower on the uptake.

“With Mistress Julie? But…”

It felt like the air in the room stilled, everyone waiting with bated breath to see what Law would say next. His frown deepened.

“Are… are you the secret admirer?” Q asked after the longest moment in the world.

Connor kept his gaze on Law, mostly because he couldn’t bring himself to look away as he answered.

“Yes.”

Law’s deep frown didn’t budge, but he didn’t turn to sudden anger either.

“Aw, that’s so cute!” Iris brightened in a similar manner that Morgan had, putting her hands on her chest over her heart. “Oh my God, I would have never guessed! Wait… so you’re submissive? Or a switch, like Q?”