Page 128 of Key of Kink

It was adorable.

“You put clothes on.”

I laughed. “Cooking naked isn’t allowed in this flat. It’s against the Health and Safety regulations.”

That pout was still in place. “Your regulations are spoiling my view.”

I arched my eyebrows. “You’re staying the night, aren’t you? Sleeping in my bed? You’ll be up close and personal with your ‘view,’” I air-quoted.

His face flushed. “Well, when you put it like that, I guess I can allow it this once.”

I narrowed my gaze. “Keep that up, and I’ll add something extra before bedtime.” He gave me an inquiring glance, and I grinned. “A spanking.”

Quinn coughed, then leaned on the worktop. “So… what are we eating?”

I chuckled. “A wise change of direction. And we’re having scrambled eggs on toast.”

He beamed. “Great. Can I do anything?”

I gestured to the butter dish and the knife. “Deal with the toast. And don’t let it burn.”

Quinn chuckled. “I make no promises. My mind is elsewhere right now.”

I knew where.

I dropped a knob of butter into the frying pan.

“I’m curious about something,” he asked, not looking at me but at the toaster, as if he was waiting to catch the bread before it burst into flames and set fire to the kitchen.

I waited, but when nothing else was forthcoming, I cleared my throat. “What, exactly? And why the hesitation? One thing I really like about you is how you always say what’s on your mind.”

“It isn’t hesitation. Well, I suppose it is. I guess I’m⁠—”

I turned to face him. “Quinn. If you don’t come right out with whatever it is you want to know, your headstone is going to read ‘Beaten to death with a spatula.’” I plucked it from its hook on the tiled wall and brandished it menacingly.

He bit his lip, and I realised how cute he was when he did that.

It’s as though I’m seeing him for the first time.

It seemed this was to be a night of firsts.

“You said you write musical arrangements. But unless you charge a ton for them, you have to have some other income. Living in London is expensive as fuck, and I don’t think writing harmony will pay your gas bill. Well, not all of it.”

I exhaled slowly. “And you’d be correct.” I poured the eggs into the melted butter and stirred them with the spatula.

Quinn stared at me. “Well? What else do you do?” He widened his eyes. “You’ve got an Only Fans account. Guys sign up to watch you jerk off or flog a sub.”

I coughed. “Trust me, it’s nothing like that. In fact, it’s deathly dull.”

He grinned. “You don’t want to tell me. I find that very intriguing.”

He trusts me.

I thought I trusted him. Maybe it was time to prove that.

“I don’t tell people what I do because… well… they wouldn’t understand.”

“Try me.”