Page 20 of Key of Kink

“Not amusing,” I replied carefully. “More… reassuring.”

His expression sharpened. “Explain.”

I shifted in my chair. “You’re very thorough.”

His lips twitched. “That’s the point.”

“I know.” I shrugged. “I’m just appreciating the dedication.” He frowned, and I let out a sigh. “You’re taking this very seriously.”

Silence.

“And you aren’t?”

“I am,” I said. “Just… comfortably so.”

His eyebrows tried to reach the ceiling again. “Comfortable isn’t always appropriate.”

“It is when everyone knows what’s going on.” I hit him with a full force smile. “Which we do.”

He tilted his head to one side. “I don’t joke about scenes.”

“I’m not joking about the scene.” I didn’t break eye contact. “I’m joking about you.”

His mouth twitched before he could stop it.

I grinned openly now. “There it is.”

“There is what?” Suspicion laced his question.

“You,” I replied promptly. “Relaxing a millimetre.”

“I am relaxed.”

“Of course you are,” I agreed. “That’s why you’re holding yourself as if you’re about to conduct an orchestra.”

He glanced down at his posture, then back at me. “I conduct choirs on occasion, not orchestras.”

“I stand corrected,” I said solemnly. “Clearly, this is a man who knows his instruments.”

The silence that followed was interesting. Then Max huffed, a quiet, involuntary sound that might have been a laugh if it had committed fully.

Warmth sparked in my chest.

“Is this a problem?” he asked.

“The joking? No, it’s sort of the point.”

“The point is structure.”

“Yes,” I said. Then because I couldn’t resist, I added “And enjoyment.”

He studied me again, longer this time. “You’re enjoying this.”

“I am,” I admitted. “Are you?”

He paused then said in a careful tone, “I don’t dislike it.”

I beamed. “High praise indeed.”