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Leo’s brows lifted. “And?”
“He’s not welcome here either,” Callum said in a mild tone. “Not after the way he tried to undermine a negotiation.” He straightened. “Okay, enough small-talk. I need to find a sub. I’m in the mood to play.” He grinned. “Maybe we’ll try that machine out, see what it can do.” He gave Leo a nod, then walked away.
My gaze drifted around the main floor. Quinn stood twenty feet away, laughing with Leo’s husband Alex.
“I think he’s good for you,” Leo murmured.
I smiled. “Funny. I was thinking the same thing.”
“You love him.”
I blinked, then turned slowly, my mouth open. “How—”
He smiled. “Remember what I told you last time? I have a lot more experience than you do, and I see a lot of men.” He bit his lip. “And falling in love with your sub is far more common than you might expect.”
My pulse quickened, but I didn’t deny it. I couldn’t.
Leo tilted his head to one side. “First time?”
I chuckled. “Yes. Not just falling for a sub, though. This… this is new territory for me.”
Leo studied me. “And?”
I expelled a breath. “It feels… unfamiliar.”
He chuckled softly. “What did you expect—collapse?”
“I expected imbalance.”
“And did you get it?”
“No.” I watched as Quinn laughed at something Alex said.
“I suspect you’ve kept love and dominance separate for a long time,” Leo continued. “Did you think blending them meant losing authority?”
“Yes.”
“And now?”
I watched Quinn again. “Now I realise authority doesn’t diminish when it’s chosen.”
“And he chooses.”
“Yes.” I took a deep breath. “And I choose him.”
Leo rested his hand on my shoulder. “Then enjoy it.”
Quinn crossed the floor towards us.
“Everything all right?” I asked when he reached my side.
“Perfectly.” And then he slid his fingers through mine.
The contact was simple, almost casual, and I stilled. I looked down at our joined hands, then brushed my thumb across Quinn’s knuckles.
This feels… right.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go and grab Alex.” Leo grinned. “I feel a scene coming on.” He patted my arm, then headed in Alex’s direction.
