Page 68 of Key of Kink

Callum laughed. “Oh, I don’t doubt that. But new blood has a way of sharpening focus.”

I didn’t answer. I hadn’t gone to the gym for Quinn. I’d gone there after a couple of tough shifts at work, when my body had felt tight, and I’d needed to decompress. The gym helped, but it wasn’t about aesthetics.

It was about clearing the noise.

Callum nudged me. “Relax, Rivers. I’m not accusing you of vanity.”

“I’m not vain.”

He barked a short laugh. “Sure.”

At the other end of the bar, Quinn tilted his head and gave me an inquiring glance.

Callum followed my line of sight and lowered his voice. “If you are making an effort, it’s not the worst idea.”

I was done.

“Callum, don’t take this the wrong way, but isn’t there someone else you can go and interrogate—I mean, talk to?”

He snorted. “Subtle, very subtle.” Then he walked away from me, waving at someone else.

His next victim. Poor sod.

Quinn appeared to have finished talking to the sub, and what struck me most wasn’t his confidence, but his certainty. He hadn’t overexplained or deferred.

He simply knows what works.

I straightened as he drifted back to stand beside me as though nothing had happened. I couldn’t let the moment pass without saying something.

“You handled that well.”

He shrugged. “I just said what I wish someone had said to me.”

Oh.

I know so little about him.

“You weren’t defensive,” I continued.

“There was no point.”

“And you didn’t look to me once.”

Quinn met my gaze. “I didn’t need to.”

Simple words, spoken with no trace of defiance and carrying the ring of truth.

He’s a twenty-year-old who figured some things out the hard way and doesn’t want other people to feel stupid.

The noise level grew, and I placed my hand at his back.

“I think they’re ready.”

As we walked into the main room, I caught glances of approval from fellow Doms, and my chest swelled.

He’s wonderful.

Quinn