Page 7 of Key of Kink

He frowned. “It’s just⁠—”

“It’s not ‘just’ anything,” I cut in, calmly. “If you can’t articulate it, you can’t deliver it safely.”

Ryland flushed, then nodded. “Right. Yes. Of course.” He moved off, visibly chastened. I went back to observing the room, only to have my focus interrupted by someone else. I didn’t mind.

Jonas stopped at my side. “You still doing your no-overnights policy?”

“Yes.”

“Even with regulars?”

I chuckled. “Especially with regulars.”

“You’re missing out, you know.”

I took a sip of my water. “Sure I am—on complications.”

He laughed and moved on.

I always made myself available. That way, I filtered out ninety percent of problems.

Movement at the periphery of my vision distracted me. A young man stood just inside the threshold of the room, his posture careful, his eyes alert.

A newbie.

He wasn’t hovering, but watching, taking stock. And unlike a lot of the young guys who checked out the club, he didn’t seem lost. He was dressed simply in black jeans and a dark shirt. His hands were clasped behind his back. There was no nervous fidgeting. If anything, he seemed to be waiting for something.

Interesting.

His gaze flicked to the signage on the noticeboard, then lingered as he read. I watched his eyes move over every poster.

Okay, that’s a good start.

I didn’t approach people, but I made myself visible. Anyone could ask questions, newbies especially.

Then Newbie Guy’s attention found me.

The look he gave me wasn’t brazen or apologetic, but curious. I met his gaze for a moment, taking in the unruly hair he’d swept upward from his forehead, his bright eyes.

And yeah, he was good looking, but not in the way some of the really young guys were. The ones who stared at you as if they were posing for an Instagram selfie.

This one only had to stand there to pull appreciative gazes.

I glanced away, but the hairs on the back of my neck told me he hadn’t. I watched him out of the corner of my eye. Sure enough, he was staring at me. Unable to rein in my curiosity, I returned my attention to him.

He smiled.

I arched my eyebrows. You’re a bold one, aren’t you? I waited for the moment when he would cross the floor and speak to me. It was inevitable.

Only, he didn’t make a move to approach me. In fact, he turned his back on me and left the room.

That was unexpected.

The shocker was how much that irritated—and intrigued—me.

Most newcomers either stayed too long their first night or not long enough. This guy had made the choice to come in, pay attention, and then walk away.

I wasn’t sure why that should irk me, but it did.