“I’m fucking standing right here,” J.D. snarled. “Stop talking like I’m not here!”
Forest hated confrontations. He gulped as he slid a foot away from J.D., which put him closer to Quar. Both men waited on him to answer. An uncomfortable knot born of anxiety grew in Forest’s gut. He wished Quar would speak up for him. Forestwas certain Quar knew his answer.
But Quar only nodded again when Forest dared to look him in the eyes.
Then Forest felt it—a warm touch to his hip. He knew it was Quar, unless J.D. had grown stretchy arms. That press of fingers gave Forest the strength he needed to speak. “I-I don’t want to hang out with you, J.D.”
J.D.’s expression darkened. “You—”
Quar stepped around Forest, putting himselfin between him and J.D. “The sub has the power, J.D. Respect that or leave and don’t come back.”
J.D. said something Forest couldn’t quite make out before stomping away like a pissed-off toddler.
“I’ll have to have one of the other owners speak with him about our rules,” Quar said as he looked at Forest. “I’m Quar, well, Quarry Light, by the way. Odd name, I know, but my parents are quirky.I’ve got two brothers with odd names, too—Slate and Coal. Contrary to how it may seem, our parentsdoactually love us.”
Forest laughed as the knot in his belly dissipated. “Forest Tilden. Are they interested in mining or rocks?”
Quar’s smile warmed Forest all the way down to his toes. “Protested mining practices, and yeah, both are geologists. Good call.”
The praise made Forest want to preen,but he didn’t.
“So, I really was in the parking lot when you pulled up,” Quar said. “And I heard the mini-explosion under your hood. Saw the smoke, too. I noticed you seemed hesitant to come in. Most of us here are decent people. You don’t have to be afraid to check things out, but if you’d like, I can give you a tour and answer any questions you might have.”
“Oh, wow, sir—” And there it wasagain, that ‘sir’ slipping out before Forest could censor it. “I almost didn’t come inside. If the car hadn’t done that sputtering thing, along with the smoke, I probably would have left. But…”You can do this, Forest. Ask for what you want.“I’d like to have a tour. I have questions, but I don’t know if I’ll have the guts to ask them.”
“I hope that you will. You don’t need to be afraid of doingsomething wrong. You’re here to learn.” Quar smiled, which enhanced his rugged features. Forest liked the fine lines at the outer edges of his eyes, the stretch of his lips, the jut of his chin. “Why don’t you tell me what interests you about BDSM?”
