Stefan laughs. “I’m not sure there was anything to survive. By the way, what is your job?”
Rubin grins. “I do graphic design for a sex toy company. I bet you’ve got some of our products in your dungeon. Right, see ya.” He waves and heads off towards the Victoria Line.
“How are you doing?” Stefan asks me.
“Sleepy.”
“Let’s go home.”
We walk slowly through the tube station to get to our connecting line.
“Thanks for coming tonight.”
“I had fun.”
I give Stefan the side-eye. “Really?”
He laughs. “Yes, really. Your family are wonderful, and I got to find out more about you. I didn’t realise you were so sporty.”
“Me? Yeah.” My stomach becomes heavy. “Not anymore, though.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I still have my art.” I glance at my hands. I’m not sure what I’d do if I wasn’t able to draw anymore.
“And kink,” he whispers into my ear.
I laugh and sag against him. He takes hold of me and manoeuvres us to the closest wall, where he supports me until my legs can take my weight again.
“Hopefully, we’ll always have kink.”
“You should look into a service dog,” Stefan says.
“We’re not allowed pets. Plus, you heard what Sabella said. They’re not common over here. I bet the training would cost a fortune too. Besides, I manage.” I peck his lips. “You just want an excuse to get a dog.”
He hums. “Maybe. As you said, you’d be home to keep a dog company when I’m at work.”
“You’re in most of the day anyway.”
“True. But if we were to get a dog, it would be an added bonus if it could help you.”
“I guess so.” I lean against his chest. “Are we really talking about the future right now, or am I dreaming?”
He ghosts his lips over my forehead. “You’re not dreaming.”
“Dream you would say that.”
His chest rumbles against me as he laughs. “You’re not dreaming. It’s easy to imagine a future with you.” He rolls his eyes. “I think I’ve taken a leaf out of Beau’s book.”
“Huh?”
“I joked that he and Fraser went from nought to sixty in their relationship faster than a Ferrari.” He strokes my back. “But I’m not sure I can think too hard about the future when I haven’t resolved my past.” He sucks in a deep breath. “I need some kind of closure with Mum.”
“Are you going to call her?”
He shakes his head. “No. I think that would be too much of a shock for her.”
“Then what are you going to do?”
