“Aww.” Brendan twisted the straw of his drink. “And you said four would be too many. Everyone loves them.”
“Yes, but four is my limit,” Hugh said, causing Brendan to pout.
By the look of utter adoration on Hugh’s face, Finley was sure Brendan could pout his way through any argument and win in the end.
Two men holding hands took the other empty lounge on the balcony and Finley recognized Master E, Latif’s younger brother. He and his husband Brian frequented the club, often demonstrating flogging and other forms of impact play together. Both lean-muscled and tall, they attracted crowds to their public scenes in droves.
Latif had introduced them to Finley a few weeks back, and it was nice to see them joining the audience. Master E’s signature blue hair, styled in a fashionable swoop, added flair to his black leather attire, complete with knee-high boots. Brian wore the ever-present Sub collar on his neck made of steel beads, binding him to his Dom as much as the ring on his finger.
Finley had learnt a library worth of kink information since starting work at the club, be that from Kage, Latif, or through his own research. That info helped him be a part of the community that embraced him without question, and had given him asafe space to explore his sexuality the way he’d never had the opportunity to before.
Sitting close to Kage amongst people who were comfortable in their skin, and with who and how they loved, Finley’s heart hurt for Max. His son would never know the ups and downs of adulthood, of discovering new things about himself in his thirties, but also simple things like having his own family, buying a house, or going out with friends after work. If Finley had moved to London or anywhere else years ago, Max would still be alive. But that hadn’t been an option before. Don Murphy wouldn’t let them go. They knew too much. At times, Finley questioned if landing a job at the Handcuffs hadn’t been a plot to keep an eye on him via a club owned by a fellow Don and his wife. Either way, thanks to the drastic change, Finley was reaching for things he’d never known he wanted, like leather gear and…Kage.
Today of all days, Finley needed Kage to make him float, to clear his head of everything. He wasn’t in a position to demand anything from Kage so he’d take their proximity or anything else Kage might offer.
“You alright?” Kage asked and squeezed Finley’s thigh.
Fuck, his thoughts must have shown on his face. He offered Kage a small smile and took his hand.
“Yeah. I am now.”
Kage frowned, but held his hand tighter.
An idea, a proposal of sorts, had been taking root in Finley’s head, and Brendan’s words at the bar convinced him to take a leap of faith. Tonight, after the time at the pub and now, with Kage’s hand warm in his, he was ready to ask the Dom on a date.
A real date.
“Kage, can we talk alone after the show?”
“Of course. We can go now, if you want. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes.” He relaxed into his seat. “Let’s enjoy the show first.”
“We’ll go to my room after.”
Finley nodded. “Thanks.”
The curtains opened and Lucy stepped onto the stage dressed in a Jessica Rabbit crimson dress, welcoming the gathered. She had been organising the event since she’d joined the club and Finley had heard rave reviews from patrons about it.
“I need to record the show for mum.” Master E pulled out his phone and pointed it at the stage.
“Send it to mine too,” Brian said, but his eyes remained on stage. “They’ll probably watch together during their spa day tomorrow.” He chuckled, elbowing his brother.
“They’re inseparable lately.” Brendan sat back and threw his massive arms over the backrest of the sofa. “So now, we’d have to take dad out or organise something together. Maybe a movie evening. Latif can bring his fab nail kit.”
“We could bring him here.” Hugh said with a straight face, then burst into laughter. “Dress him properly and he’d have twinks falling over him yelling, ‘Pick me, Daddy!’”
“Shut up!” Brian threw a wad of napkins at his brother-in-law.
“Hey, you’re behaving like a bunch of brats. We’re here to watch the show.” Kage glared, but his lip twitched in amusement.
The band of men grumbled and focused on the show. Four queens dressed as Spice Girls, complete with Geri’s Union Jack mini-dress, took the stage by storm, and soon everyone was singing along toWannabe.
The easy camaraderie among the guys let a comforting sense of belonging creep into Finley’s chest. But the cherry on top was Kage’s hand in his. Finley tested the waters and leaned in even closer, his shoulder touching Kage’s.
He couldn’t remember the last time he had spent quality time with a partner, simply holding each other in a public place, oreven at home. It must have been with Maggie when they were in their late teens and watching the telly after fooling around. Later, their marriage had been mostly focused on Maggie’s pregnancy and Alice.
After so many years thinking he was straight, then a bit curious, he was now snuggling to the warmth of a man. And not an ounce of hesitation or apprehension crossed his mind. Not in regards to gender at least. Hopefully, Kage felt similar.
