He sighed with such relief he shocked himself at his reaction. Was he that touch-starved? At first, he’d thought it was his sexual awakening that roused the new excitement in him, then he’d assumed it was Kage himself, single-handedly slapping Finley into the I-want-dick-now headspace, but maybe, he was just sad and lonely…
The effortless way Kage had reached out for Finley, touched his back, and held his hand could be simply the Dom’s vibe. He must be used to touching people. After all, he had them on his stage three times a week. Except during scenes he wore rubber gloves.
Wait.
Finley sat straighter. “Did you wear gloves during our session?” Finley raised his voice over the audience clapping.
Looking ahead, Kage took a sip of his drink. “No.”
“Why?”Did you want to touch me?Finley’s heart beat faster.
“No reason.” Kage let go of Finley’s hand, scratched his jaw and crossed his arms.
And his touch was gone. Fuck.
Like a pendulum, Kage’s responses were hot one moment, and cold the next. Was he overthinking the chemistry with Kage? It was hard to contain his pout. He was a grown-ass man for fuck’s sake. Finley sat back and surveyed the crowd.
Off duty or not, Finley’s senses went full alert at a ruckus in the corner. He shot to his feet, ready to intervene. Thankfully, itwas only a group of friends late for the show, or rather three men in leather dog masks led by Mistress Renata. They joined Sadie’s table where she sat with her girlfriend, watching her ex-husband introduce the next performer.
Jagoda was making rounds behind the tables and lounges, supervising. Finley swore she had more tattoos each time he saw her.
“Hey lads, look! It’s Lucy’s personal Chris Hemsworth.” Hugh waggled his eyebrows as Jared approached their lounge.
Brendan grumbled and pulled Hugh closer.
“I love when you’re jealous.” Hugh kissed Brendan’s bearded cheek. The couple radiated chemistry with their tiny touches and hushed whispers. “I’ll have to show you what you’re so protective of later.”
“Hey, all. Lucy told me to watch from here.” Jared perched his muscled ass at the edge of a seat and leaned forward.
He gave off positive vibes and Finley couldn't help but think his return might be good for Latif’s heart. “How did you and Latif meet?” Finley asked, and downed the rest of his whiskey.
“We were neighbours as kids, so we basically grew up together. Then he was my wingman for girls and I was his for anyone he fancied.” Jared shrugged, glanced at Finley, then returned his gaze to the stage. His heart eyes for Lucy were clear as day. “I was there when he met Sadie.” He straightened in his seat abruptly. “Oh, shit.”
“What is it?”
“Lucy has a wardrobe malfunction.” Jared stood up and leaned over the balcony, his body at full alert.
“What? She looks fine.” Finley took in Lucy’s flawless smile and perfect posture even in her ridiculously-high ruby red sparkly heels.
“No. I can tell. I gotta go help.” He ran behind the sofas and down the stairs to stage left like his ass was on fire.
Finley resumed watching the next act. When a Madonna in a spiky white bra finished singing, Lucy sashayed out in a golden dress and an elaborate blond wig. She concluded the show and invited everyone on stage for a group bow. Finley stood up alongside the rest of the crowd to clap and cheer. He spotted Jared to the side of the stage, behind a curtain with his face flushed and his eyes glued to Lucy.
Maybe Finley didn’t know much about love, but he recognised a smitten man when he saw one.
Chapter Thirteen
Kage
Kage’s stomach flip-flopped. His proximity to Finley throughout the evening set his imagination on fire and his body needed more of his touch, his laugh, his… everything. But Finley wanted to talk in private, and that couldn’t be a good sign. Kage knew the role Finley needed him to play. Finley looked to him for guidance in the world of BDSM, and that was something he was more than happy to provide. Unfortunately, Kage was also well aware that this arrangement was finite. The fact that Finley wanted to ‘talk’ must mean he had had enough.
Kage’s chest hurt as if someone punched him. He didn’t want to let Finley go. Since the first night he’d spotted Finley across the club, he couldn’t stop thinking about the big man with kind eyes. His posture had screamed dominance yet his eyes beggedfor submission. And Kage had been hooked. He’d arrange his sessions on the days Finley was scheduled to work, he’d pass by the bar in an attempt to catch a glimpse of his smile, or his muscles bunching under the chest harness. Daydreaming of having Finley in his bed and in his life had become a norm, invading his head with images of them hanging out at his flat, listening to music, watching some stupid show, or simply existing together.
But Kage was too broken to make Finley happy. And once that would become apparent, Finley would leave, breaking Kage’s heart. Maybe he was a coward, but he was afraid he wouldn’t survive losing Finley once he’d let him into his heart. Hopefully, it was not too late.
To protect them both, Finley should find a dom of his own, or at least book a session with someone else. That would be for the best, as there was nothing more than Kage could give Finley. And he deserved someone who could love him and be there for him.
Kage touched the ace cards tattoo on Finley’s forearm to get his attention. Ginger hair rose at his fingertips, as if meeting him. Fuck, Finley’s reaction to him couldn’t be any sexier. “I ordered snacks to room eight, so they should be waiting for us there.”
