Think rationally, Finley.Don’t be an idiot.
He took a deep breath, but it didn’t calm him down. Instead, tangled knots of raw emotion hurt him from the inside, threatening to spill over in words and violence.
“I bared my soul to you! That evening, I—” He swallowed the anguish that tried to come out as a sob.What was this pain?“I told you shit I haven’t told anyone.”Betrayal.
“You didn’t have to.” Kage’s calm demeanour pissed Finley off even more.
“But I wanted to.” Finley balled his hands into fists. The relief he’d felt that day, the acceptance in Kage’s eyes, the enormity of his understanding gaze. “I thought you cared.”
“I did and I still do. I promise to do whatever is needed for the Sub during aftercare. If it means I sit and listen to a life story, then it’s that. You had a major sub drop, Finley. I couldn’t leave you and not ask about what was bothering you.”
You bastard.
“Right. Of course.” Finley flopped his hands in the air then let them fall. “I’m so fucking naïve.”
“That’s not true. You’ve been through a lot, and today must be hard for you as well. Have you thought of talking to a therapist?”
Finley shot to his feet and so did Kage, not missing a beat. “What the fuck?” Finley raised his voice.I don’t believe this shit.“I wanted to experience mind-blowing sex and forget life for a moment.”
Kage held his ground, meeting Finley’s gaze. “Sex can help, but might not be enough.”
“Oh now you’re an expert. How would you know?” Finley poked a finger at Kage’s chest. God, he was so much slimmer than Finley yet whenever he commanded him, Finley was happy to comply. He was cock-struck or some shit, and now he was letting Kage humiliate him. “You know what? I don’t care. Fuck you, Kage.”
“That’s fair.” Kage took a step back and lifted his shirt off the armchair.
Finley was boiling inside, feeling as if his skin would open to let out steam.
“I see how it is. You’re not my Dom. Or my friend.” He snarled. “You’re nothing to me.”
“Good. Let it all out.” Kage buttoned his shirt with steady fingers.
“Fuck you!”
Kage snorted. “Not until you talk to a therapist. Actually, I can recommend a guy.”
“He won’t understand. Not this.” Finley waved at the sex implements. “Not what’s in here.” He punched his chest with his fist.
“He will. He’s a dom too.”
“Well—” Fuck, that was unexpected. But it didn’t change anything. Finley huffed at how Kage squared his shoulders and let out a long breath. “How can you be so calm?”
Was he fucking meditating?
Kage’s face flushed, and he dug his fingers into his side.Holy hell, he was in pain.Kage’s expression was strained as if he was already regretting what he was about to say. “I can listen, but I can’t give you advice. I can’t help you… with something I don’t know how to deal with myself.”
Finley blinked, processing the information.
“Deal with what?”
Kage shook his head. “Nothing.”
“Tell me. Kage, come on.” Rage evaporated from Finley, leaving uncertainty.What was he on about?Finley wanted the truth behind Kage’s calm facade. “What happened to you?”
“Goodnight, Finley.” Kage swivelled on his heel and marched through the door.
Finley pulled on his leathers, shoved his feet into his boots, and sprang after him down the corridor, zipping his fly on the way. Kage pushed the club’s back door open just as Finley’s chest hit another—one wearing a security vest.
Finley shoved it in frustration but not much force. “Tom, come on, that’s me. Let me go.” He glared at the chiselled face of his co-worker. He’d been the one to show Finley the ropes of the security job at the club.
