Finley nodded. “You understand me. I’ve never had that before. Maybe it’s different for you…”
Because I loved once?
That made it worse. Kage didn’t want to nurse a shattered heart again. He wouldn’t.
“Wake up, Finley. We’re both fucked up. And two broken men won’t make for a wholesome relationship.”
Finley smirked and Kage’s pulse sped up at the glint of mischief in his gaze. “Then let’s be in a fucked up one. Depraved. Kinky. Insane.”
Kage chuckled low. This man. Somehow he’d sneakily slithered under Kage’s skin, setting cosy little fires around his heart. Now it looked like he set up camp and Kage didn’t want him to leave.
“Let’s go, then. They’re closing soon.” Kage stood up, took Finley’s hand and walked them downstairs.
For the first time in years, he didn’t have a plan.
Finley followed obediently, the warmth of his huge body accompanying Kage, filling him with comfort.
“Look,” Finley said. “BDSM books in the self-help section.” He picked up one and cracked it open. “Not even half as clear and comprehensive as your website.” He put it back and ran a finger over the spines. “None of them are. I checked. Some are useful, but your articles showed me the details that a book about the general idea of fur-lined handcuffs in the bedroom wouldn’t.”
“It’s my job to provide—”
“No, it’s so much more and you know it. You want to share the knowledge you gathered so people can enjoy the lifestyle in safe ways, thanks to clear guidelines.”
Damn him for seeing right through me.Kage had seen too many wannabe Doms, and he’d hate for any sub to fall for clear red flags. “Did you just interrupt me?”
Finley smirked, melting something in Kage’s chest. “What are you going to do about it?”
Still holding Kage’s hand, Finley pulled them into the romance section. He tapped the shelf. “Stories of romance and lust. I never thought my life could have that in it. But you give me hope.”
“Fucking hell, Finley.” Kage cupped his cheek. “You’re so hard to resist.”
Finley leaned close to whisper into Kage’s ear. “Then don’t.”
He made it sound so easy. “But what are we?” Kage looked into Finley’s green eyes, which seemed to sparkle in the overhead lights.
“Horny?” Finley grinned.
“Behave. This is a reputable bookstore.” Kage said with exaggerated seriousness. Slowly, a smirk worked its way over hisface. “have you ever had sex in a public library? The romance section’s spines are smeared with decades of jizz.”
“Shut up,” Finley laughed. “Pervert.”
“Me? Never.”
Chapter Seventeen
Kage
Outside the bookstore, darkness loomed over London, but Kage wasn’t ready to say goodbye yet. His heart was pounding, pumping his veins with affection and excitement. The mix of pure lust, protectiveness, and willingness to turn his life upside down for Finley amounted to one momentous feeling. Yes, he’d fallen hard. And he was still falling. Thankfully, Finley was holding his hand and maybe, just maybe, they were taking this fall together.
But first, he had to take good care of his man and ease the tension that had plagued both of them since their last encounter.
The brick walls of the alley in front of them had witnessed all manner of depraved acts over the years—far more debauched than what he was about to do with Finley. Kage headed into itsdepths, and Finley’s steps right behind him told him he wasn’t the only crazy one tonight.
He turned around, grabbed Finley by his shirt, and pinned him to the wall. His big body was as pliant as clay under Kage’s fingers. He could mould the exterior, figure out Finley’s kinks, but his core and its values were already set. And Kage wouldn’t dream of changing a thing.
Finley licked his lips, and it was all the invitation Kage needed to claim them. Grinding his body against Finley’s, he revelled in the softness of his mouth and the welcoming moan Finley released. Fuck, he was already hard, and they couldn’t enjoy a long fuck session in a damn alley. Improvisation was key.
Pulling away, he traced his index finger over Finley’s lower lip. Finley met his gaze and sucked, sending sparkles of lust to Kage’s cock.
