Page 103 of Key of Kink

“Oh?” I folded my arms loosely. “Should I be worried?”

His lips twitched for a second, but then he schooled his features. “Tickling.”

I blinked. “Tickling.”

“Yes.”

I stared at him for a full second. “Seriously?”

“We can discuss it, can’t we?”

I narrowed my gaze. “Tickling sounds less like a scene and more like torture.”

Max chuckled. “And your point is?” Before I could think of a witty comeback, he added, “It does require trust. That’s why I thought you’d be okay with it.”

My heartbeat quickened.

“So… is that something you might be interested in?”

My heart was still thudding, which didn’t help.

“Yes,” I said at last. “But I reserve the right to complain loudly.”

He smiled. “I’m sure that can be arranged.” There was something almost satisfied in the way he said it, as though he’d found a way to return us to common ground.

Only, my brain was still replaying the gym. The shower steam. His body against mine. The way he’d said You come back to my place as if it was a decision, not a question. The couch. The fucking.

The rug.

I wasn’t naïve. I knew what he was doing.

He’s trying to make this orderly again.

And maybe that was okay.

“Text me details?” I said.

“I will.”

I nodded once, steady, then opened the door. Noise filtered up from the street below. I stepped out of the flat, and the door closed behind me with a soft click.

That was when I started grinning.

Tickling?

I started down the stairs, my heart thudding in that now-familiar hopeful rhythm. The gym hadn’t been a scene. Last night definitely hadn’t been one. Neither had dinner. And as for sleeping on his rug…

Max is trying to steer us back into choreography.

I didn’t mind, because I’d seen him unchoreographed now. I’d seen him unravelled.

I left the building, cold morning air hitting my face. Electricity zapped through me, leaving me tingling.

We can negotiate a scene. He can tickle me into surrender.

But what we’d started wasn’t contained anymore.

I headed towards the station, lighter than I’d felt in a long time.