Page 33 of Key of Kink

Julian grinned. “You sound like a therapist.”

“So I’ve been told,” he replied dryly.

We ran the section again, and although it wasn’t perfect, it breathed. Sebastian came in softer, not hiding but not pushing. Elliott blended instead of cutting. Finnley listened before leaping. Even Julian—miracle of miracles—waited his turn.

When we stopped, Finnley exhaled dramatically. “Oh. That’s what that’s supposed to feel like.”

Theo nodded, but before he could speak, the studio door opened and Cameron walked in, a canvas bag slung over his shoulder, energy still humming from whatever class he’d come from. He paused when he saw us all watching.

“Oh.” He flushed. “Sorry. Am I interrupting?”

Theo turned, and softened in a way that was impossible to miss. “You’re right on time.”

Cameron crossed the room without hesitation, cupped Theo’s face, and kissed him.

Finnley made a soft, appreciative noise. Julian nodded in approval, and Zane looked away with a smile he didn’t bother hiding.

Theo didn’t stiffen, but he didn’t regain composure immediately either. He kissed Cameron back. When they parted, Cameron smiled. “You sounded incredible from the street.”

Theo laughed. “You’re biased.”

“Deeply.” Cameron squeezed his hand before stepping aside. “Please, continue. I’ll sit at the back and listen.”

I smiled. “Well, that explains a lot.”

Theo glanced at me. “Oh?”

“You’re still in control. You’re just not strangling it anymore.”

Something warm and pleased crossed his face. “I learned from the best.”

“That’s alarming.” Finnley looked from me to Cameron. “Which one of them?”

“Both,” Theo replied with a smile.

I watched them—Theo grounded but open, Cameron steady and unapologetic—and felt the lesson settle deeper than any lecture could have.

Theo caught my eye again. “We’ll get there. Together.”

I nodded, my mind caught up in a swirl of thoughts. Standing there, surrounded by voices still learning how to blend, watching a man I’d known for years continue to evolve without losing himself, I couldn’t deny it anymore.

Letting go doesn’t weaken you. It tunes you.

For the first time, the idea that love might add to control instead of eroding it didn’t feel like a threat.

It felt like harmony, whether I was ready for that or not.

During the break, I sat apart from the others, drinking from my water bottle. Cameron and Julian were laughing, the bright sound filling the air, and Theo was watching them. Well, he was watching Cameron, and no one in that room could miss the love in those eyes.

Elliott drifted over, a coffee in one hand. “You got a minute?”

I smirked. “For you? Hmm, let me think.”

He laughed, then sat in the chair next to mine. “You know the day I auditioned? I wasn’t sure if you remembered me.”

“I did.”

“Right.” He cleared his throat.