He nodded, smiling tenderly. “Yes, Benintroduced us and he was a perfect Dom.”
Did the Dom know what was going on?
Was that even my business?
Probably not.
“Well, I would be glad to count as a Domyou got to know so that you can fulfill the terms of your agreement.” God, hewould fit right in with Asa and the guys. “No pressure and no expectations.”
It was just my luck that the cutest sub I’dmet in a long time was already focused on someone else. “This is your secondnight at the club?”
He watched me closely for several longmoments before nodding. “Yes.”
He sat up straighter again, probably givinghimself an internal pep talk, and nodded toward the chair across from me. “MayI come sit down?”
I couldn’t decide if he was just trying tobe polite or trying to please his mother, but either way, I needed adistraction and he seemed interesting, so I wasn’t going to complain.
“Please. I could use the company.” Kind of.
I’d been hoping to find someone to at leasttake my mind off my own troubles, but since that didn’t seem like it was goingto work, this would have to do.
He nodded and rose, coming over to sit downacross from me. “Thank you.”
Extending my hand, I smiled. “You’rewelcome. Niall. Pleased to meet you.”
Shaking my hand, he relaxed a bit. “Keegan.”
I couldn’t help but notice the strength inhis hand as he pulled away, and for a moment, I found myself wanting to hold onto him. But since being the next Mitch wasn’t my goal, I behaved myself.
Not sure where to start since I wasn’tgoing to try to come on to him, I just jumped in randomly. “I’m glad thatasshole wasn’t your first impression of the club.”
Keegan chuckled. “Me too. I can’t imaginethat being a new sub’s first impression of the club or BDSM in general.”
Did that mean he’d been in the lifestyle awhile?
“Are you new to the area or just new to theclub?” I’d never felt quite so awkward as I’d tried to get to know a sub, but Idid my best to push past it. Without flirting or trying to tease his submissiveside to the surface, I was worried that I’d sound like I was at a businessmeeting.
Keegan’s pleasant expression said he didn’tmind the question or my tone. “I’ve been in the lifestyle for several years,but this is my second night in the club. I’ve been mostly involved with work,so dating took a backseat for a long time.”
Considering how young he looked I wasn’tsure how that could be possible, but he seemed so sincere I took him at hisword. “Work can be more distracting than people realize.”
Would it be too personal to ask what hadhim so focused?
“Would you mind my asking what you do for aliving?” Before he could answer, I continued. “You won’t offend me if you don’twant to talk about your personal life.”
He waved a hand, shaking his head. “No, I’mnot under any illusions that I’ll be able to maintain my privacy. I’m anartist. My work can be…” He cocked his head for a moment and seemed to considerhow to finish the statement. “I think all-encompassing would be the best way todescribe it.”
“That sounds interesting.” Part of me wasnosy enough that I wanted to ask what his daytime job was, but that seemed rudeeven to me. “The artists I’ve met can be very single-minded, so I canunderstand how you get absorbed into your work.”
They were also curious, sensual creatureswho didn’t always live in the real world, which brought up a host of worries.Was there a good way to ask if someone was making sure he ate and that hisbills got paid?
I’d met very few people whose family was inthe lifestyle, but picturing them, I decided if Keegan’s mother was any flavorof dominant then at least she would be watching over him to make sure he wassafe and eating.
“It’s not a career you can leave at thedoor when work ends at five, but it’s what I’ve always wanted to do.” Hesmiled, but his focus turned back to me before I could ask another question.“What do you do for a living?”
“I’m an architect.” I chuckled to myself.“So not quite an artist, but I see myself as creative.”
There was just a lot more logic andplanning involved, which was why it appealed to me.
