Page 23 of Psychopath

Quinn’s heart thumped extra hard behind his ribs, and he tore his gaze from Zane’s physique and looked at his face. He had stubble along his jaw and above his top lip. His hair was fluffed up, and his eyes were big and bright.

Quinn darted looks around the room, then cleared his throat.

“Like what you see?” Zane mumbled.

Quinn shook his head and willed his heart to slow its frantic pace.

“I know you do.”

“Inappropriate.”

Zane pursed his lips and made a kissing noise. “You know it’s true.”

“How—how are you, Zane?”

“Now that my ego’s had a little boost, I’m feeling pretty good. You?”

Quinn pressed his lips in an awkward smile and reached for his coffee. He drank a mouthful just to do something, but Zane’s eyes didn’t leave him.

“Coffee breath is hot.”

Quinn spluttered, placed the cup on the table, then slapped his chest. “Said no one ever,” he managed to croak.

“Well, I imagine your coffee breath is pretty great.”

“Sorry to disappoint, but I don’t think that’s true.”

Zane laughed, then pointed to the folder on the table. “So, school life?”

Quinn lifted an eyebrow. “How did you know?”

“Mackie of course, he can’t wait to tell us he’s seen you first.”

“He enjoys talking to me.”

“So does everyone…”

“Tell me about when you were at school.”

Zane leaned back in his chair and sighed. “I didn’t struggle academically. Some teachers labelled me as gifted.”

“Not a mark wrong.” Zane lifted his eyebrow, and Quinn continued. “I read your university scores were close to perfect.”

“Were you impressed?”

“Yeah, I scraped by with a 2.2.”

“Don’t belittle yourself. We can’t all be geniuses like me.”

Quinn snorted. “Did you have friends at school?”

Zane nodded, and his gaze trailed to the ceiling as if he was reminiscing. “I was popular. Captain of the rugby team and good at polo.”

“Polo?”

“Riding around, smacking balls. Fun times.”

Quinn laughed lightly and shook his head. “You went to a private school.”

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