Page 14 of Psychopath

“I think…” Quinn began. “I think I’ve got enough for today.”

“Are you sure?”

Quinn managed an affirmative hum.

Zane’s chair screeched along the floor as he stood up. He tucked it under the table, and Quinn waited for him to walk by and out the door, but instead Zane took a few steps further away.

“What are you—”

Without any warning, Zane lifted his T-shirt over his head, and Quinn’s words lodged in his throat. Dark hair covered his pronounced pectorals and trailed down the centre line of his body to his belly button.

His shoulders were huge, and each of his abdominal muscles was clearly defined. Quinn gawped, unsure where to look or what to do.

A nervous energy reared up in his chest, and he shivered and swallowed again. The button was within reach, and the camera covered where Zane stood, recording him as he rolled his shoulders.

“I was hot,” Zane said slowly as an explanation.

Quinn didn’t reply, too shocked by the suddenness, by the reveal of Zane’s torso in its muscular glory. Zane snorted and strolled over to the door. He paused and shot a look back.

“Your cheeks are flushed, and there’s sweat on your top lip. I think you might be suffering from the heat too.”

It was February 12, and it was freezing.

Zane winked as he passed through the door.

Quinn scrubbed his hand across his lips and then loosened the top two buttons of his shirt. He could feel his fevered cheeks and rubbed them to disperse the redness. “What the fuck…”

Cleo found him in the staff bathroom splashing cool water on his face ten minutes later. He was no longer blushing, but his skin had turned stark white and his blue eyes shone in their sockets.

He locked gazes with Cleo in the mirror.

“This is the men’s. You can’t come in here.”

She tutted, pulled papers from the dispenser, and handed them over. Quinn shot her a grateful smile and dabbed his face.

“Zane?”

Quinn nodded. “He just whipped his T-shirt off. No warning whatsoever.”

Cleo’s eyebrows shot into her fringe. “Really?”

“Yeah, I didn’t know what to do or—or where to look. I mean, I’m trying to be professional, and he just—”

“Did you take a picture?”

Quinn glared at her, spluttering, “Of course not.”

“Shame.” She shrugged. “Next time be prepared, just in case.”

“I don’t want there to be a next time.”

Cleo laughed and shook her head. “I told you he’s a trickster. He likes to push people’s buttons and gauge their reactions. He’s not going to hurt you, but he will play with you a little.”

“I don’t want to be played with by Zane Black.” His stomach flipped. “This…this really needs to work.” He squeezed his eyes shut. “I…I can’t have him on the study.”

“Come on, Quinn, he’s only messing with you. You could be the one…”

“The one?” he asked, opening his eyes.

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