Page 21 of Reclaiming Quinn
“Of course.”
Quinn started toward the desk, but Master stopped him.
“I’ll get it.” He wheeled toward the desk. “I haven’t been fair to you.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve been allowing you to do things that I’m perfectly capable of doing myself. Starting now, that stops.”
What did that mean? “I don’t understand.”
“I’ll make my own breakfast, or I’ll eat whatever Dani serves. I can carry my own bags. And I won’t need you to push me around the city.”
“But then what will I do?”
“You’ll enjoy yourself. You’ll look at things through the eyes of someone who is doing something they want rather than trying to make me happy or comfortable.”
“That’s what I’m supposed to do!”
This wasn’t going the way it should. Couldn’t he see that? Deke was his, and Quinn had to serve in order to do what he was meant to. He squeezed his hands into fists.
“Please, Deke, don’t—”
“What did you call me?”
Quinn snapped his head up. “I’m sorry, it slipped out! I didn’t mean—”
“Say it again.”
“Master, please.”
“My name, Quinn. Say it.”
“Master….”
“Fucking say my name!” he growled, his fingers tensed around the handles of the chair. “You know it. I heard you. I want you to say my name.”
“Deke!” Why was he doing this? “Your name is Deke.”
“Yes, my name is Deke. It’s not Master. Your name is Quinn, not slave.”
Ryker is dead, and his rules no longer apply. He can’t hurt you anymore, so why do you cling so hard to them?
“Come here, Quinn.”
He held out a hand, and Quinn took a tentative step toward him.
“It’s okay. Please, come here.”
As soon as Quinn was within reach, Deke took his hand and tugged Quinn into his lap.
“Have you ever known a gentle touch?” Deke asked.
“Yes. Dani likes to hug me, and Sean held me when I was taken to Lydon.”
“And did you enjoy it?”
Oh, it was sheer heaven. To be held, comforted, cared for. “Yes.”
