I stiffened. “But for Theo it’s bad. It’s fear. It’s armour. Luka?—”
“—weaponised it,” Max cut in. “That’s an important distinction.” He tilted his head. “Youwouldn’t do that, though.”
Me? Where do I come into this?
Then I saw where he was going, and heat crawled through me.
I hesitated. “I don’t want to take control from him. I don’t want to hurt him.”
Max’s expression softened immediately. “Good. Then you’re already doing it right.”
I frowned. “I am?”
Max leaned closer. “Kink isn’t about taking something. It’s about offering a container.”
My head was spinning. “A… container.”
“Yeah, a space where control can be chosen. Negotiated. Held. Given back.”
My breathing slowed. “So you’re saying?—”
“I’msayingTheo has already lived most of his life in a constant state of control,” he said gently. “He micromanages everything so nothing can hurt him. That’s exhausting. Whathe’s never had is someone he trusts enough to let hold the reins for a bit.”
I swallowed.
Max studied me. “Consensual power exchange isn’t about dominance. It’s about safety. Structure. Permission to stop bracing.”
Something clicked into place.
“So letting go doesn’t mean losing himself.”
“No,” Max said in a firm tone. “It means resting.”
I stared at the floor, my thoughts racing.
“And if I wanted to… take control,” I said carefully, “how do I do it without recreating Luka?”
Max met my gaze, deadly serious. “You ask. You negotiate. You check in. And you give Theo the ability to stop everything with one word.”
I nodded, trying to take it all in.
Max smiled. “Congratulations. You’re about to be a phenomenal top.”
My face grew hot. “I didn’t say?—”
He grinned. “You didn’t have to.” He pulled his phone from his pocket and scrolled.
“Am I interrupting something?”
I jumped as Theo retook his seat. “Not really.” My heart pounded. “I think I’m ready to go home.”
Some of the others giggled and whooped, and Theo gave them a mock glare.
“We’re only jealous,” Liam said. “Some of us have too much going on in our lives to have time for a sex life as well.”
“Speak for yourself,” Julian murmured.
Theo laughed. “I think Cameron’s right. We’ve been here long enough. Rehearsal Tuesday, everyone. We have two songs to nail down, remember?”