Doll Parts (The Game 4)

Cameron cleared his throat. “Hey, wait. If you know KC… Does that mean you know Lucian too?”

That would be a stretch. “I’ve met him a few times, sure. I wouldn’t say I know him, though.” I’d had my suspicions about Lucian—that he was kinky too. It wasn’t a surprise whatsoever to have it confirmed. He was big-time Master material. “Why? Are you together or something?”

Cameron snorted. “I wish. No, he’s with some dude who’s manipulating him like fucking whoa, and Lucian won’t see it.”

I frowned. That didn’t compute with my impression of Lucian.

“Anyway,” Cameron went on. “Here’s a crazy idea. You wanna get out of here and grab a burger or something? Your plan fell through, and I can think of better things to do than watch Lucian and his little troll.”

I stood straighter instantly. This guy wanted to hang out? Fuck yes! I could use a new friend.

“Absolutely,” I said, sticking out my hand. “I’m Noa.”

Cameron smiled, visibly relieved. “Cameron.”

He was going to be my new best friend; I just knew it. I barely remembered chowing down a giant cheeseburger, too hooked on getting to know Cameron Jacobson. It was as if something had broken the levees, at least for me, because I talked and talked, listened and listened, talked and talked. Maybe we’d both needed someone to just unload to? Either way, I didn’t wanna part ways after we’d eaten, and he seemed equally reluctant. So I suggested we take the Metro to the stop closest to the river, then walk down to the waterfront.

He was in.

KC once told me that sometimes people simply click. In my juvenile mind-set and given how I’d felt for him, I’d been convinced it’d been that way for him and me—that we’d clicked. Now I knew we hadn’t. Our connection was more complicated, layered, and two tons heavy. But with Cameron, yeah, this was what that was. We were clicking as buddies right away.

He was two years older than me and had just graduated from college this spring. Now he was looking to quit his job that paid the bills so he could start his career as a data analyst. Sounded boring as heck to me, not to mention a stark contrast from his hobbies, which included skateboarding, break dancing, kink, and cooking.

“Are you good at cooking?” he asked as we boarded the train.

“I’m great at burning the food, if that qualifies,” I answered.

He chuckled. “Maybe I can cook for you sometime? I’m always looking for new lab rats—and my sisters don’t appreciate food anymore. I swear, every time they come home to visit, they’re on a new diet.”

I laughed. At least he had siblings! I’d always wanted one. Or several. “You can cook for me anytime,” I said. “Do you live with your parents?”

“Yeah, but I’m looking for my own place. What about you?”

“I have a tiny place in Shaw—I love it. You can use my kitchen if you want, but you may have to clear the cobwebs from the stove.”

I did use the oven sometimes, though. If the microwave was on the fritz.

A gazillion people stepped onto the train at the next station, so Cameron and I huddled together near the doors. The Metro in summertime was fucking brutal, and I had to wipe sweat off my forehead.

“I wanna know more about your infatuation with Lucian,” I said as the train left the station. When we’d eaten earlier, he’d only said he’d been “in love with the man forever.” Sort of as a response to when I’d admitted I’d always followed KC around like a lovesick puppy.

Cameron shrugged slightly and scratched his nose. “I don’t know what else there is to say. As soon as I joined the Mclean community, he stuck out to me as the ultimate Master. He’s hotter than sin, very strict—but still kind and patient—and he’s wicked as hell. Like, I’ve seen him come up with punishments for public demos and stuff. His mind is on another level.” He paused. “Actually, KC too. He’s one hell of a mental Sadist.”

I tilted my head. “Is KC out now? Is he playing with men?”

“Wasn’t he out before?” Cameron looked puzzled. “He mostly plays with men—but…” He knitted his brows together and got lost in his thoughts.

I’d expected it to come as a harder blow to hear about KC with other dudes, but it was a survivable sting. A gallon of jealousy, maybe. But mostly satisfaction about his status. Hiding your sexuality was the worst torture, and I was glad he wasn’t doing that anymore.

“KC’s difficult,” Cameron said decidedly after a moment. “In my community, it’s usually easy to tell what someone’s deal is. For instance, the Tenleys—no interest whatsoever in a relationship. Mr. West and Colt, reserved, but hoping for a third. Lucian, stupidly in love with a liar, so he only does nonsexual play outside his relationship. Kingsley and Tate—”