The tension in the air of the common room was as crisp and dire as the sky before a storm. It was powerful enough to drag Atticus’ focus back to the now, his gaze sweeping over the assembled beauties, noticing who wasn’t there before picking up the jagged emotion between Anel and the other accountant, Mz Mariano.<br/><br/>Were they going to carry on in front of clients, again? Hadn’t this morning been enough. At least Zara was out of the way.<br/><br/>Master Ryan seemed to be of a similar mind, the calm control that emanated from him could stop an argument dead. Could stop an orgasm.<br/><br/>Atticus flinched slightly as he felt his body trying to respond to the thought, and he tore his gaze away – his eye had been drawn to the man. He wouldn’t let the memory be sullied by thinking of it now. He was certain he would have to share his body, and so the cut, with – what was his name? – and that was a pity. But he didn’t have to share the memory, not by word or pose or expression. It was his, his and Master Ryan’s and the heat it carried might melt the ice he had to embrace. In a way, the morning with Master Ryan had been him, Louis. Now, he had to be Atticus.<br/><br/>It was a lesson he had been taught years ago, when he had first learnt the importance of a safeword. Just like a safeword, it was feeble and only meant to comfort, not be of any real use. Childish as it was, it helped push the anger down, the nervousness, the tension. The ache of his shoulders eased as he relaxed them. It was all right, because Louis wasn’t going to lose anything, because it wasn’t him who would be there. It would be Atticus. And Atticus<em>had </em>nothing to lose. He would be the same and everyone would be happy.<br/><br/>And that time, he almost believed himself.<br/><br/>He lifted his gaze to fix on Fiona, trying to catch her gaze so he might let her know he wanted a word. He’d hate to leave the lordling in his bedroom to find Fiona if he did deem the room too dim. Might as well work something out promptly.<br/>