The others made sure they were a part of the conversation without actually putting them in the center of it, and with Michael back at the table it didn’t take long until they were talking about Marquis again. Olivia was not thrilled to hear they were thinking about taking on a new partner, one she’d never met before, but slightly reassured when she heard he wanted to be silent. She still wasn’t too happy about it though, like any good control freak.

“You realize you’re going to be answering to me and Patrick too, right?” Michael teased her.

“Yeah, but I know you two,” she said. “I know you’re not going to do anything stupid. Or, at least, I know I can stop you if you try to.” She raised her eyebrow at him and Michael grinned. Too true. Olivia wasn’t just good with a whip, she could flay a man with logic.

“I’m sure you’ll be able to handle him as well,” Patrick said dryly. “He’s got a lot of inner confidence, but he’s not an idiot, and he’s definitely willing to compromise.”

“So not as domm-y as you,” Lexie teased giggling. Scowling, Patrick lowered his mouth to her ear and whispered something which immediately cut off her mirth. Probably something about how calling him ‘domm-y’ wasn’t very respectful.

“Do you want him as a partner?” Ellie asked, leaning closer to Michael for a more private exchange while the others continued to talk about Luke.

“I want what he has to offer,” Michael said, leaning closer to her as well and enjoying her nearness. “I do wish we knew him a little better, but what I do know, I like. We’re looking into him, and as long as nothing comes up to indicate he’d be a bad partner, or that there would be serious personality clashes, I think it could work out really well for all of us.”

“So do you think he’s a Dom?” Ellie asked, probably because Patrick had mentioned Luke wanting membership.

“That’s my assumption.”

Granted, there were always people who were dominant publicly and submissive privately – Angel being a clear example of that personality type – so maybe he shouldn’t be making the assumption, but he was used to the Stronghold Doms who were strong personalities all around. Since Luke was going to be a newbie and had never explored kink before, maybe they could introduce him to Sharon. Michael considered her on the very light end of the kink spectrum, and if Luke hadn’t even experimented before, he might fall there as well. Although, that was assuming she and Brian didn’t last – he couldn’t see them together long term. She hadn’t even been bringing him to hang out with the group, which was a pretty clear indication of how casual their relationship was.