Page 12 of Hushed

“Let’s just say I got into business with the wrong person. They’re suing for the rights to my work. The legal bills are starting to pile up.”

Gage frowned. “That sounds like an easy fix. Let me make some phone calls. Do you have a solid lawyer?”

“Does five-hundred dollars buy you one of those?”

He made a face at that, and it made her laugh.

“I’m calling a friend. She’s a contract attorney. I’m willing to bet she can fix this.”

“Don’t. Please? Just let me figure this out.”

He folded his arms and glared at her. “That’s not how this is going to work. If you’re in trouble, I’m helping. End of discussion.”

“Is this how you charm all those women into your bed?”

“Why? Is it working?”

She grabbed a shirt from the clothing pile and hurled it at his head. He reached up and caught it, shaking out the garment. Her face turned bright red when she realized she’d picked up a purple silk teddy.

“Well, that’s certainly painting pictures in my head,” he muttered, tossing it back to her.

Standing, he pulled his phone out and tapped the screen to unlock it. “Happen to know where the nearest hotel is where I won’t get robbed?”

She bolted upright. “You’re leaving? Please don’t go.”

Gage pocketed the phone again and came to sit next to her. “Don’t worry, Kenz. I’m not going anywhere yet. I just wanted to book a room while I was thinking about it.” He pulled her close to him, and she shuddered, letting his warmth course through her.

He smelled too damn good. She snuggled closer, letting herself inhale his scent. “I can’t believe he’s gone. Who am I going to spend Christmas with?”

Gage kissed the top of her head, and it sent sparks from her crown down to… other places.

“You’ll spend it with me if you want, little imp.”

She chuckled at the use of his old nickname for her.

“Not so little anymore,” she muttered, sitting back, and looking up at him.

He stared down at her and brushed a wayward strand of hair from her face. “I’m a full foot taller than you, Kenz. You’ll always be little next to me.”

The look on his face… it was the same heated look she swore she saw earlier. This time, she knew she wasn’t imagining it. Was Gage attracted to her? Or was he the type who was attracted to anything with boobs? Did it really matter? The way he looked at her turned her on.

She just wanted to forget everything for a little while.

In a moment of rashness, she straddled his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck, bending to kiss him.

But he turned his head, so her lips landed on his cheek. “What are you doing, Kenzie?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” she asked, trying to hide the hurt in her voice.

“Come on, Kenz. You’re killing me. Reggie would hate this.”

She pushed at his shoulder, suddenly angry. “Well then, the bastard shouldn’t have died. Do you want me?”

Gage groaned. “How do I answer that, Kenzie? You’re twenty-five. I’m forty.”

She shrugged. “Age is just a number. Come on, Gage. I want to forget. And if it pisses off his ghost, then so be it.”

He let out a short laugh. “You used to be so damn annoying. What happened to that girl?”

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