Page 124 of Hushed

Patrick and Austin had long ago decided not to have kids, but they loved Patrick’s sister’s kids, and enjoyed playing aunt and uncle to the children of their friends.

Gage wondered again how Kenzie would feel about having kids with him.

As the group chattered, he let himself linger in the background, taking everything in. He was a lucky man to havethis many people in his life who cared for him and the people he loved.

After a few minutes of chatter, Kenzie made her way to him, and he slipped an arm around her. “How are you?” she asked. “You seem distant.”

He smiled down at her. “Just appreciating the good in my life.”

Her smile warmed his heart, and he wanted to do everything in his power to keep it on her face. But the truth was, there was no way for Reggie to stay in D.C. or New York, and he would have to adopt a new name. Keeping him and Kenzie together would be difficult unless she moved to whatever city he ended up in, and the government would not be OK with him sharing where he ended up.

When Reggie told him this morning that he wanted to go to New Orleans yesterday, it sparked some ideas, and he wondered if Kenzie could be happy there. It was a party city, so there was bound to be DJ work, and graphic design seemed like something she could do from anywhere. But he didn’t want to push a substantial change on her. Especially if he wasn’t able to move with her right away. D.C. was going to dig its claws into him for a bit longer after the meeting at the White House today. The government would not approve of him traipsing off and accidentally ending up in the same town as Reggie. The two men had worked many compromising missions together, and if they were connected, it could blow a lot of things. It was fine when he was alive, but now that he was supposedly dead, there were people who might not like to discover he was associating with Gage again.

How was he going to do right by everyone involved? It was a question that had been plaguing him for hours.

“I’m fine, pet,” he murmured. “Just a lot of moving parts taking up space in my brain.”

Austin directed people to the food she’d ordered and invited people to dig in. Gage took a burger and fries each for him and Kenzie then sat on a loveseat with her to eat. Another half an hour of talking and eating passed before Patrick stood and took Austin’s hand.

“Friends, you’re welcome to stay up as late as you want. My home is your home. But Austin and I both have early meetings, so I’m going to take her to bed now.”

“That’s a good idea for everyone,” Samuel said as he stood and discarded his plate. “We have a long day tomorrow, and rest is important.”

Gage cleared their food waste and shook hands with the men in the room, while Kenzie hugged everyone.

Austin hugged Kenzie, and Gage overheard her say, “I’ve put you and Gage in the room you stayed in last time you were here. Do you remember the way?”

Kenzie smiled. “I do. Thanks.”

“Then I’ll let you take Gage while I show the others the way to their rooms.”

Everyone said goodnight, and Gage took Kenzie’s hand.

“Lead the way, sweetheart.”

She headed in the opposite direction of Austin, and Gage was grateful that their room was away from the others. As tired as he was, he intended to spend some time showing Kenzie how proud of her he was.

In the guest room, she surprised him by stripping out of her clothes and reaching for the buckle of his belt.

“I told you, pet. You’re too sore for my belt tonight.”

She shook her head. “It’s not that. You told me I could take care of you after you got out of your meeting. I’ve been looking forward to that since you left.”

Heat bloomed in his belly, and his cock sprang to life. They needed sleep, but he could see the need in her eyes, so he gaveher a nod of encouragement, and she loosened the belt and unzipped his slacks.

“Do you want to sit down and relax, Sir? You’ve had a long day.”

He cupped her cheek. “Someone is being a particularly good girl tonight. What’s the catch?”

She giggled. “No catch. Or I could still be hoping you won’t spank me for my attitude earlier.”

He hummed. “Or you’re really hoping I will.”

She shrugged. “Could be either one. But it’s probably just that I really like having your cock in my mouth. It was such a spiritual experience last time.”

“On your knees, pet. You’ve got me worked up now.”

“Did you have a hard-on in the oval office again?” Her question was full of feigned innocence as she dropped to her knees, and he laughed at the ridiculousness of the question, but she was baiting him, and he had every intention of taking it.

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