Page 31 of Hushed

“To answer your original question, doing this my way means that, for starters, you don’t go back to places like The Cage.”

“I have no desire to go back there. Austin said they could get me into the Midnight Tower.”

Why the hell would they do that? His possessive side was taking over again. “I can take you to a place this weekend if you’re up for a trip.”

“Are you going to take me to your club?”

He shook his head. “Nope. That’s asking for trouble.”

Kenzie frowned. “Why?”

“Because Boomer, Noah, and Peter are all there. I don’t need them giving me shit about what I am or am not doing with Reggie’s sister.”

She made a face. “OK. So, where are you taking me?”

“We’ll hitch a ride with Austin and Patrick and go to Colorado.”

Her eyes grew wide, and she bounced her leg up and down. “You’re taking me to Club Solitaire? I’ve heard that it costs like five grand to even get in the door.”

Gage lifted one shoulder. “I’ve got connections. Don’t worry about it. Now, if you have questions, ask. I’ll give you the best answer I can.” She didn’t need to know he had a VIP membership there that included guest passes when he wanted them.

“Why don’t you ever come see me anymore?”

He frowned. That wasn’t where he expected her to start. “I’m sitting in your kitchen now, aren’t I?”

Kenzie scowled. “For the first time since you came and helped me move into this place. Why stay away?”

“You know why, Kenz.”

“You mean the bullshit reason you gave when you left? He’s been gone for years, Gage. He would want me to be happy.”

“And you think based on one orgasm that I’ll make you happy?”

“God. You don’t have to be such an ass about it.”

He put both hands in his hair, frustrated. Why was he being such an ass? All these years later and she was still burned into his memory.

“Look, I like you, Kenzie. A lot. But it still seems wrong to pursue anything, and I haven’t figured out what to do about those feelings.”

“So we’ll keep it quiet and confined to you teaching me about BDSM.”

“And when I’m done teaching you, I’m supposed to go about my business while you go off and find another partner?”

She lifted one shoulder. “Isn’t that how most relationships end? The whole forever thing is a bit old-fashioned, isn’t it?”

“Well, maybe I’m old-fashioned.”

Her laughter made him glare. “Gage Allard? The man who had three girlfriends at the same time when I first met him, is old-fashioned?”

Oh geez. He didn’t think she would remember that. He’d dated more than one woman at the same time, several times in his life. “It wasn’t like that. They weren’t serious. Not that there’s anything wrong with seriously dating multiple people. It’s just not my style.”

Jesus. Was he telling her he wanted to be serious about her? The girl had him all mixed up, and he was sitting here making a fool of himself.

“Whatever. We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. I’ll go to The Midnight Tower.”

The idea of her visiting a club again without him had him seeing red and turning green with envy. So, he made a split decision and fixed her with a stern expression.

“Fine. You want to do this? You want to learn about power exchange? Let’s do it. But there will be no switching. Not with me.”

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