Page 81 of Hushed

“When are you going to introduce me to some of yours?”

Kenzie shrugged. “We’re all so flaky that we don’t get together often. You met Maggie, though. She’s the most important one.”

“Don’t call yourself flaky. You’re the complete opposite of flaky.”

She let out a sarcastic laugh. “OK, sure.”

He rolled them until she was pinned beneath him, and she was glaring at him. “Stop it. Just because you don’t always remember everything, or you cancel plans does not mean you’re flaky. You always come through for your clients, and I’m sure if your friends need you, you’re there without question. I don’t like you talking down on yourself even if you’re joking. It makes me mad.”

He looked so dang serious, that she just swallowed and nodded. “Yes, Sir.”

He kissed her nose and rolled off her. “Good girl. Now, let’s talk about you coming home with me so I can fuck you in my bed.”

Chapter 15

Kenzie

Gage held Kenzie’s hand as they disembarked from the plane in Washington D.C. She’d never flown first class, and considering that he’d spent most of the flight smirking at her, Gage apparently found it amusing to watch her take it all in. They’d flown on Patrick and Austin’s private jet to Colorado, and she’d loved it, but this was a unique experience. Kenzie was certain she could get used to both modes of transportation.

On the flight, she’d asked him why he didn’t have a private jet. His reply had been to nonchalantly say that he’d never found the need for one because he had no less than half a dozen friends on speed dial who would loan him theirs if he ever needed it. The magnitude of Gage’s wealth registered in a way it hadn’t before. He was seriously loaded. The idea of having multiple friends with private jets on speed dial scrambled her brain.

Someone in Gage’s circle of friends had parked his truck at the airport, so they were able to head straight home without waiting for a cab or rideshare after they landed. In the brief time he’d been back in her life, she realized he hated having other people drive him places and would always prefer driving his own truck. She preferred public transportation herself and had long ago mastered navigating the New York subway system. Though she had a driver’s license, she hadn’t owned a car since moving to the city. Before that, she drove Reggie’s old Toyota Camry until it died.

In the truck, Gage reached over and squeezed her hand. “I understand that you’re dying to visit Exposure, and I’m dying to show it to you, but for now I need to get you home and settled so I can take care of some things. I’ll show you around tonight, I promise.”

“That sounds perfect. I’m dying to see where you live as much as I want to go to Club Exposure. There is still so much I don’t know about you.”

“I’m an open book, babe.” He squeezed her hand one more time before starting the truck and heading for his house.

As they pulled into his driveway, Kenzie couldn’t help but whistle as she took in the size of the house. “Wow. This is not what I expected. It’s so big. Is it just you living here?”

Gage furrowed his brow as he pulled the key out of the ignition. “Why would anyone else be living here?”

Kenzie raised her hands. “You might enjoy having roommates. Or you’re polyamorous and you just haven’t sprung your other partners on me yet.”

He lifted an eyebrow. “Would it be OK if I were polyamorous?”

She gaped at him. “Fuck no. I have no desire to share you or deal with other woman drama. I’ve got some polyamorous friends, and I support them and love that it works for them, but it is so not my thing.”

He laughed. “Nothing to worry about, then. I’ve dated some polyamorous women, but I don’t consider myself naturally inclined towards it.”

“So, if I came home with another boyfriend, you wouldn’t be upset?” She didn’t know why she was pushing him about something hypothetical. It was a bad habit of her overactive mind.

Gage banged his head on the back of the seat and let out a short laugh. “This conversation is ridiculous, Kenz. Neither of us are coming home with other partners. It’s you and me and that’s it. Even if I were polyamorous, I think you would change that for me, because the thought of anyone else touching you makes me so mad, I can’t think straight.”

Her lips twitched as she tried not to laugh at the way he was getting riled up. “So long as we’re in agreement.”

“Good. Now, can we get out of the car, so I can give you a tour?”

She grinned and pushed her door open. “Yes, please.”

In the house, she looked around in awe. The interior of the house was spacious and well-decorated, with lofty ceilings and large windows allowing natural light to flood in. The walls in the main living area were painted a warm cream color, accented with pops of deep blue in the furniture and artwork. Everything seemed to be impeccably placed, creating a sense of luxury and comfort. The faint scent of lemon cleaner in the air, told her he probably had a cleaning service, which didn’t surprise her at all given the number of times he’d threatened to book one for her.

Off the living room and dining room were two hallways, which looked like they led to more rooms than Gage could possibly need, and along the back wall of the living room was a sliding glass door that led to a gorgeous backyard with a big open lawn in the center and two seating areas on a decorative brick patio.

“This place is incredible. But seriously, why have such a big house for one person?”

“Before Exposure, I hosted play parties here. It was good to have the space.”

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