Page 22 of Private Exhibit (Gentleman Hackers #4)

ANDY INWARDLY cursed, seeing the breathtaking joy on Devon's face.

Gods. I did that to him .

His chest swelled with a pressure that was almost painful. Andy slowly shook his head. Over two decades since he'd felt anything like this. He'd entirely forgotten what it was like.

And, to think, he'd almost missed it. He'd gotten home last night after ordering the flowers, and found himself pacing his apartment, wracked with uncertainty.

One part of him desperately wanted to make Devon happy.

Another part of him was in a panic, wanting to run as far away as possible, knowing his heart couldn't take another loss.

Then he'd found himself up and out of bed early again, on his way to work before he could even think about it, hungry for even just a glimpse of the boy.

Seeing that smile on Devon's face? And over something as simple as flowers?

Oh gods . This whole thing was going to utterly destroy him, but he wasn't sure he could walk away.

Devon's smile slipped. “Is something wrong?”

“No,” Andy gasped, taking a step closer. “No. Sorry. Just–” He stared at Devon, shaking his head again. “Gods, you're beautiful,” he blurted out.

Devon's eyes went wide, then he blushed and looked down. “No, I'm not,” he mumbled.

Andy took another step closer, hesitated, then slowly reached out and touched a knuckle to the underside of Devon's chin, gently urging the boy to look up at him. “Yes, you are.”

Devon gave a tiny gasp, staring up at him.

Oh fuck . Andy swayed closer, unable to resist. His heart raced, the sound of blood rushing past his ears clanging like alarm bells in his head. But it was like he was stuck outside his body once again, looking on, unable to control himself.

Their lips barely touched, and Andy felt an electric shock right down to his core. He let out a shuddering breath and moved closer, stepping right into Devon's space, towering over the boy, forcing Devon to tip his head back.

Devon's eyes were huge. Wide open and unblinking. His little body trembled, his chest heaving with every breath.

Andy cupped the boy's jaw with both hands, breathing hard as he looked into Devon's eyes. Those incredible eyes that saw so much.

“Gods help me,” he gasped.

Then he pressed their lips together.

Devon let out a tiny whimper, going rigid in Andy's grasp.

Andy broke the kiss, pulling back just enough to see Devon's face. The boy's cheeks were flushed, his eyes wide and dark.

Oh hells . Andy seized the boy in his arms and kissed him again.

Devon moaned, sinking into him, his little body trembling all over as Andy held him tight.

Andy tilted his head to one side and surged against the boy, pushing him back until Devon hit the wall.

Oh fuck . With Devon pinned, Andy lost control, urging the boy's mouth open, sweeping his tongue inside, moving his hands all over Devon's body, groping and squeezing, trying desperately to touch him everywhere at once.

“Andy!” Devon barely got the name out on a strangled whisper.

Andy felt it more than he heard it. The sheer need and desperation in that brief sound went straight to his cock, turning it to steel. Without thinking, Andy shook his head and blurted out, “Daddy.”

Devon gasped. “Daddy,” he whispered.

“Oh fuck,” Andy growled, pressing harder against the boy. “Say it again.”

“Daddy,” Devon whispered again, then moaned. “Daddy, please.”

“Please, what?” Andy asked, barely getting the words out between panted breaths. He looked down at Devon's precious little face, needing those incredible eyes on him.

Devon's chest heaved, but no words came out. It didn't matter, though. His face spoke volumes. Please. Anything. Everything .

Andy kissed him again.

Time faded. Their cold surroundings vanished as Andy lost himself in the most perfect experience of his life. Devon was so responsive. So needy. It was like the boy had been waiting his entire life for this moment and never wanted it to end.

So Andy gave it to him. Gave himself over to temptation and fed every whimper and tremble of need that he felt in Devon's body.

Andy finally stopped when he started feeling dizzy. He clung to Devon, desperately sucking in air, feeling like he might either faint or float away.

What. The. Fuck .

Andy whirled around, startled by the sudden intrusion.

“Junior,” Andy gasped. “Thank gods. Where the hells have you been?”

Junior clenched his hands into fists, staring at Andy like he didn't recognize him. What the fuck is going on?

“Language, young man,” Andy snapped.

Were you kissing him? Junior demanded.

“So what if I was?”

You're not gay!

“Not that it's any of your business, but I'm actually bisexual.”

Ewww, Dad. I did not wanna know that. But that's also besides the point.

“What is the point?”

“Andy?” Devon whimpered.

Andy tensed. Shit . He looked from Devon to Junior and back, seeing worry on one face and outrage on the other. Andy cupped Devon's jaw and gave him a quick, feather-light kiss. “I'll be right back, alright?” he murmured. “Everything's fine, I promise.”

Devon studied his eyes for a moment, then slowly nodded. “Alright.”

Andy gave him another kiss, then pulled back and looked at Junior. He pointed at the door to the morgue. “In there. Now.”

Junior rolled his eyes and stomped off, drifting right through the door without bothering to open it.

Andy winced, feeling a chill run through his body at the stark reminder that his son was dead. He let out a shaky breath, then drew himself up and opened the door, following Junior into the morgue. Andy quietly shut the door again before turning to face his son.

Junior paced in the middle of the stark, chilly space, his hands still in fists at his sides.

Andy crossed his arms over his chest. You wanna tell me what all that was about? he asked, finally remembering to keep the conversation telepathic so Devon wouldn't hear it. The poor boy didn't need to be witness to another argument.

You can't be gay! Junior yelled.

I just told you, I'm bi –

You're supposed to be with Mom!

Andy winced and let his arms fall to his sides. Kid, you know I can't be with Mom anymore.

Why the fuck not?

Andy inhaled through his nose and held the breath, trying to make himself let the obscenity go, then exhaled heavily.

How was he going to answer that without bad-mouthing Junior's mother to his face?

She can't even look at me anymore , he finally replied, sticking to a partial truth. She says I remind her too much of you.

Junior stopped pacing, his furious expression giving way to one of hurt. Oh.

Andy waited in silence, watching his son as the boy stood there, posture drooping in defeat.

It's not fair , Junior finally said. He sniffed like he was about to cry, then looked up at Andy. You know she's been seeing someone, right?

Andy inwardly flinched. Lydia was dating? That was news to him.

I kept hoping , Junior went on before Andy could say anything, that it was just a fling or something.

You know, like a rebound? I kept waiting for her to break up with the guy and get back together with you.

But now it sounds like it's serious. They were talking about getting married. And if you're–

If I'm what? Andy asked when Junior broke off.

Junior made a violent gesture towards the office, then let out a heavy sigh and fidgeted where he stood. Can't you go talk to her or something? At least try to make her break it off with him? Try to get back together?

Junior–

Because I don't know how to fix it , Junior went on. It's all my fault.

Andy tensed, then quickly crossed the room and grabbed his son by the shoulders. It is not your fault. You hear me?

Junior looked down, blinking rapidly despite not being able to produce physical tears. But I died, and you guys broke up because of it .

Fuck , Andy thought. He clenched his jaw and shook his head, then looked his son right in the eyes. We did not break up because of you. We broke up because of us. You did absolutely nothing wrong. You hear me? Nothing.

Junior shuffled his feet, looking down at the floor. But, maybe, if you guys got back together, we could convince her I'm still here. We could be a family again.

Andy sighed. I'm so sorry, kiddo. That's never gonna happen.

But we'll work on convincing her that you're here, alright?

I promise. He gave Junior's shoulders a squeeze.

But in the meantime, your mother is allowed to move on.

He paused, swallowing hard. I'm allowed to move on .

A little thrill ran through his body, realizing just how long he'd been trying to make himself admit that out loud.

Junior's head snapped up. But with a guy? he asked incredulously, pulling free of Andy's grasp.

Junior–

No , Junior said, shaking his head as he took another step back. I'm not ready for this. I'm not ready for my dad to be gay .

Andy sighed and rolled his eyes, not bothering to state again that he wasn't gay. Where are you going?

To hang out with Jess , Junior snapped.

Been spending a lot of time with her , Andy pointed out.

Yeah? So what? I like her. And I think she likes me.

Andy raised an eyebrow. Leaving aside the fact that she's going through a rough transition right now, she's too old for you.

What the fuck are you talking about? We're almost the same age.

Andy shook his head. No, you're not–

And what about you, huh? Junior demanded, gesturing towards the office again. Kissing some guy not much older than me? Ewww. Junior shuddered and held up his hands. You know what? Fuck this. I'm out.

Junior! Andy demanded, but the boy vanished, leaving Andy alone in the stark, sterile room.

Andy sighed and whirled around, running his hands back through his hair. Fuck . He paced to one end of the room, then turned and headed in the opposite direction. His long stride ate up the floor. In no time, he was at the wall and turning around, heading back towards the office.

He stopped halfway across the room, eyeing the office door, picturing the boy just beyond it. A perfect boy who looked at Andy like he was the entire world and who kissed like time would never end.

Andy squared his shoulders. So Lydia is getting married, huh? And even Junior was entertaining thoughts of romance?

Everyone was moving on around him.

Maybe it was time for him to accept what he'd told Junior: that he was allowed to move on, too. Besides, could he really deny Devon anything? The boy deserved everything Andy could possibly give him.

Andy stormed across the room, yanked open the door, and paused just long enough to make sure Devon was at the desk. The boy looked up at him, his gaze wary. Andy crossed the room, bent over Devon, and kissed him.

Devon gasped, then moaned as he kissed Andy back.

“Come home with me tonight,” Andy whispered.

Devon gasped again, holding the breath for a long moment before letting it out in a shudder.

“Please?” Andy begged.

“Yes!” Devon whispered. “Daddy, yes…”