Page 23 of Private Exhibit (Gentleman Hackers #4)

DEVON THOUGHT he might faint again.

Andy wanted to take him home? Holy shit .

“No expectations,” Andy suddenly blurted out, staring intently into Devon's eyes. “We won't do anything you're not ready for. If you just want to have dinner or watch a movie, away from crowds and people–”

“I want–” Devon started to interrupt him, then broke off with a blush.

Andy studied him for a moment, a soft smile slowly taking over his face. “Anything,” he whispered, leaning in to kiss him again.

Devon moaned. Oh gods . Devon felt dizzy. He had to cling to Andy, sure that he was going to fall right out of that chair.

“Devon?” Andy asked, sounding concerned.

“Sorry,” Devon gasped. “I've never been kissed before.”

Andy blinked. “Never?”

Devon shook his head.

Andy's expression started to look pitying, but then his smile came back, transforming from something soft and sweet into something reflecting all his power and control.

He brushed their noses together, holding Devon's gaze.

“I will kiss you all night, if that's what you want,” Andy said, his voice a low, husky growl.

“And if you want more firsts, I'll give you those, too.

Anything and everything you could possibly want.

You just tell Daddy, and I'll make it happen. Alright?”

Devon shuddered, having to squeeze his legs together. “A-Alright.” He swallowed hard and moaned when Andy kissed him again, then glanced towards the morgue. “Is everything…”

Andy shook his head. “Everything's gonna be fine.” He cupped Devon's jaw with both hands, those big, strong, capable hands. “I don't want you worrying about a thing, you hear me?”

Devon's whole body settled. “Yes, Daddy,” he whispered, feeling himself blush as he spoke the words.

Andy grinned again. “That's my good boy,” he whispered back. Andy kissed him once more, then slowly let go. “Now get your work done, and we'll make an early start to our evening so you can get settled in and comfortable. Sound good?”

Devon blushed all over again. Andy actually cared that much? He couldn't help grinning as he nodded and turned back to the file he had spread out across the desk.

That was as far as he'd gotten while Andy had been out of the room. He'd grabbed the file mechanically, eyeing the door into the morgue as he did so. Hearing only one side of a conversation had been eerie enough.

Not hearing anything at all had been worse.

Devon paused. “Andy?”

Andy turned back. “Yeah?”

Devon fidgeted for a moment before he asked, “Is your son–”

“Hey,” Andy murmured. He bent down, putting them on eye level. “Don't you worry about that.”

“But it sounded like–”

“He'll get over it,” Andy bit off. “Besides, if he can be off with some girl he just met, then I can damned well do the same.” He leaned down again and softened his voice.

“I missed so much with him. Denied him so many experiences.

I don't want to make that same mistake with you.

Even if all you want to do tonight is walk around the city and pick a new favorite plant in every direction, I'm in.”

Devon's chest swelled with so much joy, he thought he might burst into tears.

Andy touched his cheek gently, then turned and walked away, shutting himself in the morgue, leaving a heavy silence in his wake.

Devon took a deep breath, slowly let it out, and got back to work.

His mind raced as he scanned the pages laid out on the desk.

Oh gods . He was going to spend the night with Andy.

What should he pack? How would he get there?

How would he get home? What about dinner?

And breakfast? And a shower? Shit. What if he had an attack?

Devon shook his head. That last one didn't matter.

Andy was a doctor. The man would know what to do, though it would completely spoil the night.

Devon blew out a heavy breath, forcing those thoughts aside as the scan finished. One thing at a time . All he had to worry about right then was getting through the files. Everything else could wait until the day was done.

Despite that determination, it was another hour before Devon finally sank into the rhythm of his work.

Once he did, though, the stack of files steadily dwindled, moving from TO DO to DONE .

He stopped for lunch, then jumped right back in.

Devon eyed the clock as he worked. He was on-track to get through the whole pile by the end of the day.

There might even be time to look up Dannika's file before he had to leave.

His phone vibrated in his pocket. Devon tried to ignore it, but then it vibrated again. He fidgeted in the seat, then quickly pulled out the phone, too distracted to focus. Besides, it was probably Oliver, which meant it might be important.

He found two new messages from Hayden Ross instead.

Hayden : Hey! How's it going? I just convinced Daddy to let me throw a little brunch tomorrow, and we'd love for you to join us if you can. Oliver, too!

After that came another message, listing a time and an address.

Devon blinked. They actually wanted him to come? And Oliver?

He blew out a heavy breath, feeling dizzy. It was almost too much at once. Andy wanting him tonight. Hayden wanting him tomorrow. Both invitations sounded overwhelming, but he'd been missing out on things like this all his life. He couldn't pass them up.

The brunch wasn't until mid-morning, so he'd still have plenty of time with Andy.

Me : I'll be there!

Hayden : Yay! See you then .

Devon grinned to himself as he put his phone away and got back to work.

He scanned the last file and groaned at the sight of all the flagged words. Damn . The handwriting on this one was especially bad. He worked through each issue, reading the context over and over before determining the correct word.

Devon eyed the clock. There was still an hour until the usual end to his shift, but Andy had said he wanted to get an early start on their evening.

Truth be told, Devon wanted the same. He was going to need some time at Andy's place to adjust to new surroundings.

Even without that, he was itching to experience whatever Andy wanted to give him.

He might never get another chance like this.

Devon returned his focus to the file. He was down to the last word, wondering if he'd have time to look up Dannika's file once he was done. Devon squirmed. Damn it . He wanted to get Oliver some answers, and the sooner, the better. But he also didn't want to miss a second with Andy.

Except Andy hadn't come back yet. And would he really feel comfortable running off for the evening while Oliver sat at home, all alone, dwelling on mysteries unsolved?

The morgue door opened. Devon's heartbeat kicked into high gear, and he couldn't help smiling at the sight of Andy coming into the room.

Oh hells . Dannika was going to have to wait. He wanted this too badly.

Andy's eyebrows went up. “Last one already?”

“Yeah.” Devon finished the file, forwarded it to Billing, gathered up the paper copy, and set it decisively on top of the DONE pile. He smiled with relief, knowing he'd get to start the following week with the desk completely clear.

Andy grinned at him. “You ready to go home?”

Devon hesitated for only a second. “Yes.”

“Do you want me to drive you? Or would you rather I come get you once you're ready? Actually,” Andy suddenly added before Devon could respond. “How about I walk you? We'll stop at your favorite tree along the way.”

Devon blushed even as his chest swelled with joy. “Yeah?”

“Yeah,” Andy murmured.

Devon couldn't get out of there fast enough.

“Do you want to leave these here?” Andy asked, pointing at the vase of flowers. “Or take them home?”

Devon hesitated. He wanted them to be there on the desk when he got back to work next week, but he also didn't want to go a day without seeing them.

Of course, he also didn't want to risk dropping them.

Andy eyed him for a moment, then picked up the vase. “Daddy's got it,” he murmured. He held out his free hand, giving Devon a smile.

They walked, holding hands, all the way back to Devon's apartment, stopping only to admire the jacaranda tree. Devon's whole body felt like it was buzzing with nerves and excitement. It was all he could do to greet Oliver and then put his lunch bag away.

Then he had to concentrate on packing an overnight bag, trying to remember everything he might need.

Oh hells . He was going to have to pack a diaper, just to be safe.

Devon blew out a heavy breath, then almost slammed the dresser drawer shut before yanking it back open, snatching out a diaper, and stuffing it into the bottom of his bag.

He double-checked that he had everything and that his room was tidy before he picked up the bag and walked out to the living area.

Andy and Oliver stood by the dining table, talking softly. They both stopped when Devon approached. Andy shifted the vase of flowers from one arm to the other and gave Devon a smile. “Ready?”

Devon nodded.

Andy pulled out his phone. “I'll get the car here,” he said, tapping at something on the screen as he stepped aside.

Oliver eyed Andy, then quietly asked, “You've got your phone, right? And you feel safe with him?” When Devon nodded, Oliver let out a tiny sigh and gave him a nod in return.

“Good. That's all I need to know. But if you need anything at all, or if you want me to come get you–” He broke off with a wry smile. “I made him give me his address.”

Devon breathed a laugh. “Thanks, Oli.” He paused. “I don't have to go if–”

“Oh hells no,” Oliver interrupted him. “Don't even say it. I'll be just fine. You deserve this.” He gave Devon a crooked smile. “Go have fun, alright? Promise me.”

Devon smiled back. “Alright. I promise.”

“Good.” Oliver gave him a quick hug. “And tell Hayden thanks for the invite, but…”

“Will do,” Devon told him when Oliver trailed off, knowing what the boy would have said: that he wasn't up for being social yet. Not so soon after everything that happened.

“Car's here,” Andy announced.

“Go,” Oliver said with a laugh, shooing them out the door.

Devon gave him another hug, then followed Andy to the elevator. “What were you guys talking about?”

Andy chuckled. “He was just making sure I knew how to take care of you. And told me that he'd hunt me down and kill me if I did anything to hurt you.”

“Oh.” Devon almost laughed, except he knew Oliver meant it. Considering what the boy had done in the name of seeking revenge for Dannika, Devon knew Oliver had it in him.

“Hey.” Andy touched his cheek. “Everything is gonna be fine.”

Devon couldn't help smiling at that. Hearing Andy say it made it sound like any other outcome was impossible.

They got into Andy's car, waiting for them at the curb, then rode in silence to Andy's apartment. Devon's heart beat faster and faster as they went. Oh my gods . He was spending the night with a guy. It almost had to be a dream.

The car parked itself in an underground garage, and Andy took Devon's hand again, leading him into the elevator. They rode all the way up to the penthouse floor.

Devon gaped as they stepped inside Andy's apartment. It was sparsely furnished and wholly impersonal, looking more staged than lived in. But the outer walls were almost entirely glass, giving expansive views of the city in every direction. It took Devon's breath away. “Holy shit,” he whispered.

Andy set down the flowers, then took Devon's bag out of his hand. He set the bag aside and crouched down, grabbing Devon gently by the shoulders. “I want you comfortable here,” he murmured. “And whatever happens tonight is entirely up to you. We can do as much or as little as you want.”

Devon trembled. He wanted so many things, he couldn't even put it all into words. But it was also scary, contemplating experiences he never thought he'd get to have.

“Tell you what,” Andy said. “Let's take your bag to the bedroom, and then you can take a nice, long, hot shower to calm your nerves. How's that sound?”

Devon let out a shaky breath and nodded. That sounded perfect.

Andy picked up Devon's bag and took Devon's hand, leading the way through the massive apartment. They stepped inside the master suite, and Devon lurched to a stop.

“Oh my gods,” he gasped, staring at the room. Like the rest of the apartment, it was sparse and drab, lacking any color or life. There was a big bed and one nightstand, but no other furniture. No pictures or chairs or anything to liven up the massive space.

But that wasn't what caught his attention.

Everywhere he looked, he saw reflections of himself and Andy. Every wall—even the ceiling high above—was made of mirrored glass.

“Oh, sorry,” Andy said, heading for a control panel on the wall. “I forgot I had it set to that.” Andy pressed a button, and the glass turned clear, giving more expansive views to the outside.

“Wait,” Devon gasped. He held out a hand in Andy's direction, turning his gaze slowly about the room. Oh hells . Getting to see Andy from any angle? That sounded insanely hot. He almost asked Andy to switch the glass back, but then he'd also have to see himself, and Devon wasn't up for that.

Andy studied his face and stepped away from the control panel, slowly stalking towards Devon, that tall frame full of power and confidence. He came to a stop and held Devon's gaze. “You like watching Daddy, don't you?” he growled.

Devon gulped and nodded, feeling his heart racing with excitement.

Andy grinned, nodding at the wall. “We'll work up to that, whenever you're ready,” he murmured. “But for now…” He straightened up and pulled off his shirt.

Devon gasped, watching as Andy stepped aside to kick off his shoes and strip off his pants and underwear, leaving him completely naked. Oh hells . A naked Andy right in front of him? And he was free to look?

It was absolutely perfect.