Kye smiled. It was weak, but it was more than she’d seen in eleven days and she would take it.
“Hey, baby,” he greeted, his voice raspy from not using it for so long.
Moving slowly, Dani finally reached the bed. She didn’t pay attention to anyone or anything else, only Kye. When she touched his hand and he linked his fingers with hers, she felt how weak he was, but it didn’t matter. He was awake.
Hunter was suddenly by her side, his hand covering both of theirs.
“What took you so long?” Kye teased. “I thought you’d never get here.”
Dani choked on a sob/laugh, smiling until her face hurt.
“Are you… Can I…?” She wasn’t even sure what she wanted to ask him.
“Can you hug me?” Kye suggested. “You bet your ass you can.” He smiled as he squeezed her hand gently. “Come here, baby.”
Dani draped herself over him, doing her best not to hurt him, but she couldn’t help it. She needed to touch him, to feel him touching her. Kye’s arm curled around her head and he held her face against his chest. She cried uncontrollably, so happy that he’d finally opened his eyes.
“Your mom told me the good news,” Hunter said.
“That I’m going home tomorrow?” Kye joked.
“Yeah. Not that soon, but…”
Dani lifted her head, wondering what they were talking about.
“We’ll see about that,” Kye said. “And yes, good news. No paralysis. I’ll be back to normal in no time.” His words came out slowly, but there was that teasing tone that Kye was known for.
She leaned in and kissed his cheek, reaching behind her and gripping Hunter’s hand.
Her world was finally right again.
KYE HAD NEVER TAKEN A bullet before and he prayed like hell he never took another one for as long as he lived. The pain was excruciating. According to the doctor, he was extremely lucky that the bullet hadn’t lodged in his spine or taken out some critical organs. How, they weren’t quite sure.
Kye wasn’t, either, but he wasn’t going to question it. Whatever the reason, he was eternally grateful. He’d been told there would be extensive physical therapy, but eventually, he would be as good as new. Unfortunately, in the meantime, it wasn’t as easy to breathe as it once had been, but he knew he could overcome that, too. With Hunter and Dani, Kye could overcome anything.
“Baby,” he whispered to Dani, who was sitting at his side, her head resting on the edge of the bed. She’d been that way for several hours while he drifted in and out thanks to all the pain meds coursing through him.
She lifted her head. “Yeah?”
“Are you okay?”
Her smile was sweet. “I am now.”
“Me, too.” He brushed his hand through her hair, then glanced at the door. “Does everyone know?”
“That you’re awake?” She smiled. “Of course they do.”
“Not about that.”
Her eyebrows drifted down. “About?”
“About me, you, and Hunter.”
Although no one had said a word to him other than his mother, Kye was under the impression that everyone was up to speed on their relationship.
“Most of them, yes.”
He figured it had been an accident that they’d found out. Probably due to Hunter and Dani spending so much time with him while he was in the coma.
“Is Hunter okay with it?”
Dani giggled softly. “Well, I hope so. Considering he’s the one who mentioned it. He told his father first. Then his mother. After that, everyone seemed to know.”
Kye’s eyes widened. “Really?”
“Yeah, really.”
A knock sounded and then the door opened. His ears must’ve been burning because Hunter appeared, carrying a cup of coffee.
Kye turned back to Dani. “Would you…uh…mind giving us a few minutes?”
“Sure. I could use a little exercise.” Her smile was genuine. After standing, she leaned over and pressed her lips to his. “Take as much time as you’d like.”
Before passing Hunter, Dani kissed him as well, then slipped out into the hall.
“Can you come over here?” Kye asked, motioning toward the chair beside his bed. He was still weak, but with every passing minute, he felt as though some of his strength was returning.
Hunter appeared slightly wary, but he moved around the bed. He placed his coffee cup on the table, then turned to face Kye.
“A little closer.” Kye crooked his finger.
Hunter leaned over, their eyes locked together. Kye reached up and cupped his face. He stared at him for several seconds, trying to form the words. From the moment he woke up, he’d been overwhelmed by guilt and he had to get it out.
“I want you to know, I never would’ve left you intentionally.”
Hunter’s eyes turned glassy, but it was obvious he knew what Kye was referring to.
“I’m so sorry,” Kye said. “I know it couldn’t’ve been easy for you to see me…”
Hunter leaned in and pressed his lips to Kye’s. “Don’t you dare apologize. You came back to me. That’s all that matters.” When he pulled back, his eyes had cleared again. “I love you, Kye.”
Kye smiled. “I know you do. But in all fairness, I loved you first.”
Hunter laughed as he leaned in for another kiss. “I wouldn’t bet on that.”
“No?”
“No.”
Kye smiled, but then sobered. “We’ve got a long road ahead of us. I’m gonna need your help getting my strength back.”
“I’m not goin’ anywhere,” Hunter said, his voice gruff. “I’m right here. Whatever you need.”
Another smile tugged at Kye’s lips. “Although I’m a little fuzzy on specifics, I think I recall you wanting to talk about a wedding?”
Hunter’s eyes widened.
Yeah, he’d been in a coma, but he had heard Hunter. He’d heard everything. Even unconscious and without hearing aids. Try as he might, he had fought his way back to them because this was where he belonged.
“You’re right about one thing…” Kye reached for his hand. “I’m going to fight you for it.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
“Granted, I’m gonna need a little time to recuperate before I’m up to my fighting weight.”
“We’ve got time,” Hunter told him.
And Kye realized they did.
They had the rest of their lives.
When Hunter pulled back, Kye’s eyes shifted to the television. It reminded him of something he’d wanted to ask Hunter about.
“I was watching the news this morning,” he admitted. “Something about a man taking his own life. The suicide note he left said he couldn’t live with the crime he’d committed ten years ago.”
Hunter frowned, glancing over at the television and back. “And that’s relevant to us how?”
Kye lifted an eyebrow. “The man confessed to killing my brother.”
Even as he said the words, his heart constricted. He still bore the loss of his brother, likely always would.
“That’s good news,” Hunter said, his eyes not giving anything away.
“It is. It gives my parents closure.”
“And you,” Hunter said.
“Yes. And me.”
They stared at one another for a long moment.
“We never talked much about my brother,” Kye finally said. “Yet you’re not asking any questions.”
“I knew enough.”
Kye wasn’t an idiot. He knew that Hunter was the reason they’d gotten the closure they so desperately needed. Not that Kye was happy the guy was dead. He wanted to be the one to steal his life the way he’d stolen Toby’s. However, he didn’t want Hunter to have to live the rest of his life with blood on his hands.
As though reading his mind, Hunter leaned in close again. “I only found him,” Hunter whispered.
Ah. “And now you owe someone a favor?”
Hunter shook his head. “No. Now we’re squar
ed away.”
“I love you,” Kye whispered.
“I love you, too.” Hunter stood up straight. “And now I suggest you figure out a way to get back to that fighting weight. I have no intention of putting off the wedding.”
Kye chuckled. It only hurt a little to laugh.
But it was definitely worth it.
EPILOGUE
One year later…
“YOU KNOW, I NEVER THOUGHT I’d fall in love with a man who rode a desk,” Kye said when he stepped into Hunter’s office.
As of three weeks ago, Hunter had officially stepped into the role alongside RT as the head of Sniper 1 Security. Oddly enough, the decision had been an easy one. Ever since their daughter was born, Hunter had accepted it was time to step out of the field and into something that would keep him at home with his family.
Even thinking about it made his heart swell. He had a family. Dani, Kye, and their sweet little girl. Hunter had learned that his priorities were entirely different now that he was whole once again.
Kye, on the other hand, hadn’t been as optimistic.
“Close the door,” Hunter instructed. “And lock it.”
“Still just as bossy as ever.” Hunter noticed Kye’s smirk before he turned to do as he was told. When he pivoted back around, he was watching him intently. “You wanted to see me?”
“I did.” Hunter motioned for the chair across from him. “Have a seat.”
“Oh, no.” Kye eased into the chair, his moves hesitant. “I thought for sure you were getting me alone so you could get me naked. I would’ve stalled if I’d known this was actually work.”
Hunter laughed. “I have every intention of getting you naked,” he assured him. “But first things first.”
Kye relaxed in his chair, but his eyes remained wary.
“RT and I were talking, and we’ve decided to open a training facility for new agents.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes. And we’d like for you and Z to run it.”
“Sounds boring,” Kye noted with a gleam in his eye.
“Does it now?”
“Yes. It’s practically a desk job. And you know me and desks.”
“I know that you look good bent over one,” Hunter told him.
Kye winked. “I like where your head’s at.”
“And if you’d like to be bent over mine,” he continued, “then I’ll need an answer.”
“You’re not worried that we’ll overwhelm the new recruits?”
Hunter knew what Kye was referring to. Both Kye and Z were six and a half feet tall. They were rather intimidating when they were together.
“Maybe that’s part of my plan.”
“Fine,” Kye huffed. “I’ll run your training facility with Z. But I have one condition.”
“Which is?”
“You bring Dani on board. When she’s ready, of course. I know she’d rather spend her time with Sadie right now, but when she’s ready to go to work, I’d like her at the training center with me.”
“What makes you think she’d be willing?”
“Because I asked her.”
Hunter grinned as he leaned forward. “You asked her?”
“Yes.”
“About the training facility?”
“Yes.”
“And how’d you even know about it?”
Kye tapped his temple. “I’m smart like that.”
“Are you now?”
“Of course.”
“Well, come over here, smartass.”
Kye got to his feet and walked around his desk. The man looked smug, but that wasn’t unusual. It was one of the things he loved about Kye. One of many things he loved about him, in fact.
Hunter stood when Kye approached. In an effort to take him off guard, he grabbed Kye and jerked him forward, crushing their mouths together. He didn’t get to see nearly enough of the man these days, which was why he’d agreed to RT’s suggestion. Keeping Kye close to home was important to him. The fact that their wife and daughter wanted them both home every night helped to make his decision.
He remembered the wedding, the fact that Kye had refused to sit idly by while Hunter had the honors of marrying Dani. He had insisted the three of them would be married in the eyes of God and their friends and family. No, it wasn’t legally binding, which was why Hunter had married Dani on paper. Only because Kye insisted that if something happened to them, he needed to know Dani and their children would be taken care of financially.
In turn, Dani had agreed to change her name, as had Kye. They were all Kogans now.
While their lips were fused together, Hunter worked Kye’s cock free from his jeans, wrapping his fist around him and stroking roughly. It had been too long since Hunter’d had the chance to take Kye the way he liked. Roughly.
“Oh, fuck,” Kye hissed as he thrust into Hunter’s hand. “I want your mouth on me, Hunter. Fuck. Put your mouth on me. Please.”
“I love it when you beg.” Hunter jerked Kye’s cock harder. “Beg me, Kye.”
“Please…” His head fell back. “Oh, fuck, please. Suck me.”
The man’s words spurred him on and he went to his knees before sucking Kye into his mouth. He curled his fist around the base of Kye’s shaft, working him with his hand and his mouth, enjoying the way the man moaned.
Thankfully, it was a Saturday and there were only a couple of people in the office, none of whom were in the back offices. Otherwise, Kye would’ve been broadcasting what they were doing for everyone to hear.
Not that Hunter gave a shit anymore. There had been absolutely no repercussions to coming out to his family. He’d spent his entire life convincing himself they wouldn’t understand, when in reality, he’d merely been a chickenshit, trying to keep his emotions under wraps because he felt it made him weak.
He was anything but weak.
“Hunter…” Kye’s hand landed on his head. “You keep that up and I’m gonna come in your mouth.”
Hunter pulled his lips off Kye’s cock and stood. “You can’t come yet.”
Kye was breathing roughly.
“Turn around and bend over the desk.”
After pulling lube from his desk drawer, Hunter unfastened his jeans and shoved them down, sidestepping so he could move in behind Kye.
“Hold on,” he told the man he loved when he pressed his lubed dick against Kye’s asshole.
When Kye’s fingers curled over the side of Hunter’s desk, he pushed in deep, pausing when he was lodged to the hilt inside Kye’s ass.
“This might be a condition, as well,” Kye said on a grunt when Hunter retreated and slammed into him.
“What’s that?”
“You bending me over your desk. Oh, fuck, yes…”
Hunter fucked him hard. “You like this?”
“So much.” Kye groaned as he pushed back against him, taking every punishing thrust with a groan of pure pleasure.
Hunter didn’t let up, driving them both closer to release as he smiled to himself. Never in his life had he expected to be this happy, this complete. With a husband, a wife, and a four-month-old daughter … it didn’t get much better than this.
“Don’t come yet, Kye,” Hunter demanded several minutes later. “After I come in your ass, I want you to come in my mouth.”
Kye growled, a fierce sound that made Hunter smile. The man was on the edge.
After slamming into him several more times, Hunter finally gave in, his hips stilling as he came.
Almost immediately, he dislodged himself from Kye’s body, then turned the man around so he could get him off with his mouth. He dropped back to his knees, gripping Kye’s cock and sucking him roughly. It didn’t take long before Kye’s fingers were threaded in his hair again, his cock pulsing against his tongue as he roared his release.
“Yeah, definitely should be a condition of employment,” Kye said with a sigh as he caught his breath.
They took a few minutes to clean up and once they were, Kye went to the door, glan
cing over his shoulder.
“Seriously, though. I’m happy to take the position. Anything to keep me at home where I belong.” His grin widened. “After all, Dani is going to need the help.”
Hunter waited for the punchline.
Kye glanced at his watch. “Because in roughly seven and a half months, we’re going to have our hands full.” His thoughts instantly drifted to their sweet little blond-haired, blue-eyed daughter. “I wonder if little bit’ll be getting a sister. Or maybe we’ll have a little boy with light gray eyes.”
With wide eyes, Hunter stared at Kye.
The information sank in and he grinned from ear to ear.
***
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Acknowledgments
First and always, I have to thank my wonderfully patient husband who puts up with me every single day. If it wasn’t for him and his belief that I could (and can) do this, I wouldn’t be writing this today. He has been my backbone, my rock, the very reason I continue to believe in myself. I love you for that, babe.
Chancy Powley – I love getting your feedback, but more importantly, I love the hours we spend on the phone talking about everything else.
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