Page 119 of Pistols & Peonies

“Of course,” he says, flicking a glance at me. The corner of his mouth lifts in a subtle smirk, and I smirk right back. “What’ve you two been up to all day?” he asks, glancing between us.

I gesture vaguely to the TV, the snacks, and the general state of chaos. “You’re looking at it. Needed a day to rot before I start at Eclipse next week.”

“Fair,” he murmurs, sidestepping toward my end of the couch. He catches my jaw as he leans down, angling my face up to his and pressing a kiss to my mouth. It’s brief, but my body leans into it on instinct and the heat it leaves behind lingers.

When he pulls back, I find Char watching us with hearts in her eyes.

“Ugh, you two are disgustingly cute,” she groans, twirling a strand of blonde hair around her finger as she gazes up at Kane. “You don’t happen to have any hot friends you could set me up with, do you?”

Kane huffs a quiet laugh. “Friendships aren’t really my thing.”

“Well,” I cut in, unable to resist, “he does have a brother…”

Char’s head snaps toward me, eyes sparkling with interest.

Kane’s gaze follows a second later. The look he gives me is subtle, but sharp enough to land. A warning to drop it.

Right.

My stomach twists as I just shrug and wave a hand dismissively, playing it off like it’s nothing. It’s safer not to talk about Whit at all than risk letting something slip about who he really is, but I hate having to keep things from my best friend. Especially something this huge.

Someday.

Once this revolution plays out– if it actually works– then I can tell her everything. I just hope it moves a hell of a lot faster than Kane’s anticipating, because I feel guilty as hell keeping secrets from Char.

She must sense the shift in the air, because she stretches her arms above her head, pushing up off the couch with a dramatic sigh. “Alright, I’ll leave you two to your domestic bliss.”

“What bliss?” I snort.

“Fine, whatever it is you do,” she replies with a wink. “Make babies or something. It’s almost the full moon, after all…”

My pulse stutters, Kane going still beside me. We exchange a look– quick and loaded.

Char grabs her purse and heads for the door, blissfully unaware of the bomb she just dropped. Kane follows her out, and I listen to the two of them exchange polite goodbyes before the door opens and closes, the deadbolt turning over before he returns to join me in the living room.

He drops down on the couch beside me with a tired exhale, lifting my legs and settling them across his lap. “She seems nice,” he comments as his hands close around my feet, thumbs pressing into the arches and working in slow, firm circles.

“Mhmm,” I hum, melting deeper into the cushions.

“I guess we’ve never really talked about it,” he says after a beat.

“About what?” I ask, even though I already know.

His hands don’t pause, but his sharp gaze flicks up to meet mine. “About pups.”

My throat tightens and I look away, suddenly very interested in the TV.

“Do you want them?” he asks.

I hesitate, then deflect. “Do you?”

He blows out a slow breath, pausing as if considering how to respond. “No, not really,” he grumbles. “But if it’s something you want, I’d consider it.”

Relief hits so fast it almost makes me dizzy. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, turning back to meet his gaze. “Good, because I don’t either,” I say, then frown as my mind starts working overtime. “Wait. Why don’t you?”

His hands slow slightly, thumbs easing their pressure before he resumes rubbing my arches. “With the way the pack is right now, I can’t imagine bringing kids into it,” he murmurs.

Makes sense.