Page 44 of At His Wife's Behest

“No.”

Emma cocked her head, her gaze insistent.

“My companion…”

“What about him? He’s not trying to blackmail you or something, is he? Hesignedan NDA.”

“No, no… he’s not trying to blackmail me. Nothing like that.” He knew he should keep his mouth shut, but he had to tellsomeone,or he’d explode. If not Emma, then who?

“Can you promise me to keep this to yourself?”

She narrowed her eyes, concern on her face. “Yeah?”

“The guy… it was Abigail’s teacher.”

Emma frowned. “What?” Her eyes got wider.“Mr. Q?”

“Yeah.”

Emma was silent a moment.“That’swhy he was gone last week.” She snickered, shaking her head. “It was bound to happen, Italy or not. He’s had the hots for you all year.”

“He’s not had the hots for me.” Kellan’s face grew hot.

“The hellhe hasn’t. I was there at every parent-teacher conference with you. He couldn’t take his eyes off you.” She chuckled. “You did not out him. I already figured he was gay… or bi.”

“You don’t have an issue that I spent a week with our daughter’s first-grade teacher?”

“Why would I?”

“If it gets out that he works on the side as a companion… he could lose his job.” Connor was an excellent teacher… and didn’t deserve being ousted. “Not all the parents in that school would approve of his extracurricular activities.”

“Teacher’s salaries are shit. I doubt private schools are all that much better. A man’s got to live.” She sighed. “Wait—doyouhave a problem with him having a side hustle? Is that the real reason you don’t want to see him again?”

“No…Idon’t have a problem with it.” He stiffened, realizing he didn’t want Connor to continue as a companion.He’s mine.“I wanted to make sure you wouldn’t judge him.”

“I was raised by hypocrites who judged everyone on the face of the earth when they themselves were pulling all kinds of nonsense when not in public view.” She shrugged. “It’shisbody. He’s an adult and can do whatever he wants with it. As long as it’s not hurting anyone, it’s none of my business.”

I’m hurting.

But that’s of my own doing.

“You want me to take Abby to school so you don’t have to face him. Is that it?”

Kellan nodded.

“I should say no. Make you look at that man and think about what you’re giving up…” She clicked her tongue. “I won’t do that. At least for now. You can have a few days’ break, but then after that, you need to face your demons head on.” Emma snorted. “Face yourfine as helldemon.”

“You’re a lesbian,remember?”

Emma sashayed from the room. “I still know a pretty piece of meat when I see it.”

“He’s more than a piece of meat,” Kellan snapped.

Emma grinned. “Oh, Kellan Rhodes… you have itbad.”

His face warmed as she departed. As soon as she was gone, he was, ready to tell her he’d changed his mind. He wanted to see Connor, no matter how hard it might be, yet the thought of seeing the man and not being able to touch… to kiss? That broke him.

He needed time. Time to get ahold of himself and his emotions.

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