Page 158 of Adored
“Want to go into town with me? I have some things we can do,” he said, impulsively.
Poe lifted a brow.
“Really?”
“Yeah, want to have a date redo since our picnic was ruined by uninvited guests, and I don’t mean ants?” he asked. “Maybe we can grab a coffee, take a walk down the street, and be out in public where no one can make a move on you,” he added, knowing the key was going to be keeping their patterns erratic soThe BlackStone Groupcouldn’t figure out the next step.
At that suggestion, Poe grinned.
“Sign me up,” he said. “Will Rufus be okay without us?” he asked, thinking about their wounded pet.
He reassured him.
“We can take him. I won’t leave him behind ever again,” he admitted. “We’ll be out and about, and I’m sure he’ll enjoy the smells and scenery.”
That his man thought about their dog too was super sweet.
“Okay, walk with me and we’ll handle it. Then, I’ll get changed. I’m soggy from the champagne I dumped out. I got most of it on me.”
As they stood there, Gamble turned toward his man, and tugged him into his body. Finding his mouth, he shared a kiss.
Oh, and he knew they were being watched.
Only, he was staking his claim, and warningANYONEwho touched Poe that they were, essentially,DEAD.
Leaning into his man, Poe enjoyed the kiss. When Gamble broke it, he was smiling.
“For the record, Duke of Gordon, I like you soggy or any way I can get you,” he admitted.
Well, what a coincidence.
“Ditto, Marine.”
Holding Poe’s hand, they walked toward the catering company employees, and where his parent’s pictures were set upon the memorial table. His mother was private, but she wanted her friends to be able to say goodbye, and this was her son’s gift to her.
“She would have liked this,” Poe said, as he touched the flowers that sat between their pictures. “Not a funeral, but a party to send her and my father off? Definitely Penelope’s style.”
Gamble heard the sadness.
“I’m sorry you lost them. If I could get them back for you, I would.”
He squeezed his hand.
“I know, my love. We can’t control what happens in life. We just have to roll with it, and make the best of it.”
Wasn’t that the truth?
Gamble had learned that himself.
Together, they walked around, talking to the people setting up, and then finally inside to the man running it—the head of the staff.
“Brian, is everything on schedule?” Poe asked.
The man nodded.
“It is, Sir. Everything is good. Tea will be served this afternoon outside for the memorial, and then the rest of the evening will be drinks and finger food so people can mingle and celebrate your new title. It’s all per the will’s instructions laid out by your mother in case of her death.”
That was good.
