Park couldn’t help but look down to check Gift’s hand was still out of Kendrick’s line of sight. What the hell was wrong with this kid? Was he insane? He bit back a groan, cock once again achingly hard as Gift’s head dipped lower to lick over his balls. How could he even reach there? He was like some sort of dick-sucking savant.
He forced himself to give Kendrick a tight smile. “I don’t keep track of my friends’ acquaintances.”
Kendrick scoffed. “Yeah, well, she heard about the students’ latest assignment from Payton’s father and she’s…concernedabout Gift.”
“Gift? Why?” Park asked.
Kendrick looked at Park like he was stupid. “Because he’s her only child?”
Something tightened behind his ribs, a quiet irritation digging under his skin like a splinter. “Does she think I would put Gift in harm’s way?”
Gift was far safer with Park than he’d been when she’d sent him off to live alone at an international boarding school, then a private university. The same university where someone had tried to take his life only a few months prior. Who was she to imply Gift was unsafe in Park’s care when she’d been pawning him off on others almost since he was born?
“Clearly.”
Park’s hand found the back of Gift’s head and he carded his fingers through his hair, the gesture soothing the flare of rage Kendrick’s statement stoked within him. Gift wasn’t with her anymore. He was with Park. And while Park was clearly making some questionable decisions when it came to Gift, at least he hadn’t abandoned him to the big, bad world at the age of seven.
Kendrick’s next statement dragged him from his thoughts. “Are you even listening?”
Park shook his head. “It’s just a teaching exercise. What is it she’s afraid is going to happen? Gift isn’t even in the assassin program. He’s about as far removed from danger as he can get.”
Gift no longer had his mouth on Park’s cock but was resting his head on his thigh, clearly enjoying the way Park’s nails scratched at his scalp. Park would do this until the end of time if it meant Gift would just keep his mouth to himself until he got rid of Kendrick.
Kendrick shook his head. “She asked that I have you work with Gift so he’s not alone while he, and I quote, ‘Runs around playing detective with a bunch of maniacs who would sacrifice him to save themselves.’”
Gift snorted from under the desk, the sound only slightly muffled by Park’s pants. He coughed in a poor attempt to cover it. Kendrick narrowed his eyes at him. “Are you sure you’re alright? You’re acting weird. Weirder than usual, that is. Which is saying something around here,” he muttered.
Park gave him a tight smile. “Mm. You know how leg cramps are, right?”
Kendrick seemed to ponder this. “Annoying?”
“Just like that,” Park said, his hand sliding over Gift’s mouth to remind him to be quiet, grimacing when he took the opportunity to slide them into his mouth, sucking on them gently. Luckily, he was quiet about it.
What the fuck was Park supposed to do now?
Kendrick flicked his gaze from Park’s face to his lap then back up again, looking like he was attempting to solve a complex math equation. “She intends to call you this evening to speak to you, but she said she would consider it a personal favor from me to ensure Gift was safe before then.”
As if anyone had ever, in Park’s twenty years in the field, relied on Kendrick to keep them safe. He’d been their handler in name only. Anchali knew this. Why would she want Kendrick involved at all? What the fuck was she up to?
Before he could think too much on it, Gift’s soft tongue slid between Park’s fingers before pulling back to lap at them like a puppy. Nothing about that should have been hot, but Park had never been so fucking hard in his life. His dick was clearly no longer deterred by Anchali’s name.
Kendrick needed to get the fuck out of there. “What is it you want me to do? Just spit it out. I was…in the middle of something.”
Kendrick looked at Park’s unopened laptop and his near empty desk, brow raised. “He can help you with the investigation—under your supervision—but he is under no circumstances permitted to leave the campus without you. Understand?”
Gift’s mouth stopped moving, as if he was waiting to hear Park’s answer.
Park slumped back in his seat, giving Kendrick a look. “Message received,” he said, then hissed as Gift’s teeth bit down on his finger.
Fucking hell. He was a monster.
Kendrick’s gaze fell to Park’s lap again, and he shook his head. “You really should have that looked at.”
Park ignored Kendrick, slipping his fingers from Gift’s mouth, attempting to covertly wipe them on his work pants as he brought them back to rest on his desk, Gift’s saliva cold as the air hit his skin. Could Kendrick see his fingers were wet? Some sick part of Park wanted Kendrick to know Gift was on his knees for him even as they sat there having this mundane—and frankly unnecessary—conversation.
He leaned back and pinched the bridge of his nose. Why was Anchali being so difficult about this? Gift was hardly in harm’s way looking into a cold case. Park would have never allowed him to participate otherwise.
“I will make sure she knows that Gift—” Park’s jaw snapped shut hard as Gift’s mouth closed over his cock once again, tongue dipping into his slit. “Isn’t, uh, isn’t put…” Jesus Christ. “Isn’t in danger,” he said, unable to hide the strain in his voice.
