“We’re public figures now,” I pointed out with a grin. Since Vane was invited to talk about his life as a gay man in politics at a forum in Albany, we’d been paraded as some sort of celebrities, both in a positive and negative light. He’d been interviewed for a few political shows. There were people who hated us, and let us know about it, but the majority supported us, championing the mayor and Vane’s policies. It also meant Mayor Midberry—or Ross, as he asked me to call him now when we weren’t at work—was lauded as a hero mayor, someone who fought for human rights, and his popularity had risen because of it.
“So?” Vane kissed my cheek and nibbled on the shell of my ear, and I shivered in response. “They’ll see a loving couple going to see your godchild for the first time. You don’t have to dress fancy for it.”
My heart thumped hard against my ribs and I smiled at him, cupping his cheek and pressing a kiss to his mouth just as the elevator doors slid open. Giving him a final peck, I dragged him out the doors and past an elderly couple who grinned at us as we strode by. The nurse at the nurses’ station stared at us as we approached, and I saw the moment she recognized us as her eyes widened.
“Oh my God, you’re Deputy Mayor Elwood and his fiancé, Jaxson.” Her mouth curved into a smile so wide that I thought it would break her face. Surprisingly, she was an older lady with a short dark cut and a pair of round gold-rimmed glasses, not someone I suspected as a fan. She hustled around the desk and stepped up to hold her hand out to Vane, who shook it, before doing the same to mine, though she held my hand between hers tightly, as though she didn’t want to let it go. “I was just telling my son the other day that having a gay deputy mayor who understands his struggles is exactly what we needed in New Gothenburg. I’m so glad I voted for you.”
Vane gave her hisDeputy Mayorsmile that always charmed crowds, and like I expected, her cheeks flushed, and she gripped my hand even tighter. “It was only fair to Jaxson, and the people of New Gothenburg, for me to be my true self.”
“Indeed. You’ve spent enough years hiding. No one should ever hide.” Her gaze slid to me, eyes flooded with tears that made my heart ache. She looked like a mother who’d fought hard for a long time, someone who only wanted the best for her child. “Thank you.”
I inclined my head, not quite sure what else to do, and when she finally let go, I had the urge to reach out to her again because if there was anything I understood, it was struggle.
“I’m sorry. I’m so silly.” She chuckled and reached over the desk to grab a tissue, dabbing her eyes. “Who were you here to see?”
“You’re not silly. You’re a mother,” I whispered, and I got a watery smile in answer. “We’re here to see Elsie Monroe.”
The nurse chuckled, and I knew immediately she recognized the name. My best friend made an impression on everyone she met, and the first encounter with Vane was no different. I’d never seen him rattled before he met her, and I specifically remember him saying the words, “Let’s make our visits to her house as scarce as possible.”
“That young lady is in room 503, two doors to the right.” She pointed down the hallway, and I smiled in gratitude before I dragged Vane with me. I both hated and loved how amazing he looked in simple black pants and a button-up shirt; it was like he’d stepped out ofGQ.
“We can leave and pretend we were never here,” Vane said, and I laughed.
“No. You can handle her for half an hour.”
“You don’t like babies.” He squeezed my hand in his and smirked, amusement flickering in his eyes.
“I’m the baby’s godfather. This will be the only baby I like.” I pulled to a stop in front of the closed door and stared at it for a long moment. I’d never been around a baby before, never had a reason to, and I wasn’t sure I should be allowed in the same room as one. Before Elsie got pregnant, I neverwantedto, but like I told Vane, Iwasthis baby’s godfather.
Vane released my hand and tugged me into his arms, and I went freely, tucking my head under his chin as he stroked my back.
“You’ll do fine,” he murmured, and I fell deeper into his hold, breathing in the crisp scent of his cologne. “You’ll be a great godfather, little baker.” He kissed my temple, and I thought about asking him if he wanted to be a father—adoption or surrogacy—but decided against it. Even though we were engaged, kids were a whole other story. Right now, I enjoyed just being with him.
Glancing up at his handsome face, I licked my lips. “Daddy….”
“Hm?” He caressed my cheek and kissed my mouth gently.
“I love you.”
Vane startled, eyes widening just slightly, before his face relaxed again and he smiled in a way I’d never seen. Some indescribable emotion filled my insides, making them feel gooey and weird, and my heart raced faster than I ever remembered. Panic collided with the rush of feelings as I waited for his response.
“I love you too, my little baker.” He kissed the tip of my nose and brushed a hand over my head. “Did you plan on stealing my heart from the start? Sly, aren’t you?”
I chuckled and yanked him closer so I could kiss him again. I couldn’t get enough of him. “You’re right. It was part of the plan all along. I just didn’t expect to be caught by your charms.”
He leaned closer and lowered his voice. “Or by my kink.”
Touching my forehead against his, I snorted. “You dirty man. If only the press knew the truth.”
“How about we go see this baby, and then I take you home and knock you up with one of your own?” Vane caught my chin between his fingers and kissed me hard until I saw stars and my cock gave a twitch in my pants. I pressed the heel of my palm against my crotch to stop it from rising and jerked away so this didn’t turn awkward in public. People did know us now. Glancing around quickly, I was relieved no one was walking past.
“Yeah, let’s make this as quick as possible. I want to be impregnated with triplets,” I whispered, winking at him before I opened the door and stepped inside.
He groaned and followed me.
