Free Love in Xxchange: Rory's Last Chance by Bailey Bradford Page B

Chance’s voice was warm and intimate, not the least bit distant.
    Rory squared his shoulders and, clutching his belt and hat close to his chest, turned to face the man who suddenly had the power to shatter him. He swallowed nervously under Chance’s penetrating stare but didn’t look away.
    “Why are you so scared?”
    The question had Rory’s spine stiffening ramrod straight. He didn’t like being called out, but he wasn’t a liar, either. All or nothing. Better to find out now and deal with it.
    “I don’t know what you want, what you expect from me.” Chance’s dark eyes bored into him, shaking his soul. “If this was just a one-night-stand for you or—”
    Chance was on him before he could utter another word, taking the belt and hat from his grasp and tossing them down. Then those big hands were clamping hard on Rory’s biceps to pull him against his still-naked boss. The rigid length of Chance’s erection seared Rory’s skin through his clothes and had his own cock snapping to attention.
    “I don’t do one-night-stands, Rory. If that’s all this was to you…” Chance shook his head, looking at some point over Rory’s shoulder. “If that’s all this was to you, then I guess I’ll just have to work to change your mind.”
    Knowing he wasn’t the only one confused and wondering eased away a big part of the worry that had been riding Rory. He pulled his hands out from between their bodies, praying that it was okay to embrace Chance and hold him close. He felt the tension drain from his lover, Chance’s firm, sexy body relaxing as a soft sigh tickled Rory’s neck.
    “I don’t want just a night, Chance. I don’t know why it is you think everyone younger than you is flighty, but I’m not. I haven’t had many lovers—” And that was an understatement, wasn’t it? Rory forged on. “And never with someone I didn’t have…”
    RORY’S LAST CHANCE
    Bailey Bradford
    53
     
    The sound of the alarm startled them both into putting a few feet of distance between them. It also made Rory stop the free-flowing information before he gave too much, even though he feared he already had done just that.
    “I better go.” Rory turned and gathered his things, careful to avoid doing anything that would lead to questions. Desperation washed over him as he felt Chance studying him.
    Please, let him leave it alone for now at least. And please don’t let him notice the way my hands are shaking.
    He caught a glimpse of Chance moving over to smack at the alarm clock, shutting off the god-awful shrilling noise. When the older man didn’t move again, Rory risked a glance at him. Chance was watching him, an intense look heating his rich brown eyes, holding Rory captive.
    “Go on, Rory. But just a heads up, there’s no way I’m going to let you get away without explaining what you meant.”
    Rory started to protest that there wasn’t time, but Chance waved a hand in the air to shush him.
    “Not right now—you’re right, we have work to do. This evening, if you’d like to come have dinner with me, I won’t pester you with questions. I’ll answer some for you, though, and maybe that’ll help you to feel a bit less skittish about whatever it is you started to say.
    How does that sound?”
    It sounded perfect, and frightening—and Rory wanted it more than he thought was wise. “I’ll be here, boss. See you in a bit.”
    “Boss?” Chance’s lips quirked with amusement, setting off a matching action on Rory’s.
    “Well, you are still, and I don’t think I’m going to be able to break myself from calling you that.” Rory waved goodbye and left before the boss could see the smile that bloomed full force.
    No doubt Chance would get off on being the boss in the bedroom, at least some of the time. But Chance had certainly enjoyed it when he hadn’t been in charge, come to think of it.
    Huh. That would give Rory something to obsess about all day. He groaned as visions of a submissive Chance assailed him.