Free Patrick's Plight by Stephani Hecht, Amber Kell Page A

took the cue, crossing the room and curling up into Vance’s lap. For a

moment, Vance just held the younger man close, taking comfort in the Patrick’s touch.
    “How did everything go today?” Patrick finally asked.
    It took Vance a minute to remember that he’d lied and said that he was working at one of his other businesses. He’d felt bad for deceiving Patrick, yet there was no way Vance wanted to tell him about Becca and how he worried that she was going through a rough patch. Patrick had enough worries of his own, without Vance loading on his own baggage.
    “Fine, how were things here?”
    Patrick just gave a little shrug. It was then that Vance noticed that Patrick wasn’t wearing his usual happy grin. Vance would even go so far as to say that Patrick acted depressed.
    Cupping Patrick’s chin, Vance forced him to look up. “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing,” Patrick replied, averting his gaze.
    “Are we still going out tonight?”
    While Vance didn’t even want to think about what damage Becca was doing while alone at his home, Vance would never turn down time with Patrick. “Of course we are, I just need to run home for a while. Can we make it dessert, instead of dinner?”
    Vance had no doubt that by that time, Becca would be out at the clubs with her friends. She

always seemed to want to surround herself with others. Even if some of those said friends didn’t always have her best interest at heart.
    Patrick nibbled on his bottom lip. “After we’re done, can we go to your place instead of the hotel?”
    Even though Vance had intentionally planned on doing just that, it was now out of the question thanks to Becca. “I’m sorry, we can’t.”
    That seemed to make Patrick sadder. “Is it true that you slept with all of the guys who work for you?”
    Vance frowned, wondering where in the hell the conversation was heading. What had happened to make Patrick act all skittish? “Not all of them, but I won’t lie, I’ve been with a few.”
    Patrick let out a small sigh. “Did you ever film scenes with them?”
    “No.”
    “Why? Do you think you’re better than them?”
    Patrick all but snapped.
    More confused than ever, Vance gave a slow shake of his head. “That’s not it. I just never thought it would be a good idea for me to appear on film since I own so many businesses. There are a lot of people that would use that to attack me.
    I’m not saying it’s right or fair, but it’s the price of being successful.”
    Patrick glanced up at him. “Did you ever tell

them that you were intrigued by them and that you wanted them all to yourself?”
    A burst of anger shot through Vance. After all the shit he already had to deal with, this was the last thing he needed. “Are you trying to insinuate that I’ve been lying to you just to get you into bed?”
    “Have you?” Patrick asked, his bottom lip quivering.
    “I don’t have to make up lies to get fucked. In case you haven’t noticed, I have more than enough willing volunteers for that.”
    Vance wanted the words back as soon as he saw all the color drain from Patrick’s face. Patrick jumped to his feet and rushed from the room without saying another word.
    The door slammed, making Vance flinch. Damn it! He’d just fucked up, bad. He knew that he should give chase and apologize, but in his current mood, he worried that he’d just make things worse.
    Vance stood and grabbed the whiskey bottle.
    As he began to drink, he wondered just how much groveling he’d have to do the next time he saw Patrick. Vance didn’t care how much begging it took. Patrick meant too much to him for Vance to not do everything in his power to make things right.
    He just needed to figure out why Patrick was so

upset to begin with. It sounded like somebody was feeding his lover lies. Vance already suspected the person responsible. If he were right, then being fired would be the least of Ross’
    problems.

Chapter Eight
    ance stayed at his desk reviewing the V