A Bit of Me (20 page)

Xavier could have floated right off the couch, then. Not only was Chase worried about him, not only did he
care
enough to worry about him, but he’d come to Xavier. It wasn’t like Chase showing up at the club, either. At that point Chase didn’t know what Xavier wanted from him. He’d just thought there’d be a fast fuck and that’d be that—but Chase did know now, and he’d come to Xavier!

“Chase,” Xavier began, his voice thick with emotion he hoped he could pass off as

sleepiness or he’d likely scare Chase off.

Chase ground his jaw and kept glaring at the door. “Someone should have checked this out before you ever came home from the hospital. Failing that…” And
now
Chase turned towards him, and Xavier thought he was the sexiest fucking man on the planet. No one could deliver a furious glare while appearing so hot except for Chase Murphy—who seemed

unfazed by Xavier’s lust-dumb stare. “You should have had it checked. If a guy who’s got a fucked up shoulder can get in here, it’s a sure bet a determined guy out for your ass can do it, too.”

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Xavier figured he was kind of bent for getting the warm fuzzies from being cursed at.

Of course he wouldn’t be feeling like that if it hadn’t been Chase’s way of letting Xavier know he cared. “I’ll have a new system installed as soon as the security company can get it done.”

“Get a new fucking security company!” Chase’s eyes widened and his mouth snapped

shut on the last syllable. He looked so stunned Xavier couldn’t quite be mad at him, but Chase would have to find a more appropriate way to express his concern. Xavier didn’t think he could handle being cursed at on a regular basis.

Xavier rose slowly, his eyes narrowing on Chase’s. He kept his voice low and smooth as he held one hand out. “I’ll do that. How did you get here?” There was no reason to ask why.

Xavier wouldn’t make Chase admit something he wasn’t ready to.

There was an awkward moment where Chase hesitated, looking at Xavier’s hand with a

blank expression. As much as he wanted to tuck his hand back at his side, Xavier refused to do so. He wouldn’t give himself or Chase such an easy out. Chase could either accept or refuse, and Xavier would damn well have to deal with either of those choices.

In the end, Chase took the steps necessary to close the distance between them. He didn’t take Xavier’s hand, instead brushing his fingers over the top of it before loosely clasping his wrist. Only then did something shift in his eyes.

“Max told me I could borrow his truck,” Chase murmured, easing so close Xavier could feel the heat rolling off his body. “I told him I wasn’t going anywhere.” He shook his head slightly but never took his eyes from Xavier’s. “I wasn’t, and yet…here I am. I don’t know why…”

Xavier had always thought it was an exaggeration when someone said their heart

swelled with joy, or love, or any of those sweet emotions, yet now he knew exactly what they meant. He raised his other hand, tracing a path from Chase’s chest, aware of the way the man shivered when his fingertips grazed a peaked nipple. As tempting as that little nub was, Xavier didn’t tarry, only stopping once he’d cupped Chase’s nape.

He rubbed gently, every soft hair that touched his skin setting off sparks of need and that tender emotion he wouldn’t yet name. “It’s okay,” he said, as he bent to bring his lips to Chase’s. He knew why Chase had come, and it was enough.

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When Chase had given up on getting any sleep, he’d tiptoed out of his bedroom at the bunkhouse with no destination other than the kitchen table in mind. He’d thought a glass of milk might help him sleep—like that had ever been a cure for being horny and confused—

but when he’d turned on the light above the stove and started to walk to the refrigerator, something glinting on the table had caught his eye. Chase had blinked stupidly at the keys lying on a piece of paper.

Curiosity had got the better of him and he’d ended up standing there reading the note, which was no easy feat considering a doctor could have taught the author penmanship. By the time Chase had deciphered the note from Max, which had basically said he was leaving his keys for Chase in case he changed his mind and decided to go back into town, he’d been vibrating with the need to see Xavier again. Stupid, he’d thought, since it had only been a couple of hours since they’d gone their separate ways.

He’d continued silently mocking his own feelings as he’d dressed and hauled his ass to Xavier’s. All the while, Chase had tried to think of an excuse to hand over once he got there.

Checking the alarm was the best he could come up with, which…well, even he knew that translated to checking on Xavier because he was concerned for the man’s safety.

But it wasn’t so easy to just admit that. What had been easy was bypassing the shitty alarm system Xavier had, and that had both scared Chase somewhere deep down inside and pissed him off, too.

Now here he was, his body humming with anticipation as he opened for Xavier’s kiss.

Chase was surprised how much he liked it—almost craved it, even. Kissing had previously been a way to hurry up and get to the good stuff, something he did so the other man would be happy…or whatever. He hadn’t really thought of it as a somewhat sloppy and often times gross part of foreplay. Of course, considering he’d picked up most of his tricks in bars, it www.total-e-bound.com

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wasn’t surprising the majority had tasted like bitter, stale liquor and more often than not, an ashtray or a bong.

But Xavier…Xavier tasted sweet and strong, powerful and tender. Chase would swear

he could taste the man’s character; his honesty and strength in every kiss, every touch.

Maybe it was just infatuation, the newness of being with a man who wouldn’t just roll over and let Chase walk away.

Or maybe it was something else, something Chase should think about when he wasn’t

moaning, as Xavier kissed him with a tenderness that made Chase want to… He curled his fingers against Xavier’s shoulders as Xavier swept his tongue over the roof of his mouth.

Xavier’s hands slid down, slowly caressing Chase’s ribs, making him squirm a bit closer, trying to get those hands to move down and around. He loved the way Xavier’s hands felt gripping his ass, not too hard, but with enough strength that Chase felt secure in the man’s arms.

Which was something else he didn’t want to think about. As far as he’d believed, he’d
always
been secure.

Chase moaned when Xavier finally coasted his hands over Chase’s ass cheeks. He

repeated the sound and tried to crawl up Xavier’s body when his ass was kneaded, sending currents of pleasure rippling up his back and making his hole clench in need. His cock swelled and he tried to rub against Xavier, but the man lifted his lips from Chase’s and put a few inches of space between them.

“Let’s go to my bedroom,” Xavier said before Chase could ask. Xavier squeezed his cheeks one more time then released Chase, only to take one of his hands. As good as it had felt to have Xavier touching his ass, this joining of hands felt even better. More intimate; which made Chase’s already racing heart accelerate even more as he looked into Xavier’s eyes and nodded. He was a little apprehensive about what might happen once they were in Xavier’s bedroom, but he tried not to let it show.

Xavier stared at him intently for several seconds, then he smiled slightly and traced the line of Chase’s jaw. Chase’s lids fluttered as Xavier’s touch left a trail of heat behind it. He swayed towards him, leaning into the caress. Xavier murmured softly, then followed the www.total-e-bound.com

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path his fingers had taken, his lips brushing over Chase’s stubbled jaw until he brought their mouths together again for a chaste kiss. It still made Chase’s head spin.

“I won’t push for anything you aren’t ready to give,” Xavier said. Chase didn’t doubt the truth of that, and he nodded. He wasn’t sure he trusted Xavier entirely; trust had never come easy for Chase, but in this matter, he knew he could let Xavier take the lead and he would keep his word. It was enough for now.

A subtle softening of Chase’s features told Xavier more than words could have. Words could be false, but unless Chase was a world-class actor, the emotions in those pretty eyes and the lack of tension in his expression spoke more powerfully than anything else could have.

Xavier knew it wasn’t everything he wanted, but that small measure of trust lit him up inside. He wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d been glowing. Chase was, and the look in his eyes was heating up by the second. He’d have to keep a tight hold on his own desires to make sure he didn’t screw this up, but Xavier didn’t believe he would. It meant too much—

Chase meant too much.

With his hands locked together, Xavier started them in the direction of his room. He glanced at Chase and saw the way his shoulders were a bit tense. Xavier knew he could try to reassure Chase over and over with words, but that went right back to his earlier thought.

Words could mean anything or nothing. Actions were more telling at times like this. Still, talking might help distract Chase from thinking about what might or might not happen once they were naked in bed together.

Xavier stopped them in the hall. He smiled when Chase gave him a quizzical look. “So, is the alarm really that bad, or are you just that good?”

Chase snorted even as he smirked. “Both. I’ve seen worse systems, though. But if I

could slip past it in under thirty seconds, someone with less exp—” Chase’s eyes widened. “I mean, someone with less skill could probably do it in a few minutes. Hell, since you just have www.total-e-bound.com

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those thin curtains up in the living room, someone could just shoot you, you know? See your shadow, fire a few shots…”

If Chase was trying to freak him out, it was working. Xavier would get a new alarm

installed
and
good blinds and thick curtains and maybe even shutters…

“I can tell you’re thinking about it,” Chase said. Xavier’s eyebrows drew together as he looked at Chase, who averted his gaze. “It’s…it’s nice that you listen and don’t just ignore what I say. You do that with everything I say. I…I noticed, you know?” He blushed and glanced at the bedroom door. “You’ll do that in here, too, but I’m still nervous.”

Xavier stopped and took Chase’s other hand, turning so they faced each other fully.

“I’m nervous, too. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable, and I don’t want you to feel pressured. I just want you to
feel
, to give yourself over to the pleasure I’d love to give you.

That doesn’t mean I expect you to let me fuck you once we’re in there.” He tipped his chin towards the bedroom.

Chase’s brow furrowed as he looked up through his lashes at Xavier. “But I thought

you wanted to fuck me? I thought…I thought you’d try to convince me in there with your hands and mouth and…”

Xavier tried not to growl, snarl or show the slightest bit of anger or hurt at what Chase

‘thought’.
Actions, not words—not for this man at this point.
Xavier had to repeat it silently to himself a couple of times before he spoke. “Come to bed with me and let me show you.”
Let
me earn your trust.

Chase hesitated for a moment, then released one of Xavier’s hands and opened the

door.

Xavier left his pyjamas bottoms on as he undressed Chase, slowly exposing that

delectable body, kissing and stroking the lean lines of muscle revealed an inch at a time.

Chase shivered periodically when Xavier discovered a particularly sensitive spot—the soft skin on the of Chase’s triceps; the dip beside his left hip bone; the sweet skin behind Chase’s ears that made him whimper, whether it was lips or fingertips that touched that spot.

Once he had Chase’s shirt off, Xavier dropped to his knees, licking a line straight down the middle of Chase’s torso as he knelt. Xavier scraped his teeth over Chase’s treasure trail, www.total-e-bound.com

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then nibbled his way back to the whorl of Chase’s navel. He lapped over it first, delighted when Chase cursed and grabbed his head, holding him there. Xavier was only too happy to explore the little dip, licking and teasing the bottom of it.

His used his teeth to tug at the fine hairs surrounding Chase’s belly button while

sliding his hands down the backs of Chase’s thighs. When he brushed the tips of his fingers over the inner seams, Chase’s legs quivered. Xavier dragged his hands back up as Chase gripped the back of Xavier’s neck loosely, but with enough force to show he wanted Xavier’s mouth right where it was.

Xavier tipped his head up and peered into Chase’s heavy-lidded eyes. The desire in the man’s expression was so obvious it made Xavier’s cock twitch as pre-cum wetted the front of his pyjamas. “Kick your shoes off for me?” He was careful to keep it a question, wanting to make sure anything that happened was the result of Chase’s decisions.

Chase’s lips twitched and his hands never left Xavier’s neck and head as he removed

his shoes. Xavier waited until he was sure Chase had both feet planted steadily, then he nuzzled the bulge pressing against Chase’s zipper once before returning to lap at his navel.

Xavier wasn’t surprised at all when Chase got that particular nonverbal question and nudged his own head lower. He chuckled softly, letting Chase feel the vibrations on his skin as he followed that lovely trail to the waistband of Chase’s jeans. It only took a second to unfasten the buttons and free Chase’s cock. Xavier shoved down Chase’s jeans as he stared at the hard dick in front of him. Yes, he’d seen it hours ago, but still… Chase had a perfect cock, one of the most beautiful Xavier had ever seen. It was thick and probably slightly longer than it needed to be to brush over a man’s prostate.