Love in Xxchange: Rory's Last Chance (18 page)

Rory began pumping his hips faster, his strokes deepening though not reaching Chance’s throat.

When Chance felt Rory’s body tensing up and his thrusts becoming erratic, he grabbed Rory’s hands and tugged. Rory let go and grumbled when Chance let Rory’s dick slip from his mouth with a slurping noise. Chance rose, pressing his body hard against his lover’s. He RORY’S LAST CHANCE

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went to work a hand between them. Rory must have had the same idea, because their fingers tangled together before they worked it out, their hands gripping and holding their dicks together. The found a smooth, easy rhythm and Rory’s other hand latched on to the back of Chance’s neck, pulling him in for a kiss that felt like more teeth than tongue.

Rory’s palm swiped over the head of their cocks and Chance felt his balls snug close to his body. He broke their kiss and brought his other hand up under Rory’s shirt to tug at his lover’s nipple ring. A couple of twists and Rory was groaning as wet heat splashed between them. Rory’s hand faltered and Chance let go of the nipple ring long enough to clasp both hands to Rory’s and encourage him to stroke.

A quick pump and Chance was trying not to yell, trying to remember not to spook the horses or cattle as his cock pulsed and bursts of semen erupted, mixing with Rory’s.

A snort and a nicker caught their attention. Rory and Chance turned their heads and found Rama and Zeus looking at them.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to put on a show.” Chance stepped back and did the best he could to get the spunk off of him before tucking his parts back in his jeans.

“I feel like a perv,” Rory muttered, swiping at the sticky mess on his clothes and skin.

Chance peeked over his shoulder then couldn’t bite back his grin as he faced Rory again. “Well, if that makes you feel like a perv, you sure don’t want to look up.”

Of course, Rory’s head shot up. “What do you—oh fuck!”

Chance snickered as Rory’s eyes widened. Yes, sometimes cattle were curious critters.

He turned around and reached out to a particularly inquisitive heifer, careful not to let her slobber all over his hand.

“Go on, now, before you embarrass my partner to death!” Chance gently shooed the cattle back before facing Rory again. “Feel better now? Less perv-y?”

Rory gave him a considering look. “I’ve decided that I’m not the perv here.”

“Oh really?” Chance worked his eyebrow up as far as he could get it. “Because you could have said no at any time.”

“Yeah, right!” Rory rolled his eyes as he finished buckling his belt. “Like I could—or would—ever say no to you!” He walked over and slapped Chance on the ass. “I meant the cattle and our not-so-noble steeds were the pervs.”

Chance rubbed his butt cheek and considered whether he should get revenge now or later. “Definitely later.” When he had his man naked and pleading beneath him.

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“Definitely later what?” Rory stopped and looked at him.

The only answer Chance gave him was a slow smile that had his lover drawing a stuttering breath.

“Oh. Later.” Rory gave Chance a slow smile of his own. “I look forward to ‘definitely later’. And if you want it to be definitely sooner, you can hang around and help me finish up here.”

“Sounds like a plan.” A very excellent plan since they would be having a guest for dinner and he had promised they would behave. Mostly.

Chance swung up in to the saddle and grinned as he took in his land and cattle. Those things made him happy, but they couldn’t compare to the man riding by his side. Rory flashed him a bright smile, and Chance knew that nothing or no one ever would.

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Rory took a few minutes to watch Chance as his lover herded the cattle into the pasture.

The man was pure magic on horseback, all long, sleek muscle that moved with the powerful horse as if the animal was an extension of himself. Rory had plenty of time to admire Chance’s moves—ever since the day Chance had sought him out in the North pasture, Chance spent at least part of each day working with him.

He’d learned a lot watching his lover, the main thing being that Chance was an honest, hard-working man with many admirable qualities. Rory had thought it impossible to feel any stronger for the man than he did, but he’d been proven wrong, day after day.

Max’s voice shattered the tranquil moment. “Rory, tell Chance to pick up his damn handset!”

Rory jerked his off his belt and pressed the button down. “Something wrong, Max?

Chance is finishing up moving the cattle.”

Max didn’t even bother to try to hide his snort of laughter. “Ain’t nothing wrong, just got somebody here wanting a job—and Chance might be done faster if ye’d stop gawking at the man and help him!”

Now how the hell did Max know he was gawking? “Max, I am not—”

“Sure ya are! Seen ya do it often enough. Or he’s gawking while you’re working. Takes twice as long for the two of ye to get anything done.” The teasing note in Max’s voice took the sting from his words.

“Well, do you blame me for gawking?” Rory let his gaze settle back on his lover.

“I ain’t getting into that, boy.” Max laughed.

Rory heard a voice in the background but couldn’t make out what was being said.

Whoever their want-to-be employee was, he just got an earful. If he hadn’t known Rory and Chance were gay, he surely did now.

“Just get the boss and get yerselves up here.”

“You know we aren’t ready to hire anyone else yet,” Rory pointed out, but he did start edging Rama over towards Chance and Zeus.

“Then you and Chance can be the people who send this one on their way. Ain’t gonna RORY’S LAST CHANCE

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be me.”

Rory clipped the handset back to his belt and started working the herd with Chance. He would have been helping by now, anyway, Rory thought. It wasn’t his fault Chance looked so damned good on horseback—or on his back, period. Oh hell, Rory thought Chance looked good any which way he was.

“Max wants us up at the house.” Rory had to raise his voice to be heard over the racket of the cattle. “Says someone wants a job and he isn’t going to be the one to tell them no.”

Chance frowned as he worked the last bit of the cattle through the gate. “Now why would he have a problem telling someone no? He’s done it before.”

Rory hopped down from Rama and grabbed the gate, jogging to close it quickly before he slid the bar that held it shut in place.

“That’s what I’m wondering,” Rory confessed as he pulled himself back up into the saddle. He looked at Chance and shrugged. “Whoever it is, Max didn’t bother to hide the fact that we’re together. He kept giving me shit about gawking at you.”

“You do gawk at me quite a bit.” Chance leant over the saddle horn and leered.

Rory leered right back. “About as much as you gawk at me, lover.”

They both laughed and turned their horses towards the ranch, teasing and flirting in their normal way. Rory was watching Chance, telling his lover about what improvements he thought they should make with their breeding stock, when Chance pulled Zeus up short and grunted.

“Don’t think we’re gonna send this one packing.” Chance was looking in the direction of the house.

Rory followed his lover’s gaze and let out a whoop when he saw who was there looking for a job. He tucked his heels into Rama’s sides and took off, his eyes drawn to the pretty blonde standing on the porch with Max.

Annabelle ran down the porch steps and Rory leapt off Rama before the gelding had come to a full stop. He had enough time to fling his arms open then he was holding his sister, and rocking gently from side to side. He felt a tug on the reins and opened his eyes enough to see Max trying to take Rama for him. Rory let go of the reins and lifted Annabelle, spinning her around until she squealed with laughter.

“Put me down!” Annabelle playfully swatted Rory on the shoulder. “I want to meet your man.” She cut her eyes in Chance’s direction. “Damn, brother, he is hot!”

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Rory turned his head and looked at the sexy-as-fuck man sitting right where he’d reined Zeus in a few minutes ago. The brim of his black Stetson cast a shadow over most of his face, but there was no hiding the fact Chance was a handsome man—and kind enough to hang back and give Rory and Annabelle as much privacy as he could.

“God, Rory, you look like you just melted inside.”

Rory glanced at Annabelle and found her studying him. “Why wouldn’t I? He’s…he’s everything.”

Annabelle’s eyes had a teary sheen to them, but she blinked furiously and gave Rory a quick hug. “Then tell your everything to get his butt over here so I can finally meet him in person.”

Rory smiled at Chance and gestured him over. “You want to tell me why you’re here looking for a job, Annabelle?”

“Can I tell you once your sexy boss gets over here?”

Rory reached over and poked his sister in the ribs. “He’s gay, sis, and mine.”

Annabelle sighed and stuck her tongue out at Rory. “Doesn’t mean he isn’t sexy.”

Rory watched the blush sweep over Chance’s cheekbones and poked his sister again.

“Doesn’t mean he’s deaf, either.”

“Oops.” Annabelle walked over to Chance before he reined Zeus to a stop. “Sorry if I embarrassed you, but he is my brother—and you are sexy. And I’m Annabelle, as I’m sure you figured out.”

The saddle creaked as Chance leant down and clasped Annabelle’s hand. “Yes ma’am.

Chance Galloway.”

Rory wondered if the ‘yes ma’am’ was an agreement that she had embarrassed him or an admission that he knew who she was. He met Chance’s amused gaze and decided it was both.

“Here, boss, let me take Zeus so ya can sit down and tell this cowgirl how ya ain’t hiring.” Max grinned up at Chance.

“You could have mentioned the person enquiring was Annabelle.” Rory’s lips quirked as Max shook his head.

“Where’s the fun in that? ‘Sides, you two shoulda been done moving them cattle a good while ago.”

Chance’s brow furrowed. “Max, who writes out your paycheque? And we weren’t—”

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“Um, Chance—” Rory wasn’t sure what was fixing to come out of his lover’s mouth.

“As I was saying, I’ve got the biggest smartasses in the world working for me. And we weren’t doing anything!” Chance swung down from the horse and handed over the reins.

“‘Course not.” Max chuckled and led Zeus off.

“You ready to tell us what happened?” Rory checked his sister over thoroughly. Their father had never struck her before, but he’d never been as hateful as he’d become in the past year or so.

“I couldn’t take listening to him anymore, Rory.” Annabelle shrugged. “He’s full of so much hate and anger, and I’m not going to hide the fact that you’re my brother and I love you. If that means he sells the Mossy G, well…”

“You love that ranch, sis. We’ll figure out something.” Rory stopped because Annabelle was already shaking her head.

“That’s just a place, Rory. All the good memories are in here, and here.” Annabelle tapped her head first then her heart.

“You’re so hired,” Chance’s deep voice cut through the silence.

Who’d have known all those months ago that the instant and irresistible pull he’d felt for one nearly panicked man in a club would lead to this? Fate had brought them together, not once but twice. They’d worked out their differences and faced things that might have forced other people apart, but had only served to bring them closer together.

Now, Rory watched as Chance looped his arm through Annabelle’s. He’d thought his life was complete before, but with Annabelle here, his heart was overflowing. Family, friends, and the love of not only a good man, but the
best
man. Rory felt like he was living a fairy tale—and that was more than okay, because he knew that, even though there were sure to be a few bumps along the way, he and Chance would have their happily ever after.

About the Author

A native Texan, Bailey spends her days spinning stories around in her head, which has contributed to more than one incident of tripping over her own feet. Evenings are resounds for pounding away at the keyboard, as are the early morning hours. Sleep?

Doesn’t happen much. Writing is too much fun, and there are too many characters bouncing about, tapping on Bailey’s brain, demanding to be let out.

Caffeine and chocolate are permanent fixtures in Bailey’s office and are never far from hand at any given time. Removing either of those necessities from Bailey’s presence can result in what is known as A Very, Very Scary Bailey and is not advised under any circumstances.

Email: [email protected]

Bailey loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at
http://www.total-e-bound.com
.

Also by Bailey Bradford

Southern Spirits: Wait Until Dawn

Southern Spirits: All of the Voices

Southern Spirits: When the Dead Speak

Southern Spirits: A Subtle Breeze

Southwestern Shifters: Reckless

Southwestern Shifters: Relentless

Southwestern Shifters: Rescued