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Alex batted his eyes and Beverly giggled. "I doubt that very much. I'm Beverly Davis, Chance's best friend, and you are?"

"Oh, really Chancellor, your best friend hasn't even heard about me yet?" Chance cringed at the use of his full first name, hating how pretentious it sounded. He'd been saddled with his mother's maiden name in honor of her father, who'd given them the hotel as a wedding present. Alex knew that he hated the name, but Chance chose not to complain. Alex wasn't actually angry, at least not yet, and he didn't want to make the situation worse. Instead he sidled up next to Alex and grinned up at Beverly.

"Bev, this is Alex Sharp. My boyfriend." Alex rewarded him with a beaming smile before reaching out and offering Beverly his hand to shake. She took it, squeezing hard enough that Alex grimaced. Chance hid a grin behind his hand, remembering the countless arm-wrestling matches he'd lost over the years to the surprisingly strong girl. "Okay, enough already! He needs that hand intact."

Beverly released Alex's hand and made an unladylike snort, leering suggestively between the two of them. "Yeah, I'll just bet he does."

Chance groaned and buried his face in his hands. Alex and Beverly were both laughing. Before either of them could say anything to add to his mortification the phone rang and Beverly excused herself to answer it, sparing him, he hoped, from any further embarrassment.

"Damn, babe, you sure know how to pick 'em." Alex's breath tickled over the shell of his ear and Chance smiled, glad his best friend at least had made a good impression.

"I picked you, didn't I?" Chance whispered back, wishing he had the guts to turn his head and take a kiss. Public displays of affection weren't his style though, especially not in the middle of his parent's hotel. Holding hands with his lover was as bold as he dared to get.

Beverly placed the receiver back on the cradle and grabbed two key cards, hurrying back over to them with a frown on her face. "That was your mother, Chance. She asked me to tell you not to keep your father waiting. Apparently it's been ten whole minutes since Jake called to let them know you were here."

Beverly rolled her eyes, sliding each of the cards through the machine mounted on the side of her computer monitor, activating them for Chance's usual suite of rooms. She handed them to Chance, catching his hand in hers before he could go. "So, I guess you're going to tell them now, huh?" She nodded her head in Alex's direction.

Chance nodded. Swallowing nervously, he backed away from the counter and shrugged, running his fingers through his hair. "Yeah, I am. It's time, and, uh… well, I guess I'd better get on up there."

Beverly smiled encouragingly and Chance led Alex to the elevator. After they'd climbed in, Beverly called out to them. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Alex. And, Chance? I'm proud of you!"

Chance smiled his thanks as the doors closed between them. His hands were shaking and sweat was starting to pool in his palms as he reached over to push the button for the top floor. The elevator began to climb and Alex crowded him into the corner, bending over him and placing his hands on the walls on either side of Chance's head.

"Alone at last, for a minute anyway." Alex leaned his head forward, angling for a kiss, but Chance ducked out from under his arm, moving to the other side of the elevator car. He cast a quick glance into the corner where the security camera was mounted, and then turned back to face his upset lover.

Alex was leaning back against the mirrored wall with his arms crossed over his chest and his legs crossed at the ankles. He was glowering at Chance, and his lips were pursed in an angry scowl. Chance's reticence in public settings was a strong source of contention between them, and Alex's reaction was nothing new, but right now, Chance didn't have time to grovel.

"There are cameras everywhere, Alex. The only time you can really count on privacy around here is when you're behind a locked door." Alex rolled his eyes and pushed up off the wall behind him, standing so that he towered over Chance.

"Oh, come on! Why does it matter? Kissing isn't a crime and the security guys aren't going to pay any attention to two men kissing in the elevator." Alex was truly upset; Chance could tell because his eyebrows were drawn together, something he rarely did for fear of causing wrinkles. Chance considered pointing out that he'd grown up here, the guards knew him personally, and they'd notice quick enough if one of the kissing men was the boss's son, but he held his tongue.

The lighted numbers above the door indicated they were halfway to their destination, and briefly he wondered if he'd still have a boyfriend to introduce when the car stopped.

"I'm sorry." It was all Chance could think to say, and Alex didn't bother to reply. They rode the rest of the way up in silence, not touching or even looking at each other. The time seemed to drag on forever.

Finally the elevator doors slid open and Chance led them out into the hallway and risked a glance over his shoulder. Alex wasn't frowning anymore, his expression was calm and polite, but he wouldn't meet Chance's eye. Chance smiled at him anyway, hoping he would be understanding.

The door to his parents' suite opened before the elevator even closed behind them. His mother glided out to meet him, extending her hand as if he were a visiting dignitary and not her own son. Chance took her hand, squeezing briefly and leaning forward to kiss her cheek. They were about the same height. She was tall for a woman at five feet eight, he was short for a man—and being in her presence still made him feel like a small boy. "Hello, Mother."

"Chancellor, welcome home!"

She eyed Alex critically, her raised eyebrows the only visible sign of her surprise as she extended her hand to him also.

"And you brought a friend with you? How wonderful!" She flashed a radiant smile at Alex before returning her curious gaze to her son. "Aren't you going to introduce us, dear?"

"Well, uh yeah, but… let's go inside first? I'd like to make all the introductions at once."

Out of the corner of his eye, Chance saw Alex frown but he ignored it. Chance didn't think he could make his announcement twice. It was far better to get it all over with at once. He needed to do this his way. He only hoped he could sort things out with Alex later when they were alone.

The trio entered the family suite with his mother leading the way, ushering them into the ornate parlor where his father sat waiting.

"Nathan, dear, Chancellor is here, and he's brought a friend with him."

"Yes, I can see that. Welcome home, son!"

The time that Chance spent with his father always made him uncomfortable as he struggled to impress the man and fought to keep his interest. Now, as Nathan Marshall rose from his chair and stalked across the room to greet them, Chance felt that familiar pang of stress and dread settle in his stomach. His father was six feet tall and moved like a predator, sure and dangerous, his eyes locked on Chance's. His face showed no emotion—it seldom did—and his unwavering gaze added to Chance's nervousness.

Most people were intimidated by Nathan Marshall, and Chance was certain his father wanted it that way. Despite being of average height and build, his father's presence tended to overfill any room due to his grim, ruthless intensity.

Chance wiped the sweat from his hand before holding it out. "Hello, sir. How are you?"

"Fine, son, fine!" His father took his hand and pulled him in for a fierce hug, slapping him hard on the back a few times before releasing him. The hug was unexpected, something he couldn't remember his father ever doing, and it caught him off guard.

"So, who's this you brought with you?" When his father turned his attention to Alex, looking him over from head to toe, Chance began to tremble, stuttering out his response.

"Mom, Dad… t-this is Alex Sharp," He looked up into Alex's face, silently begging his support. Alex arched an eyebrow, expectantly waiting to hear how Chance would explain his presence. Chance smiled weakly and took a deep breath, lowering his eyes and forcing the rest out with his exhaled breath. "He's my boyfriend."

At first his declaration was met with silence, stretching on for maybe twenty seconds. His parents shared a look between them, conversing without words before his mother stepped forward and offered her hand to Alex.

"Well, this is a surprise. It's a pleasure to meet you, Alex. Please, won't you come in and sit?"

"Thank you, Mrs Marshall. The pleasure is all mine, I'm sure." Alex accepted her handshake and followed her into the parlor. His mother sat in her customary chair and Alex sat on the couch across from her.

Stunned by his mother's casual reaction, Chance dared a glance at his father, hoping to gauge his reaction. The look in his father's eyes confused him. He didn't know how to describe it; not angry exactly, not disgusted, but interested. He smiled knowingly at Chance, slapping him on the shoulder and steering him into the parlor. Chance settled onto the sofa next to Alex, who immediately took his hand while his father settled into the seat next to his wife.

"Well now, Alex, is it? Why don't you tell us a little about yourself? Did you two meet at school?"

Excited by the attention, Alex launched into a colorful narration detailing his career. His parents were both
apparently
listening with rapt attention, making Alex feel welcome while Chance sat by, stunned. He pinched himself, convinced he had to be dreaming.
This couldn
'
t be happening, could it?

His parents and his lover sat together, talking and laughing like old friends and Chance forced himself to join in, trying to ignore the insistent feeling that he had somehow stepped into an alternate dimension.

****

Several hours later, Chance followed Alex into their suite and closed the door behind them. He turned and leaned with his back against the door, finally allowing the tension to leave his neck and shoulders. Alex and his parents had chatted for hours, laughing and joking while Chance watched in amazement. They had even eaten dinner with his parents and the experience left him tense, his feelings raw.

Chance watched while Alex undressed. His tie landed on the bed, his shirt falling to the floor at his feet. "Oh, my god, Chance! Your parents are amazing! I can't believe you were so worried about coming out to them. I mean, really. They were dolls! The way you went on about them I was expecting warty trolls who breathed fire." Alex shot him a dirty look before grabbing his toiletry bag and heading into the bathroom.

Chance sighed and pushed away from the door, gathering up Alex's discarded clothes before walking over to his own bag, which had been left on top of his usual dresser. He unzipped his suitcase and dug around looking for his shaving kit. He opened it and smiled, pulling out the condoms and lube he'd stashed inside.

Alex had quickly figured out on their first date that Chance was a virgin. Ever since, Chance had tried repeatedly to entice Alex into fucking him, but he always refused. They'd shared hand jobs and exchanged incredible blow jobs, but Alex refused to take things any further. He wouldn't even move in with Chance, not until he was convinced that Chance was ready to take things to the next level.

Chance appreciated Alex's consideration at first, even found it romantic, but now? Now Chance was beginning to resent it. He was ready, and he was old enough to make that decision for himself. Alex was treating him like a child rather than a partner, and Chance hoped that this trip would change that. He wanted Alex would see him for the man that he was, to respect him.

"All done. The bathroom's yours, sweet cheeks." Alex glided out of the bathroom in nothing but his boxers, climbing into bed without so much as glancing at Chance. Chance didn't bother going into the bathroom to undress. He stripped and turned out the lights, climbing into the bed with Alex. Alex was lying on his back and Chance scooted up close to him, pressing his erection into Alex's thigh and reaching under the cover to fondle Alex's cock.

"Make love to me?" Chance kissed Alex's cheek and then licked the edge of his ear, sticking his tongue inside. He still had the condoms and lube clutched in his other hand, and he laid them carefully on Alex's chest.

"Oh, for fuck's sake, Chance!" Alex slapped the supplies off his chest and onto the floor and pushed Chance away. Even in the dark of the room Chance could see the scowl on his face. Alex rolled away from him, putting his back to Chance and leaving a large space between them. "Is that all I am to you? Sex? Is that all you care about?"

"What? No! I just thought…" Chance reached out and touched Alex's shoulder, but Alex shrugged him off and slid farther away.

"
Well
,
you thought wrong! I
'
m tired
,
Chance. We
'
ve
been up since six, spent the morning on a plane
,
and
then
we got here and you freaked out, you wouldn
'
t even kiss me! Now you think we
'
re going to fuck like bunnies and make up? Forget it. Go to sleep, Chance.
"

Chance rolled onto his back and threw his arm over his eyes. He could feel his face heating and his erection was now a distant memory. He sighed and settled back on to the mattress, trying to wish himself to sleep. Things would get better in the morning, right?

Chapter Four

Thursday, July 29, 2010.

"Good evening, sir, and welcome to the Grand Chancellor Hotel." The perky redhead smiled at Mark from behind the check-in counter in the extravagant hotel lobby. "Do you have a reservation with us?"

"Yes, I do," Mark said. "It's under—"

Two men emerged from a door off to the side of the lobby, one issuing orders that drowned out Mark's words, "Beverly, Mr Stallings here is going to need one of the conference rooms from October 7th through the 10th. Could you take care of it for me? Oh, and be sure to reserve twenty rooms under his name, as well."