“Awww, that’s so sweet,” she cooed. “How have you managed to keep such a beautiful secret?”
Chase’s smile grew as he realized they’d pulled it off. Somehow, they’d turned a would-be scandal into a gorgeous love story—as it should be.
Seb spoke up, saving Chase from having to answer. “We’re private people. Since my release from rehab three years ago, we decided having a quiet life was more important than anything else. No one asked, so we didn’t offer, but I really wanted to be here tonight to support Chase. I know how important this movie is to him, especially with what I went through after my accident.”
“I said the same thing when Chase was on the show the other day,” Gloria said, interrupting.
Of course, he’d known as much and played his part to perfection. “Really?” Seb asked, sounding as if it was the first he’d heard of it. “I have the show recorded but haven’t had a chance to watch yet. I was in Los Angeles the day of the show and missed it.”
As if Seb’s claim gave her an idea, Gloria brightened. “You should both come on the show together. It would be great fun.”
“That sounds awesome,” Seb said, keeping up the smiles.
Chase pretended he saw something over Seb’s shoulder. “Oh, it looks like it’s time for us to go inside.” He focused on Gloria. “Give us a call. We’d love to join you whenever you have time for us.”
“Sounds great,” Gloria said with a smile as she stepped out of the way and let them move along. It wasn’t until they were out of earshot that Chase finally released the breath he’d been holding. Whatever happened would happen. They’d fired the first shot. Chase didn’t regret a thing.
Chapter 4
“Earlier today, former actress Vivian Murray was arrested outside Los Angeles. Murray, best known for her role as Karen on Day’s End, a long-running soap opera, was charged today with several counts of blackmail, conspiracy to commit blackmail, and extortion. If found guilty on these charges, each one carries a minimum sentence—” Seb turned the TV off and stood. He realized too late he should’ve gone to bed when Chase had an hour earlier. Now all he could do was try to keep his mind blank as he made his way down the hall. He turned off all the lights as he headed for bed. There weren’t many. After dropping their news on the red carpet, Chase and Seb had retreated to their cabin in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It was smaller than their apartment in Chelsea. Just the way Seb liked it. No place for Chase to hide. At the edge of the mattress, Seb stripped down to his underwear while staring at Chase’s sleeping form and thinking of nothing.
As Seb eased in beside Chase, Chase rolled, and draped himself over Seb’s chest like a blanket. Seb’s muscles relaxed.
“Is everything okay?”
Seb smiled into the darkness. Even half asleep, Chase knew him better than anyone. “Just want to hold my baby.”
Chase’s grip tightened. “You’ve got me.”
He did. That was everything. Seb touched his lips to Chase’s head and breathed in the man’s scent. “Do you know what my first thought was the first time we met?” Seb whispered the question, in case Chase wasn’t truly awake.
“What?”
“That Chase Murray had a nice ring to it.”
Chase tilted his chin up. His eyes sparkled even in the dark. “What was your second thought?”
“He’s mine,” Seb answered without hesitation.
He felt Chase’s lips shape into a smile against his chest. “Both those things are true. What was your third?”
Seb squeezed Chase, holding him tighter. “There wasn’t one. My brain hasn’t moved from that second thought since we met.” It was true. Chase had always been the only person who loved him. Not even the woman who’d given him life could claim as much. Three years ago, Seb had walked into traffic, determined to put an end to destroying the only person who cared about him. Instead, he cracked his skull, broken his leg, shattered his knee, and ended his chances of ever competing professionally again. Six weeks later, while the world focused on the stripping of Seb’s Olympic medal, Chase and Seb had flown to Scotland and quietly married. The entire ceremony had taken less than ten minutes. That compilation of seconds had changed Seb’s life forever, shaping him into a better person than he’d ever been. They’d never been a secret. They’d never been sordid. Their relationship was the only beautiful thing in the world as far as Seb could tell. Bringing Chase and him together was the only good thing his mother had ever done. For that reason alone, his heart hurt tonight.
“Chase.”
“Hmm,” Chase hummed, sounding as if he’d drifted off again.
“Fix me.”
Once again, he felt Chase smile against his chest. “You’re not broken.”
“Still,” Seb said, needing Chase more than the man realized. “Make me better anyhow.”
“There’s no one better,” Chase whispered even as his hand slid lower, finding its way inside Seb’s underwear.
As Chase massaged Seb’s dick, Seb’s ghosts slipped away. “I love you,” he gasped as Chase slipped down his body, trailing kisses along his stomach. “You can go back to sleep now, if you want.”
Chase’s rumble of laughter vibrated around Seb’s cock. Seb’s eyes fell closed beneath the weight of his pleasure. His life was complete.
The End
About the Author
Charity Parkerson is an award winning and multi-published author with several companies. Born with no filter from her brain to her mouth, she decided to take this odd quirk and insert it in her characters.
*2015 Readers' Favorite Award Winner
*Winner of 2, 2014 Readers' Favorite Awards
*2015 Passionate Plume Award Finalist
*2013 Readers' Favorite Award Winner
*2013 Reviewers' Choice Award Winner
*2012 ARRA Finalist for Favorite Paranormal Romance
*Five-time winner of The Mistress of the Darkpath
Connect with her online:
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