Dal grumbled but followed along, continuing to ask what they were doing, a question Chase steadfastly ignored.
A few minutes later, things set to his exacting specifications, his laptop ready, Chase motioned to the band and then to Dal, who was across the room. The music came to a halt as a drop-down screen covered a large section of wall. After another moment, Chase spoke. “Today we are here to celebrate the beginning of a new life for James and Seth, both as newlywed husbands and as fathers to their precious little one, Danni. I hope you will forgive the interruption and take a few moments to share their joy, their happiness, and their lives.”
Chase signaled to Dal and hit the Enter key. Moments later, the screen filled with a slide show of each man’s life and family. It included James’s grandparents and some of his friends, though Chase skipped his estranged family. As the show wore on, the pictures took on a more loving and sweet tone of the two men together. Gasps and applause immediately spread around the room, as did the occasional chuckle and aww.
Once the show was over and the lights turned up again, Chase noticed that James sat in Seth’s lap, cuddled against his chest—both were smiling. Shortly afterward, the dancing resumed.
Minutes later, Chase stood near the edge of the dance floor, debating what he wanted to do, when a hand landed on his shoulder. When he turned, he was faced with a teary-eyed James. “That was wonderful, Chase.” He paused, swallowed hard, and threw his arms around Chase’s neck. “Thank you,” he added, his voice cracking at the end.
“I’m so happy for you, Jamie! Now, go give that sexy man of yours a hug for me.”
James tightened his arms for a moment before pulling back to look Chase over. “I will. I think I’ll leave you for now, though. It looks like someone else wants your attention, dear,” he murmured and smiled.
As James headed back to where Seth waited, Chase turned and was suddenly faced with Rhys. He stood tall, Rhys’s strength seemingly captured and accentuated in the formal wear he wore.
“Yes, hun?” Chase asked and smiled. He debated between running away and throwing his arms around Rhys’s neck and kissing him stupid.
A huge smile broke across Rhys’s handsome, chiseled face as he took a single step. “Hello, Chase. Would you care to dance?”
Chase gulped hard, amazed as always by the beauty and size of the man before him. “I, um….”
Rhys took advantage of Chase’s moment of indecision to move closer, their shoes nearly touching. “Chase?”
“Why?” Chase stared up into Rhys’s iridescent green eyes, entranced yet terrified. He knew his strength to resist Rhys was at an end, but he still feared the pain he knew would come when Rhys left him. They all left in the end.
“Because…. Because, I have wanted to dance with you since the first time I saw you.”
Chase scowled, snapping at Rhys, but Rhys held up his hand, placing his fingers against his lips, effectively derailing his thoughts. After a moment, Rhys continued. “I know I was stupid and ran you off the night we met. I have regretted that moment from about five seconds after the words came out of my mouth.”
“It will only end in hurt feelings and pain, Rhys.” Even Chase could hear the mingled sadness and lack of conviction in his words.
“I have no intention of giving up on you, Chase. Wrap your cute little self around that fact and take a chance on me. On us.”
Chase looked around, hunting for a way to escape. Rhys had already stolen his heart and hurt him twice. No man ever got more than one screw-up…. Well, not until Rhys. When he realized everyone important to him seemed to be watching them, Chase shifted his feet, closing his eyes as he fought for strength. “I really don’t think—”
“I know you don’t,” Rhys interrupted. His left hand slid up Chase’s throat, a gentle caress Chase leaned into before he realized what he was doing. “But you’re wrong, and I’m not going to give up on you. I will not harass you, but I intend to win your heart. No matter how long I have to wait for you to realize we are perfect for each other.”
“You’re going to what?” Chase barely got out, his voice nothing more than a whisper.
“Court you. Woo you. Whatever you want to call it. I know you care for me too, Chase. Please give in and allow us a real chance?” Rhys stepped back, extending his right hand.
Chase stared at the hand, calculating what his chances were of escaping Rhys, how much trouble he’d be in if he ran, and if his heart had any hope of surviving what he knew was going to happen. Quickly sweeping the room again, Chase swallowed hard and cleared his throat. He opened his mouth to accept, but nothing came out. He snapped it closed, mortified as he knew everyone stared at them. He finally managed a small nod, shivering hard when Rhys took his hand, gently pulling him toward the dance floor.
Rhys led, which was fine with Chase. While he liked to lead in the bedroom, he preferred the role he usually took out of it. After only a few steps, though, the area seemed to come to life, clapping and whistles barraging them. Chase cursed under his breath, at himself for accepting so publicly and at Rhys for being so open with his declaration of intent.
“I may never forgive you for this,” Chase grumbled, though he made sure to keep a smile plastered on his face.
“I’ll take my chances. You’re worth it.”
Against his wishes, he melted into Rhys’s arms, reveling in his scent and strength as it wrapped around him, seeming to create a cocoon of warmth and hope around Chase.
AS THE guests lingered, watching James and Seth slide into the Rolls-Royce limo, Rhys pulled Chase back against his chest, arms wrapped around him tight. “Wave good-bye, sweetheart. I want one more dance before I have to head out.”
Chase tensed in his arms for the first time in hours. “Head out? Where are you going?”
Rhys smiled, thankful Chase couldn’t see him. “Unfortunately, the wicked don’t rest. There are a few things I still need to tend to tonight at the office.” He shrugged, hoping Chase wouldn’t ask too much about the case. He did not want to tell him yet about the death. Not at a wedding.
“You need me on it?”
“No, not yet. Your part can wait until later, baby. Come dance and then walk me to my car?”
“Still not sure this is a good idea, but okay.”
Pleased with Chase’s acquiescence, Rhys pulled the slight man into his arms and moved with him as the music started again.
“Where did you learn to dance, by the way?”
“You didn’t think I could dance?” Rhys asked, amused by the innocent question.
“No, yes. Not a lot of tough guys know how to ballroom dance, much less will admit to it. That’s all I meant, hun.”
“Relax, cariadon. You’re so tense, it’s like dancing with a board instead of the lithe man I know you to be.” He hadn’t meant to upset Chase, but sometimes maneuvering the minefield of what was and was not going to annoy Chase was beyond him. “And to answer you, Mom insisted Dal and I both learn to dance ‘properly’.” She’d been adamant he learn. At the time, he’d been angry with her. But now? Now Rhys was happy and made a mental note to thank her.
“Probably why you’re so fluid and graceful when you move,” Chase commented, seemingly unaware of the impact of his casual words. “Whatever the reason, I’m glad for it.”
They continued dancing for the remainder of the song. When it ended, he pulled away, already missing Chase’s body against his. “Thank you.”
Chase looked up, meeting his eyes, and gave him such a sweet smile, he hated himself for needing to leave. “For what?”
Instead of answering, Rhys bent to brush his lips across Chase’s. When Chase didn’t pull back or complain, he decided to do it again, letting their lips press together. He increased the pressure, enjoying the slow movement as they danced together. Flicking his tongue out, he teased the seam of Chase’s lips and the sexy little silver hoop there.
Chase parted his lips, but Rhys didn’t deepen the kiss, happy to keep it light and buildin
g. Neither man noticed when the music started again, too focused on the simple pleasure of being together in that moment. When he finally pulled away, he looked down into the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen, pupils blown wide with desire. The soft sigh he heard brought him in for one last touch before he stood back and lifted Chase’s right hand to his lips, kissing the underside of his wrist.
He ran the fingers of his other hand up Chase’s throat, loving the shivers and soft sigh. “For giving me a chance. For the dance. For being you,” he finally answered. “Please be safe tonight, okay?”
Chase nodded. “So, I’ll see you at work Monday?”
Rhys closed his eyes, reminding himself he needed to spend more time with Chase, building trust between them, before inviting him back to his home. “Breakfast tomorrow?” he countered.
Chase looked at his watch and frowned. “Okay, but I’m so not cooking after everything today. Um,” he continued, flicking the lip ring as he thought. “The coffee shop by your place at nine?”
“Sounds good, sweetheart. I really am sorry to go, but I have to. See you in the a.m.” Rhys didn’t wait for Chase to walk him out like he’d originally suggested, certain he wasn’t strong enough to spend any more time with Chase without dragging him up to his room and begging to have his way with him again.
Chapter 12
CHASE STOOD out front of the shop he’d told Rhys to meet him at the night before, more nervous than he could remember being since his first date when he was a teen. “It’s not even a date, dammit,” he mumbled to himself, annoyed when the butterflies ignored him and continued their acrobatic assault of his stomach. He slung his backpack over one shoulder before looking down the street to where he knew Rhys’s home and office were. Finally, when he couldn’t think of anything else to do, he pocketed his keys and tugged the cuff on his left wrist, wishing he could think up a decent excuse to back out—not that his heart would let him if he tried.
Giving the door a frown, he stepped inside. He paused in the doorway to let his eyes adjust to the dimmer lighting. Once he was certain he wouldn’t trip on anything, he headed to the counter to get his coffee. He waited in line for his turn and debated between the chocolate cheesecake brownie and an apple-strudel muffin bigger than his fist. Both were calling his name, he was sure of it.
“Chase?”
He turned at the sound of his name and smiled before he thought about it. Rhys sat at one of the small tables, two drinks, a muffin, and a brownie in front of him. “Some of that for me?” he teased.
“Yep, so get over here before your drink gets cold.” The wide grin on Rhys’s face calmed him even as the heated look in his eyes stirred his body.
As he walked over to the table, he made sure to put a little extra sway to his hips and gave Rhys his best smile. “Mmm, which one’s for me, hun,” he purred. “Or do you plan to torment me by eating both, Sayer?”
Rhys chuckled. “That one’s for you,” he said, motioning to the cup farthest from him. “The Goth-looking barista up there said it was what you usually get.”
He sat across from Rhys, inordinately pleased over having coffee and treats waiting for him. “Gabe?”
Rhys grumbled, the scowl accompanying the sound making Chase inexplicably happy. Was the man really jealous of the very straight, very taken coffee boy? Sweet! Deciding to not poke the Rhys bear for once, he raised his brow and asked, “And the nummies?”
“I wasn’t sure which you would like better, so I got one of each. Your choice.”
Chase pondered the man as he thought about which bakery item he wanted. They both looked so good. Instead of picking one, he reached out and carefully broke each in half, placing a piece of each on a napkin. “There. That looks better.”
“Creative solution.” The chuckle from the other side of the table pleased him more than he thought it should.
He raised his fingers and carefully licked the tips clean with slow, teasing motions. The heat in Rhys’s eyes flared white hot, making him wonder how fast they could get back to Rhys’s place.
“God, sweetheart.” Rhys groaned and stared down at the table intently. “There are laws against things like that in public, or there ought to be.”
He laughed, pleased with how thoroughly he affected Rhys. “I’ll be good. I promise.”
“Yes, you are, sweetheart. Now, eat up and behave.”
Chase fake pouted at him, but nibbled at his food, taking sips of his cappuccino every so often.
After a few minutes of quiet eating, he spoke again. “So, you asked me to breakfast so we could talk, but you don’t seem to be saying anything, hun. What gives?”
Rhys sat back in his chair, clutching his coffee as if maybe hoping it would protect him somehow. After another moment or two, he looked up, and their eyes met and locked. “I know I have a bad track record with you, but I meant what I said yesterday.”
Chase took a moment to sip his peppermint mocha cappuccino and consider what Rhys might be referring to. They had said a great many things to each other over the course of the day, starting from when they awoke in each other’s arms to when Rhys walked away after their last dance. “Meaning what?”
“Not about to make any of this easier on me, are you?”
With a smirk, he shook his head. He laughed when Rhys’s frown turned into a full-out glower. “Uh-uh. And nope, the man grunt won’t work either.”
“Ass.”
“Yep, and it’s a sexy one too. Don’t you think?”
“You’re gonna make me say it, aren’t you?” Rhys asked, not taking the bait. “Fine. I want to properly date you. Take you out. Do things together…. Date.” The last sounded more like a question than a statement.
Chase considered all the possible answers he could give, still not completely sold on them being together. “I don’t usually give second chances, and we work together, so I’m a little concerned about when this goes wrong.”
“When?”
“So far you’ve insulted me, degraded me, shunned me, and ignored me. Oh, and let’s not forget lied to and about me.”
“I said I was sorry about that. I won’t keep saying it. You have to either forgive me or not, but there were a few things going on at the time that caused my part of the problem.”
“You never told me why you acted like such a creep that night, but unless it’s germane to the future, I won’t ask.” He paused to see if Rhys would say anything. Honestly, it bugged the hell out of him, but he wouldn’t push.
“I had just thrown Garrett out. Cheating and I don’t mix.”
“And he looked just enough like me to have you acting like a total ass?” Cheating? Why the hell would someone cheat on a guy like Rhys? Not that he had any patience with cheaters in the first place… but on Rhys? “Yeah, I can see it,” he added, not liking the implications or Rhys’s ex. “After meeting him, I’d hate me too.”
The grunt his comment received made him laugh. “Fair enough. I’m not going to deal with your ex, though. He comes sniffing around again, and he’ll find out exactly how little I tolerate little boys like him.”
“Somehow, I have a feeling you don’t lose.” Rhys smirked and shook his head. “I don’t think he’ll try that again. Not after last time. But I have no interest in ever seeing him again.”
“You sure?” He had to ask, though it made him a little sick to do so. However, after Rhys screaming that slut’s name instead of his, yeah, he had to ask.
Rhys’s brows pulled together as he stared intently at Chase. “Uh, yeah. Real sure. That day he showed up was the first time I’d seen him since the night I caught him with some trick and threw him out.”
“Caught?” That was even worse than being cheated on.
He nodded, a pinched look on his face. “In my bed,” Rhys mumbled.
“Wait, he brought home some guy to your place? That’s… I don’t know, what’s beyond sick?”
“Mm… agreed. Made Mark happy, though.”
Happy? What the hell! “That m
akes no sense, but a lot of other things suddenly do.”
“No getting pissed at Mark. He wanted me to dump Garrett months before that happened. Mark hated him.”
“Me too, hun. Me too.”
He laid a hand over Rhys’s, pleased when, instead of pulling away, Rhys turned his over, curling his fingers loosely around Chase’s. “Thank you for telling me. I know this was hard for you.” The shrug Rhys gave amused him. Never could just man up and out with the feelings. “Now, I have a few rules for you if we’re really going to do this thing.”
“Rules?” Rhys asked, and then laughed. When Chase merely nodded, he sobered and leaned forward. “You’re serious?”
With another nod, he began his short list. “My name or a pet name if you prefer, but no previous lover’s name. Ever. Punctuality is a must. If you can’t make it, let me know. Oh, and I don’t share.”
“Anything else?” Rhys asked, the look on his face a cross between amusement and confusion.
Chase thought about it for a moment. Was there? “Nope,” he said and smiled. “You?”
Rhys shook his head. “I’ve never had anyone give me rules before.”
Chase’s cell rang, drawing his attention. He held up one finger, pulled it out, and checked the screen. James? Clicking the accept button, he answered, “Hey, hun? Aren’t you and stud-boy supposed to be in bed, not coming up for air for the next week or something? What’s up?”
“I’ve got a five-minute reprieve,” James quipped, his voice bubbly and happy as Chase hadn’t heard it before. “But I had to call you to let you know our news!”
“It’s Sunday. What possible news could you have?” Did neither man know what a honeymoon was for?
“Yeah, well, we only just got the news that Danni’s grandparents dropped the custody suit. Finally. Seth is over the moon happy, as am I.”
The rustling of cloth and murmuring in the background distracted Chase for a moment, but then what Jamie said sank in. “Wait, dropped as in no more courts, social services, et cetera?”
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