A large alarm went off in the back room and he had looked like he was about to talk to Chance, but instead his attention snapped to the door.
"I need to take care of this. Kitchen's off to the right, bathroom is that door off the kitchen. I'll be back soon. You rest, eat and drink whatever you want." He told him and took off into the backroom to deal with the alarm. Chance sat there on the couch, unsure of everything in his life, and a simple kiss made it so much worse. he realized he wanted whatever that passion or spark was that he'd felt with this man was the kind he wanted in his life, not some sham of a marriage to keep up appearances. Denise had kissed him once and it hadn't felt anything but cold and wet. Nothing like this.
Sighing in defeat, he wondered if he could go through a marriage to a person he barely knew and certainly wasn't attracted too. Burying his hands in his face he wondered if he could stand up to his father and tell him the truth at last.
Chapter 2
Sneaking back to the room after he'd left, Chance saw all the cameras and TV's in the backroom. There were monitors everywhere, sensors, and other equipment lining the room top to bottom. It looked like some weird room out of a spy movie. Chance felt a little guilty snooping, but he didn't know anything about the man who's house he was in, and he apparently know plenty about him
What he saw, however, was not what he was expecting. Shocked completely by what was on the cameras, he saw him strip his clothes off and couldn't take his eyes off the screen. Wondering why he was taking his clothes off, he noticed the way his waist tapered to his hips and he had strong legs with muscles that made him look like he did a lot of running.
What happened next would have traumatized most people, but Chance was enthralled. He shifted, the white light that encircled him didn't last long but when it flashed and disappeared, standing there was a gigantic black bear who was sniffing at the trees.
So, this was his secret. He was an animal shifter. Chance had a particular interest in the paranormal and had since he was a kid. It was a secret that no one knew about him, not even his father. he swore as a kid he'd seen a boy shift into a wolf once, and had never been able to shake the feeling that shifters were real. Here was his proof. What was he going to do about it?
Looking around the room, he saw his diplomas on the wall and finally caught his name. Ace Barkeley. Somehow, that suited him. He watched him on the monitors for a while longer, and saw him find a wolf that was trapped in a metal trap, using his paws, he freed the wolf. It snarled at him, but limped off when it was freed. With his strength of the bear, he ripped the trap off the ground and broke it in half. He left it in pieces by the tree and then sniffed the ground. He walked around and random cameras would come on and pick up his movements on the monitors. Chance watched with fascination, but when he saw him run back to his clothes and shift back to human, Chance quickly left the room and shut the door behind him.He walked into the kitchen and got some water and drank it, trying to understand what he'd just seen. It should have traumatized him, he should have run out of here screaming in the other direction, but all he could think about was seducing the man and seeing if his feelings for him were real.
When he came back into the house he paused and looked at him drinking water by the sink. "Sorry, poachers caught a tagged wolf. I'll have to track it down tomorrow to check on it and see if I need to tranq it and get the vet out here to fix it."
"Did you catch the poachers?" Chance asked, knowing that he hadn't, but he didn't want him to know he'd seen him shift.
"No, but I think I will know them the next time they come into my park." He growled low in his throat as he said it and Chance had an eerie chill go up his spine. This was a man you didn't want to cross.
"Why were you in my camera room?" He asked and leaned against the doorway of the kitchen and watched his reaction. Chance froze with the cup midair towards his mouth.
"What?" he whispered and gulped.
The man raised a brow in his direction. "Let's start over, my name is Ace, you already told me you were Chance. Now, Chance, tell me why you snooped in my office."
"I... I just wanted to see what the alarms and cameras were. I meant no harm." Chance told him and set the glass down. he walked over to him and looked up at him facing his fears. This man could snap his neck in a single motion if he wanted too. If he was going to harm Chance, he wouldn't be able to get away from him, so instead he faced him head on.
"I'm guessing the cameras weren't the only thing you saw." He whispered softly and looked down at Chance. The energy between them grew thick. Chance nodded at him and then before he could stop himself, he put a hand against his chest and looked up at him, his eyes fascinated with his features.
"You don't scare me." Chance said, though that wasn't entirely true. This bear standing in front of him did scare him , but in a good way. When he stood next to him, he felt safe, protected, as if he'd be able to keep all the bad guys away. he snorted, he had body guards for that if he needed it, yet with him Chance felt like he didn't need guns to keep him safe. Just Ace.
"I bite." Ace told him and watched his reaction. When Chance's eyes widened with shock and then arousal, his nostrils flared and he could smell it. His musky scent. He swallowed hard and shut his eyes. Whatever was going on between the two of them needed to stop before he did something he regretted.
Like falling for a politician’s son. It was enough that he had the bear inside him. In fact, some of his friends joked that bears were popular among the gay community. He should just let his hear down and enjoy the perks. But that was part of the reason he moved out here in the first place. Now here was this Adonis standing in front of him, practically throwing himself at him.
A man like him wasn't the kind that Chance's father would approve of dating his son. . Yet, he couldn't stop himself. He reached out and touched Ace's hair. The strands of hair rolled between his fingers smoothly and Ace lowered his head and kissed him. .He knew who and what he really was and was still standing here in front of him and when their lips touched, he melted against him and he brought his arms around Chance to hold him tight. Unable to resist him, he let his lips part against Chance's, and thrust his tongue between them to let the age old dance of seduction begin.
Tugging at the buttons on his shirt and jacket, Chance pulled the first few buttons apart. Putting his hand inside his shirt he touched his skin. Ace had thick hair on his chest and he tangled his fingers in his chest hair and tugged slightly.
Ace hissed in a breath and felt himself grow uncomfortably hard in his pants. Feeling a niggle that he was taking advantage of the situation, he finally broke the kiss and took a step back. This kid was well connected after all. What if...?
"I should get you home." He said gruffly. "Your father will kill me."
"I'm a grown man, Ace. let me decide what I want." Chance said pushing himself closer to kiss him again. he didn't want to give him a chance to change his mind. Chance new what he wanted. He wanted him.
"Chance, you're tempting, believe me, but I don't want to do anything you'll regret in the morning." Ace told him and put his hands on his shoulders, intending to push him away. Chance grabbed his hand and guided it firmly between his legs, letting him feel how hard he had already become. Before he could react Chance pressed against him and kissed him, wrapping his arms around his neck. he wouldn't let him reject him. he could tell he wanted him, he wanted him, especially now that Chance had seen proof he was a shifter. It wasn't because he was a shifter, he'd wanted him since first laying eyes on him. But knowing he was real, it made it that much sweeter.
"Ace, I'm a big boy, let me make my own decisions, okay? Besides, I always did have a thing for bears."
“It’s not that I don’t respect that you’re capable of making a decision, Chance, it’s that I don’t want to get on your father’s bad side. He’s already tried to shut down a lot of our funding for the local parks, and if I piss him off by getting involved with you, it could make it worse.” Ace told him the truth.
“You are playing with fire Chance,” He told him as he continued to touch him.
Looking up at him, Chance flashed a big smile. “I like it hot.”
Ace shut his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. This guy was nothing but trouble and he found him irresistible. He’d always had an eye for the clean cut city type.
Chapter 3
Ace grabbed Chance by the shoulders and guided him back to his bedroom. Setting him gently on the bed he took his shirt off, one button at a time. Slowly, giving him an opportunity to change his mind and run screaming in the other direction. . When Chance took his shirt off, the sight of the half-clad, fae-like young man sitting in front of him, he had to resist the urge to pounce on the bed and have his way right then and there. As much as Ace hated to admit it, it had been a while. Maybe he missed human contact more than he cared to admit. Forcing himself to hold still he started to work on the rest of his clothes as he revealed himself to Chance one piece of clothing at a time.
He left his boxers on and climbed onto the bed next to Chance. Touching his hair gently he finger-combed it for a few minutes before clenching his fists and offering a gentle tug, moving on to touching his neck and shoulders, seducing him slowly, taking his time. He kissed him passionately as he moved his fingers down the length of Chance's sinewy body and between his legs. He wanted it, and if he was going to do something wild and crazy, he might as well make it count.
Ace let Chance touch him and didn’t try to stop him when he found his way to his groin. he grabbed him tight and he had to shut his eyes for a second and shuttered, it had been a long time since a anyone had touched him like this. Partially by choice of living so isolated, and partially because he was worried he’d shift in front of a human who would be traumatized by seeing it. Chance was different. he knew shifters existed somehow even before he’d spied on him from his cameras and wasn’t scared of him.
“I like when you stroke me right there,” he murmured as he touched his between thighs, he was growing harder by the minute and his fingers continued to stroke the length of him. Ace could barely contain himself at the dips and shadows of Chance's hard body, the way his cock grew firm under his grasp. Ace continued to touch his cock with his fingers and palm.
Chance spread his legs wider, inviting him to go further. Chance wanted him and he didn’t bother to hide his desire for him. When he pushed himself off his side to lay between his legs he kissed him as he guided himself between his legs and rubbed the tip of his cock against his most sensitive flesh. Chance pushed his hips up, inviting him inside. Ace, licked his finger, slicked the length of his cock and slipped inside starting to thrust hard towering over him and watching his face, contorted in pain and pleasure. He kept an even pace, grinding his groin against him so that he entered up to the hilt with each thrust. He tipped his head back and and cried out. Ace paused long enough to flip Chance over for better leverage. He leaned his head down to nip at the tan skin of his neck and shoulder. Feeling Ace getting closer to climax, Chance squeezed him and it nearly sent him over the edge. He stopped moving for a minute to try to control his orgasm, not wanting to cum quite yet. Chance had other ideas, he reached back and grabbed his ass, tucking under his knees and grinded himself up against him. Ace moaned and started to move hard and fast inside him, feeling the muscles squeezing him hard he couldn’t last much longer. He’d have to make it up to him later, shuddering, his climax hit him hard and fast and he tensed up, his entire body jerking on top of him. Chance arched his back and shook around him as he took him deep. “Mmmm, that felt so good.”
“You came?” Ace whispered, surprised. He’d been so wrapped up in his own feelings, he didn’t Realize Chance had also cum.
“Yes, I did, that’s why I didn’t want you to stop, I’d been so close to the edge.” Chance grinned at him and pressed a firm kiss against his lips. “As soon as your up for round two, let me know, Papa Bear.”
“Round two?” Ace blinked at him and then a slow smiled curved his lips. “I think I can handle that.
“I hope so,” Grinning, he wiggled against him, relishing the feel of his muscular arm draped around his waist.
Chapter 4
When they arrived at the door to Chance's father's house, Ace stood back on the steps waiting. Chance fiddled nervously with the button on his sleeve, his jacket slung over his arm. Even though they had talked until nearly morning about what to do, Chance still felt a bit like a dear in headlights. When his father opened the door, Chance was surprised to see his fiance standing next to him glaring out from under her perfectly styled bangs with anger and worry.
“I… can explain?” Chance said, though it sounded more like a question, like he wasn’t sure of the answer.
“I’ll see you later Chance, I’ll see if I can get your car unstuck.” Ace said and made a hasty exit.
“Who was that man?” Henry asked his son, startled when the big hulking bear of a man was walking away from them and got in his pick up to leave.
“That's my boyfriend, Dad.”
Denise let out a small cry and covered her mouth with her hand. Henry glared at Chance, with a look that would have once made him cower.
“Yes, that's right. I said 'boyfriend'. Don't act like it's that big of a surprise. And I’m sorry, Denise,” he said addressing his fiancé for the first time “I wanted to tell you myself, privately, I didn’t mean for you to find out by seeing us like that.” Chance said and felt like rubbing his hands over his face. “Denise, I’m sorry, but I cannot marry you. I don’t love you and you deserve someone who can love you.”
“I’m willing to overlook a pre-marriage indiscretion as long as it doesn’t happen again. Perhaps we could... work something out?” Denise said, sounding cold and something about the way he said it made Chance feel like he wasn't being seen as a person.
“I can’t Denise , I’m sorry.” he told him and pushed past the two of them to go to his room. he needed a shower, and time to think about what he’d just did to his father. He was not going to be happy about this. .
A couple hours later, his father found him and opened his bedroom door. Leaning against the doorframe he stared at Chance . “Want to explain to me what’s going on?”
“Dad you've known for a long time that I don't... I can't marry the way you want me to.”
“This is just ridiculous, Chance. Denise is well connected. Stop acting like a spoiled child.”
“Dad, I don't like girls! I'm gay!”
His father took a step back and silently sat down on the chair behind him, almost as if on automatic.
“I… found someone I actually like.” Chance continued. “As a man. Not someone who’s going to improve your political career, but someone who actually makes me happy when I’m alone with him. I’m sorry it’s not Denise, or one of your well-bred socialites. , I tried, but I can’t do it Dad.” Chance told him and walked over giving his dad a sad hug. “I know it was important to you, but isn’t my future and happiness important too?”
“Of course your happiness is important to me. But you never had anyone special. I thought maybe you hadn't met the right girl yet. I just want to see you settled down and happy. Chance, if this man makes you happy, then I’m not going to get in your way.” Henry told him and scratched his head and looked a little confused. “If you didn’t like Denise, why didn’t you tell me?”
“I wanted to make you happy Dad, a lot of people marry someone they barely know, and only kind of like and it works out long-term if both people want to make it work. There’s a lot of factors when it comes to a successful relationship, and love isn’t always enough.” Chance sighed and smiled at his dad. he appreciated that he could be reasoned with. he never knew, he could be a little moody.
It appeared he was in a reasonable, happy mood today.
“So, what happened to your car?” Henry asked his brows up looking curious.Chance looked a little sheepish and then laughed. “I got it stuck in the mud. Ace helped me out last night, brought me home. We have a date. I’m going. I hope you like him, he’s a good man. He’s not rich, and he’s not in politics, but he’s a strong, determined man with good life goals that you’d be able to respect.”
“Is it important to you that I am okay with him?” Henry asked.
“I would be happier if you liked him.” he said and shrugged. “I don’t think you liking him or disliking him would make me change mind though. It’s one of those things were when you meet the right person, I think you just know. He’s that person for me, Dad.”
“If you’re sure he’ll make you happy, then you have my support.” Henry told his son , and wondered how he was going to break the news to Denise's family. . Her father wouldn’t take it well. Denise had wanted his son for a while, but he wouldn’t force Chance to marry someone he didn’t want.
Even if it met he had political problems and donation issues with the upcoming election. But Chance didn’t need to know or worry about that part, Denise and her father could be very dangerous people , and the more Henry learned about them, the more he realized that he didn’t want his son anywhere near them. He was relieved that he’d ended it himself.
Chapter 5
Chance was quite happy to be seeing Ace for dinner tonight. He dressed nice but understated, dress slacks and his silk jacket, and wanted the night to take them back to his house. he liked his house even though it was small and not fancy. No maids, no security cameras, everything about him and where he lived represented the life Chance wanted.
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