Love in Xxchange: Rory's Last Chance by Bailey Bradford (poetry books to read txt) 📗

was a seductive move that had goose bumps rising all over Chance’s body by the time Rory stopped and released Chance’s thumb. “Neither. I think maybe we were just lonely.”

It took Chance a full minute to remember what the question was to Rory’s answer.

Once he did, he realised the younger man was right.

“I don’t deserve you.” The words were out before Chance could censor them. He pressed as close to Rory as he could, leaning forward so the next words were whispered into Rory’s ear. “But I am damn sure going to keep you.”

A shaky relieved laugh accompanied the movement of Rory’s arms as he hugged Chance. “I think you do, and I’m going to keep you, too, boss.”

Chance didn’t think he’d ever heard a better vow than that one. He just hoped Rory felt that way for a very long time, like another forty or fifty years.

RORY’S LAST CHANCE

Bailey Bradford

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Chapter Thirteen

Chance sat at his desk, lost in thought. He had fucked up plenty of times, and he’d learned to do what he needed to in order to rectify his mistakes. Forgiving himself had never been easy, but he’d thought he had managed, for the most part.

Now he was faced with the realisation that the biggest mistake of his life had never really been addressed, and because of that, Rory had been hurt. Chance would have to live with the knowledge that, if he’d only had the balls to do something when Art had assaulted him, if he’d only spoken out or beat the man to death…

But he hadn’t done anything, other than quit the circuit. He’d accepted what Art had done to him as a just punishment for too long, never stopping to think that the psychotic asshole might do the same thing to someone else. And, with age comes wisdom—hopefully.

Chance knew now that he hadn’t deserved what happened to him. It had just been easier to slink away.

He couldn’t do that this time. Whether it was his own sense of culpability or the sheer evil act Art had perpetrated on Rory, or a mix of both, Chance couldn’t be passive any more.

He cared too deeply for his younger lover, and he ached with the need for retribution on Rory’s behalf.

Then there was also the very real threat to Rory’s sister. Art had played both ways back when Chance knew him, and he had no reason to think the man restricted his violence to one sex.

Rory would be opposed, Chance was certain. Not to protecting Annabelle, but to the confrontation Chance had in mind with Art. It would happen, though, and Chance just hoped Rory would forgive him for it afterwards.

First things first, Chance needed a reason to head up north, one that didn’t involve paying a visit to a certain son of a bitch. He also needed to see if he could find out anything about Art’s schedule, his habits, when he was away from the Mossy Glenn, because it was a sure bet that Chance wouldn’t be allowed to set foot on that property. Asking Annabelle for any help was out, as she would definitely tell her brother. Besides that, if Art found out she was involved in any way…That didn’t bear thinking about, other than as something to avoid RORY’S LAST CHANCE

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at all costs.

He needed to do some research, find out if there was any good stock for sale somewhere near the Mossy Glenn. And he needed to find out as much as he could about Art.

It was past time for a reckoning between them.

Hours later, Chance stretched and tried to pop the kinks out of his back. He’d found some stock that he really was interested in, and the price was right. The drive to Montana was going to suck, but it couldn’t be helped.

He also had a plan, albeit a loosely formed one that involved a lot of hanging around in town a few miles from the Mossy G and waiting for Art to make a visit. Unless he’d changed drastically—and obviously, he hadn’t—Art would be in town often. The man had been easily bored and allergic to hard work when Chance had known him. Two or three days at the most, and Chance would have the opportunity he wanted. He just hoped there weren’t any witnesses around.

Pounding on the front door startled him. He’d been so focussed on formulating a plan that he hadn’t heard anyone drive up. Chance hurried to the door, the nonstop banging on it sparking his temper.

He skidded to a halt upon seeing the smiling face on the other side of the screen door.

How he managed to keep from groaning was beyond him.

This was all he needed now—one of his exes showing up to make his life hell. Before Chance could even ask what the hell the other man was doing here, his unwanted visitor squealed—which Chance believed no grown man should ever do—and yanked the screen door open.

“Oh my God, Chance Galloway! I can’t believe I finally found you!” This particular ex was obviously still made of equal parts energy and horny—but he’d also known Art, which was the only reason Chance didn’t shove the guy right out the door.

He did, however, bat the man’s groping hands away from his ass…and dick.

“Bo, cut it out. I mean it.” Maybe if he said it a few more times, Bo would actually listen. “What are you doing here, anyway?”

Bo lowered his lashes and gave him what Chance guessed was supposed to be a coy look—he really wasn’t sure.

“Is there somewhere we can talk? About what you’ve got in the way of rough stock?”

Chance studied his ex for several moments before nodding. As he led the way to his RORY’S LAST CHANCE

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office, Chance didn’t doubt for a minute that Bo had more on his mind than the status of the rough stock. And he wasn’t sure he wanted to know just what that more was.

Rory pulled the