Page 17 of Fighting Fate

Zander held his stare. He was an odd mixture of scary, deep, and yet soothing. “I know you do. No one steps in my home I don’t know. Since I knew it would only be a matter of time before Chipper brought you here, I had you investigated. Apologies for the intrusiveness, but I don’t have the luxury of being any other way.”

Baylor liked him. He was straightforward. Too few people were. “I’m unbothered. In my profession, as involved as I’ve been with dignitaries and celebrities, I imagine I’ve been investigated so many times, they have a file at the ready somewhere.”

A huge grin lit Zander’s face. “I did receive the information oddly fast.”

Baylor laughed. “Ha. I knew it.” His smile slipped. They had veered off topic and Baylor wanted whatever information Zander had about Chipper. “Chipper is exactly that: a chipper facade. He doesn’t really show what’s behind the mask. I’ve caught glimpses, but I get the feeling he has to hold tightly to that visage. Otherwise.” Baylor shrugged.

Zander nodded. “He’d crack to pieces,” Zander finished for him. He resumed walking and Baylor stayed in step. “You’re the first person he’s ever brought around. It’s obvious you’re special to him.”

Baylor couldn’t help the bright smile. “He’s special to me too. That’s something I never thought I’d say again.”

“That’s good to hear. He needs someone who actually sees him. Like you said, there’s a real person behind the life of the party persona. For all his confidence in the cage, it’s an act outside of it. People gravitate toward him, but only because he’s a giver and people are users. When I learned about you, I hoped—for once—he’d found something and someone real. I see now, he has. He deserves to have someone give him back as much as he’ll put in.” He fell silent for a moment, leaving Baylor with his thoughts. Baylor had to find a way to be better for Chipper. Zander was right. Chipper deserved the world. “I heard you’ve been sick.”

“Yeah.” Even Baylor heard the defeat in his voice. “I’ve never been down this bad. They’re saying something about my GFR and I have to see a nephrologist tomorrow. No matter how much rest I get, I don’t feel any better. It’s been a nightmare.”

“Stay tonight. We have several private quarters. Chipper and you can relax, and I’d love for you to meet with my private physician. He’s one of the best in the world. I feel certain he can put you at ease.”

He didn’t know what to say. Baylor got the feeling he couldn’t say no. He also wasn’t sure he wanted to decline. Someone like Zander would employ only the best of the best. “If Chipper doesn’t mind, then that sounds fantastic. I really appreciate any insight other than the married doctor who tried to pick up Chipper the minute his wife turned her back.”

Zander looked his way, obviously amused. “Don’t stop there. This sounds like a story I need to hear.”

Baylor laughed. He truly enjoyed himself way more than he expected. Without any hesitation, Baylor fell into the story of their disastrous appointment while they toured the house. It was a nice way to spend the afternoon and a stark reminder not to judge. He never expected to meet the head of the Russian mafia. Yet here he was, and the guy was awesome.

Chapter Eight

ChipperwatchedBayloreyethe clothes Zander’s guards had found for him. Likely, Zander had sent them on a shopping spree. He looked content. For once, he didn’t look ready to tear his hair out if he couldn’t get back to work.

“I’m surprised you wanted to stay.”

Baylor glanced up and smiled. “It was a nice day. Plus, Zander offered his physician. If he can make me feel better, I’m in.” His gaze slid down Chipper’s body like Chipper didn’t still stink with sweat that molded his clothes to his skin. “I want to be back to a hundred percent so I can use it against you.”

Whoa. His heated expression had Chipper’s skin tingling. “I have strength to lend. You wouldn’t have to do a thing except hold on.”

“I’m in.”

That caught Chipper off guard. He had only been letting Baylor know he was interested. Chipper had fully expected Baylor to laugh off his offer.

Baylor didn’t stop there. “I could wash your back.”

Chipper grabbed his bag. “I’d love that.” He made his way to the bathroom and dropped his bag. After pressing a few buttons to get the shower going, Chipper dug out his small toiletries bag and placed it on the shelf inside the shower. He kept his mind busy in case Baylor didn’t join him. Chipper didn’t want to end up disappointed. As determined as he was to keep Baylor, he wasn’t good at hanging on to people. There was something about him that people just couldn’t love. He wished he knew what it was so he could change. He tried his ass off to be as good to everyone as possible. Obviously, he failed in some way.

Dark clouds gathered in his mind the more he went down that road. A nude Baylor stepped past him and into the shower. Like that, Chipper’s mood cleared. A huge grin exploded across his face. Baylor didn’t let him down. Chipper stripped out of his sweat-covered clothes. He wished he hadn’t spent so much time brooding and more time showering before Baylor joined him. There was no way he would miss this, though.

Hot water hit Chipper from several directions as he climbed inside the shower. Baylor’s face turned up toward the water. He slicked his hair back. Chipper let the water carry away some of the sweat before he molded against Baylor’s back. “Goddamn. You’re beautiful.”

Baylor leaned into his touch. “I love the way you feel against me. That’s probably an odd thing to say. It just feels good right here.”

He got it. There was a peace when he held Baylor he couldn’t explain. It was like he was finally whole and could rest. “It’s not odd. Thoughts about holding you take up way more of my time than anything else.” He kissed Baylor’s shoulder. “I could stay exactly like this, never going further, and be happy. You’ve brought something to my life. I don’t know exactly what it is, but I’m so fucking grateful.”

A soft chuckle caressed his ears. “While I appreciate hearing that, I really want you inside me. Then I want you to hold me until this doctor comes.”

He could do all that. “There’s lube and a condom in that toiletries bag in front of you.”

Baylor snagged the bag and handed things to Chipper as he needed them. They were methodical—like a team working together who had done this a million times. Chipper froze while lubing Baylor. He didn’t want to be efficient, even though he recognized their actions showed how comfortable they were together. Chipper wanted chaos. He needed Baylor to feel as wanted as he was. Comfort aside, Chipper was crazy about Baylor. Baylor needed to know it.

Chipper snatched Baylor from his feet. With the slightest twist, he had Baylor’s back against the wall with Baylor’s sexy legs wrapped around his waist. The hunger and need written in Baylor’s every line nearly buckled Chipper’s knees. Comfortable or not, Baylor wanted Chipper. That was all Chipper needed.

“Hold on to me.” He pushed his way inside, while watching Baylor’s every reaction.

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