Footsteps of the Past (Second Chances #2) - Felice Stevens Page 0,18

a multimillion-dollar mansion, with the world and all it had to offer at his fingertips.

Why didn’t he feel any different? Was it all as precarious as a house of cards, ready to crumble with a simple breath? When would he feel safe? He sighed and picked up the tablet to read his book. Dottie returned with the promised fruit and a fresh pitcher of iced tea.

André churned by him in the pool, his tan body cutting through the water as he swam his laps. He’d been at it for twenty minutes, and Chess felt like a slug, but he figured he’d wait until André was finished before dipping his toes in.

A message from Spencer popped up on his screen. Damn, he’d forgotten he could get IMs on his tablet.

Spencer: Have you talked to André about the pictures?

A glance over the top of the tablet showed André was still swimming laps, so Chess returned to the screen and Spencer’s message.

Chess: No. I’m leaving it alone. Everything is going great, and I’m presuming it was a friendly kiss and nothing happened. We agreed not to be on social media too much, including keeping off our phones, so I can’t talk.

Spencer: That’s dumb on both accounts. What if something important happens? We need to be able to get in touch with you.

Chess: I’ll give you the house number here. If it’s an emergency and only that, then call me.

He typed out the number and saw Wolf had joined the chat.

Wolf: That means Chess doesn’t need to hear about your latest pull from one of your nights of depravity. Chess, I’m glad you’re going off the grid. Enjoy, and we’ll talk when you get back.

Elliot: I agree with Wolf. Go enjoy. FWIW, I think you’re right to ignore the photos. It was probably nothing.

Head bent and still snickering over Wolf’s comment, Chess closed the chat and turned his attention to André, who’d finished his exercise regimen. Water dripped off his shoulders and streamed from his hair as he mounted the steps, and Chess set aside the tablet, waiting for him to come over, admiring his long legs with dark hair and the corded muscles in his strong thighs shifting under the skin. Still, he could see André had lost too much weight, the pattern of his ribs showing faintly under his skin.

“You’re eating me up with your eyes.” André slid into the chaise next to him, a wicked smile on his lips. “Are you having evil thoughts, Professor?”

Without responding, he took an overly large strawberry from the dish and leaned over. “Taste.”

André’s brows flew up, but he bit into it, with Chess holding on to it.

“Mmm.”

“Don’t bite it all. Save some for me.” Chess sank his teeth into the other side of the fruit. Together they nibbled and sucked on the strawberry until there was nothing left and their lips pressed together. Desire roared through him, and Chess held on to André’s face as their tongues battled and swept against each other.

“Take it all. Take everything from me.” Blurry-eyed with desire, André reached for him and stood, holding him close. “I need you now.”

His previous hesitation faded as the heat of André’s tongue in his mouth took over, André’s hands moving with practice over his body, unerring in their knowledge of the right places to touch. It left Chess breathless and shaking.

“So long…it’s been so long.” He swayed, looping his arms around André’s neck, and André held him tighter.

“Too long. Let’s go inside.”

“I don’t know if I can make it that far.” He laughed shakily, but it was true. His skin was on fire, his breathing labored, and the house looked miles away instead of twenty-five yards. “Let’s go to the pool house. It’s closer.” Pressed up tightly to André, he could feel the thick ridge of flesh he knew would be hard and hot against his bare skin. He shuddered, thinking of taking André inside him after so long. “I’m ready to fucking explode.”

André froze. “N-no. It’s not good enough for you.”

“You’re crazy.” Chess tugged André, who remained standing firm, an odd expression in his eyes. “Babe, come on.”

“I’d rather go to the house. There’s only a sofa in the pool house, and we have that beautiful king-sized bed waiting for us in our room. Much more comfortable.” Without giving him the opportunity to answer, André kissed his neck, sucking at the skin while rocking his pelvis against Chess. “Please, let me make love to you the right way after all this time