Love in Xxchange: Miles to Go by Bailey Bradford (7 ebook reader txt) 📕

Bo nearly headbutted Max in his attempt to sit up. “No! That isn’t what I meant!

Just…maybe you should explore your options.”

“I don’t have any other options,” Max snapped, his patience evaporated. “I don’t want any other options!”

“You don’t know that!”

Max stood up, grabbing one of Bo’s wrists as he did so. “Yes, I do know that! I never wanted anyone before you, Bo, and I don’t want anyone else now!”

Bo’s expression showed his disbelief.

“I’m going to get this through to you one way or another,” Max snapped. “I hope to hell dinner is still good when I’m done with you.” Max jerked on Bo’s arm and had the man over his shoulder before Bo could protest. “Blow out the candle.” Max slapped Bo on the ass and MILES TO GO

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turned around so Bo was facing the candle. He heard and felt the expulsion of breath as Bo blew the flickering flame out. “All right then, let’s go.”

He ignored Bo’s protests that Max couldn’t really love him, his wiggling, everything but his need to make Bo believe him. He opened the door to their room and within three steps, he was dropping Bo onto the surface of their bed. Max pointed a finger at him and used his sternest voice.

“You’re going to tell me what the problem is, and you’re going to do it now.” Max tumbled onto the bed and pulled Bo against his side. “You are going to understand that I love you and don’t want anybody else, ever.”

Bo sniffled and shrugged his shoulders. “I think you believe it, at least.”

That wasn’t going to do at all. It would take some convincing, but Max was going to prove to Bo that he was worth being loved, and that Max was just the man to do it.

MILES TO GO

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Chapter Thirteen

Bo was torn. He thought he should keep some space between them, but he wanted to snuggle in close and soak up the comfort that seemed to roll off Max in waves—except then he’d be more likely to babble. There was nothing like feeling safe to loosen Bo’s tongue, as he’d found out since falling for Max. If he was going to have to talk, though, he’d rather stick to the bare boned facts. Bo started to roll away, intent on sitting up and putting a little distance between them. Max made a noise that sounded like a snarl and pulled Bo back to his side, one rough hand carefully pressing Bo’s head until he rested it on Max’s chest.

“Want you right here,” Max said firmly even as his hands stroked gently over Bo’s back. “You don’t realise I got you figured out. You think scooting away a bit’s going to give you some emotional distance, but I want everything, Bo. Bad and good. If you really want me to let you go, though, I will.”

Bo considered his options, which were to talk, or not, move away or stay. He slid his hand down the ridged plane of Max’s shirt-covered abdomen, wishing the material would magically vanish. His fingers teased at the waistband of Max’s jeans then dipped beneath it and the elastic of the boxers. Before he could plunge his hand down further to grasp Max’s cock, his wrist was caught in a strong grasp.

“That ain’t going to work this time,” Max told him, sounding more amused than irritated. “I went forty-three years without anyone else touching me, I can do without as long as it takes to get you to talk to me.”

Bo yanked his wrist out of Max’s hold and pushed himself up so he could glare down at his lover. “You’re telling me you won’t put out until I talk? What the hell?” His stomach clenched then did a little fear inspired dip. “You don’t want me like I want you.” The realisation hurt, like someone poured acid on every one of his nerve endings.

Max sat up and wrapped his arms around Bo. He flopped back and took Bo with him, laying them both out on the bed. “I do want you, Bo, more than you could ever know, which is why I want you to tell me what your reasoning is for thinking I don’t know who or what I want.” Max cupped Bo’s jaw and tipped his head up, forcing Bo to meet his worried gaze. “I want to know why you think you don’t deserve to be loved. I want the doubts and fears, not MILES TO GO

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just the laughter and joy. I told you, Bo—the good and the bad. Do you want any less from me?”

“Well, when you say it like that…” Damn man would have to turn it right around on him, wouldn’t he? But maybe that’s exactly what Bo needed, someone who wouldn’t be swayed by the promise of a tight ass, who cared enough about Bo, the person, to push aside Bo’s attempts at deflection. Maybe Max wasn’t rejecting him, but offering him everything, if Bo would only take the chance. Besides, what did he have to lose? He already loved Max insanely, and he trusted Max not to hurt him. Which meant the only reason Bo was clinging to his silence was pride. “Shit. I can be such an ass.”

Max’s chuckle filled Bo with reassuring warmth. “You ain’t an ass, honey, just someone who’s been hurt, like most of us have. You just have to know when to let go of the hurt.

You’re safe with me, Bo. I won’t turn away from you for anything.”

It was the calm, steady love lacing Max’s voice and flickering in his nut-brown eyes that convinced Bo. That, and the endearment. It wasn’t the first time he’d been called ‘honey’, but it was the first time anyone had ever said it with such tenderness. Still, his