Swap Meet by Lolita Lopez Read Free Book Online Page B

carefully studied Max. “I have seven days off in about
    a month. Why?”
    Max switched off the flame and started plating the eggs next to the strips of crispy
    bacon. “I want you to come with me.”
    “Where?”
    “France.” Max held out the plates. “I have a chateau not far from Provence. We
    could even spend a few days on my yacht.”
    Dumbstruck by the request, Chris simply stared at him. A vacation invitation
    complicated things. It brought into question the status of their liaison. What did this
    mean? Surely a pair of illicit trysts didn’t warrant a holiday in the South of France. Did
    they?
    “Chris?” Max gestured slightly with the plates.
    “Sorry.” Chris took the plates and moved to the dining room.
    Max followed with the bagels, some cream cheese and orange juice. He placed his
    load onto the table and then paused uncertainly. “Is it too much too soon?”
    “No!” Chris hurried to reassure him. “Or maybe.” Shaking his head, he sat down
    and reached for the cream cheese. “I mean, what are we doing, Max? What is this?”
    Max sat down and poured a glass of juice. “I thought this was the beginning of a
    relationship. I like you very much and I would like to see more of you.”
    “In France?”
    Max smiled. “Anywhere. Everywhere. Wherever I can.”
    Chris wasn’t sure what to say to that. He’d never been pursued like this. He kept
    his relationships confined to sexual escapades and the occasional club run. To accept an
    invitation like this upped the ante, so to speak. Was he ready for that sort of thing? And
    what about Max? He seemed to be rushing somewhat into his first gay relationship.
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    Lolita Lopez
    “Max,” Chris said carefully, “people might see us together and figure out that we’re
    lovers.”
    “And?”
    Max’s casual reply irked him. Chris decided to spell it out for him. “This is all really
    new and something of a novelty for you.”
    “That’s true,” Max agreed, “but I know what I want. Right now, I want you.”
    Chris was struck by the absolute certainty in Max’s voice. Most men embarking on
    their first gay relationship after years of dating women would be cautious, but not Max.
    He seemed so incredibly sure and it unsettled Chris. How could a man so new to all this
    be so confident in living his truth?
    “What if you change your mind down the road? Once the cat’s out of the bag…”
    Max sat back. “Is this about me, Chris? Or is this concern more for yourself?”
    Chris started to argue but realized Max had hit uncomfortably close to the truth.
    “Look,” he sighed, “I have to be careful. That is my reality. I wish it wasn’t that way but
    it is. You’re a very public person, Max. If there are pictures of us—”
    “There won’t be,” Max interjected. “France has strict privacy laws. It’s one of the
    reasons so many celebrities move there. And my home is very secluded. It’s surrounded
    by acres of vineyards, olive trees and forests.”
    Max’s hopeful tone eroded Chris’ objections. He had always wanted to visit France.
    Spending an uninterrupted week with Max was just too appealing a proposal to refuse.
    “All right.”
    Max grinned. Relief filled his voice. “You’ll come?”
    Chris couldn’t pass up the chance for a ribald reply. “Oh, I’m sure I won’t be the
    only one coming.”
    Max laughed and tucked into his breakfast. “You won’t need to worry about a
    thing. I’ll make all the travel arrangements.”
    “So what are you now? My sugar daddy?”
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    Swap Meet
    Max shot him a mischievous smile. “Play your cards right and we’ll see.”
    Chris didn’t even try to squash the grin curving his mouth. They finished breakfast
    and discussed Max’s trip to Tokyo. Chris found himself looking for any reason to stave
    off the inevitable. Leaving wasn’t going to be any easier in five or ten minutes than it
    was right now. He gathered up his things and slung his bag over his shoulder. Max
    shadowed him to the