Chance of Snow Read online

  Table of Contents

  Table of Contents

  Title

  MLR Press Authors

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  About the Author

  Trademarks Acknowledgment

  When an unexpected snowstorm strands co-workers Brennan Myers and Rory Mills just before Christmas, they reveal secret desires they've each harbored--desires they can no longer resist. With a little spanking and a bit of bondage and a garland of gold tinsel, they explore each other, but when the cold light of day dawns, each wonders if this will be more than just a one-night affair. Will they both get what they most want for Christmas or will it be another holiday alone?

  MLR Press Authors

  Featuring a roll call of some of the best writers of gay erotica and mysteries today!

  Derek Adams

  Z. Allora

  Maura Anderson

  Simone Anderson

  Victor J. Banis

  Jeanne Barrack

  Laura Baumbach

  Ally Blue

  J.P. Bowie

  Barry Brennessel

  Michael Breyette

  Nowell Briscoe

  Jade Buchanan

  James Buchanan

  TA Chase

  Charlie Cochrane

  Karenna Colcroft

  William Cooper

  Jamie Craig

  Kirby Crow

  Ethan Day

  Diana DeRicci

  Vivien Dean

  Taylor V. Donovan

  Jason Edding

  Theo Fenraven

  Angela Fiddler

  S.J. Frost

  Kimberly Gardner

  Michael Gouda

  Roland Graeme

  Storm Grant

  Amber Green

  LB Gregg

  Kaje Harper

  Jan Irving

  David Juhren

  Thomas Kearnes

  Kiernan Kelly

  M. King

  K-lee Klein

  Christopher Koehler

  Matthew Lang

  J.L. Langley

  Josh Lanyon

  Vincent Lardo

  Anna Lee

  Elizabeth Lister

  Clare London

  William Maltese

  Z.A. Maxfield

  Timothy McGivney

  Lloyd A. Meeker

  Patric Michael

  Tere Michaels

  AKM Miles

  Reiko Morgan

  Jet Mykles

  William Neale

  Cherie Noel

  Willa Okati

  Brynn Paulin

  Neil S. Plakcy

  Jordan Castillo Price

  Luisa Prieto

  Rick R. Reed

  A.M. Riley

  AJ Rose

  Rob Rosen

  George Seaton

  Riley Shane

  Jardonn Smith

  Caro Soles

  JoAnne Soper-Cook

  DH Starr

  Richard Stevenson

  Liz Strange

  Marshall Thornton

  Lex Valentine

  Maggie Veness

  Haley Walsh

  Mia Watts

  Missy Welsh

  Stevie Woods

  Lance Zarimba

  Mark Zubro

  Check out titles, both available and forthcoming, at

  www.mlrpress.com

  Chance of Snow

  Brynn Paulin

  mlrpress

  www.mlrpress.com

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright 2011 by Brynn Paulin

  All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

  Published by

  MLR Press, LLC

  3052 Gaines Waterport Rd.

  Albion, NY 14411

  Visit ManLoveRomance Press, LLC on the Internet:

  www.mlrpress.com

  Cover Art by Deana C. Jamroz

  Editing by Kris Jacen

  Ebook format ISBN# 978-1-60820-515-8

  Issued 2011

  This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of International Copyright Law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines and/or imprisonment. This eBook cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this eBook can be shared or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher.

  For Cole

  Chapter One

  Brennan Myers glanced out the bus window at the driving snow pelting the vehicle and everything around them. The weather had forced the driver to slow to a crawl, and Brennan was pretty sure the snow drifts were moving faster than they were---not that he minded. Deep ditches lined either side of the highway, and he'd prefer to stay out of them.

  A shudder went through him as the thought crossed his mind.

  The bus would tip if they slid out of control. They'd end up sideways, if not nearly upside down. His already roiling stomach lurched once more. This was why he preferred to drive himself.

  "Hey."

  Brennan looked up to see his co-worker, Rory Mills, dropping into the seat beside him.

  "I hear there's a chance of snow," Rory quipped.

  "You think?" Brennan replied. He couldn't help but smile at Rory's gregarious nature. The man was a perpetual jokester, one of those people who seemed larger than life and whom everyone seemed to love. Brennan thought him a nice enough guy, but being much quieter, he tended to shy away from the man beside him. Even though they worked together in a small office, they weren't really in the same circles. That was fine. Brennan wasn't so sure he could keep his thoughts about Rory to himself.

  Rory aroused him. Brennan had spent more than one staff meeting sporting wood while he sat next to the man and breathed in his spicy cologne, cologne that even now was trying his self-control.

  As thoughts of Rory naked filled Brennan's mind, his fingers curled into his sides while he hugged his arms around himself.

  It was cold in the bus, thankfully giving him good cover for his agitation. The driver had turned down the cabin lights, and Brennan wasn't so sure the heat hadn't bumped off along with them. Much colder and he suspected he'd see his breath.

  His co-worker's eyes glinted in the sparse light coming through the window as he leaned closer. "Are you cold? I can grab a couple blankets from the box of promotional stuff I have at my seat." His white teeth flashed as he grinned, a puff of minty breath coming Brennan's way as he laughed. "My other seat. I'm moving up here."

  "Why?" Brennan blurted. It made no sense. The bus was nearly empty and the seats on the other side of the row were vacant.

  The other passengers were spaced throughout the vehicle, few sitting together as they decompressed from the convention to which the company had sent them. The higher-ups had chartered a bus for the team, thinking it cheaper than flights. Probably true, but it made for a much longer trip. At least none of them would have to rush to the office tomorrow. When they stepped off the bus, they'd officially be on their two-week holiday break.

  Silence met Brennan's question. "Why not?" Rory finally replied, his tone more serious than Brennan had ever remembered it being. Rory reached out and touched Brennan's chilly fingers.

  "I'll be right back."

  He was gone before another protest could pop up. What the hell? Did Rory feel sorry for Brennan because he was a loner? In their field, it didn't really matter
if Brennan chose to be solitary.

  He designed role-playing games, and Rory figured out how to market them---it, actually. Warriors of Steel was one game , with numerous components added as it grew into a multi-million dollar franchise.

  Brennan was a gamer geek, and Rory was a polished, movie-star of a salesman with perfect glossy black hair, designer suits and a flawless confidence that drove the company's sales higher each quarter. His deep blue eyes, wide shoulders and slim hips completed the mouthwatering presentation.

  Everyone thought Brennan was just a geeky guy who couldn't get a girl if he tried. Truth was, a girl was the last thing he desired.

  He wanted Rory more than he'd ever admit, and seeing him everyday set Brennan's nerves on edge.

  He looked up as he heard cellophane tearing. A moment later, the subject of his torment appeared.

  "Here you go," Rory said, handing over one of the thick fleece blankets they'd been giving away. Brennan took it gratefully. The swath of cloth over his front would hide the erection straining his khakis. Damn, why did Rory affect him this way?

  He heard the other bag opening then Rory sat beside him and covered up with his own blanket. The edge of the fleece overlapped Brennan's, but he wasn't surprised. Rory was a big man and seemed to take up a king-sized amount of space wherever he was. In meetings, he invariably sat beside Brennan and their arms would continually brush.

  "Better?" Rory asked.

  "Much. Thank you."

  Silence surrounded them again. Brennan wanted to say something, to fill the void, but he didn't know what to say.

  "Brennan?" Rory finally asked. "Do you...dislike me?"

  "Not like you? Are you kidding? Everyone likes you."

  "But you're not everyone."

  Brennan swallowed at Rory's quiet tone, so intense it felt as if the man had drawn his fingers along Brennan's spine. "We don't know each other," he said then realized that sounded as if he did dislike his co-worker. "I mean...I'm just..." Socially retarded?

  "Not good with people. I don't dislike you."

  "Well that's good," Rory chuckled.

  "Why?"

  "Because..." He leaned toward Brennen, and his lips brushed Brennan's ear as he spoke. "If you hate me, it'll make things awkward when I throw myself at you."

  Brennan's head whipped around almost clocking Rory with his chin. He stared at the man, his mouth dropped open. Surely, Rory was playing with him.

  But Rory stunned him further. To Brennan's astonishment, Rory reached up to cup the back of Brennan's head and his mouth dropped onto Brennan's parted lips. His tongue swept inside with the sureness of a man who knew what he was doing.

  He explored Brennan's mouth with lazy thoroughness until Brennan moaned and leaned into him. He moaned again as his shifting pressed his cock more firmly against his fly.

  Rory must have suspected the predicament. In moments, Brennan felt Rory's hand sliding beneath the blanket and down Brennan's abdomen. His palm flattened on Brennan's workout hardened belly before slipping lower. He didn't bother with mere cupping and rubbing through the cloth. He flicked open the button on Brennan's pants and pushed open the fabric as he shoved his hand inside the jockeys covering Brennan's cock.

  His fingers wrapped around the throbbing flesh, squeezing then pulling upward toward the tip.

  "Fuck..." Brennan gasped as he pulled his mouth from Rory's and rested his forehead against the other man's. The pleasure from the touch was almost too much. Thank goodness, the droning of the bus' wheels and engine along with the driving storm deadened any sound they made. That, along with the darkness, enclosed them in a bubble of privacy in an otherwise public place.

  "You like that?" Rory asked as he worked Brennan's cock. His thumb scrubbed across the tip and caught the precum there. "I can feel you do. Have you any idea how long I've waited to touch you? Your hot little body and brilliant mind drive me mad."

  "I'm not little," he protested as he pushed into Rory's hand.

  He might be smaller than Rory, but he was hardly small or effeminate.

  "Not here you aren't." Rory kissed him quickly. "I'm not insulting you. You're size is perfect. You turn me on. I want you."

  It seemed impossible. All of this. "Is this real?"

  "One hundred percent." Rory lifted the armrest between them and scooted a little closer. "See for yourself." His mouth brushed Brennan's ear. "Touch me, Brennan. Please."

  "But...but you're..."

  Rory laughed. "No, I'm not. How is it that nearly everyone in the office knows---except you? Brennan...please..."

  After quickly glancing around to be sure there were no witnesses, Brennan shifted to angle his body a bit toward Rory yet still appear to be in nothing more than casual conversation.

  Tentatively, he reached for Rory.

  The other man groaned as Brennan flattened his hand on his chest. The sound vibrated beneath Brennan's palm. Encouraged, he explored lower, feeling the ridges of hard, sculpted muscle beneath Rory's shirt. Geez, Brennan had always known Rory was fit, but damn...

  "Fuck, I can't wait..." Rory muttered. Startling Brennan, he leaned forward and threaded his fingers into the hair at the back of Brennan's neck. His grip tightened as he pressed his lips to Brennan's and pushed them apart. The taste of chocolate flooded Brennan's senses as Rory dominated his mouth. Their tongues tangled as rightness and peace filled Brennan. At the same time, need and agitation roiled in his belly.

  Emboldened by the feelings surging through him, Brennan slid his hand lower to the ridge pressing forward in Rory's khakis.

  His thumb traced the ridge of the head through the fabric.

  The bus lurched, stopping him when he'd been about to explore further. Pulling his mouth from Rory's, he glanced out the window to see streetlights coming into view as they traversed the curving off-ramp from the highway. Slowly, the vehicle lumbered through the blizzard and toward a hazy motel sign.

  Rory's chin rested on Brennan's shoulder as he too looked outside.

  "Looks like the driver's giving up," Brennan commented. "We won't get home until tomorrow."

  "Glad I have my Christmas shopping done," Rory chuckled.

  "Not that I care. You know what this means?"

  "What?"

  "You're mine tonight."

  Chapter Two

  Brennan's insides flipped at the quietly growled words, but before he could say a word, Rory pulled from him and sat properly in his seat. He followed suit and rapidly fixed his pants.

  A moment later, the bus driver came over the loudspeaker, confirming their suspicions. They were stopping at a motel in the middle of nowhere for the night.

  As it turned out, the motel was nearly empty and only a few of the travelers needed to double up for the evening. Rory had selflessly spoken up to say he and Brennan didn't mind sharing since they were friends. To Brennan's relief, if anyone thought differently, they didn't show it. He wasn't too sure what was going on with Rory, and he didn't want there to be gossip. But everyone seemed too tired to care who was sleeping where---or with whom.

  Soon, he and Rory were lugging their suitcases along the upper level of the motel's outside walkway. Snow battered them with every step, the biting cold nipping at their exposed skin. As they stepped into the room, the warmth hit them like a wall, and Brennan didn't think he'd ever been so thankful.

  Rory pulled Brennan into his arms as soon as they dropped their bags and the box of promotional things Rory had brought with them, since he didn't think they should freeze. Brennan wrapped his arms around him and sank into the kiss. As Rory dominated Brennan's mouth, he backed them to one of the beds and tipped Brennan backward onto it. Their legs tangled as he rubbed against the smaller man's cock. Fire raced through Brennan as his arousal flared higher and he clutched at Rory's coat, grappling to open it.

  "There's something you should know," Rory rasped, as he knelt and captured Brennan's hands, pressing them to the mattress.

  "What?" Brennan asked as he raised his hips, tr
ying to make contact with Rory once more. Rory shifted so he fully straddled him, then pressed his knees on either side of Brennan's hips, keeping him still.

  "I like to be in charge."

  "Okay..." Brennan replied, wondering where this was leading. His excitement level rose inexplicably at the other man's confession. In the past, he'd always been on equal footing with his lovers---at least, he'd thought he'd been.

  "I'm not into whips and chains and subjugation, but I like to tie up my partners. Sometimes, I like to spank. Sometimes, I like rough sex."

  Brennan swallowed, a clear picture of Rory spanking him filling his thoughts. His mouth went dry, but he didn't find it distasteful.

  "Okay," he repeated.

  "And I really want to tie you up, Brennan. I really, really do."

  And though he'd never experienced that, Brennan couldn't think of anything he'd like more. "Well, early Merry Christmas, Rory. Have at me."

  With a deep growl, Rory descended on his mouth once more.

  "You're so fucking hot. I knew you would be."

  They kissed desperately, two men stranded together and needy for human touch. It didn't matter that they weren't on some desolate island. They were manna to one another. Tongues and teeth clashed as they each tried for more and more of the other, Brennan giving no quarter. Rory might wish to dominate and take control, but Brennan would make it worth his while.

  His cock throbbed with the need for Rory, and his precum dampened the front of his trousers. His balls drew up as an errant picture of Rory going down on him flew through his mind.

  Suddenly, Rory released him and climbed from the bed.

  "Get undressed," he rasped as he shrugged out of his wool pea coat. He was already yanking his navy-blue polo from his waistband before Brennan reacted, both transfixed by the sight of Rory Mills disrobing before him, and unaccustomed to being ordered about during a sexual encounter.

  Slowly, he pulled off his jacket, suddenly aware that the bed was probably a little damp from the snow meltage since they'd both been covered. He stood and let the garment fall to the floor in a shush of nylon against nylon. He reached for the edge of his shirt that matched Rory's but froze as Rory's pants dropped and he was treated to the sight of the most magnificent cock he'd ever seen.