“Out,” Veronica says, and the frost in her eyes clenches Nate’s stomach. He numbly gets up and follows her outside. As he stands on the street and digests what happened, he wonders if he might have made a terrible mistake.
Chapter 20
Owen
“I’m sure, Owen,” Will says for the third time. “He got the message, and I have the evidence. Well, I did before I destroyed everything.”
Owen snuggles closer to Will underneath the blanket. They’re naked, but they haven’t had sex yet. Will’s broad chest makes for a perfect pillow, the soft hair on his pecs feeling so nice against Owen’s cheek. “He might have copies.”
“True, but I made him get the message. He’s not the only one who can blackmail.”
“I can’t believe you did it. I’m grateful.” He’s also honored and humbled to have someone willing to go to the extreme to keep him safe. He hopes he’s worthy of the risk Will is taking.
“It’s been a long time coming for me and him. I could put up with a lot from him over the years, but you don’t deserve any of that.”
“I took drugs.”
“While you risked your neck to help a community you barely know.”
Owen runs his fingers over Will’s stomach, toying with his treasure trail. “Did you hurt him?”
“Yes.”
“Badly?”
“Not bad enough to feel ashamed by my actions.” Will kisses Owen’s head. “We shouldn’t let our guard down, but it isn’t healthy for you to live in fear. Trust me.”
“Is that how it was for you back then?” Maybe he shouldn’t have asked that, but he constantly thinks of Will’s life during those dark times and how he was able to keep his sanity while so many people hated him. Owen would have lost his damn mind.
Will sighs quietly, running his fingers up and down Owen’s arm. “Yes, I was living in fear, but mostly in despair. Everything seemed bleak, and if it weren’t for Julie…”
You would have left.
“I love you.” The words slip out of Owen’s mouth, but it’s not like they haven’t been floating there for a while now.
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“And I love you too, sweetheart.”
Owen raises his head. “Is that so?”
“You have doubts?”
Owen shakes his head. A man won’t ever look at him the way Will does without loving him. “No fucking doubt.” He leans to meet Will’s mouth, slipping his tongue between those meaty lips. Despite everything that’s been happening, Owen has never felt as safe as he does with Will in this bed.
When they stop to breathe, Will bends his legs and spreads them underneath the blanket. “If you want to.”
“I’ll need to eat you out first. I’m a gentleman.”
Will smiles. “I’d like that.”
With one quick pull, Owen removes the blanket, exposing them both. The sight of Will with his legs bent is the definition of erotic. Owen slides to the foot of the bed, positioning himself between Will’s knees and raising them for him to grab.
He knows he’s making Will self-conscious by staring, but he’s captivated.
“This is not awkward at all,” Will says.
