Oz’s heart clenched in his chest. Seth was taking care ofhim, instead.
It didn’t mean anything other than that Seth was a decent person. More decent than he pretended to be, but not more decent than Oz knew he was, under his outer layer of armor.
While Seth was gone, Oz kicked his shoes, pants, and underwear off, then shed the rest of his clothes.
He was stretching his arms above his head when Seth pressed a cold washcloth to his stomach, making him yelp. Seth chuckled, then kissed his shoulder.
“Poor baby can’t handle a little cold water,” he teased.
Oz couldn’t be mad at him. Not even a little bit. He was honored that Seth felt comfortable enough to play like this, not worried that Oz would take it the wrong way.
That was why he was falling for him. Maybe already had fallen for him.
“Poor baby’s gonna have to walk all the way to Austin airport tomorrow,” Oz countered, though he would never actually have left Seth stuck out here.
He cleaned himself off gently, his skin still oversensitive, and took Seth’s wash cloth from him when he was done, tossing them both back in the bathroom.
When he got back, Seth had already curled up on the bed. Oz climbed in beside him, lying on his side to face him and not bothering to hide his smile. Seth deserved to know that Oz liked him, at least. Not just as some kind of special occasion fuck-buddy, but as a friend, too. As a person.
He got the feeling Seth didn’t get that from a lot of people.
“Weddings, huh?” Seth said wryly. “I always come away from them horny. I’m so glad you’ve been around for the last three.”
Oz chuckled. “You didn’t actually have to go to the second one.”
Seth shrugged. “And you didn’t have to come to this one, so we’re even. I appreciate it, though. You made it a whole lot less painful.”
“Anytime,” Oz said, surprised by how much he meant it. If Seth wanted him to come to every social occasion with him from now on… that was okay.
Not that he’d want that. But Oz figured it couldn’t hurt to make it clear.
“Are you ever getting married?” Seth asked, reaching out to play with Oz’s hair. Oz pushed his head into Seth’s hand, enjoying the contact.
This was as good as sex. Maybe better.
“I hope so. One day. If I can find someone who’ll have me,” Oz responded. They’d already talked about this, but maybe Seth had forgotten. Or maybe he just wanted to talk about it again. “What about you?”
Seth sighed. “I guess I am, when my dad decides I am,” he said. “Which I’m starting to think will be sooner rather than later.”
Oz’s heart sank. Seth shouldn’t have had to feel like he was going to be pushed into a relationship he didn’t want. “That’s not fair.”
“Life isn’t fair,” Seth said in a tone that suggested he said it a lot. “Maybe it’s for the best. Who’d want me, anyway? I’m a mess. I’m okay for sex, but I’m not much of a boyfriend.”
“I don’t think that’s true,” Oz said. He was dangerously close to admitting thathe’dwant Seth, but he knew he couldn’t. Seth didn’t want to hear that. Not from him.
“You’re sweet.” Seth smiled. This time, Oz could tell that bysweet, Seth meant he was a liar.
“You have a lot to offer,” Oz said. “You’re smart, and funny, and considerate. You look great in a suit and even better out of one. Anyone would be lucky to have you.”
Seth snorted. “That’s not true, but thank you for saying so. Will you come to my wedding?”
“Sure,” Oz said, his stomach clenching at the thought. He didn’t want Seth getting married to someone else.
He didn’t necessarily want to marry him today, but the thought that he wasn’t even going to get a chance to be with him a little longer sat awkwardly. He wanted more of this. More of Seth.
“Promise?” Seth asked.
“Promise.” Oz swallowed. “Seriously. Anytime.”
