Curious (The Finn Factor 1)

“You won’t stop me?” Owen crossed his arms, his biceps straining against the short sleeves of his white shirt. “Then you’re a better man than I am, Porter. If our roles were reversed and you tried to sneak away like an adolescent tool, I’d tie you up and punish you until you apologized and begged to stay.”

He’s defensive, that’s all. He doesn’t want to look like the bad guy.

Jeremy tried to slow his racing heart. “I’m fine, Owen, and according to your brother, the problem is solved. We’re good. No explanations necessary. Do you want me to help you with your bags? I put them in the guest room.”

“You packed my bags?” Owen turned away, anger in every stride as he headed down the hall, glancing back to make sure Jeremy followed him. “So now what? I walk away in the dark of night and we forget about the last two weeks? I’ll meet you for darts at the pub and you can tell me about the new man you’re breaking in with Tasha? Unless she’s busy with my brother, that is. Is that the plan?”

Jeremy was unable to remain silent. “Are you drunk or just cruel? You’re the one who didn’t come back last night, who didn’t answer my calls when you had to know I was worried as hell about what was going on.”

“I sent you a text.”

“Will talk later,” Jeremy sneered. “Yeah, I got that ode to man-speak. I also noticed that you were the only member of your family who didn’t come over today. The only one, and I don’t have to be a genius to get that message. So don’t stand there and blame me so you can feel better about yourself for ending your curiosity experiment.”

Owen dropped the bags he’d just picked up and pushed Jeremy against the wall. “Are you trying to piss me off?”

“Gonna hit me? Go ahead, Master Finn,” Jeremy fired back. “You couldn’t hurt me any more than you already have.”

Light blue eyes clouded in confusion and worry as they studied his face. Jeremy didn’t look away or struggle. Let him see what he’s done, he thought wearily. What did it matter now?

Even in this, he was weak. He never thought he’d be this close to Owen again.

When the hands gripping his shirt unclenched and started to touch him, he let out a shaky breath. Owen’s hands were on his chest. His shoulders. Cupping his neck.

“Hurt you?” Owen repeated softly. “That’s the last thing I mean to do. I thought you knew...” He slipped his hand under Jeremy’s shirt and pressed it against his hard stomach. “Here. It didn’t need to be said. You’ve always known, Jeremy. Haven’t you?”

Owen kissed him and Jeremy tried to turn his head away but the stubborn man followed, thrusting his tongue inside and taking what he wanted. Jeremy shivered, melting against the wall. Damn him. Did he want to take everything with him when he left, including his pride?

Jeremy moaned when Owen’s hand slid into his sweatpants and gripped his hardening erection.

No. If he’s leaving he needs to go. It feels good now, but you’ll hate yourself when it’s over.

“Owen, stop. Yellow, damn it.”

The hand on him disappeared and Owen stepped back, surprising him. He turned away and punched the wall so hard it left a dent. “Mother fucking—”

“Jesus, Owen. Did you break something?”

“No doubt,” Owen laughed raggedly, leaning against the damage. “I fell in through your window and landed on my bad knee, broke your demon into slivers that I’ll be finding for weeks and punched your very solid wall like an idiot. But that’s not what really hurts.” He looked into Jeremy’s eyes. “You mean it. You really want me to go, and it’s my fault. I made a decision and just acted without thinking again. Without talking. I gave you this smooth speech about communication and honesty when I wanted to paddle your ass, but when it comes to us—to you and me—I keep getting it wrong.”

The pained frustration in his voice got to Jeremy. They had too much between them for it to end like this. “Getting what wrong, Owen? Talk to me. We’re still friends, right?”

Owen shook his head, rubbing his sore knuckles. “No, I can’t. Not until I show you something. Come with me.”

Jeremy hesitated before following him toward the front door. “Can it wait? We should get some ice on that hand.”

“Come to the door, Jeremy.”

Owen unlocked the front door and waited for him, looking defeated. “You know I actually thought it would be a good idea, having the family come over for breakfast without me. ‘He’ll see that everything’s really okay,’ I thought. ‘That they aren’t pretending to accept him, us, for my sake.’ Of course, my brilliant plan neglected to take into account the fact that nobody else knew about it.”