Chapter One #4
Owen responded with an excited whoop before he bounded out of the kitchen.
Tyler dried his hands and trailed behind him at a more sedate space so he could coach his body and brain into remaining calm.
It felt like every pair of eyes was on them as they made their way toward the booth, which looked even smaller up close.
Owen reached for the door just as it swung open.
Finley and Kieran stumbled out with mussed hair, swollen lips, and strips of photos in their hands.
Clearly, the couples used the cramped space to suck face instead of smiling for the camera.
Tyler’s heart skipped a beat before galloping like a racehorse.
“It’s all yours, fellas,” Fin said with a sweeping gesture.
Kieran winked at them as they passed by, and Tyler reexperienced the sensation he was the last to figure things out. Mistress Divine’s and Hope’s words tangled in his brain. Major crossroads in life. Dawn of awareness. You’re in love with him.
The last one slammed into Tyler like a freight train, but Owen grabbed his hand and tugged him into the booth before he could freak out again.
There was a narrow, short bench opposite a mirror that allowed the occupants to see the faces they made for the camera.
Owen stared at the bench while Tyler studied his best friend.
He’d always known Owen was good-looking, but it felt as if he were seeing him in a new light.
Maybe it was the bright bulbs in the booth, or maybe Hope had cast some kind of spell under the full moon.
Tyler leaned forward and discreetly breathed in Owen’s scent.
Bayberry, spiced cranberry, and evergreens.
He always associated the fragrances with Christmas and was suddenly struck with the impulse to unwrap his best friend like a gift.
“Oh wow,” Owen said.
Tyler jerked back like his friend had caught him sniffing or had read his mind. “What?” His brusque tone wasn’t sketchy at all.
Owen quirked a brow but didn’t comment on his weird behavior. “This is going to be a tight fit.”
Tyler swallowed hard as Owen’s innocent remark conjured not-so-innocent thoughts.
As he stared at Owen’s reflection, he imagined his hand gliding over his best friend’s bare chest again.
Tyler pictured brushing his thumb over Owen’s nipple and making him gasp.
What would his sighs taste like? What sound would Owen make if Tyler licked his nipple?
Sucked it between his lips? Raked it with his teeth? Did men even like that?
“It will be worth a little discomfort, though,” Owen said.
Tyler jerked out of the fantasy, and his elbow connected with the side of the booth hard enough to make it rattle.
“You better settle down before people get the wrong idea about what we’re up to in here,” Owen cautioned with a wry smile. “Damn, that bench is tiny. I’m about to give you a lap dance. You okay with that?” Owen waggled his brow. “Or do you want to give me one?”
Tyler growled his frustration and plopped onto the bench. He tugged Owen down between his spread thighs and reached for the start button. The sooner they got this over with, the quicker he’d stop thinking about Owen’s pert ass pressed against his groin.
“Hold up,” Owen said, knocking his hand away. “You’re way too tense. Your body is hard as a rock.” And about to get harder. “Look at that somber expression on your face.”
“I don’t know where to put my hands,” Tyler blurted.
“Anywhere you want to, baby,” Owen teased.
Tyler was used to his flirty remarks. Owen had used them as a test when they were cellmates to make sure he wasn’t a homophobe.
When they failed to get a response, Owen brought them out to lighten a tense mood.
This time, the remarks ruffled Tyler’s nerves instead of soothing them and triggered a reaction in his groin.
Tyler settled his hands on Owen’s thighs and felt the muscles tremble beneath denim and flesh.
Their eyes met in the mirror. Owen’s midnight-blue eyes shimmered with a mysterious emotion Tyler couldn’t name, though he recognized it was only for him.
Was this what romantic love looked like?
Had Owen’s six years of flirting meant something deeper?
“Ready?” Owen asked.
“Yeah.” Tyler’s voice sounded like he’d dragged it over a gravel driveway.
“Then smile!” Owen leaned forward, pressing his ass harder against Tyler’s crotch, and pushed the button.
A digital clock counted down from three, and Tyler forced a smile on his lips.
He posed and fooled around when the camera started clicking, but his mind was back in his fantasy of Owen, who turned this way and that way, rubbing himself against Tyler’s hardening dick.
He knew the instant Owen felt it because his entire body tensed.
Their gazes met in the mirror and held. Owen’s mouth fell open in surprise, but thankfully not horror, as he searched Tyler’s face for answers.
For a heartbeat, Tyler thought Owen was going to bolt from the booth.
But instead, he angled his body, turned his head, and kissed Tyler.