Chapter Seven
Tyler sat across from Owen in a coffee shop on Wednesday afternoon.
They’d dropped Keegan off for his therapy session and walked the short distance to A Whole Latte Love.
Tyler was obsessed with their coffee drinks, and Owen loved that they were named after rock bands or hit songs.
It was the perfect place for them to hang out and chat for an hour if they couldn’t be alone and naked, which was how they’d spent the previous four nights.
Owen lifted his second cup of Smashing Pumpkins Spice to his mouth, drawing Tyler’s attention to the long, tan fingers wrapped around the white mug.
That triggered thoughts of the recent locations those digits had explored on Tyler’s body—places that started to react in public.
He forced his gaze and thoughts elsewhere, but they only drifted to the thick, tan forearms that Owen’s rolled-up sleeves put on display.
Tyler had watched those same muscles flex and move when Owen’s hand worked up and down his—
“You’re staring,” Owen whispered.
Tyler snapped his gaze up to meet twinkling blue eyes.
Owen knew exactly where his mind had gone, and he loved every minute of it.
Heat crept up his neck, and Tyler turned his head to look out the window.
It was one thing to do or say whatever came to mind in the privacy of their cabins, but it wasn’t safe to act so carelessly in public.
“Hey,” Owen said, snagging his attention once more. The light in his eyes had dimmed with concern. “It wasn’t a complaint, Ty.”
He shook his head and searched for the right words. “I know. It’s just my brain has been a little…um…fixated on certain things the past few days.”
The left side of Owen’s mouth lifted in a wry smile as he set his mug down and leaned forward. “Sounds interesting. Tell me more.”
Tyler snorted and rolled his eyes. “You sound like a therapist.” He leaned forward, too, and lowered his voice.
“I’m not looking to cure my predicament.
” But he wouldn’t mind stretching out naked on the couch for other reasons.
“I just need to manage my thoughts and reactions a little better. I’ve been acting impulsive lately.
” And that reminded Tyler of the times he wasn’t in control of his life, and it hurt to remember the colossal ways he’d screwed up.
He forced his thoughts to something more pleasant, like pulling Owen into the barn’s storage room that morning and locking the door.
Tyler had only planned to steal a few kisses before cleaning stalls, but they’d ended up giving one another quick hand jobs using saliva for lube.
He couldn’t imagine loving anything more than strong, callused fingers playing him like a violin, but Owen promised he’d love a hot, wet mouth even more.
Tyler’s gaze dropped to Owen’s lips, and the smirk turned into a knowing grin.
He picked up his mug and sipped his Brown Sugar Br?lée, hoping the sweet concoction would distract him, but nope.
“Hey,” Owen whispered. “This thing between us is new and exciting, so of course it’s using up most of your focus.”
Tyler smirked in disbelief. “Are you trying to tell me this will get boring someday?”
“Hell no,” Owen replied. “Well, at least I hope not. But your urges will become more manageable.”
They’d spent nearly every waking hour together since Saturday night, and Tyler’s appetite for Owen had only grown stronger.
What would happen when they advanced past frotting and hand jobs?
There was no way in hell Tyler would obsess less once he knew the feel of Owen’s mouth on his dick.
Hours had passed since Tyler last jerked Owen off, but he could still feel the weight of his cock in his palm.
Would it be the same way when Tyler gave Owen head?
Would his lips feel stretched for hours?
“You’re doing it again.” Owen shifted in his seat, proving he wasn’t unaffected by Tyler’s attention.
“Sorry.” Worry rose to the forefront again. If he wasn’t careful, his attraction to Owen would control him the same way his addiction to pain pills had. Something so beautiful could turn into something insidious.
“No, you’re not.” Owen’s teasing voice yanked him away from the edge.
Tyler smiled and sipped his coffee before replying.
“You’re right. I’m not sorry…about any of it.
” He was in charge of himself, not someone or something else.
Tyler set his coffee cup down and extended his pinky to stroke the back of Owen’s fingers.
“Except one thing. I really hate that I waited six years to explore this with you.”
Owen’s brow furrowed, and his expression turned thoughtful. He opened his mouth but snapped it closed, like he’d wanted to say something but changed his mind. It wasn’t like Owen to hold back with him.
“Tell me what you’re thinking. We promised honesty.”
Owen sighed and said, “I try not to question my good fortune, but old habits die hard.”
“What do you mean?”
Owen looked down at his coffee cup for a few seconds before meeting Tyler’s gaze again.
He squared his shoulders as if tensing for a confrontation.
“In weaker moments, I ask why this is happening now, and then I worry we won’t last.” He puffed out his cheeks and exhaled slowly. “But that’s my problem.”
Tyler shook his head and reached for Owen’s hand. “If it concerns you, then it concerns me. We’re a team.” And if he couldn’t get his fears under control, he’d tell Owen so they could work through it together.
Owen rotated his wrists and slid his fingers through Tyler’s. The sparkle was back in his eyes. “Yeah, we are.”
“So, let’s figure this out.”
“Now?”
“You want to wait another six years?” Tyler teased. When Owen shook his head, he added, “Didn’t think so.” Tyler searched for the right words to ease Owen’s fears, not play into them. “Do you want me to start with the why?”
Owen’s eyes said no, but he nodded anyway.
“You probably noticed that I’d been moping around a lot since Keegan came to live on the ranch.
” The fingers between his loosened like Owen planned to pull away.
Tyler tightened his hold and said, “Hear me out. This has a happy ending.” He recalled the second part of Owen’s fears and added, “Men in my family live well into their nineties, and I’m not spending a day on this Earth without you, so gear up for the long haul. ”
Owen’s eyes filled with tears, and he lowered his head to hide his vulnerability. Tyler would allow it this time, but only because they were in public.
“And I’ve thought that way for a long time, even if I’ve never told you or acknowledged it to myself.
” Tyler’s mom had verbally painted vivid pictures of a future she imagined for him during their phone conversations, but they just looked like abstract art to him because her versions didn’t include Owen.
He sucked in a breath as the reality hit him in the gut.
Owen jerked his head up and studied him with a worried expression.
Tyler smiled as he realized he’d reorganized those colors and shapes until they formed a future that always included Owen by his side.
It was his turn to get teary-eyed, but he didn’t look away.
“That should clear up the worry about how long this will last.”
Owen stood up suddenly from the table and pulled Tyler up with him. “It’s time to go.”
They’d paid for their drinks and tipped the barista when they placed their order, so they only had to carry their dirty cups to the designated area. They quickly pulled on their coats and exited the coffee shop.
Tyler hastened his stride to catch up with Owen, who’d taken off like a rocket down the sidewalk. “Did I say something wrong?”
Owen stopped suddenly and spun to face him. Tyler hadn’t expected the move, so he stumbled into his hard body. Firm hands gripped his hips to steady him, and Tyler stared into intense eyes.
“Why would you think that?” Owen asked.
“You look determined.”
“I am,” Owen replied. “To kiss you.” He cocked his head to the side. “And you were right to insist on a conversation. My mind has played some mean tricks on me, and maybe you can help shut it down.”
Tyler easily kept pace with Owen for the rest of the walk.
The skies had turned overcast while they were getting coffee, which provided them a little cover when their lips met inside the truck.
Owen kept them to one long and very thorough kiss, though.
Tyler sighed happily when they separated, and he leaned into the warm palm pressed against his cheek. “Where were we?”
Owen smiled and lowered his hand to hold Tyler’s. “You answered the ‘how long’ part.”
“Forever,” Tyler reiterated, just to make sure it was clear.
“And now you’re going to finish explaining the why.”
“Okay, but you need to promise to hear me out and not jump to conclusions,” Tyler said.
He waited for Owen to nod before continuing.
“Cash’s birthday party was a wake-up call for me.
I’d been moping around the ranch because you were giving so much of your time to Keegan.
I thought I’d hidden my distress, but I’m more transparent than I realized.
” Tyler held up his free hand when it looked like Owen might interrupt.
“A few well-meaning friends pointed out some things I hadn’t considered.
I want to tell you about those conversations, but I’m worried you will think they influenced the ‘why’ part of your concerns.
” Tyler couldn’t resist leaning forward to kiss Owen’s mouth.
“Those chats opened my eyes so my brain could catch up with what my heart already knew.” Tyler inhaled deeply, then said, “I love you. That was never a question, but now I realize that I’m also in love with you. ”
Owen’s smile was immediate and blinding. “I have so many questions.”