Worth Keeping (25 page)

Owen was proud of him. It was the sort of thing he himself would say. It was obviously more than just his cock rubbing off on Nick.

“Get off with you, you perverts,” was the muttered response. But Owen thought he heard a hint of amusement in Sid’s voice.

“Oh and Sid, you dickhead, you owe me an effing phone. I quite fancy the new iPhone so make sure I get a replacement for the one you just chucked in the sea.” Nick’s tone brooked no argument and Sid regarded him narrowly, and then nodded. Nick and Owen watched as the two men descended the steps and disappeared from view.

Owen looked at Nick as he bent down to pick up the dildo that had been thrown. “I’m taking this home with me as a souvenir,” he murmured with a sly look at his lover. “Perhaps we should try this out. After all, it’s our civic duty to make sure that we aren’t allowing inferior goods into the country.”

He felt Nick’s eyes on him and the brush of his hand against his arm. “I knew the minute it was thrown it wouldn’t rest there,” Nick muttered. “I hope you’re prepared for something like that, Owen. It looks pretty radical to me.”

Owen smiled. “That’s where
you
come in. I’m all about the prep. You and lube are all I need.” He bounced happily beside Nick as they walked up the path through the deepening fog toward the top of the hill. The cottage was in darkness as they walked in and were both assaulted by a furry ball of energy as they walked in. Socks bounded down onto Owen’s head, gripping his hair as the monkey chattered excitedly.

“Easy, you little bugger,” Owen huffed as he tried to extricate the capuchin from his hair. “Christ, we were only gone a little while. Did you miss us?”

Socks’s reply was to smack Owen alongside the head then leap onto the curtain rail where he sat and watched the two men as they made their weary way to the bedroom. Nick sat down on the bed with a sigh and pulled off his boots. Owen lay back on the bed, watching him, his eyes hooded. His groin tingled pleasantly and he wondered if he could convince Nick to play. After all, it was Saturday night and there was no work in the morning. Nick stood up, turned and shook his head at the expression on Owen’s face.

“Nuh-huh. No sex now. I know you want to play with your bloody toys but it’s nearly four o’clock in the morning. Get your randy self into bed and sleep.” He pulled off his shirt and leaned over to slide his jeans down his legs. Owen leaned over, running his fingers over the firm cheeks of Nick’s arse, causing him to jump.

“Hell, what did I just say?” But Nick’s suddenly husky voice belied his appeal for Owen to leave him alone.

Owen grinned slyly. “It is too late to get the Big Daddy out and play, as we need more foreplay for that. But I thought you might like a little light BJ. You know I love the taste of you in my mouth.” Nick’s eyes widened and Owen could see he liked the idea. He patted the bed. “Get your sexy butt over here. Lie down and be plundered.”

Nick muffled a laugh as he lay down on the bed. “You have no bloody shame.” Owen’s eyes drank in the firm contours of his stomach, the muscles that flexed as Nick moved and the tightness of his thighs. The scars on his body made him even more beautiful in Owen’s eyes. They were badges of survival and perseverance, emblems of the man’s courage and his past. Owen loved tracing them with his tongue then turning Nick over and doing the same with the ones on the back of his body. He felt a sense of awe being able to touch them.

The man was a God. Even with Jules, he’d never had the hunger to possess a man’s body like this one. Yes, there was a desire to be able to possess him fully, for Owen to push his hardened cock inside and feel Nick’s hot velvet muscles surround him, but he’d resigned himself to the fact that would never happen. Instead, he’d be content with whatever Nick could give him.

Owen stood up, swiftly removing his clothes, then lay down beside Nick, his fingers slowly trailing down Nick’s stomach. Nick grunted in pleasure, pushing up his groin toward Owen’s mouth as Owen got ready to take what was his.

Chapter 17

Nick heaved a deep sigh as he watched Owen fussing with the evening’s meal. His lover had been like a tornado in the kitchen, making his famous Mexican fajitas with a home- made salsa and guacamole dip, all of which were apparently “to die for.” Nick thought gloomily he might be doing just that later tonight after all the spicy food hit his stomach.

“Owen, everything looks just fine. Simmer down. It’s just Daniel and Justin coming for dinner, for God’s sake.”

Owen glared at him. “Have you met Justin? Did I not mention before the boy’s a piranha, very mouthy and one of the snarkiest little bitches I know? “

Nick sighed. “You did. Safe to say I can’t wait to meet the little bugger. How old did you say he was?”

“Twenty two. He’s young but he has one helluva old head on those young shoulders.”

Owen gave the table one last flourish as he rearranged the centrepiece of freshly picked gorse and wildflowers one last time. He stepped back with a pleased expression on his face. “That should do it. Right, I’m going to go freshen up.” He gave Nick a quick smile and left the kitchen. Nick opened the red wine to breathe, leaving it on the table. He looked down at himself. He’d been working outside most of the day and he’d showered and changed into fresh chinos and a grey polo shirt at Owen’s insistence that no jeans were to be worn at the table tonight. He felt a frisson of affection. In the last week things between him and Owen had been good. Nick felt a little guilty though. Despite many hints from his boyfriend, he still hadn’t quite seen his way to using the sex toys Owen had so artfully concealed in the bedroom, in both side drawers, together with lube packets of various flavours.

Nick knew his reluctance stemmed from having to physically push something inside another man, something that resembled a penis. He also knew it was irrational, that Owen was more than happy to be on the receiving end.

Nick had to admit the idea was growing on him. Owen could be very persuasive. His enthusiasm for the idea and his anticipation of the pleasure he’d have was catching. He’d even made Nick watch a porn movie the other night where guys were getting it on with some of the biggest dildos Nick had ever seen. He had to admit he’d got a boner from watching. And Owen had certainly enjoyed it, giving Nick an uber-excellent blow job while the guys grunted on screen.

Maybe tonight Owen might get lucky. The man had been so patient with me he deserves to get what he wants.

Feeling an anticipatory rush of excitement at the idea, he wandered over to the window and gazed out at the starlit sky. It was particularly clear tonight and even the wind knew to keep its distance for Owen’s dinner party.

Socks sat quietly on one of the kitchen chairs with his penknife. He turned it over and over and not for the first time Nick wondered what the monkey found so fascinating. He was lost in thought when he felt a wallop to the back of his head. Startled, he turned to stare into Owen’s flashing eyes. He was still buttoning up his favourite long-sleeved Judas Sinner black shirt, one Nick found extremely sexy.

“There’s someone at the door, they’ve been knocking for ages. Didn’t you hear them?” Owen dashed to the door and Nick grinned at the sight of his lover getting flustered.

“Owen, calm down. Christ, you’re being a real drama queen tonight.”

Owen huffed as he flung open the door. “Well, forgive me for wanting our dinner guests to actually be admitted
inside
the house,” he said acerbically. “Come on in you two; don’t mind the village idiot over there.”

Nick’s jaw dropped at the vision that entered the cottage first. It had to be Justin. The young man was definitely drop-dead gorgeous, even with the large, purple hued hairstyle he sported. He looked like the poster boy for a fashion shoot. Clear skin, huge grey eyes, square jaw and a mouth that definitely looked as if it needed kissing often. He had a lithe, taut body that he definitely knew how to wield from the sashaying he did as he came in. His hair was cut short on the sides, with a large
coiffe
on the top that looked like a cockatiel’s head crest. All in all he made a striking picture. Nick became aware he was staring at him as Justin stood observing him with an amused smile.

“You must be Nick, then. Daniel’s old fuck buddy.” Those words made Nick cringe even as Justin extended a hand. Nick took it, feeling the other man’s hand squeeze his tightly then let go.

Owen closed the door behind Daniel. Daniel was taller than Justin by a few inches, about six foot. He had bright, clear blue eyes and a head of mussed-up mid-blond hair, artfully styled. He was broad in the shoulders but lean and muscular and Nick knew from experience the man was pretty limber.

Daniel grinned at his friend. “Don’t mind him, Nick. Justin thinks he can get away with saying what he likes.”

From the adoring look Daniel threw his partner, Nick thought that was definitely true. “It’s not quite the way I’d put it in company, but yes, I’m Daniel’s friend Nick,” he muttered as Owen bit back a chuckle. “Nice to meet you, Justin.”

Justin waved an airy hand. “Mutually pleasurable. You have a great cottage here. I love the lighthouse. Will we be able to see inside it? Dan tells me you paint. I’d love to see your paintings.” He grinned wickedly. “Notice I didn’t say your etchings. Dan would kill me if I saw those. Assuming we’re using the euphemism to say it’s your dick and balls.”

Nick stood with an open mouth like a goldfish trying to breathe, wondering if Justin ever stopped to take a breath. Owen gave a low laugh and moved over to him.

“Come take a seat, guys and I’ll sort the drinks out. Nick looks a little overwhelmed.” He winked at Nick as he led the two men into the lounge. The room was lit by side lamps, giving a warm and comfortable glow.

Nick followed, trying hard not to stare at the bubble butt that Owen had told him about. Justin definitely had a very nice arse. He cleared his throat as his friends sat down side by side on the couch.

“What can I get you both to drink? I know—” He was interrupted by a loud squeal of delight as Socks cannonballed onto the couch, onto Daniel’s lap. Justin reached out in delight to pick the monkey up.

Nick winced. Socks had been known to give a nip when being handled by someone new. But to his surprise, Socks manoeuvred his way onto Justin’s shoulder and started twirling the long lavender locks in his paws.

“Oh my God. He is so freaking cute.” Justin fussed after the monkey who seemed quite happy to be treated as if he was something rare and special. “Daniel, we need to get one of these. It
is
my birthday in a few weeks’ time.” He batted eyelashes that looked almost comically long, like those of a giraffe’s, and Nick watched in fascination at the artful action.

Daniel gave a self-indulgent laugh. “Hon, we’ll see. You know the two of us don’t really have enough time to devote to a pet.”

Justin pouted. “Well, we can make time.” He licked his lips lasciviously. “Maybe two fewer blow jobs a day will give us the time we need to take care of a monkey.”

Nick felt it was time to get the conversation back to something he could control. He was well aware of Owen’s shaking shoulders as he tried unsuccessfully to contain his laughter. “Um, as I was saying. I know Daniel likes white wine, but what can I get for you, Justin?”

He expected the man to say something along the lines of an apple martini or a Woo Woo given the man’s campiness.

“Beer, please. Whatever you have as long as it’s not bitter.” Justin made a moue of distaste. “I can’t stand the stuff. And no need for the glass if it’s already in a bottle.”

Surprised at the reply and suitably chastened at his stereotyped idea that twinks drank girlie drinks, Nick went into the kitchen. Owen chuckled behind him.

“I told you he was fun. But don’t let that camp exterior fool you. Justin is some sort of wunderkind—one of the youngest to graduate with a master’s in psychology from the University of East London. He consults with the police, doing profiling and stuff like that. He loves to play things out, gauge people’s reactions. He’s got a mind like a steel trap.”

Owen busied himself opening the white wine while Nick went to the fridge to get a cold beer. His mind was racing. The last thing he needed was another psychology wannabe trying to suss him out or pick up on his past. He’d had enough of that to last a lifetime.

“Nick, the guy knows nothing about you. So take that worried frown off your face. He’s not here to mind meld or probe your brain.” Owen reached out a warm hand and caressed Nick’s cheek before leaning forward to plant a hard kiss on his lips.

Nick felt a rush of amazement that Owen always seemed to know what he was thinking and feeling. “That’s not what I was thinking.” He saw Owen’s lips curl and scowled. “Well, maybe a little. How the hell do you know me so well?”

Owen kissed him again, lips pressing against his with a promise of what was to come later. “’Cause I love ya. It’s my job to know what you’re thinking. Now come on, let’s get in there or they’ll think we’re making out in the kitchen and want to join us.” He arched his eyebrows and disappeared. Nick followed him out.

Soon they were all seated around Owen’s flamboyantly decorated dining table having animated conversation as they made messy work of Owen’s fajitas. Socks was allowed a spot on the corner of the table, playing with a small teddy bear he was fond of and occasionally nibbling bits of food that Justin gave to him.

“So, Daniel, what’s it like working with Owen? Is he making the grade?” Nick enquired as he licked hot sauce off his fingers, conscious of Owen’s sultry look as he did so.

Daniel chuckled. “He’s doing great. He has green fingers actually. And the lady customers just love him. He even takes his shirt off for a couple of them.”

Nick raised a questioning eyebrow at his boyfriend as Owen shook his head vehemently. “It was only that one time when I got dog crap everywhere.” He shivered. “Bloody animal had shit all over my gardening gloves and I only noticed it about five minutes later,
after
I’d pulled them on. I just thought the drains were smelling or something. But it was me.” Everyone laughed at his glum look. “I had it everywhere and had to take my shirt off and wash it under the garden tap. The lady of the house got all excited. She offered to let me get in the shower, but I had a feeling she might have joined me.”