Page 27 of Ravenous

“The last two men I dated turned out to be bi-curious and it wasn’t a good experience. They thought I was pretty and used me as a fling, a test drive. To be fair, you’ve never lied to me and I made assumptions. But I can’t risk my heart because you won’t take this seriously and eventually go back to women.”

“That’s insulting.” Finn crossed his arms again. “Don’t lump me in with those jerks. And don’t treat me like I don’t know what I want, like I’m only after you because of the way you look. It’s more than that. Much more. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. I was wrecked after you threw me out…” Finn paused, ran a hand through his hair, and took a deep breath. When he spoke again, his voice was lower but no less intense. “I’ve never felt like this about anyone. Did you hypnotize me? Cast a spell on me? Are you a wizard?”

Maybe Finn was the wizard because he was putting Ollie in a trance with his words.

“Really?” He still couldn’t wrap his brain around the last five minutes so his comprehension was at an all-time low.

“Yes, really.” Finn stepped closer until they were a breath apart, and that spicy earthy scent washed over Ollie’s senses, easing the shooting pains in his head. He inhaled deeply, trying to keep his eyelids from fluttering as Finn slowly reached out and brushed the backs of his knuckles down Ollie’s cheek, but it was a losing battle. His eyes closed as sensation flooded him, that simple touch shooting through his system with little sparks, but it also set off warning bells, telling him that he was getting too close. Not to be fooled. That this would only end in pain.

Clearing his throat, Ollie opened his eyes and refocused, taking a small step back. “I’m sorry. I don’t date straight men. Not anymore.”

“What did those two fools do to you?” Finn was annoyingly calm as he leaned in, erasing Ollie’s meager attempt at putting space between them.

“Does it matter?” Ollie wanted to snap but it came out more resigned than anything.

“Yes, it matters. I want to know exactly what they did.” Finn’s face was so close that Ollie could see glints of amber in his irises. “And I want to know if you had this kind of chemistry with them. Or only with me.” His breath brushed over Ollie’s lips and it took everything he had not to lick them. This man was a persistent menace, easily leaping over every wall that Ollie put up, but Ollie wasn’t done with construction yet. Taking a deep breath, he shuffled back again, ready to give Finn what he wanted - the truth. Maybe then he’d back off.

“The first one, Dave, always told me how gorgeous I was and since looking like this was still new to me,” he gestured up and down his body, “I ate it up. He treated me well, bought flowers, took me to nice restaurants, a few shows, we even went to a five-star hotel on the beach for a long weekend and we weresort ofin a relationship. Until I realized he had a wife.”

“Oh.” Finn’s eyebrows rose.

“And kids.”

“Ohno.” Finn’s eyebrows dropped, scrunching together as he grimaced.

“Yeah, I saw the family pics on his phone. He was a bored married scumbag who wanted totry something different.” Ollie made quote marks in the air with his fingers, remembering some of the things Dave had said on his way out; luckily, they hadn’t been together long. “Luke, the second one, liked my femininity but it was very clear he’d never touched another man before and once things started to get physical, he basically broke down and never contacted me again. Then there’s straight man number three - you.”

“The sexiest one of all. And here’s where I come out ahead. One,” Finn held up his index finger, “I’m not married. And twoooo,” he gave Ollie a peace sign, along with a sly, sinuous smile. “We’ve already been physical and you gave me the best blowjob of my life.”

Ollie put a hand over Finn’s mouth, lightning fast. “Shh, why don’t you tell the entire party?” He glanced around the kitchen, sure that everyone had suddenly appeared next to them, but thankfully they were still alone. Wetness spread across Ollie’s palm as Finn licked it and he tore his hand away, giving it a shake. “Listen. If this gets serious you won’t be willing to upend your life and come out to your friends and family.”

Finn stayed close to Ollie, piercing him with his gaze. “I am. I mean, I have already. I’ve told Opie about you. I’ll tell this whole damn party about you, right now.” Finn grasped Ollie’s hands in his, rubbing the backs with his thumbs. “I like you, Ollie. I know that you have a lot of fear but you don’t have to be afraid of me. I think you know that I’m not like the others and I think you know we have a connection. A lot in common. Give me a chance, giveusa chance, because rules are made to be broken.”

Ollie didn’t know what to say. Finn was the kind of man who could have anyone he wanted and yet he was standing in front of Ollie asking, no - pleading - to go out with him. And as he stared into Finn’s genuine, honest face, the walls he’d built began to crack, rippling and shuddering under the pressure, because if he were being true to himself, he wanted Finn. There were so many reasons why this was a bad idea; Ollie could make a list a mile long starting with his issues and ending with Finn’s sexuality, but he’d be lying if he said Finn was wrong. Finnwasn’tlike the others, his heart called out to Ollie’s, and maybe they were both wizards under each other’s spells because, in a way, it was like he’d known Finn his entire life and meeting him was just a formality.

For a moment Ollie wondered if Finn might be able to calm him, break his shackles, and help him see something other than disaster but then dread slunk through those thoughts, staining them with the reminder that Ollie’s life was an upcoming tragedy. Adding Finn to it would make his pain even more catastrophic when it all came crashing down.

“Can…” Ollie swallowed as his anxiety screamed, fighting against his desire. He wanted to say yesandno. “Can I think about it?” He held his breath, expecting to see disappointment on Finn’s face, but a smile graced his lips instead.

“That’s not a no.” He squeezed Ollie’s hands.

“Correct. It’s not.” Ollie bit his lip. How could Finn be so optimistic?

“Good.” Finn released his hold. “Am I allowed to text you while you think it over?”

Ollie nodded, not trusting himself to say anything else for the battle still raged inside of him, stealing his words.

“Double good.” Turning, Finn held out a crooked arm, encouraging Ollie to take his elbow. “I think we should get back to the party before Liam and Opie file missing person reports. Ready?”

Ollie rolled his shoulders, taking in a deep breath. He owed Liam an explanation which was going to be difficult when he was still trying to parse the last ten minutes. But Finn would be talking to Owen as well so Ollie wasn’t alone in this. And if he said yes to Finn, then he wouldn’t have to be alone in a lot of things. Riding that tempting thought, Ollie gingerly placed his hand on the inside of Finn’s elbow and allowed that touch to bolster him, steel him, so he could face the oncoming questions and curious stares.

“Ready.”

8

FINN

Finnwasstillinshock when he woke the next morning.

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