Page 3 of Curious

Though Owen was looking at him with a curious expression, he nodded. “Yeah, thanks.”

Jeremy got up and walked swiftly to the kitchen. He needed to get this reaction reined in. This man’s friendship was the most important thing in his life. He could be a stubborn jackass, but he was loyal and dedicated to the people he cared about. And his family—the Finns had always been there for him. Even when no one else was. A fact he tried to remember to help control his desire to jump their son.

He was holding the neck of a cold bottle when he turned to find Owen leaning against the counter across from him, arms folded. “Did you want something else instead? Coffee? I have tequila.”

“Tequila sounds good.” His subdued smile made Jeremy wary.

“I feel guilty as hell that I didn’t have time to get you a cake.” Jeremy grabbed two shot glasses and filled them, handing one to Owen before tapping their glasses together. “But maybe this will do instead. Happy Birthday, man.”

“I don’t want cake.” Owen threw back his shot and slowly lowered his glass, licking the remnants from his lips. “This works just fine.”

Jeremy followed suit, feeling the heat hit his stomach and spread through his limbs. He lifted the bottle and studied the contents, hoping it would be enough to get his mind off of Owen’s lips. “Another?”

He shook his head. “That might not be a good idea. The guys at work made me down a few shots already. Probably to prepare me for my present.”

“What did they get you?”

“A stripper. They actually brought her to my office.”

“To that shitty-ass trailer?” Jeremy tried to smile back. “Sounds like somebody wants a raise.”

“My money is on Scott, but he’s not getting one. It wasn’t exactly a professional thing to do.”

“Says the man who almost convinced a chorus line of topless dancers to attend our college graduation ceremony,” Jeremy said dryly. “If it was him, he has to at least get points for showing initiative. That would be more work than he’s done all year.”

When Owen didn’t respond, he raised his brows in question. “Well don’t keep me in suspense. How was she?”

“I was bored.” He heard the thread of disbelief in Owen’s voice. “She was hot and naked and her breasts were…” He made a gesture with his hands to indicate their size. “She was really working for it too, grinding on my lap with an impressive amount of skill. But I was bored and it showed. I had to think about something else and give her a big tip just so she wouldn’t be insulted.”

Jeremy whistled, reaching for his beer bottle and stepping back to lean against the refrigerator. “I didn’t realize thirty-five was the cutoff date for the sex drive. Sounds like I only have three months left to enjoy myself. I’ll stock up on energy drinks right away and clear my schedule.”

“Fuck off, Porter.” Owen glared. “I have no problems with my sex drive. My mind was on other things.”

“Your drive is well known, buddy, which is why I’m surprised. What could occupy sexual legend Owen Finn’s mind so much that a naked woman on your lap couldn’t tempt you?”

“It happens.” Owen tilted his head, as if considering his words, but Jeremy saw his eyes drop to the bulge in his jeans. Damn it, he was hoping he wouldn’t notice. “But obviously not to you. If Natasha’s hype is to be believed, you’re the legend.”

Jeremy snorted in denial, but Owen wasn’t deterred. “She’s been telling me stories about your sexual adventures for a while but I never paid much attention. To be honest, when it started I thought she was making it up so I would stop asking her out. Maybe she thought I’d have a problem sleeping with my best friend’s fuck buddy. Maybe she thought I’d be intimidated by the sheer number of times you’ve convinced two people to sleep with you at once.”

“She knows you better than that. You love a challenge.” Jeremy sighed, pressing his back against the door of his fridge and tightening his fingers around his beer bottle. Of course the topic occupying Owen’s mind was Tasha, not him. He should have known it would be. Just like Jeremy, Owen wanted what he couldn’t have. “And I don’t have any claim on her, not like that. But she does like her stories. I’ve heard a few about you too. She likes to wind us up. Does her best to shock me.”

“No shit?” His friend shifted, his brow furrowing a little at that. “What does she say about me that’s so shocking?”

“True torture chamber stuff. And her delivery is what really sells it. All that’s missing is a campfire and marshmallows.”

His blue eyes had narrowed. “So she talks about what I do at the club? With you?”

“It’s Tasha, man,” Jeremy reassured him softly. “And it’s me. Don’t get all ‘What happens in Fight Club’ on me. I’m not judging.”

“Torture chamber stuff sounds like judging. You shouldn’t knock it until you’ve tried it.” Owen paused. “Have you? Any of your threesomes gone beyond the usual bedroom play? Anyone want to tie you up or spank you? Don’t tell me Tasha’s never asked.”

This was not the right conversation to get his mind off of sex. “She hasn’t, and neither has anyone else. No one would dare. You’re both aware that’s not my thing, but you know my motto. Whatever turns you on is good by me.”

“That was mine until a few weeks ago,” Owen muttered.

Damn it.

“So we are going to talk about it.” Jeremy tried to play it nonchalant, feeling anything but. “This is me, officially apologizing. We should’ve locked the door, I know. But I don’t think we scarred you for life, did we? I mean, you chain women to crosses and mark them up with a tool chest full of kink for fun. All I do is—”

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