Page 48 of Curious

Chapter Twelve

The sound of a crash from another room woke Jeremy from a restless sleep. Everyone had gone home hours ago, so he jolted out of bed, instantly alert. If someone had picked tonight of all nights to break into his damn house, whoever it was would be sorry. He was eager to hit something. Someone. All he needed was the right excuse.

He walked silently down the dark hall, listening.

Somebody was in his office. Swearing.

Recognizing the voice, Jeremy ground his teeth together. He leaned on the doorjamb and flipped the wall switch, blinking against the bright light that flooded the room. A familiar figure knelt on the floor beside his drafting table, trying to pick up the shards of what used to be a porcelain collectible of one of his comic book characters.

“You broke my demon.”

Owen looked up and winced. “Hell, I’m sorry. I’m not as light on my feet as I used to be.”

Jeremy looked at the open window and shook his head. “You climbed in through my window?”

“You bolted the door.” Owen stood and placed the shards on the table, brushing off his hands. “It’s the strangest thing. My key doesn’t work when you bolt the door. But since I know you always forget to lock this window I… Yeah. I guess I should have knocked.”

“Yes.” Jeremy wanted to be glad to see him, but it hurt too much. “You missed your family. All of them. Tasha too.”

Suddenly thirsty, he turned and headed for the kitchen.

Owen followed. “I know I did. There were a few things I had to do first and I figured you’d have so much company you wouldn’t notice. Then the day got away from me. I heard Jen spent the night, though. Thank you for that. I think she needed to step away from everything for a while.”

Jeremy got a glass from the cupboard and filled it with water, taking a deep, much-needed drink before he spoke again. “Why are you here, Finn? It’s late.”

Owen’s expression changed from apology to surprise, then it hardened. “What do you mean, why am I here? I’m staying here. I have a key, remember?”

“Don’t play this game, Owen. If you wanted to slip in while I was asleep to grab your things, I get that. I won’t stop you.”

“You won’t stop me?” Owen crossed his arms, his biceps straining against the short sleeves of his white shirt. “Then you’re a better man than I am, Porter. If our roles were reversed and you tried to sneak away like an adolescent tool, I’d tie you up and punish you until you apologized and begged to stay.”

He’s defensive, that’s all. He doesn’t want to look like the bad guy.

Jeremy tried to slow his racing heart. “I’m fine, Owen, and according to your brother, the problem is solved. We’re good. No explanations necessary. Do you want me to help you with your bags? I put them in the guest room.”

“You packed my bags?” Owen turned away, anger in every stride as he headed down the hall, glancing back to make sure Jeremy followed him. “So now what? I walk away in the dark of night and we forget about the last two weeks? I’ll meet you for darts at the pub and you can tell me about the new man you’re breaking in with Tasha? Unless she’s busy with my brother, that is. Is that the plan?”

Jeremy was unable to remain silent. “Are you drunk or just cruel? You’re the one who didn’t come back last night, who didn’t answer my calls when you had to know I was worried as hell about what was going on.”

“I sent you a text.”

“Will talk later,” Jeremy sneered. “Yeah, I got that ode to man-speak. I also noticed that you were the only member of your family who didn’t come over today. The only one, and I don’t have to be a genius to get that message. So don’t stand there and blame me so you can feel better about yourself for ending your curiosity experiment.”

Owen dropped the bags he’d just picked up and pushed Jeremy against the wall. “Are you trying to piss me off?”

“Gonna hit me? Go ahead, Master Finn,” Jeremy fired back. “You couldn’t hurt me any more than you already have.”

Light blue eyes clouded in confusion and worry as they studied his face. Jeremy didn’t look away or struggle. Let him see what he’s done, he thought wearily. What did it matter now?

Even in this, he was weak. He never thought he’d be this close to Owen again.

When the hands gripping his shirt unclenched and started to touch him, he let out a shaky breath. Owen’s hands were on his chest. His shoulders. Cupping his neck.

“Hurt you?” Owen repeated softly. “That’s the last thing I mean to do. I thought you knew...” He slipped his hand under Jeremy’s shirt and pressed it against his hard stomach. “Here. It didn’t need to be said. You’ve always known, Jeremy. Haven’t you?”

Owen kissed him and Jeremy tried to turn his head away but the stubborn man followed, thrusting his tongue inside and taking what he wanted. Jeremy shivered, melting against the wall. Damn him. Did he want to take everything with him when he left, including his pride?

Jeremy moaned when Owen’s hand slid into his sweatpants and gripped his hardening erection.

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