Page 32 of Equalizer
He held Owen as his partner’s spend streaked their chests, kissing his face and shoulders before chasing his release moments later. Calvin had brought a wet cloth back with him from the bathroom and wiped them down slowly and reverently before tossing the washcloth to the floor.
“Better?” He folded Owen into his arms. Owen nodded and let out a long breath.
For a while, they lay together in silence. Finally, Owen spoke.
“I ran into someone today…at the Wild West show. Someone I knew out there,” Owen said quietly.
“Knew?” Calvin wanted to make sure he understood. “How well?”
Owen gave a rueful chuckle. “Very well in some ways—and not at all in others. He’s their head of security. He recognized me.”
Calvin stayed still, letting Owen tell the story at his own pace, trying not to let jealousy rise.
“I got the information I needed from him,” Owen said. “Then he asked me to join him for dinner. I turned him down.” He looked up and met Calvin’s eyes. “I don’t want anyone but you. I love you.”
Calvin stroked his cheek. “Love you too. And I don’t like to share. Is this what had you off-kilter all evening?”
Owen shrugged. “I had to sort it all out in my head. It took me a while to figure that out. I think…he reminded me of who I was back then. It wasn’t a happy time. I was running away from a lot—my family and what I really wanted. I’d meet someone and sneak away and then hate myself afterward until it all happened again. It took me a while to accept who I am and let go of the guilt.”
“That’s hard to do,” Calvin replied. “Society, the Church—they don’t make it easy.”
“Fuck them all,” Owen said with sudden forcefulness. “I won’t let anyone make me deny that ever again. We might have to hide from the people out there, but I won’t ever doubt again in here.” He took Calvin’s hand and pressed the palm against his chest over his heart.
Calvin pressed a tender kiss to Owen’s forehead and held him close. “Thank you for trusting me. People from before are bound to cross our paths again. What did you tell him?”
“I said that I had someone special.” Owen looked up to meet Calvin’s gaze. “And I do.”
This time, the kiss was long and lingering, saying what they didn’t put into words, sealing a promise.
When they finally broke apart, they were breathless. “Let’s get some sleep,” Calvin said. “Stay with me tonight.”
“I’d like that,” Owen replied.
The beds were customized to be larger than in a standard car. Sometimes they shared a bed for the full night, and other times they went back to their own cabins, depending on their mood. Tonight definitely called for staying close.
Calvin and Owen pulled their pajamas back on and settled in, taking comfort in the closeness and the lingering smell of sex and aftershave.
“Dream good things,” Calvin whispered and pressed a kiss to Owen’s temple. “I’ll be right here if you need me.”
“You always are,” Owen murmured in a sleepy tone as if the day was catching up with him. “That’s one of the things I love about you.”
Calvin started to answer but realized Owen had already drifted off.
Chapter 6
Owen
Now that you’ve had a chance to think about it, what did you make of the galvanism demonstration?” Owen asked as he, Louisa, and Calvin awaited their dinner. Owen had slipped the waiter money to ensure they had a quiet table where they could talk without being overheard at a restaurant Louisa chose for its reputation for discretion.
“Nauseating.” Louisa cradled her teacup in both hands. “Not exactly how I envisioned progress to look.”
“I can’t argue with that,” Calvin said. “It was definitely…disturbing.”
“Gordon is a showman, I’ll give him that,” Owen said. “Although I’m skeptical that he’s really a doctor.”
“Actually, that part is true. He’s a veterinarian, although he lost his license over some dubious dealings,” Louisa remarked. “That doesn’t surprise me. But I still doubt that he’s the mastermind behind the transplant scheme.”
“I agree.” Calvin refilled his cup from the teapot on the table. “The people who want to benefit from the parts will also want discretion. Gordon knows how to live large and attract attention. I can’t imagine anyone trusting him with their secrets.”
