Page 89 of Snowed In

He took a step towards the door and I sidestepped to block his way. Jesus, did I really make him so uncomfortable that he couldn’t bear the idea of being in the same building as me for one night? Suddenly, all the embarrassment and rejection I’d been feeling sharpened into anger.

“You bloody well won’t, Owen. The only time I’ll see you again is as a news item—‘Stubborn plumber turned into an ice pop over Christmas.’”

Owen’s lips curved in a smile before he hardened his expression again. “I can’t impose myself on you, Rory.”

My hands went to my hips. “It’s not an imposition if I’m inviting you. And if you’re worried about me keeping my hands to myself, you don’t need to worry about that, Owen. Amazingly enough, gay men aren’t the predators the media and the homophobes make us out to be. I do have some control.”

Owen’s face paled. “Wait,what?”

It was too late; I was on one now. “Honestly, it’s always the same thing. Do you really think I have sex on the brain all the time? It’s rude and quite frankly insulting. I’m sorry if my presence is making you feel so uncomfortable that you’d rather risk your life than spendone nighton my sofa.”

“Rory.” Owen reached out to wrap one big hand around my wrist. “I think there’s been a misunderstanding here. You don’t make me feel uncomfortable. I was worried about staying because I seem to makeyouuncomfortable.”

My brows shot up. “Where on earth did you get that idea from?”

He gave a half shrug. “Well, you can barely string two words together when I’m around. Then you drop whatever you’re holding.It’s rare you look me in the eye. Even tonight, you were out of the room like a shot. It doesn’t take a genius to put two and two together.”

No, because a genius would be able to put those two and two together and realised I behaved that way because I had a crush on Owen.

“I don’t make you feel uncomfortable?” I asked. I was keenly aware he was still holding on to my wrist, heat blooming from his skin.

“No. I wanted to leave because I was worried about how I was making you feel, but if you’re sure you’re okay with me being here, then of course I’ll stay.”

I smiled. “I’m definitely okay with that.”

Learning that neither of us was making the other uncomfortable had us both relaxing for the first time since Owen had stepped through the door. At my insistence, he’d taken off his coat and boots and joined me on the sofa. To my surprise, he’d expressed delight at my choice of watching theGavin and Staceyspecials back-to-back.

“I wasn’t sure it was your cup of tea,” I said warily, pressing play on the remote.

“I’m Welsh, Rory. Of course I like Gavin and Stacey.”

Well, so were my parents, but they didn’t enjoy it. Mind you, they seemed to hate everything I enjoyed on principle. “Sure you’re not just humouring me?”

Owen rolled his eyes, stretching his long legs out in front of him. He then proceeded to match every word spoken on the screen in perfect synchronicity.

I burst out laughing. “Okay, I take it back. You’re a fan, and possibly the kind who drive down to Barry when they were filming.”

“Oh, I don’t take itthatfar.” Owen shuddered. “Barry is a hole at the best of times.”

I put a hand to my chest in mock outrage. “You can’t say that! Barry Island is a national treasure.”

Owen snorted. “Only because it’s where Gavin and Stacey was filmed. Tell me, did you think that before it was on the telly?”

Balls. He had me there.

We watched the second special in companionable silence, breaking it only to exchange a comment or two on our favourite parts.

When the credits rolled, Owen rubbed at his upper arms. “Um, this might be a little awkward, but do you mind if we put the heating on? I’m fucking freezing.”

“Wish we could,” I said glumly. “It’s been off for weeks. The landlord is too tight to get anyone out unless there’s a risk of damage to the property.”

Owen gaped at me. “That’s literally illegal.”

“I know.” I got to my feet with a sigh, heading to the heavily laden basket in the corner. “Believe me, I’ve pointed that out several times. Unfortunately, he’s well aware of how desperately I need this place.”

“Is moving in with family not an option?”

I shook my head briskly as I selected two thick blankets and sat back down beside him. “No. It’s not.”

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