Page 51 of Addicted

Owen smiled as a significant hardness pressed against his hip and left wet open-mouthed kisses from Liam’s ear to his throat. Grasping that small waist, Owen shifted, adjusting them so Liam could feel how turned-on Owen was too. Even through their clothing there was no denying it and as they pressed together just right, Liam tossed his head back with a moan.

“O-Oh god. O-Owen I-”

“Liam,“ Owen rasped against his neck, wanting to suck the skin there and mark Liam. Need barreled through Owen like a freight train but it wasn’t lust; his feelings went deeper than that. There was respect there, as well as friendship, and the urge to make Liam feel cherished.

Wait. There was no way that he was in lo-

“Owen? Liam?” Marci’s voice came through the door, which rattled as she knocked, and reality doused them with cold water. Wide-eyed and panicked, Owen immediately sat up.

“O-One min-” he coughed, straightening his shirt. “One minute!” He thanked whatever gods were listening that he’d managed to push the door closed for once, keeping Marci from walking in on something insanely private.

And something Owen shouldn’t have done. Guilt washed over him, as usual. Finn had said to go slow and Owen was doing the exact opposite of that. Besides, Liam had come to Owen for comfort and here he was taking advantage.

But was he? Hehadcomforted Liam and they’d talked about deeply personal things. Shared things. And Liam had wanted it too. A glance to the side told him that Liam was scrambling to put himself together and, as their eyes met, Owen saw hesitancy, confusion, but also…warmth?

“Is everything okay in there?” Marci knocked again. Owen glanced at Liam, who ran a hand through his hair, settled on the couch, and gave him a quick nod.

Hoping he didn’t look as disheveled as he felt, Owen opened the door.

“It’s about time!” Marci gave him a critical once over and raised an eyebrow before going over to Liam and sitting next to him on the couch. “Dylan said you were sick. Is it your stomach again?”

Liam looked quickly at Owen and then at her. “Y-Yeah. I almost threw up in the storage room.”

“It probably didn’t help that his ex is one of the grooms.” Owen leaned against the desk, watching Liam carefully. Did Liam have stomach problems? Health issues that Owen didn’t know about? It would explain the weight loss and why Liam often left a few bites if not half a sandwich on his plate at lunch.

Marci gasped melodramatically. “Are you kidding? If my ex was getting married here I think my stomach would flip inside out too.”

“That’s what I told him,” Owen added, crossing his arms.

Resting the back of her hand on Liam’s forehead, Marci checked his temperature, fussing over him like a mother hen. “You look flushed and your eyes are red. Go home and rest up, Dylan took over for you and he’s doing fine.” She checked her watch. “I’ve got to get back downstairs for intermezzo. Text me and let me know when you get home, okay?”

Liam nodded, standing with her, and anxiety gripped Owen’s chest. Was Liam thinking of running out? They had many things to discuss, starting with their little make-out session on the couch.

“Let me drive you home.” Owen walked over, putting his hand on the small of Liam’s back without even thinking about it.

Marci raised her eyebrow again. “I hate to say this, Owen, but you haven’t done your usual sweep and we’re halfway through the party.”

“I’ll make it back before the parent dances and I can revisit the grooms then.” It honestly didn’t matter; he’d greeted the couple before the cocktail hour, which included a short trip down memory lane with August, and Liam was more important right now.

“No, it’s all right. Go. I just want to head home and go to sleep.” Liam stepped forward, away from Owen’s hand, and turned. There was a kaleidoscope of emotions in his eyes, and Owen could tell that Liam needed some space to sort through them. “

“…if you’re sure.” Owen didn’t want to push. He’d not only crossed the line tonight, he’d erased it, and he was worried that he’d destroyed what he’d carefully built with Liam. If he added any pressure, he was sure that no matter how strong their bond was, it would crack. “Text me when you get home too.” He needed to know that Liam was safe.

“Okay.” That single word had Owen sagging with relief.

18

LIAM

LiamleftThePointeon autopilot, unconsciously weaving his way through the streets, his mind spinning, his lips burning, and his skin buzzing from Owen’s touch.

All this time Owen was gay? And he had feelings for Liam? Was this some kind of joke from the universe? Or was it a boon? Liam shook his head in disbelief. Owen liking him, wanting him, was too much to take in. It was something Liam had dreamed of for so long but in this life he didn’t get the things he wanted, so it still didn’t feel real.

But ithadhappened. Owen had seen what a mess Liam was and it didn’t scare him away. He’d taken charge and gotten Liam somewhere safe, cared for him, and then…

Liam stopped as heat crept up the back of his neck, flaming in his cheeks. All those stares weren’t because Owen was thinking about Liam’s dilated pupils, he was staring because helikedLiam. And thatthingthe other day? It wasn’t a maybe-almost-kiss, it was a definite-almost-kiss. And they’d done that and more on Owen’s office couch only a few minutes ago.

Liam covered his face with his hands, sure that there was steam coming out of his ears. Touching Owen, kissing him, was better than anything Liam had dreamed. Owen was gentle but commanding, his lips and tongue playing Liam like an instrument, knowing just how to pluck his strings and make his body sing. Their size difference should’ve been disconcerting but it only made Liam feel protected, sheltered, safe, and the hard length he’d felt against his own was something he’d been fantasizing about for ages.

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