Page 61 of The Big Fix

How many times had I thought of doing just that, only to play the scenario out in my head and end up imagining him hating me.

“You can’t possibly think that I would ever do anything but kiss you back.”

I couldn’t tell if I was still breathing or not. Probably, because I was still standing, but it was hard to tell as I stared at him.

“Jared,” he husked. “There’s no one but you. You’re all I want.”

All I could do was stand there and stare at him like the village idiot.

“Why don’t you come over here and sit down.”

That wasn’t going to happen. I was rooted to the spot.

He gave me a wicked, evil grin then. “Please.”

Oh dear God. My mouth went dry, my pulse quickened, my stomach twisted, and a lump formed in my throat I could not speak around.

“You know,” he began, “if it took me getting kidnapped and beaten for you to actually own up to your feelings—and know mine without question—I think I’m okay with that.”

“Owen, I—”

“No,” he rushed out. “This is my reward. Finally, you’re going to be mine.”

My brain turned back on. “You do realize we’re in imminent danger here.”

“No, I know. But getting this off my chest, with how long I’ve been carrying it around, it feels like everything’s going to be okay. It’s like the sun came out.” He sighed.

“Owen—”

“You’re the most amazing man I know, Jared Colter, but you’ve been utterly blind to what’s right in front of your face.”

“What’s right in front of my face?” I whispered.

“Me, for heaven’s sake.”

It took me a second to put everything together. “Have you lost your fuckin’ mind?”

Even though he was most definitely laughing at me, I didn’t mind. The sound of him was so good. Happy Owen always gave me heart palpitations.

“Owen, I’m old enough to be your father!”

“But you’re not my father. Never have been, never will be.”

“Yeah, but—”

“I’m thirty-two now, did you know that?”

“Of course I—”

“I’m not some kid who doesn’t know his own mind. I’m an adult.”

“Yes, I—”

“All grown up,” he went on.

“Owen, I’m aware that you’re—”

“But you hold on to the age difference like a shield, like it means everything, when really, it doesn’t mean shit.”