Page 58 of In at the Deep End

Owen shrugged. “Turns out I didn’t.”

He blinked.

Owen turned his head to look at him. “Not because I stopped wanting sex.” He laughed. “Far from it. I simply realised I wasn’t looking for another great love story.” He met Matt’s eyes. “I already had mine.”

The words hung between them.

“So these days,” he continued, “I keep things casual. No promises, no expectations. Everyone knows where they stand, everyone’s honest, everyone’s there because they want to be. And parties are for good company, good conversation, great food—and great sex.” He shrugged, a graceful roll of his shoulders. “It works.”

Matt considered that. “And your guests?”

Owen’s grin returned. “Often, they’re people who think very much the same way.” His smile grew rueful. “You’ll have to forgive me. I’m usually a lot more private than this.” Matt raised an eyebrow, and he laughed. “Believe it or not. And yet here I am explaining my sex life to the son of my oldest friend. I’m not even sure why I’m telling you all this. Normally I’d have changed the subject three times by now.” Then he chuckled again. “Perhaps once someone has accidentally watched one of your porn films, there aren’t many conversational barriers left.”

Matt groaned. “Please don’t remind me.”

He laughed. “I’m teasing.” Then his expression grew more sober. “It is odd though.”

“What is?”

“I’ve known you less than a week.” He gave a small, almost bemused smile. “And somehow I keep finding myself saying things I’ve spent years keeping locked inside.”

Matt held his gaze. “Do you know why?”

Owen blinked. “No. Do you?”

“Because you know I won’t use them against you.”

“You may be right. So you still want to come to one of my parties?” When Matt nodded, Owen’s eyes gleamed. “You’ve never spent much time around gay men, have you?”

Matt laughed. “Right now, you’re all I’ve got.”

“Then consider this an education.”

He grinned. “Oh, so now it’s educational?”

Owen grinned. “Trust me. You’ll meet every variety. Leather, bears, twinks, puppies…”

Matt laughed out loud. “‘Puppies’?”

“You’ll have to wait and see.” Owen stilled. “One thing, though. You don’t have to stay if you feel uncomfortable.”

Matt shook his head. “I don’t think I will be.”

“You might be surprised.”

“Maybe.” He smiled. “But I still want to come.”

Owen gave a satisfied nod. “Good.” He glanced at the clock. “And now you really do need to go, before Jeff and Babs think you’ve moved in here permanently. I’ll see you in the morning whenever you’re ready.”

Matt set his empty glass on the coffee table. He straightened. “Thank you for trusting me.”

Owen smiled. “Thanks for not making me regret it.” He followed Matt to the front door.

“See you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow.”

Matt stepped out into the warm summer evening and Owen closed the front door behind him.