Page 100 of In at the Deep End

“They make squirrel-proof feeders, you know.”

Owen jumped. He gave Matt a mock glare. “Next time, make more noise. That way you’re less likely to give me a heart attack.” He smirked. “Wow. You lasted less than half an hour. Is that a record?”

Matt chuckled. “Am I okay to use the barn?”

“You don’t need to ask. There’s water in the fridge if you want it. And there’s a fan now, in case it gets too warm in there.”

He smiled. “Thank you. What are you doing?”

Owen grinned. “Recharging my batteries. I’ll be by the pool if you need anything.” He pointed to the barn door. “Whip officially cracked.”

Matt gave a mock salute, then headed over the lawn.

Inside, the barn smelled of timber. He set up the laptop, opened it, and found the chapter he wanted to work on. He produced five sentences in about ten minutes, deleted most of them, wrote another sentence, deleted that too. After twenty minutes, he’d managed to write one paragraph.

His gaze drifted to the glass door. Beyond it, the pool sparkled in the afternoon sun. Owen was stretched out again on his lounger, a book balanced on one knee, absorbed in whatever he was reading.

Then Matt realised Owen was naked.

He had to smile. At least now I’m not surprised. He returned his attention to the screen.

Five minutes later, he was gazing out of the windows again.

This was getting ridiculous.

Before the London visit, curiosity had plagued him.

Now he’d crossed a line. Sleeping with Owen only intensified his fascination.

If his mind kept defaulting to the sex, Matt’s body kept defaulting to wherever Owen was.

Fuck it.

He closed the laptop and walked out into the heat and sunlight.

Owen glanced up from his book with a grin. “Couldn’t resist, huh?”

It was then Matt noticed another lounger next to Owen’s. “Is that for me?”

He nodded. “But if you want to become a member of the Owen Lane Sun Worship Society, you have to abide by the rules.”

Matt blinked. “There are rules?”

Owen grinned again. “Well, only one.” He looked Matt up and down. “No clothing allowed.”

Matt’s breath caught in his throat. “I see.” His heartbeat raced. “Do I need to pay for membership?”

“Yes, but we’ll decide on the fee later.”

He had a good idea what that might be.

Matt pulled his tee up and over his head, then tossed it onto the paving slabs. His fingers trembled as he unbuttoned his shorts. He knew it wasn’t the thought of nudity that affected him—been there, done that—it was the illicitness of being naked in Owen’s garden, knowing his parents were only a stone’s throw away.

Knowing they could come over at any minute.

He dropped his shorts to the ground, then slid his briefs down to his ankles, his cock springing up as it was freed.

Owen smiled. “We seem to be similarly afflicted.” He palmed his own stiff shaft. Then he gestured to the lounger. “Lie down on your back.” He picked up the bottle that stood next to his own lounger.