Page 103 of In at the Deep End

Owen shrugged. “I wondered.”

Matt swallowed. “I’ve been with women, but…” He wasn’t sure how to finish that sentence.

“But it never really fitted?”

Matt blinked again. “Something like that.” Relief swamped him. Owen hadn’t given a knowing smile or said he’d known instinctively.

He just listened. More than that, he didn’t rush me.

Then Owen took his hand and led him to the couch. He sat, patting the seat cushion next to him.

Matt gave a wry chuckle. “Okay, this is even more weird.”

“You have hangups about sitting naked on furniture? Hey, it’s my furniture, and I don’t care, so you shouldn’t.” Owen’s eyes gleamed. “Wait until the party. You won’t believe the action these couches will see.” He leaned back, and Matt tried not to let the sight of that cock distract him. “But if we’re taking this further, there are a few things I always talk about first.”

Matt frowned. “Such as?”

“Health. Testing. PrEP. DoxyPEP. Condoms. Expectations.”

Matt raised his eyebrows. “Firstly, some of those words sounded as if they were in a language I don’t even speak, and secondly… you really discuss all that?”

“Every time.”

“Before…”

“Before sex? Yes.”

“Doesn’t it kill the mood?”

Owen smiled. “No.” He held Matt’s gaze. “It lets everyone relax.” He stroked Matt’s thigh, and Matt’s dick jerked at the touch. “I see these conversations as part of intimacy, not an interruption to it.”

Every word Owen uttered went to confirm Matt’s impression of the naked man beside him.

He’s making sure I’m informed, free to choose. He could easily have swept me along on a tide of lust. Matt was honest enough to admit that was where they’d been heading. But Owen hadn’t taken advantage.

Matt breathed more easily. “Then we’d better have that conversation, because I know where I want this to go.” Owen stilled, and Matt covered Owen’s hand with his own. “I want you to fuck me.”

Owen’s lips parted. “You’re sure?”

“Absolutely.” Matt smiled. “So what were all those words again?”

It had to be one of the most surreal conversations ever, sitting on Owen’s couch, discussing all the ways Owen employed to keep his sexual partners safe. Matt had heard of Truvada and didn’t have a clue about DoxyPEP. He was a little disappointed when Owen said they’d use condoms—part of him had wanted nothing between them—but Owen had said that was only until Matt had been tested and got the all-clear.

At least one of us is being responsible.

Then the implication hit him. Testing…

Owen doesn’t want to make this a one-off.

That sent a shiver of anticipation through him.

When Owen stopped talking, Matt grinned. “So is that it? We’re good to go?”

Owen laughed. “My, you are eager.”

Matt opened his mouth to deny it, then stopped. Owen was right, he was eager, and that was the astonishing part.

All those conversations at university, all the stories about people unable to keep their hands off each other. Friends disappearing halfway through parties because they couldn’t wait until morning. Matt had always assumed they were exaggerating, dressing up ordinary attraction as something dramatic.