Page 151 of In at the Deep End

“Where’s this massage oil of yours?”

Matt wasn’t convinced this was a good idea. Massage looked straightforward enough on television, but there was every chance he’d press too hard, prod something important, or somehow make Owen regret asking.

Maybe I should’ve watched a YouTube tutorial first.

Owen unbuttoned his shirt and slipped it off. “I know that look.”

“What look?”

“The one you get when you’re overthinking.”

Matt sighed. “Am I that obvious?”

“Only to me.” Owen cocked his head. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

Matt laughed. “Yeah. I mean, the idea of getting my hands on you?” He grinned, cupping himself through his shorts. “I’m definitely on board with that.”

Owen chuckled.

Then Matt swallowed. “I just… don’t want to get it wrong.”

Owen walked over to him, placed his hands on Matt’s face, and leaned in to kiss him. “You won’t,” he murmured against Matt’s lips. He pulled back and pointed to the bathroom. “The oil’s in my toiletries bag in there.”

Matt went in search of it. He found the small dark brown bottle. “‘Knotty but Nice’? Who comes up with this stuff?”

Owen laughed. “I saw it in the supermarket and couldn’t resist.”

Matt wandered back into the bedroom to find Owen standing beside the bed, naked, his cock definitely not disinterested.

“How do you want me?”

“Let me grab a couple of towels. I don’t think Alex would be happy if we got oil all over the sheets.” Matt placed the bottle on the bedside table, then went in search of towels. He found the two largest, spread them over the duvet, and grabbed a pillow, tossing it to the foot of the bed. “Put your head there. You can stare out the window while I do this.”

“Is the view supposed to distract me?” Owen chuckled. He looked Matt up and down. “Are you staying like that? You might get oil on your shorts.”

Matt rolled his eyes. “Very subtle. What you really mean is, ‘Get naked too, Matt.’”

Owen had a point, though.

He eased the elasticated waistband over his hips, dropped the shorts to the floor, then stepped out of them. He folded his arms. “And you’re still standing.”

Owen snickered. “I see that bossy streak is still going strong.”

“We’re as bad as each other.” He pointed towards the bed. “Face down, please. I’ll start with your back.”

Owen settled onto the mattress, arms folded beneath the pillow, turning his head so he could still see Matt.

Matt climbed onto the bed beside him and unscrewed the bottle of massage oil. A small pool of it glistened in his palm.

He hesitated. “Tell me if I’m doing anything wrong.”

Owen smiled. “There isn’t a wrong.”

“Easy for you to say.”

“Matt.” Their eyes met. “I trust you.”

Matt rubbed his hands together to warm the oil before resting them gently on Owen’s shoulders.