Specters & Sparks, page 7
“Thanks, Bax,” Owen sighed. “Let me top that off with a little more decaf,” he offered. Maybe you’ll calm down and stop being so paranoid.
“Thanks, kid,” Baxter said and Beau coughed into his fist. “Sorry. Thanks, Owen,” Baxter attempted with an encouraging smile. He didn’t see Beau cringe. Owen waved it off and smiled at Beau and Lorrie as Baxter went to add sugar to his coffee. Beau was thoughtful as he studied his mug.
“The thing to remember about your dad is that he’s always regretted what he couldn’t give you and he doesn’t want you to give up anything else to make him happy.” Beau looked at the window and Cace was arguing with Mayor Hathaway about something involving Main Street, judging by their flailing. Baxter appeared to be enjoying the show as he idly stirred his coffee at the condiment station. Beau laughed under his breath as he shook his head. “And the thing to remember about Baxter is that you might be the only person who matters more than Mercer to him. He decided you were his too the moment he first laid eyes on you and you were the light in his life until Baxter realized he was in love with the mayor. He had nothing but time to give you when your daddy was too busy with the shop and that meant everything to Baxter. I don’t think he ever cared about falling in love or having a family but he wanted a son and you helped him cheat the system,” Beau explained, knocking the wind out of Owen. He felt mortified all over again about his feelings for Baxter and how horrifying the whole episode must have been.
“Are you alright?” Lorrie asked as he gripped Owen’s shoulder and searched his eyes.
“Get out of my head,” Owen said and laughed shakily. He knew better than to get too emotional around Lorrie and Hal. And God help Owen if he thought about that around Noah. Owen shuddered and waved dismissively when Lorrie gave him an expectant look. “Let’s chalk all of this up to growing pains. I’m growing. It hurts. You’re all a pain in my ass,” he summarized. “Go drink your coffee and let me stew in my weird feelings,” Owen ordered and shooed them away from the counter. “It was bad enough when I felt rejected and ‘cute.’”
Chapter 11
Owen was still surly and defensive as he came out of the kitchen with a rack of clean mugs and set them by the espresso machine. Fox had passed through and acted like nothing had happened while Owen fluctuated between mortification and fantasy. It was both the most erotic and humilating encounter of his life but Owen was trapped in sexual limbo with no one but Flip to turn to for advice. Flip had a brave heart and a vivid imagination but his advice could generally be distilled to “Just do it!” Flip didn’t have a lot of patience for romantic tension either.
The universe came to Owen’s rescue in the form of takeout and an electric blue velvet coat.
“Got your lunch,” Russ said and held up a bag of containers from Thuy’s.
“I’m going to eat that on the patio real quick,” Owen told Cace as he took off his apron. Cace checked the dining room and the window and snorted.
“No need to rush. It’s pretty slow and it’s a beautiful day out there.”
It was a beautiful day. Winters were mild in Arizona and the weather was more brisk and occasionally biting than cold and dreary. There was very little green left from the monsoon season but the days were usually bright and clear. He liked that he rarely needed a coat and had never had to shovel snow. He didn’t enjoy being cold and wet.
“Here’s the garnishes for your pho,” Russ said while he laid out their meals.
“Where’s Cassius?” Owen asked. He opened the giant Styrofoam cup and inhaled the broth’s soothing aroma. Owen sighed contentedly as he began adding noodles and thin slices of raw beef. The broth was still steaming and Owen was calm and centered as he watched the bright pink of the meat fade as it quickly cooked among the ripped bits of herbs and jalapeño slices. Thuy always sent extra for Owen because food made him happiest when his mouth was on fire.
“He’s gone into the desert with Wallace. A body was found and Cassius is going along to observe. Wallace suspects that it’s too old to be within his purview as medical examiner so he thought Cassius would appreciate the archeological aspects of the investigation,” Russ explained.
“That does sound really cool.”
“I suppose,” Russ said but rolled his chopsticks dismissively. “I’d much rather talk about you and Fox.”
“What? Why?” Owen complained and slouched behind his pho. “I’m so tired of hearing about it from Dad and Baxter and everyone else. I know how old he is. Believe me,” he said heavily. “I thought I was safe with you.”
“Of course you are,” Russ replied but he was focused on his noodles as he wound them into a little nest in the bowl of his soup spoon. “Cassius told me that he gave you some advice and I wanted to see how that was working for you. I thought it was rather solid advice, considering the source,” he confided. “Cassius will be the first to tell you that romance and seduction are not his strong suits.
“He did give me some advice…” Owen confirmed but he was hesitant. He trusted Russ but Owen didn’t know how much would get back to his father. Russ wasn’t as old as Owen’s dads and uncles but he still looked out for Owen like they did. They were friends but there was still that guardian/mentor boundary there that made Owen wary. Russ grinned as he chewed, then washed it down with a gulp from his water bottle.
“I promise, I’ve come to help, not hinder. Fox is a great guy and I think you’d be good for each other,” he said. Owen gasped as he threw his hands at Russ.
“Thank you! That’s what I’ve been telling Dad and Baxter but all they care about is how old Fox is.”
“Fox isn’t your typical retiree but I think that’s part of their problem. I couldn’t be happier, personally. You need someone you can grow into. You’ve got an adventurous imagination and you’re made of elastic. Fox can handle that and teach you anything you haven’t already learned.”
“Exactly,” Owen whispered as he nodded. “But I’m not sure he wants to. I tried Cassius’s suggestion but Fox hasn’t said anything. We’ve had some awkward moments and he could have, if he was waiting for an opportunity.”
“Nonsense. Fox is wound so tight, he’s ready to jump out of his skin whenever you’re in the same room together. You and Cassius were definitely on the right track with the text messages,” Russ said, then tapped his knuckle against his lips as he hummed. “Think of it like this: you’ve laid a bunch of mines around the loft. Now, you’ve just got to arm them.”
“Arm them?” Owen said as he hunkered over his big cup of pho noodles.
“Fox was a counterintelligence agent for thirty years,” Russ reminded Owen and tapped his temple. “The Army trained him to be a walking lie detector. He’s all about getting inside his subjects and figuring out what motivates them. He’s a listener and he looks for the little tells that give people away so he can predict what they’re going to do. He can tell when someone’s lying and he’s always cataloging triggers. He’s definitely an ass man,” he stated with a loud knock on the table top before he sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. Owen’s brows pushed up his forehead as his neck craned.
“How do you know?” He whispered, earning a patient smirk from Russ.
“Now, now, Owen… I might not be a tactical spy like Fox but I can read men just as easily as he can. Fox is cerebral, right?” He waited for Owen to nod and pointed. “What better way to get ‘inside’ a man and see what makes him purr and what makes his legs shake? All the buttons are down there and that’s where Fox finds his lover’s weaknesses. That’s where he gets to play and be in control.”
“Oh, my God,” Owen mouthed and had to dab at his forehead with a napkin but it wasn’t because of the heap of jalapeño slices in his soup.
“He’s not that kind of controlling though,” Russ said and Owen shook his head quickly.
“I wouldn’t mind!”
“Ha!” Russ hugged his chest and fell back in his seat. “The two of you are going to have so much fun. Fox is dominant but he dominates with pleasure and devotion. He won’t get off until you do,” he predicted. Owen looked across the parking lot at the loft. He wondered if Fox was there and what he’d do if Owen rushed in and asked to be dominated.
“How, though?” Owen begged. “How do I arm the mines! We’ve had some really close encounters but he’s too strong. I can’t break him.”
“What kind of close encounters?” Russ drawled and his head canted. Owen’s nose scrunched as their most recent “encounter” in the kitchen haunted him again.
“I was trying out a new…toy and Fox might have…witnessed it,” he attempted. Owen’s face was on fire and he couldn’t hide that he was sweating but he’d barely touched his soup. Russ’s lips pursed as he leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table.
“Witnessed it? You’re going to have to give me more. What kind of toy?” He asked then pointed when Owen began to squirm. “You can give me details. I love you but I’m not weird about it like the others,” he said and gestured impatiently. Owen let out a loud, relieved breath.
“Thank God because I couldn’t tell Flip about this and it’s killing me!” He confided as he looked around. “You know those OhMiBod vibrators?” He asked under his breath. A wide smile stretched across Russ’s face.
“Nice little egg vibrator and controlled by an app so you don’t have any cords or remotes to lose,” he said.
“Yeah. Those are nice but I got the cheaper version and left the remote control by the fridge when I went to get some water. Fox found it and thought it controlled my Bluetooth lamp.” Owen stopped so Russ could cackle and slap his knee.
“That’s fantastic!”
“I ran to get the remote as soon as I realized why it kept shutting off and on and then got cranked all the way to high. I…finished in front of him and I think he knows!” Owen said in a hushed scream. Russ bit down on his lips and his face turned red.
“That poor man!” He wheezed and waved his hand in front of his face. “Oh, Owen… You’re definitely on the right track and that’s how you’ll arm those mines.”
“Really?” Owen was sure he’d blown it with Fox.
“He’s certainly stronger than I gave him credit for but you should go ahead and use that to your advantage. He’s engaged and his brain is putty in your hands. All you need to do is take those text messages and give Fox something more…auditory and visual to go along with them.” He widened his eyes at Owen as he used his chopsticks to form another nest of noodles in his spoon.
“Auditory?” Owen asked and Russ hummed silkily.
“Your Fox is all about changes of tone and those breathy little gasps. He likes to listen. And he won’t be able to resist if you give him a chance to control your pleasure.”
“I should leave the remote out again?” But Owen already saw it on the counter and shivered as he pictured Fox finding it.
“Leave an invitation and he won’t be able to help himself. And then he won’t be able to hear or see anything but you and that toy when he’s at home.”
“I know what to do,” Owen said with a decisive nod.
“Poor, poor Fox,” Russ replied and clicked his teeth but they tapped water bottles and laughed as Owen laid out his plan.
Chapter 12
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Fox said and waved as Baxter got into his Super Clipper.
It was a beautiful, brisk night as Fox crossed the parking lot and headed for the Post Office. The view of Main Street, abandoned but draped in colored fairy lights, had become precious to Fox and was his favorite way to end the day. He’d gotten in the habit of ending his evenings at Eloy’s with Baxter, Russ, Lorrie and Beau and often stopped to enjoy the view after he walked Baxter and Russ to the Super Clipper. Baxter always parked in front of the coffee shop and the walk back to the loft never ceased to ground Fox and make the world seem like a magical place, full of mystery and infinite possibility.
He was happy and relaxed as he unlocked the back door and made his way up the stairs. Fox checked the time and said a silent prayer. The coffee shop was closed and Owen was probably in bed, Fox told himself. He hadn’t had a lot to drink but Fox was feeling extra frisky and didn’t know if he could handle another late night run-in with Owen.
His hackles went up and Fox sensed a trap as soon as he let himself into the loft and locked the door behind him. It was quiet and the lights were all low but the Bluetooth lamp was on and glowed in the living room, casting the loft in a soft pink. Fox stretched his neck and fisted his hands at his sides as warmth trickled into his groin. He took a few cautious steps into the living room and slowly turned. He spotted a glass of wine and an opened bottle on the counter in the kitchen and went to investigate. The hairs on Fox’s neck stood when he spotted the pink remote control and the note next to the wine glass.
Play with me, Fox
“Oh, fuck…” Fox whispered and felt like the wrong kind of Alice as he sipped the wine and studied the note. Owen hadn’t left something edible for Fox to sample but it was a ticket to a Wonderland that was supposed to be off limits. “I can’t!” Fox mouthed but that didn’t stop his finger from stretching toward the remote on the counter. Fox drank and recited all the reasons why he couldn’t and pictured Baxter’s face but his finger tapped the On button. His eyes went to Owen’s cracked door. Fox’s eyes rolled and he shivered when he heard a low, wavering moan from the bedroom. “Christ!” Fox said and needed another gulp of wine.
He edged closer to the door and tapped the remote again and Fox was rewarded with a sharp gasp. The door was cracked so that Fox could peek around it if he were brave enough but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Fox rested his shoulder against the fridge and pressed the button again. He shut his eyes and listened to the hitches in Owen’s breath and his strained gasps. At first, Fox didn’t have a clue as to what each press of the button did but he eventually figured out how many times to press to speed it up and down and how to time those changes with Owen’s whimpers.
“Yes! Harder, Fox!” Owen panted into the darkness on the other side of the door, causing Fox’s soul to split. He tapped the button with his thumb and every bit of Fox’s sexual self and identity went up in flames as he listened to Owen’s shredded cry. Everything that turned Fox on before had been obliterated. All that was left was the remote and the sound of Owen as he came on the other side of the brick wall. It echoed in Fox’s ears and he was shattered as he set down the remote and the wine glass before he retreated to his room.
He made it to the bed this time, at least. Fox fell back against the pillows as he unbuttoned and unzipped his fly. He closed his eyes and was in bed with Owen and licking him clean. Fox stroked his length as he imagined making Owen come before sliding into his tender, twitching hole. It was Fox’s idea of heaven and he came with the sound of Owen’s release in his ears.
“You can’t let this happen!” He told himself but his soul howled that Owen was his and that Fox was wasting time. “They’ll kill me.” If Owen didn’t kill Fox first. He didn’t know how he’d look at Owen and not think about the tiny pink remote or hear those hoarse, strangled pleas and whimpers. “Thanks a lot, Owen,” Fox grumbled but he truly was grateful. Deeply confused and a little scared, but also grateful. Fox had no idea how he’d cope with Owen in the morning but it had been one hell of a night. That little pink remote and the note was probably the kinkiest thing that had ever happened to him. “Thanks, Owen,” he whispered and wished he was brave enough to return the favor.
Chapter 13
This time, Owen was the first one in the kitchen and greeted Fox with a wide smile and a fresh pot of coffee.
“Morning!” Owen said cheerfully as he filled Fox’s mug. He stared back at Owen as he held it and it was refreshing, seeing Fox rattled. His hand trembled as their gazes locked and Owen wanted to cheer. But he didn’t. He winked at Fox and smoothly returned the pot to the coffee maker and rinsed his mug. “I’m heading into Sierra Vista with Flick to see a movie after work tonight so I won’t be in until really late. But I was thinking we should go to the farmers’ market tomorrow since I’ve got the day off and we’re getting low on produce and honey. Unless you’ve got plans,” he added and looked over his shoulder. Fox was right where Owen had left him, staring over his mug.
“I don’t have any plans,” he replied weakly.
“Good. I want to get lots of peppers for the week and stuff to make tamales. It’s been weeks since I had a whole day to cook and goof around in the kitchen. I think I’ll make a cake, too…” Owen mused while he loaded his mug and plate into the dishwasher. Fox looked disoriented and unsure as he slowly scanned the kitchen, searching for any evidence of their encounter. Owen got up a little earlier than usual so he’d beat Fox to the kitchen and hand washed the wine glass. Owen tucked the note in the toy bag under his bed with the remote. “What’s your favorite?” Owen asked, causing Fox to jump.
“My favorite?” He blinked back cluelessly. Owen was going to kiss Russ the next time he saw him.
“Chocolate? Carrot? Red Velvet?” Owen gave him an expectant look but Fox’s brows just fell and he shook his head slowly. “What’s your favorite kind of cake?”
“Oh. Cake.” Fox’s eyes slid upwards and Owen really wanted to kiss him too but smiled back innocently as he waited. “I haven’t had a yellow cake with chocolate frosting in a long time. I think that’s my favorite.”
“Great. I’ll make that,” Owen decided, then pretended to be shocked when he saw the time. “I have to get going. Dad’s opening the shop but I need to be there. Big delivery morning,” he explained as he danced around Fox on his way to the island to get his keys. He snatched them from the bowl and spun back to Fox. He was staring at Owen and hadn’t added sugar to his coffee yet. Owen stepped into Fox and planted a hand on his chest and rose on his toes. “Last night was cute. We should do it again sometime,” he whispered in Fox’s ear and pressed a kiss to his cheek. Owen heard the sound of coffee spilling onto the floor but didn’t look back as he headed for the door. He was grinning as he skipped down the steps. Once outside, Owen tipped his face back and enjoyed the sun as it made his cheeks warm. It glowed over the rooftops as it rose and Owen squinted but he didn’t really need to see to get to the coffee shop. His feet could carry him there if he was blindfolded.
