Page 127 of In at the Deep End

Matt turned and spotted him. He stood on the patio outside the garden room, close enough to a guest—Phil? I think that was his name—that their shoulders touched as they talked. Whatever he said made Owen laugh. Phil reached up and brushed his fingers over Owen’s T-shirt, his fingers lingering for a heartbeat before he cupped Owen’s cheek.

Only then did Matt register what Phil was wearing. Or rather, what he wasn’t. His black thong left very little to the imagination.

Matt’s ears warmed. It wasn’t the sight itself that caught him off guard, but what it quietly announced.

Phil wasn’t on his way somewhere. He’d already been somewhere.

Owen didn’t pull away. He smiled as Phil leaned in and kissed him, his lips brushing over Owen’s neck, fingers straying over Owen’s chest, their connection comfortable, familiar.

The sort of kiss between two people who knew each other well.

Matt slowed without meaning to, unable to look away.

The kiss ended with Owen smiling at something Phil whispered, his hand resting briefly against Phil’s waist before dropping away.

Some called out from inside the garden room. “Are you two coming back, or are we starting without you?” Laughter followed.

Phil glanced towards the open doors. “In a minute!” He gazed back at Owen. “They’re impatient.”

Owen grinned. “They usually are.”

Phil chuckled, then leaned in again, his lips close to Owen’s ear.

Owen laughed, reached down, grabbed Phil’s arse, and gave it a squeeze.

Then he turned his head and noticed Matt. “There you are. I was wondering where you’d disappeared to.”

Matt smiled automatically, his mind in the process of analysis.

Owen was attractive. Owen flirted. Owen kissed people.

None of that was new.

Yet standing there, watching it happen, Matt discovered something he hadn’t known about himself until that moment.

He didn’t like it one bit.

Apparently, knowing something and seeing it in the flesh were two very different things.

Then Owen smiled.

Just for a second, everything else seemed to disappear. It wasn’t the easy, sociable smile he’d given Phil.

This one was quieter, warmer, as if he’d been looking for Matt without realising it.

From behind Owen came noises that left nothing to the imagination.

Matt’s heartbeat raced.

Phil gave Matt an appraising glance. “I can see why you hired him.”

Matt wasn’t sure whether he was offended or flattered.

“Down, boy.” Owen’s tone held amusement.

Phil coughed, then addressed Matt. “We’re about to steal Owen for a while.”

Matt glanced towards the room, then back at Owen.