Page 50 of Addicted
“It’s not your fault. Sometimes people don’t figure things out until later. Or things change. And you shouldn’t have your son taken away because of that.” Liam’s voice was soft but his words were strong and, for some reason, they struck deep. All those conversations with Finn, all those sessions with Dr. Lawson, and a few statements from Liam finally made everything click, like he was tuning the knob in Owen’s brain, eradicating the static.
“Good evening, everyone! I’m Elliot, August’s best man, and I’m so happy you could join us for this special occasion!”
The first toast echoed through Owen’s office, vibrating across the floor and shattering their gentle camaraderie. Liam twitched at the sound, his face filling with distress again and he lowered his head, clasping his hands together until the knuckles went white.
Acting on instinct, Owen pulled Liam fully into his lap, adjusting him sideways so Liam could rest his head on Owen’s shoulder. Liam went along with it, allowing Owen to pull and place him, but he was still very stiff so Owen curled an arm around him and gently pulled Liam’s hands apart, holding one and lacing their fingers together.
“I’m going to tell you something and, I assure you, it’s the truth.” Owen spoke softly into Liam’s hair, watching the strands ruffle under his breath. “All the celebrating going on tonight? All your old friends? You’re only seeing their highlight reel, the best moments of their lives. You don’t know what’s happened to them before or what’s going to happen after. You don’t know any of the problems they’re dealing with and they are all dealing with something. It might not be as bad as what you’re coping with but it could be worse. Don’t compare yourself to them because you don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes.”
Owen hoped he was drawing Liam’s focus so that the toast became only background noise.
“If you met me on the street, you wouldn’t be able to tell that I was going through a divorce and custody battle, right?” Owen felt Liam nod against him. “Then don’t assume that everyone downstairs is happy and content.”
Liam glanced up, lips tight and forehead creased. “But you’re doing much better than I am. I broke down at work.”
“You think I haven’t cried in this office?” Owen blurted and Liam’s eyes went impossibly wide again.
“You have?”
“I sobbed at that desk on my second day here.” Owen jutted his chin at it. “And you saw me in the storage room when Mrs. Rushio called.”
“But you weren’t crying then, you were-”
“Angry? But I still lost control and ended up yelling at a client. It happens to all of us, Liam, and that doesn’t make you a failure or a bad person. It just makes you human.”
Liam looked away. “I embarrassed myself in front of the people I work with.”
Owen tightened his arms even though they were already pressed together. “So did I. Or did you forget how many people were in the hallway while I told Mrs. Rushio off? You didn’t embarrass yourself in front of anyone. Only Dylan and I saw you and Dylan was concerned because he’s a friend. He isn’t going to say anything. He’s not a gossip.”
“Really?”
“Really,” Owen squeezed Liam’s hand. “And I want to say something else. You believe that the divorce isn’t my fault right?”
“Of course.” Liam gave a small nod against Owen’s shoulder and before he could stop himself, Owen pressed a kiss to Liam’s forehead, reveling in the soft gasp of surprise that followed.
“If I’m not at fault then you aren’t either. For anything.” He whispered against Liam’s skin, wanting to say it over and over until Liam believed it.
Silence was Liam’s only response and Owen could sense that there was still much more under the surface. He wanted to peel it all away and help Liam heal, show him his worth, let him see himself the way everyone else did - the way Owen did. Drawing back a little he stared into Liam’s hazel eyes. Even though they were red-rimmed and puffy they were still breathtaking and Owen got lost in them, the way they shimmered, how they flicked back and forth as they bore into Owen, searching, pleading.
The air in the office came to life, quivering as the pull between them doubled down. They were already so close, pressed together, holding hands, their faces inches apart, way past the boundary of friendship. Everything about the last hour had made Owen protective, made him want to keep Liam warm and safe, and his feelings came to a boil, percolating under his skin.
If Owen wasn’t careful, he was going to cross another line.
But Liam didn’t seem to care, for the plea in his gaze intensified and he glanced down at Owen’s mouth, licking his lips. Owen watched his small tongue dart out and tried not to groan as Liam’s fingers squeezed back.
Owen wouldn’t be able to say who leaned in first but all of a sudden their lips were gently touching and Owen was surprised that there wasn’t a visible spark as they connected the current between them. That tiny kiss tore through him, jolting him with a need he’d never felt before as he confirmed that Liamdidreturn his feelings. It was a heady sensation that made Owen bold, so he slid his hand from Liam’s shoulders, caressing the skin at the nape of his neck and kissing him with more intent. It was a chaste press of lips until Liam let out a small groan, grasping at Owen’s shirt, and Owen took it deeper, chasing the sound with his tongue and dipping past those parted lips. Liam tasted divine, like a clear forest spring with a hint of salt from his tears, and Owen couldn’t get enough of it.
The world narrowed down to Liam as he hesitantly touched Owen’s tongue with his own, tilting his head and opening his mouth wider, accepting Owen’s exploration, and their kisses became deeper, wetter. Owen could feel Liam’s moans everywhere they were pressed together and the soft noises that filled the room went straight to Owen’s cock, which filled, pressing against the zipper of his pants and the supple ass resting on his lap. If he reached down, Owen knew that he would feel an answering hardness from Liam, who was beginning to squirm. He was still gripping Owen’s shirt like a lifeline, to the point that it was askew and on the verge of tearing, but Owen didn’t care. He wanted them both naked on the couch, skin to skin, and Owen yearned to be inside Liam in any way possible. A distant part of his brain screamed in warning but the desire burning through him hijacked any rational thought.
Liam broke away, gasping for air with a shiver.
“O-Owen.” His name tumbled from Liam’s plump red lips, husky and laced with need, and Owen had never heard a more enticing sound.
They stared at each other, their chests heaving, until Owen slowly shifted, laying them both side by side on the couch. They still clung to each other, Owen cradling Liam’s head.
“Is this okay?” Owen hoped that it was. Liam gave a hesitant nod, his eyes full of disbelief, as if he couldn’t tell if this was real. Owen understood the feeling.
Running his fingers through Liam’s hair, Owen brought Liam in close, kissing him deeply once more, their tongues sliding against each other, but soon Owen left Liam’s lips, trailing kisses across his cheek to his ear where Owen licked the shell and sucked on the lobe. Liam let out a stuttering gasp, gripping Owen’s bicep. Wanting to hear that sound again, Owen tugged that dainty ear with his teeth and Liam delivered, his next gasp more high-pitched.
