Chapter 5

Chapter Five

Rory

I couldn’t decide if the snow and Owen’s van refusing to start was a good thing. On the one hand, I got him in my house a little longer, but on the other hand, I couldn’t forget how he’d looked when he’d realised he was trapped here. It was obvious he’d been hoping to make a speedy getaway. I couldn’t blame him—tomorrow was Christmas, after all. He probably wanted to be in his own space.

Away from me.

He was pacing my small living room, phone pressed firmly to his ear. From what I could hear of his side of the call, the RAC was swamped.

Sure enough, he hung up and let out a defeated sigh. “They can’t make it out today. The storm has hit all of Wales and they have more calls than they can deal with.”

“Makes sense.” I peered out the window at the rapidly growing mounds of snow. “I’ve never seen snow like this. It rarely even sticks. It’s okay though. You can stay here until the snow clears or RAC can come.”

“No, I can’t do that.” Owen joined me at the window, his expression bleak. “I could walk it, I guess. It’s only a few miles. ”

I stared at him in disbelief. “Are you insane? It’s five miles down a mountain in the dark. Oh, and it’s snowing. You’re not even wearing a waterproof coat, for fuck’s sake.”

Owen’s lips thinned into a tight line. “It’s okay, I’m a big boy. I’ll make it back in one piece. This isn’t your problem.”

He took a step towards the door and I sidestepped to block his way. Jesus, did I really make him so uncomfortable that he couldn’t bear the idea of being in the same building as me for one night? Suddenly, all the embarrassment and rejection I’d been feeling sharpened into anger.

“You bloody well won’t, Owen. The only time I’ll see you again is as a news item—‘Stubborn plumber turned into an ice pop over Christmas.’”

Owen’s lips curved in a smile before he hardened his expression again. “I can’t impose myself on you, Rory.”

My hands went to my hips. “It’s not an imposition if I’m inviting you. And if you’re worried about me keeping my hands to myself, you don’t need to worry about that, Owen. Amazingly enough, gay men aren’t the predators the media and the homophobes make us out to be. I do have some control.”

Owen’s face paled. “Wait, what ?”

It was too late; I was on one now. “Honestly, it’s always the same thing. Do you really think I have sex on the brain all the time? It’s rude and quite frankly insulting. I’m sorry if my presence is making you feel so uncomfortable that you’d rather risk your life than spend one night on my sofa.”

“Rory.” Owen reached out to wrap one big hand around my wrist. “I think there’s been a misunderstanding here. You don’t make me feel uncomfortable. I was worried about staying because I seem to make you uncomfortable.”

My brows shot up. “Where on earth did you get that idea from?”

He gave a half shrug. “Well, you can barely string two words together when I’m around. Then you drop whatever you’re holding. It’s rare you look me in the eye. Even tonight, you were out of the room like a shot. It doesn’t take a genius to put two and two together.”

No, because a genius would be able to put those two and two together and realised I behaved that way because I had a crush on Owen.

“I don’t make you feel uncomfortable?” I asked. I was keenly aware he was still holding on to my wrist, heat blooming from his skin.

“No. I wanted to leave because I was worried about how I was making you feel, but if you’re sure you’re okay with me being here, then of course I’ll stay.”

I smiled. “I’m definitely okay with that.”

Learning that neither of us was making the other uncomfortable had us both relaxing for the first time since Owen had stepped through the door. At my insistence, he’d taken off his coat and boots and joined me on the sofa. To my surprise, he’d expressed delight at my choice of watching the Gavin and Stacey specials back-to-back.

“I wasn’t sure it was your cup of tea,” I said warily, pressing play on the remote.

“I’m Welsh, Rory. Of course I like Gavin and Stacey.”

Well, so were my parents, but they didn’t enjoy it. Mind you, they seemed to hate everything I enjoyed on principle. “Sure you’re not just humouring me?”

Owen rolled his eyes, stretching his long legs out in front of him. He then proceeded to match every word spoken on the screen in perfect synchronicity.

I burst out laughing. “Okay, I take it back. You’re a fan, and possibly the kind who drive down to Barry when they were filming.”

“Oh, I don’t take it that far.” Owen shuddered. “Barry is a hole at the best of times. ”

I put a hand to my chest in mock outrage. “You can’t say that! Barry Island is a national treasure.”

Owen snorted. “Only because it’s where Gavin and Stacey was filmed. Tell me, did you think that before it was on the telly?”

Balls. He had me there.

We watched the second special in companionable silence, breaking it only to exchange a comment or two on our favourite parts.

When the credits rolled, Owen rubbed at his upper arms. “Um, this might be a little awkward, but do you mind if we put the heating on? I’m fucking freezing.”

“Wish we could,” I said glumly. “It’s been off for weeks. The landlord is too tight to get anyone out unless there’s a risk of damage to the property.”

Owen gaped at me. “That’s literally illegal.”

“I know.” I got to my feet with a sigh, heading to the heavily laden basket in the corner. “Believe me, I’ve pointed that out several times. Unfortunately, he’s well aware of how desperately I need this place.”

“Is moving in with family not an option?”

I shook my head briskly as I selected two thick blankets and sat back down beside him. “No. It’s not.”

To his credit, Owen didn’t push, silently taking one of the proffered blankets and arranging it over his lap. “And I’m guessing you didn’t have the funds to call someone out yourself.”

That was putting it mildly. “Working at a chain coffee shop keeps the lights on, but that’s about it. It’s fine though, it’ll be spring soon.”

Owen rolled his eyes. “Yeah, that’s not going to fly. I’ll fix it tomorrow. I’d go and do it now, but if the pipes are frozen, it’ll be too difficult.”

I flushed red. “You can’t do that.”

“Think you’ll find I can.” He winked at me, giving my cock all sorts of unhealthy ideas. “Don’t worry, I’m a qualified gas engineer as well as a plumber. Your central heating is safe with me.”

“It’s Christmas Day though. You need to go and spend time with your family. ”

“Meh.” He shrugged. “Mam’d have my hide if she found out I left you here alone, in a freezing house on Christmas Day. That is, unless you have plans?”

“No.” I couldn’t look at him, crossing my arms over my chest. “No plans that don’t involve my sofa and a tub of Quality Street, anyway.”

“Honestly, that sounds grand.” Owen gestured towards the window. “With the way the snow’s coming down, I doubt I’ll be going anywhere any time soon. So long as you don’t mind me staying, of course?”

Mind? It’s literally a dream come true. “Not at all. It’ll be nice to have the company . ”

“Great. I’ll fix your heating and then we can’t freeze to death while bingeing Christmas telly and chocolates.”

I rolled my eyes and leaned forwards to poke him in the chest. “Owen, you’re welcome to stay, but you don’t need to fix my heating. You’ve already done enough.”

He grabbed hold of my finger before I could withdraw it. “I’m not leaving you here to freeze for the rest of winter, Rory. Who’d make me my morning coffee then?”

“Literally any other barista. We’re ten a penny.”

He squeezed my finger lightly before releasing it. I balled my hand quickly, trying to savour the heat.

Owen just smirked. “It’s happening, Rory. It’s not like you can stop me, I’ll just sit on you.”

My mind provided me with several images of Owen sitting on me. Pinning me down. Naked. While feeding me his cock.

“Okay,” I squeaked, forcing my brain to stay on topic. I bit my lip as I tried to figure out how much Owen might charge. Shit, it’d be Christmas Day too, making it double time, if not more. Where the fuck would I come up with that kind of money? “Can I pay in instalments? I wouldn’t usually ask, but my car gave up the ghost a couple of months ago, so I’ve been saving and was hoping to get it fixed in January. If it’s a problem though, I can put that off and?— ”

My words were cut off by Owen’s warm hand covering my mouth.

“You won’t be paying me, Rory,” he said firmly. “This is an off-the-books job for a friend.”

I tried to protest, but as he hadn’t removed his hand, all that came out was a muffled grunt.

“Also, if your car has been broken for the past couple of months, how have you been getting to work?” Not sure how I was supposed to answer that, I raised my brows until he removed his hand with a chuckle. “My bad. Guess I like touching you.”

My heart jumped into my mouth, but I whacked it with cold logic. He doesn’t mean it like that, you muppet. He’s straight.

“ To answer your question.” I rearranged my blanket as I spoke, making sure there were no telltale signs of the erection I was sporting. “I walk.”

Owen blinked at me incredulously. “Not to throw your own words back at you, but it’s five miles. Given I know what shifts you do, you’re definitely doing that walk in the dark, down and up the mountain. Are you insane?”

“It’s called not having another option,” I said lightly. “I have to work, Owen.”

He stared at me hard for a few seconds. “When’s your next shift?”

I frowned in confusion. “The twenty-seventh. Why?”

“I’ll pick you up at seven.” He pulled out his phone. To my horror, I saw him inputting a calendar entry saying just that. Not just for that day either, but every weekday for the rest of December and the entirety of January. I didn’t work weekends, leaving those shifts to the students, who were desperate for them. “What time do you finish? Four, right?”

What is happening right now?

“Yes, but, Owen, you can’t?—”

“Great.” He nodded. “That’s all in my calendar. ”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Owen. You can’t,”

“Again—” He pulled my hand away from my face as he spoke softly. “—I think you’ll find I can.”