Out of the Darkness by J. C. Owens

Author:J. C. Owens
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: M/M Romance
ISBN: 978-1-940223-79-7
Publisher: Etopia Press
Published: 2014-01-02T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Chase hummed to himself as he ate. Half of it was appreciation of Ms. Granger’s cooking; the other was joy at the news that Enzo was on his way home. Three days he had been gone, and he had missed him with every breath. His body ached for the Martinelli’s touch. He was perpetually aroused at the memories of their time together, and he could not sleep for want of that beloved form.

Rafe entered the kitchen and offered him a smile, though it was strained. Ever since it had become known that Chase was now Enzo’s lover, Rafe had been odd, stiff, and uncomfortable around Chase, when before their close ages had been a sort of bond between them.

Perhaps Rafe had hoped for more than being merely friends. The thought had crossed his mind before, but such a thing would never have occurred. His heart had been taken long ago, before he met Rafe.

He smiled back, hoping that they could work past this. He had too few friends to be blasé about losing Rafe. Rafe was part of the inner circle, and to be at odds with him would bring a tension into the household, something Enzo would never tolerate. Rafe would be sent elsewhere, a demotion of sorts, and he had no wish to be part of that. Rafe had worked hard to get where he was.

He watched the enforcer wander to the cabinets, pulling out a glass before turning to the fridge, and rummaging for some orange juice.

“I’m sorry I can’t be what you want, Rafe,” he said softly. The enforcer’s back tightened, muscles flexing, then he turned slowly, a dark flush high on his cheekbones, looking at him with incredulous eyes.

“You know?” His voice was harsh with horror.

He kept eye contact, nodding. “I value you as a friend. Please believe that. But that is all it could ever be. I don’t want to hurt you, but I have to be honest.”

Rafe stared at him for long moments, then lowered his eyes, and a small, wry smile passed over his features. “I always want the ones I can’t have. I think I knew from the beginning.”

Chase’s muscles slowly relaxed as it became clear that Rafe was taking this much better than he had expected. The enforcer’s words seemed to point to a history of such relationships, something he could not be held accountable for. It took away some of the guilt.

“Friends though?” He kept his tone even and steady. He wanted to make sure that his demeanor gave no hope to any residual thoughts Rafe may have.

Rafe watched him for long moments, before giving a soft, somewhat sad smile. “If that is all I can have, it is enough. Maybe you can give me tips on how to look for someone who is going to want me back.”

He grinned. “I am a pro at unresolved longing. If I can win, then so can you. We’ll work on it, you and I.”

Rafe nodded, and the moment smoothed over far better than Chase could ever have hoped for.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.