Love Is Always Write Volume 4

hoped he hadn't begun drooling.
    "Or not so random," Jay said in Owen's ear. "Go, conquer!" Jay gave him a push.
    He bumped up against the chef's bare chest. Owen took a closer look and stopped at the nipple rings. He lost his footing and practically bounced off the man's toned muscles. Large and incredibly strong hands gripped his shoulders. His gaze traveled south to a trail of dark hair that disappeared into low slung jeans. Oh, the places he could go with this body. He heard a chuckle above him. Owen quickly glanced up, and Chef Sexy was smiling.
    Unexpectedly embarrassed, Owen glared over his shoulder, to see Jay making a quick retreat off the dance floor. He would take care of Jay, his ex-friend, later.
    "Thanks for rescuing me from those rock hard abs," Owen pointed at the chef's bare torso. "But, I'd have risked injury for a closer look."
    "So, you’re a risk taker?" Chef Sexy eased his hands off of Owen's shoulders.
    "When necessary." Owen looked up. "And, occasionally, for research purposes."
    "And what would you be researching?" Chef Sexy gestured toward the bar, and Owen led the way.
    "You don't believe me, do you?" Owen shouted over his shoulder and the music. "I'm an artist. Live models are part of my research."
    "I don't model," he replied and moved closer. "But, I believe you."
    Owen felt completely out of his league with Chef Sexy. The man was a few years older than him, and probably from another country. His English was perfect, but he had a slight accent. It sounded vaguely French.
    "You're not from around here." Owen spotted an empty booth and slid in before anyone claimed it.
    When he looked up, the chef was wiping his chest with his t-shirt and then slipped it over his head. His biceps bulged through the tight fabric as he adjusted the shirt. "What would you like to drink?"
    Owen felt his heart speed up. Chef Sexy was buying them drinks. Holy fuck. "Any imported beer is fine," he finally said.
    "Be right back." The chef headed away from the table.
    Owen watched him walk to the bar, while he pulled his phone out of his pocket to text Jay and Grace, chef sexy is buying me a drink
    He waited, and his phone buzzed. He laughed at his friends mixed messages. From Grace's be safe to Jay's have fun . Owen put his phone back in his pocket.
    Two cold beer bottles were placed on the table, and the chef slipped into the opposite side of the booth. Owen took one of the bottles and tipped it in the chef's direction. "Thanks."
    Chef Sexy nodded and tipped the other bottle to his lips. Owen watched him swallow. His long neck slightly tilted, his Adam's apple subtly moving up and down. Owen had to stop drinking and put his bottle on the table. His heart was tripping over itself again.
    The chef lowered his beer and looked at Owen. "I saw Grace over by the bar. She said you're here to celebrate."
    "Our friend Jay is leaving in the morning. He's doing the London Theater Program through NYU." Owen picked up his beer bottle to keep his hands busy. He felt the chef's long legs brush against his under the table. Owen was nervous. This wasn't his usual night out clubbing. Something different was happening.
    "You're going to miss him." Chef Sexy leaned over the table.
    "We've been friends since we were toddlers. We were college roommates at NYU." Owen wrapped his hands around his beer bottle and leaned forward. "He's like a brother to me."
    Chef Sexy smiled. "You should rejoin your friends, Owen."
    Owen was pretty sure his jaw dropped open. "How do you know my name?"
    "I asked Grace." He laughed and stretched a hand across the table. "I'm Chase Heart. It's nice to meet you."
    "Chase," Owen said and shook his hand.
    "Go, enjoy your night with your friends." Chase finished his beer. "I have to go, anyway. I have to be up at five in the morning."
    "That sounds awful." Owen took a drink from his own bottle.
    "I'm used to it."
    "I am so not a morning person." Owen made a face.
    "Depends on what you are waking up for." Chase leaned back and smiled.
    Owen felt his stomach drop and his skin tingle. He sat up straighter and finished his beer. He couldn't tell if his palms were sweating or if it was condensation off the bottle. He wiped a hand on his jeans.
    Chase stood up and took a business card out of his pocket. "Come by Saturday morning at six, and I'll give you a tour."
    "Okay," Owen agreed before he realized six in the morning really meant six in the morning. He stood up and took the card. His hand brushed against