Owen was anything but slow; his movements were decisive. In an instant, the beast-skin shirt fell to the ground, revealing rippling bronze muscles under the blazing sun.
That solid physique struck Rowan's eyes without warning, leaving him momentarily dazed. The powerful, masculine lines and fibers of muscle - as if carved from stone - made Rowan's heart skip a beat. Rowan immediately turned his back to hide the fleeting embarrassment on his face.
Things were different now. It wasn't that Rowan had no feelings for Owen; after defining their relationship, he could no longer look at the other's body with the same detachment he would a comrade's.
The red marks and faint scratches on Owen's sturdy upper torso were Rowan's own masterpieces, left during the loss of control during heat. Yet, Owen shamelessly flaunted them to seduce him, as if they were the proudest medals of victory.
