Cherry Breeze

6. Getting Wet

Chapter six

Getting Wet

Sebastian was way too early as he parked near the corner where Asher had told him to wait. After a few minutes, he decided to get out and wait for Asher instead of sitting in the car. He stepped out and leaned against the outside, a dashing figure in his dark red suit with black tie and shirt. He had his long hair pushed out of his face by his sunglasses and he was browsing his phone as he waited, until he caught the scent of cherry on the breeze and he looked up to see Asher heading toward him.

The omega was gorgeous in baggy black overalls that hung loose on one side, revealing an adorable little baby blue cropped tank. He was all splashed in paint again and Sebastian wanted to squeeze him, he was so adorable. His make up was the same as it had been the first time he saw him and the similar outfit made him a bit nostalgic, even though that had been a week ago.

The omega’s wild curls of hair bounced as he skipped toward him, moving gracefully like a dancer, but just as he reached him, he caught his toe on an uneven sidewalk and toppled forward. Sebastian caught him and he felt like an alpha in one of those old movies as he held the omega in his arms, their faces close as he’d turned his body to catch him and was now holding his leaned form in his arms.

“Well, hello there. If it isn’t my little smartmouth.”

“Hi.” Asher said with a smile, looking a bit shy.

“Less brave when faced with the consequences of your actions, I see.”

Asher’s smile widened and he giggled.

“I was just waiting for you to kiss me.” He teased, hand going to the alpha’s tie and pulling him down into a soft kiss. “But I’ll do it myself.”

Sebastian hummed into the kiss, his arms tightening around the omega in his hold before pulling back and bumping noses with him, a gesture that was gentle and intimate as he traced the tip of his nose over the omega’s cute little button one.

“You look beautiful today, my little artist.”

“And you look very dashing, my handsome businessman… all very buttoned up in your suit.”

Sebastian growled softly, but pulled away.

“We have to get to the shoot. I hope you don’t mind getting wet.”

“Well… I already am, but I assume you mean in a differen-” Asher began with a lascivious grin but Sebastian cut him off with another kiss.

“There’s that smart mouth I was missing.”

Sebastian righted the still laughing Asher and helped him into the car before getting into the driver’s side and heading off. They were shooting in the lobby of a very elegant and expensive rental townhouse. He was pretty sure that the place was used mainly to shoot porn, but all they were here for was the fountain. The entire crew was set up around the massive white marble fountain in the center of the yard, an impressive setup considering the short notice. All they were missing was their star.

The omega was presented with a new contract for this shoot which he went over quickly with the legal rep who was present, and it wasn’t much different than the last one, other than the pay amount, which had him gaping. This job was apparently worth $25,000, which he was assured was their standard rate for targeted, widespread campaigns, and since Asher was the only model, he would make more. The omega was relieved that it wasn’t just a matter of Sebastian overpaying him, and he signed quickly, thinking he just might be able to quit two of his jobs.

Asher eyed the fountain with interest as he was guided to a little makeup station where Sebastian removed all his current makeup.

“I’m going to replace what you have on with waterproof makeup, we’ll still have to probably touch it up between takes, but it should last through a few dips in the fountain.”

Asher, who had done much weirder things than this for Trevor, just relaxed as the alpha applied his makeup again. Overall, he didn’t look that much different when he was done, other than that Sebastian’s application was flawless. He’d tinted his lips a strawberry pinkish-red that made the thick layer of gloss the focal point of the look. His hair was left in its wild soft curls and otherwise untouched.

Once his makeup was done, Asher was brought a few things to try on, which he did. There were tank tops and little t-shirts, but in the end, they went with an oversized white button up made of thin white cotton that would be completely translucent once wet and a pair of bright red cheeky panties. He quickly got dressed, before being guided by Sebastian to the fountain.

“Okay, so what’s the concept? I’m being sexy, playing in the fountain, being a free spirit, etcetera?” Asher asked as he looked at the crystal clear water of the white and gold marble fountain.

“Something like that.” Sebastian said from behind him.

“Can do.” Asher said, and Sebastian helped him into the fountain.

Sebastian watched in agonized desperation as Asher began to play in the water. Splashing it around as he laughed and smiled and looked so very, very pretty. At first he was standing, and the photographer took many shots like that, then he moved to his knees, the shirt beginning to get soaked. He splashed a few droplets on his face when instructed and Sebastian knew he’d been right to choose Asher for this as he watched the omega play and splash. He moved so effortlessly between the fun-loving, playful dreamboy omega and the sexy vixen, luring you closer. Sebastian was hard and thanking the gods that his suit jacket was on the longer side.

He could see the shots as they appeared on the monitor in front of him and Asher was a vision, his skin was a gold-hued counterpart to the pure white marble and crystal clear water. The panties and his lips were a shock of red against all the neutral tones and Sebastian was awed by him.

When they’d taken all the shots they wanted, they took a series where Asher submerged completely, then braced his hands on the edge of the fountain and emerged in a glittering fall of water that sluiced down his body, crystalline drops falling from his lashes, the gloss still visible against the water, his lips looking extra wet. The water was cool and Asher’s nipples were taut peaks beneath the soaked white shirt and Sebastian had to hold in a moan at the sight. He touched up his makeup a few times between those shots, happy with how well the waterproof was keeping up in the fountain and after a couple of hours, they were done.

Asher was cold and pruned by the time he got out of the water and he was met by Sebastian who wrapped him up in several towels and carried him over to the changing area where he dressed in his own clothes, feeling warmer once he was dry.

The photographer and Evan thanked him, as well as the rest of the crew and Asher gratefully thanked them all for their hard work in return. Sebastian remained close to him, first gently removing all his waterproof makeup and offering to fix it again, Asher refusing. He was only going to work and no one would see him there. As he checked the time, he realized it was almost 7:30.

“Unfortunately, I have to get to my second job. Where is the nearest bus station from here?” He asked, shoving his damp curls of dark hair back out of his face.

“I’ll give you a ride. There aren’t any bus stations close by.”

“Are you sure? You don’t need to stick around?”

“Nah, it’s just cleanup from here. I’m free to go when you are.”

“Lead on then, Mr. Rossi. Duty calls and I’ve only got… 45 minutes to get there.”

Asher thanked everyone again on his way out and followed Sebastian back to the ostentatious car that had been the catalyst for their first meeting, feeling giddy as the alpha opened the door for him again. Asher gave the alpha directions and they drove off into the fading light of evening.

“So, how many jobs do you have?” Sebastian asked as he changed lanes to take an exit toward the area of town where his job was located.

“Three.”

“Three?” The alpha asked, shocked.

“Yep, and I sometimes take side jobs doing murals and other painting work.”

“Plus you’re a full time student? How do you ever have time for anything?”

“I don’t.” Asher answered with a laugh. "But with this money, I might be able to quit at least one of my jobs, which would be amazing. I’ll have so much time for painting…” Asher sighed, as though setting down an immense weight, and Sebastian was thankful that he’d been able to help him.

“Don’t your parents help you at all?”

Asher snorted at that, but the sound was false, covering some other emotion.

“My father would have to acknowledge the fact that I exist and my mother would have to pull herself out of my stepfather’s ass to even know about my life.”

“Ah… Sore subject?”

Asher shrugged. “Yeah, a bit. But it’s okay. I was raised mainly by nannies and boarding school staff. I don’t have a close relationship with either of my parents, and I never really did.”

“Sorry I brought it up.”

“It’s fine, really. All in the past. What about you? Do you have any family?”

“I have a sister, Lara who is mated to a very nice alpha named Andres, and a niece, Mia. Our parents live pretty far away but I see them for holidays.”

“Aww, how old is your niece?”

“She is five and she’s so cute. She named my cat, Princess Unicorn Dumpling.”

“Oh my gods, you have a cat? And her name is Princess Unicorn Dumpling? I think I just fell in love!” Asher said, laughing madly.

“Don’t tell anyone that. I have a reputation to protect.”

“Of course, you wouldn’t want anyone knowing about Princess Unicorn Dumpling .” Asher cackled as Sebastian parked his car outside the office that looked deserted.

“Of course.”

The omega was so pretty in the low light of the dashboard and the streetlamps outside, his cheeks flushed from mirth and bare face making him look so soft and kissable.

“Well, I guess this is goodnight.” Asher said, unbuckling his seatbelt as his laughter faded but he still smiled.

“Do you want me to wait and give you a ride home?” The alpha asked, looking up and down the dark, abandoned street.

“No, I’ll take the bus. I always do.” When the alpha began to look like he was ready to argue, Asher silenced him with a finger on his lips. “Nope. I do this every night and I’m fine. I have pepper spray in my bag. I’ll be fine. Now, do you want to argue about something you can’t change my mind on, or do you want to kiss me goodnight?”

The question was a real struggle for the alpha, but in the end, he decided Asher was right and he nodded, which the omega interpreted correctly and his finger moved and was replaced by his lips.

Sebastian let himself be distracted as he kissed Asher. It was slower than the other kiss they’d had in his car, but just as intense, as their lips parted and tongues met. They kissed deeply as Asher leaned over into Sebastian’s space and the alpha palmed the back of Asher’s head to hold him into the kiss, his other on the omega’s lower back, pulling him closer. Their passion mounted and they were both moaning into the kiss as Asher’s left hand gripped into Sebastian’s hair and his right fisted the front of his shirt. After a few minutes, Asher pulled back.

“I need to go inside.” He panted, chest heaving.

Their lips met again and they were both moaning in tandem as the kiss turned feral, teeth and tongues clashing as they kissed like they wanted to hurt each other, but it was thorough and erotic. Sebastian liked the feel of just Asher’s lips. As much as he loved the gloss, the feel of his lush, full lips against his own had him ready to fuck Asher right there in his car, but the omega pulled back again and Sebastian growled at the loss.

“I have to go in…”

Sebastian went to pull him back in and Asher relented once more, but this kiss was shorter and small hands found his chest and pushed him firmly and he allowed himself to be moved and pushed back into his own seat. Asher practically climbed into his lap and nipped his lower lip with a growl, looking straight into his eyes with an almost wild hunger, his hands still pushing at his chest to keep him in place as he licked one more time into Sebastian’s mouth in a brief caress.

“The things I'm going to do to you…" Asher purred, "But, for now I have to go to work."

"When is your next day off?" Sebastian asked, desperately.

Asher gave him a sad kind of smile as he shrugged and answered.

"Alpha… I don’t really have days off. I’m hoping that once I get paid for these photoshoots that I’ll be able to quit at least one job, but I go to school five days a week and work the rest of the time, and with all the days off I’ve been requesting lately, I really can’t afford to take any more until I know I’m secure. I don’t have anyone to fall back on, it’s just me, so I have to focus on taking care of myself first.”

Sebastian’s wolf didn’t like the idea of Asher running himself ragged like that, working so much. He wondered how often Asher found himself wanting to paint, but unable to find the time. The idea stung and he felt sad that Asher felt like he had no safety net, and he supposed that he didn’t. He’d told him about his parents, and he assumed his other friends were college students whose financial situation wasn’t likely to be any better than his own.

How much Sebastian wanted to offer to be that safety net for him… He wanted to be the one who would catch him when he needed it. He hadn’t known Asher for very long at all, and their conversations had been pretty short and limited, but he could tell that Asher had the potential to be someone precious to him. His mouth opened to offer Asher… something , but he was cut off with a kiss and a tap on the end of his nose from a paint-stained finger.

“I know what you were about to say and the answer is no. Don’t forget our deal… No spending money on me.” Asher said with another soft smile. “I wasn’t trying to get pity from you, but to make you understand that even though I don’t really care about waiting for the contract to be over anymore, I just don’t have time right now. I just hope you can be patient and wait for me a bit, yeah?” Asher kissed him again, this time parting his lips again and kissing him slowly, their tongues moving in a languid slide against each other for about half a minute before he pulled back, giving him one more peck on the lips. “Soon.”

“Soon.” Sebastian agreed.

Asher got out of the car, taking his backpack with him and jogged over to the doors of the office, leaving Sebastian once again with a throbbing hard on and a desperation for one cherry-scented, cherry-flavored dream. At least the alpha understood where Asher was coming from now. Asher wasn’t just putting him off. He legitimately had his reasons for delaying the encounter that they were both clearly so desperate for.

Sebastian thunked his head back against the headrest and sighed. He was surprising himself. His desperation to take care of this omega, the unfamiliar turmoil of his wolf as he worried that Asher wasn’t resting enough, sleeping enough, and getting the care he deserved. It was like an itch he couldn’t scratch, one that had taken up residence under his skin.

Sebastian had never felt such a strong pull toward anyone, he’d never wanted to pamper anyone the way he wanted to with Asher, and of course, his little artist would be the one partner who refused his money outright. But perhaps that was just the way of things. Maybe he wouldn’t feel this way if Asher were interested in his money.

He ran a hand through his hair roughly and headed home. He just needed a bit of patience and knew that in the end the wait would be worth it.

Asher half expected Sebastian not to contact him again until he had the money that he was owed for the photoshoots but he was pleasantly surprised when he received an early morning text message from the man he’d saved in his phone as "Alpha”.

Alpha: Good morning, Cherry. Have a good day.

Asher smiled fondly at his phone and the strange alpha who had come into his life so unexpectedly.

Asher: Morning alpha. I’ll do my very best if you do.

And like that, they began their texting relationship. Sebastian texted Asher every morning to tell him good morning and every evening to tell him goodnight. Sometimes he sent pictures of Princess Unicorn Dumpling for Asher to coo over, trying to tempt him over to meet the big, fluffy cat just so he could see him again. Asher refused to send selfies, claiming it would make their reunion more poignant. Sebastian’s response had been a very sad picture of him, lip pouting out as he held his cat to his face and Asher had relented and sent him one selfie of him in his nest after just showering.

They texted throughout the day, sometimes going hours between responses as Sebastian was working and Asher was either in school or working. But they kept in contact, and Asher, who had been worried that perhaps the alpha only wanted sex, was eased. He found Sebastian to be much more playful than he’d expected, and he liked that.

Though the alpha carried himself like a businessman, wearing the immaculate suits and driving the fancy car, Asher realized that deep down, he was still an artist. That realization had come in the form of a picture of a set of makeup brushes with the caption, “I’m simping for these brushes” , which had made Asher fall off his chair trying not to laugh during his art history class. Sebastian was the strangest mix of funny and sexy and Asher loved that.

—

Sebastian looked forward to every message he received from the artist who had become his obsession. Sometimes Asher would send him pictures of projects he was working on at school, but he’d only gotten the one selfe. Of course, he had a whole portfolio of Asher’s photos, plus all the ones taken for the fall line and the Cherry Breeze campaign.

The problem was, the alpha wanted pictures the omega had taken just for him, bare faced and fluffy haired, not the admittedly gorgeous but staged pictures he had. He had to concede that he thought Asher was right about it making their reunion better, because by the following Monday, he was ready to murder someone for a thirty second glance at the omega.

He enjoyed the pictures that Asher did send him. A tree that dappled sunlight down onto a small patch of grass where a squirrel sat, a view from a bus window that showed vibrant lime green and purple car, and his very favorite was a picture of Asher’s feet sticking out of a bubble filled bath, though the text that went with it made him want to rush across town.

Asher: Slipped at work today and hurt my back. Soaking in the tub til it feels better.

Sebastian had offered to come and help him, to pay for him to go to a doctor, or to set up a home visit from a personal physician, which Asher refused, insisting he’d feel better in the morning, and the omega insisted that he did.

He loved Asher’s sassy responses to his texts, often teasing him and riling him up, and though he knew what the omega was doing, it didn’t make it any less effective. When the omega wasn’t being a smartmouth, Sebastian thought Asher was rather witty and funny. He didn’t mind joking over stupid things with him, like his obsession with his new makeup brushes, comparing an expensive set of paintbrushes he planned to buy once he was paid.

That last hurdle seemed to be the thing that they were waiting on to take up the threads of this… thing that they’d begun to weave between them. Finally, almost two weeks later and more texts than he’d probably ever sent in his life, Sebastian had Asher’s two checks in his hand and hope in his chest.

Sebastian: I’ve got your checks, Cherry. How about I bring them to you tonight? I’m dying to see you

Cherry: I won’t be home until close to 10. Is that too late?

Sebastian: No. Fuck I’d come at 3 AM if I could just see you

Cherry: Okay then. I’ll see you tonight.

Sebastian: Can’t wait