Chapter 13 Austin #2
“I’d better get going before they come back here to check on you,” said Austin.
“They wouldn’t dare. Wait, though. I’ve got something for you.”
“I can see that,” he said, looking at Liam’s noticeable bulge.
Liam flushed and walked away to pick something up off the side. Austin loved teasing him and couldn’t wait to see just how far that flush spread across his body.
“I know you probably already have something for your lunch, but I made these new sandwiches today with ham, mustard, and pickle. The bread’s a rosemary focaccia.”
“Did you make the bread?”
Liam nodded. Austin pulled him forward and took one of his hands, and brought it to his mouth for a kiss.
“I can’t wait to see what other talented things these hands can do.”
“Fuck, Austin. You can’t keep saying these things to me and not giving up the goods.”
He chuckled and took the sandwich off Liam before leaning forward for one last quick kiss.
“What are you doing on Wednesday night?” asked Liam in a rush.
“What did you have in mind?”
“I could make you dinner.”
“At your place?”
Liam nodded.
“Are you planning to seduce me?”
“No.”
“Liam?”
“What? I just thought we could negotiate the five dates thing.”
“Negotiate how?”
“Well, maybe it’s five dates before you fuck me so hard I can’t walk for a week.”
“Jesus, Liam. You can’t say things like that to me before I go to work.”
“I just thought we could fool around a bit, and then for the fifth date you can stay the night.” He used his hand to squeeze Austin’s dick. “I think you’re going to need to take your time stretching me out before you stick that thing in me.”
Austin dropped the sandwich on side and pulled Liam towards him.
Their hard cocks brushed against each other, sending a jolt of pleasure through Austin.
He gripped Liam’s cheeks and took his mouth in a searing kiss.
This man was pushing all his buttons, and his restraint was crumbling.
He wasn’t sure why he was insisting on holding back until the fifth date, but his instinct was telling him it was the right thing to do.
“Right, I’m going to go before we need to deep clean your kitchen.
Yes, to Wednesday. Just let me confirm I can get a sitter.
No, to fooling around, and don’t pout. That won’t work on me.
But why don’t you tell me when you’re free at the weekend.
There’s no reason we can’t get through those five dates quickly. ”
“Doesn’t this count as a date?”
Austin chuckled and took another quick kiss before picking up his sandwich.
“Thank you for this, Liam. I’ll see you on Wednesday for our second date.”
There was that pout again.
“Aren’t you going to come in for your coffee tomorrow morning?”
“Of course, but I’ll be staying on the other side of the counter. You’re a menace.”
Liam smiled. “Don’t make your lunch tomorrow. Let me do it.”
Austin’s instinct was to protest, but he suspected feeding people was how Liam showed his feelings, so he agreed.
Thankfully, his cock was softening as he didn’t want to walk out and give Giselle an eyeful.
He had absolutely no doubt in his mind that she would have her eyes glued to the door he was just about to walk out of.
“Thank you for watching her again, Nathan.”
“I enjoy doing it,” said his friend, as Austin let him in. “What time do you think you’ll be back?”
“I promise to be back by ten, like last time.”
“Okay, but . . .”
“But what?”
“If you wanted to stay longer, then Maisie can sleep at mine. I have a spare room.”
“Thank you. I’ll bear that in mind.”
Austin knew Nathan couldn’t sleep anywhere but his own bed.
He’d never left the country because he didn’t want to sleep in a different bed, and when he’d been to university he’d commuted from home.
The guys had taken holidays together when they were younger, but Nathan had always opted out.
It was something they’d never pushed him on.
He also didn’t like people staying in his place, so for him to offer his spare room to Maisie meant a lot.
Austin wanted to spend the night with Liam when they had their first time, and not have to leave after.
That would cheapen it. He knew Gerard and Kevin would have her, as would Giselle and Henrietta, but Nathan was her favourite.
He also thought spending time with Maisie was good for his friend.
She never shut up talking, so he could happily just listen to her, and she would geek out on different things, which Nathan loved to do as well.
“How is it going?” asked Nathan.
“With Liam, or life?”
Nathan smiled. “Liam.”
“Perfect. There’s not really any more I can say.”
“Please be careful.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think you love him.”
Nathan wasn’t wrong. He was already so far gone for Liam, but he kept that to himself for now. He gestured for Nathan to continue.
“I don’t think he’s healed yet.”
“You mean Sylvie?”
“Yes. He’s been supporting everyone else, but not himself. I think he’s bottling it all up.”
Austin agreed with him. It wasn’t something he’d push, but he knew Liam hadn’t fully processed Sylvie’s death.
He knew all too well that grief affected people differently, and you couldn’t force someone’s feelings.
Liam had been focused on supporting his dad, running the bakery, and dealing with all his work drama.
When had he sat and actually processed the loss he’d experienced?
All Austin could do was be there for him when the time came, because it would happen.
“I’ll look after him.”
Nathan nodded. For someone who didn’t express his emotions well, he could pick up on what other people were feeling better than most. Now their talk was out of the way, he left Nathan and Maisie to enjoy whatever complex game they’d be playing for the evening.
Austin thought about walking over to Liam’s place, as it would only take ten minutes, but he could drive there in less than half the time.
If he had to walk back, he’d have to leave earlier, and he wanted to spend as much time with him as possible.
Austin had planned something for the weekend that would have them outdoors, with less temptation.
Now, he just had to get through an evening in the privacy of Liam’s home and resist the urge to jump him.