Chapter 22
TWENTY-TWO
LIAM
It was Saturday, and the day couldn’t end quick enough!
After they’d shared their love for each other, Liam had felt something shift inside him, and it wasn’t just Austin’s cock!
He snorted and wondered if he should text Milo that joke, but his mum had always said smut was the lowest form of wit, despite her having an unhealthy obsession with his love life and Milo’s.
Liam could only imagine what his mum would think about Milo being in a relationship with the deputy prime minister.
She would have loved the gossip, but would also have been concerned about the impact it was having on Milo being under such scrutiny from the press and the public.
That’s the sort of person she was: a loving mother and a terrible gossip!
Liam had been thinking about his mum a lot, especially after his talk with Milo, though he didn’t think there was some big breakdown coming.
He’d cried when she died, and at the funeral, and whenever he missed her.
Liam didn’t feel like he was bottling anything up.
Now he knew where he stood with Austin, he felt the most settled he had been for years.
Knowing that the perfect man loved him had taken an immense weight off his shoulders.
He adored Maisie too, and could see them all as a little family.
He wondered if Austin wanted more kids, but it was a bit too soon to be having conversations like that.
Before his big night out, he had to get through a Saturday at the bakery. The place was packed out. The weather was glorious, and the village was also teeming with tourists. It was usually only on the weekends of a fair when it was this busy, but it meant the day would go a lot quicker.
“Can I take over the till please, Liam?” asked Callum.
He looked up and saw Michael in the queue, and had to repress a laugh. Callum couldn’t be any more obvious with his crush. The only person who didn’t see it was Michael himself.
“What’s it worth?” asked Liam with a smile.
“I won’t tell Giselle what I heard you and Austin doing in the kitchen this morning.”
Liam felt his face ignite. “You know, you really shouldn’t talk to your boss like that.”
“I’m just following your example of role modelling.”
Liam snorted. He had a point. Austin had tried to pull Liam back into bed when the alarm went off this morning.
It was okay for him, as he had a Saturday off for once.
But Liam didn’t have that luxury. Half an hour before opening, Austin had used the back entrance to accost Liam in the kitchen and drop to his knees.
Liam hadn’t been able to stand for a good few minutes after Austin had blown his brains out through his dick.
He’d then wiped his mouth, given Liam a quick kiss, and told him he loved him before leaving.
If it hadn’t been for his cock still hanging out, he would have thought he’d dreamed it.
And then, when he’d seen Callum’s knowing look as he’d walked back out the front, it was clear he had not used his inside voice for that blow job.
Thank God it hadn’t been later in the morning.
He didn’t want to imagine what Giselle and Henrietta would have said.
“Good morning, Liam. How is that fine young man of yours?” said Giselle.
“Speak of the devil.”
“Did you mean to say that out loud?”
Callum snorted. Liam felt his stomach swoop, but Henrietta was chuckling, and Giselle was doing her best to look offended. It wasn’t working.
“You can ask him yourself when he drops Maisie round later,” he said, choosing to only answer her first question.
“Will you be picking her up tomorrow morning, or will you still be unable to walk?” asked Giselle.
Henrietta shook her head in amusement at her wife. Callum doubled over laughing. Liam wanted a meteor to hit him so he wouldn’t have to experience the mortification level he was feeling right now.
“Nice to see you find this so amusing, Callum. Michael, how are you today? Callum said earlier that he wanted to speak to you.”
Callum glared at him. Did Liam feel bitchy for doing that? Maybe. But he needed to get the heat off him.
“Anything I can help you with, Callum?” asked Michael, all smiles.
Callum had gone bright red and seemed unable to speak. Before Liam could salvage the situation, Giselle swept in.
“He was going to ask if he could perform at the Festival of Pride.”
“Ugh . . .” Callum looked even more mortified.
“It’s important that we support local queer artists, don’t you think, Michael?”
“Of course,” said Michael. “I’ve heard you’re excellent, Callum. I’ve never heard you play. Have you got something you can send me so I can make sure you get the best slot?”
Callum was still bright red, but was smiling now.
“I’m sure Callum could give you a private show, just so you can see how talented he is, up close and personal,” said Giselle.
Liam had to look away. He had to give it to her, the woman knew how to make innuendo sound like a casual suggestion from a sweet old lady.
“I’d love to hear you play, Callum,” said Michael.
“I’d happily play with you anytime . . . I mean . . . play for you . . . anytime.”
Liam wasn’t sure if he’d ever seen another human being go that red before.
Henrietta had walked away, as it was clear she was going to crack any moment.
Giselle looked as if she were oblivious to everything that was being said.
Even Michael was blushing. Before the conversation could get any worse, Liam escaped into the kitchen, and had to open the back door and step outside so nobody would hear him double over with laughter.
He couldn’t wait to tell Austin about this.
Austin laughed as Liam told him about his morning.
They were in The Rainbow Tap in Roseville, which was owned by Callum’s oldest brother, Dominic.
He didn’t appear to be around tonight, which was probably a good thing.
Callum would kill Liam if his brother accidentally overheard him talking about his crush on Michael.
Dominic was the same age, and he’d have a lot to say about it.
“I don’t think Callum should get his hopes up,” said Austin.
“Why not? He’s a great guy. Michael could do a lot worse, and he has, if what my mum told me is true.”
Austin snorted. “You’re not wrong, but Michael would never have a relationship with someone in their twenties.”
“You can tell him how great it is.”
“There’s a difference, Liam. You’re twenty-eight. Callum is twenty. Michael’s old enough to be his father.”
“Maybe Callum is into the whole daddy thing.”
Austin chuckled and shook his head. “Michael’s already married to the village and feels like he has to set a good example for everyone. Being with someone half his age would never happen. Don’t encourage Callum. He’ll only get hurt.”
“And what if someone had told me not to get my hopes up about you?”
“Didn’t you do that enough yourself?”
“Ugh. I think we should share fewer secrets.”
Austin smiled at him, his eyes twinkling.
That smile, just for him, was what always undid Liam.
Was Austin aware of the power he had over him?
If they weren’t in a public place now, Liam would find the nearest surface to bend over.
He hadn’t even been this horny when he was first at uni and getting laid all the time.
But then, he’d never had it as amazing as he had it now with Austin.
Liam knew Austin was right about Callum and Michael, but he didn’t have to like it.
He thought those two could be perfect for each other, but he also understood Michael’s side.
Callum would hopefully get over his crush soon.
That was the worst thing, when you were hung up on someone and they didn’t even know you existed. He’d been there when he was younger.
“Does Michael even know that Callum is into him?” asked Liam.
“I said something, but I don’t think he took it seriously. Besides, would Callum want to be in a throuple with Michael and the village?”
“Maybe if he knew Callum’s interest was genuine, he might think differently.”
“Or maybe we keep our noses out of it.”
Liam wasn’t sure about that. Perhaps it was because he was all loved up now that he wanted the same for everyone else. He’d probably become one of those annoying people who tried to foist their domesticated bliss onto his happily single friends.
“You look adorable when you pout,” said Austin with a smile.
“I’m not pouting.”
“Tell that to your bottom lip.”
Austin leaned forward to kiss him, but actually sucked on Liam’s bottom lip, making him laugh.
They then kissed properly. He loved Heartwood, but it didn’t have a queer space like this where he felt completely safe kissing the man he loved.
Although he could probably do this in the Stag and Lantern, and if anyone had a problem, they’d have to deal with Gerard.
They broke apart before the kiss got too heated, but he couldn’t help but smile when he saw Austin adjust himself.
“Yeah, yeah, smile all you want, but remember you promised me I can gag you and spank your arse later,” he said with a growl in Liam’s ear.
“You’ve made your point,” said Liam, as he adjusted himself too.
Austin smiled before giving Liam a quick kiss and going to get them another drink.
They’d booked a hotel room in town for the night so they could enjoy a few drinks together, but not too many.
Liam intended to enjoy himself tonight and was looking forward to having a sore arse tomorrow – in more ways than one.