Chapter 24
TWENTY-FOUR
LIAM
“Happy Anniversary!” said Austin, gripping Liam by the hips and kissing his neck.
Liam shuddered at the sensation of Austin’s wet lips on his skin and his beard tickling his neck.
It was the Festival of Pride, and Liam had been awake since a sparrow’s fart.
It was something his mum used to say regarding the early hour she had to get up at each day.
Leaving Austin in bed was always a wrench, but today had been easier as he knew they’d be seeing each other later.
Austin was going to help at the stall as Callum was performing, and he wanted to give his staff time to enjoy the festival as well.
He was enjoying the sensation of Austin’s kisses when he realised what he said.
“Anniversary?”
“It’s been three months since I first made you mine,” he growled in his ear.
Why did that possessiveness turn him on so much? He’d never liked it with other guys, because they just came across as wankers, but with Austin he just wanted to bend over right now.
“I got you a present,” said Austin.
“Er . . .”
“Don’t worry. I don’t give to receive.”
Liam snorted.
“Forget I said that.” Austin chuckled and handed Liam a gift bag before spinning him around.
“You want me to open it now?”
“Yes.”
Liam looked inside, and his jaw dropped. Had he really done this? He pulled it out of the bag.
“Is this what I think it is?”
“I thought we could check something else off your list.”
Liam flushed with a mix of embarrassment and desire.
Ever since he’d sent those drunken texts, Austin had been working through all his requests.
They’d ditched condoms. He had given Liam a quick fuck one morning, and sent him to the bakery with an arse full of cum.
He’d eaten muffin batter off Liam’s body, and his favourite of all was when he’d pulled five orgasms out of Liam within the space of six hours.
Thankfully, it had been a Saturday night, but walking had still been a challenge until Wednesday.
“Is your dick really this big?” he asked, waving the gigantic piece of rubber.
He put it against his own crotch, and it went past his belly button. The biological logistics of it didn’t seem possible.
“Make sure you take this home. I don’t want anyone else to see it and try to steal you off me.”
“They can try all they want. I’m not going anywhere,” said Austin, kissing him.
“I’d still prefer it if nobody knew. Ooh, next time Maisie’s away for the night, or when we both have a long lunch break on like, Monday, we can use this.”
Austin smiled. “And how do you want to use it?”
“We can stick it to the wall in the shower, and I can back up onto it. You can watch me getting fucked for a bit, and then I’ll suck your cock, so I’ve got you at both ends.”
Something flashed in Austin’s eyes, but it wasn’t heat.
“What was that look about?”
“What look?”
“Are you jealous of a replica of your own cock?” Liam chuckled.
The glare from Austin made him stop, but it was hard not to burst out laughing.
“Why don’t I just take it home so I can keep myself company on nights you’re not there?”
“No,” growled Austin. “You can’t use this without me there.”
Liam snorted, but Austin still had a glare on his face. “Why don’t you decide how we use it?”
Austin smiled and kissed him again. “Sorry. I’m possessive of you, and I want to be the one who gives you pleasure.”
“It’s cute.”
“Cute?”
“Okay, hot. Is that better?”
“Get your cock out.”
“What?”
“I want to suck your cock and then you can get back to your baking.”
“Chloe will be here in ten minutes to help me box up.”
“Better make it quick, then,” said Austin, dropping to his knees.
The festival had opened at ten o’clock, and four hours later the place was the busiest it had been all day.
Thankfully, Liam had baked the cakes which would last and didn’t need to be fresh that morning ahead of time.
They rarely sold anything that wasn’t baked on the day, but they’d had no choice this time.
He’d already made a few changes at the bakery, now he was the sole owner.
Chloe had been promoted to manager, and although she could bake to help, she was happier with the customers, but she’d also taken to the business admin easily.
Liam could do it himself, but it wasn’t the best use of his time.
He belonged in the kitchen. He was recruiting for a baker, though, so he wouldn’t have to do as many early mornings.
Callum wanted to keep his current arrangement, and based on his performance earlier, Liam didn’t think he’d be around for long. His talent was phenomenal. Michael had asked him to do another set later in the day, which he’d agreed to.
Liam had also hired a full-time barista, and a part-time one.
Edith had asked if she could have a week-to-week arrangement.
She didn’t want to stop completely, but would still like to help when she could.
It was definitely a heart over head business decision, but Liam was happy for her to come in when she could.
The customers and staff liked her, and she was the only person who could pull Giselle into line when she was prying too much into Liam’s love life, which was always.
“How are you boys doing?” asked Giselle.
“Speak of the devil, again,” Liam mumbled, making Austin snort.
“What was that, dear?”
“What can I get you?”
She’d already picked her order up earlier. That was something Liam had changed at the bakery as well. He’d started doing preorders for locals to pick up. That way, they got what they wanted no matter when they showed up, and the rest could be for visitors.
“I don’t think that’s what you said, now, was it?” she asked.
Austin was grinning. The fucker.
“Sorry, Giselle. I’m just exhausted. Going to have an early night tonight. Probably sleep at home.”
Austin’s face fell, and it was Liam’s turn to smile.
“I’m loving this foreplay between the two of you, but could I get some pistachio muffins? I’ve heard they’re heavenly.”
“Of course,” said Liam, getting flustered, as he always did when she said something that was both inappropriate and accurate. “How many?”
“Just a couple, so we can try them out.”
Liam dealt with her order quickly so she could be on her way, and for the next few minutes they had some other customers to deal with.
Austin was being quiet. He was polite to the customers, but wouldn’t hold eye contact with Liam.
Had he said something wrong? He had to know Liam was joking about not going to his, didn’t he?
If there was one night he would always stay with Austin, it was Saturday, as neither of them had to be up in the morning and they could just cuddle in bed.
Granted, the cuddling usually escalated to the exchange of bodily fluids, but then it was followed by more cuddling.
“I’m still coming to yours tonight,” said Liam. “It was just a joke in front of Giselle.”
Austin grunted.
“Are you okay?”
He nodded, but Liam wasn’t convinced.
They couldn’t really speak as there was a constant stream of customers at their stall, which was great, but they were the only two manning it at the moment, so that’s all they could focus on.
Liam breathed a sigh of relief when Chloe came back from looking round the festival.
“Are you okay on your own for a minute? I need to talk to Austin.”
“Talk?” she said with a smile. “Sure. Alison will be back in ten minutes anyway, so you two take your time.”
He didn’t have time to emphasise that they were just going to talk. Before Austin could protest, Liam grabbed his hand and dragged the man away from the stall area.
“Where are we going?” asked Austin with a chuckle.
That had to be a good sign.
“Liam, relax. There’s nothing wrong. It was just me being all possessive again.”
Liam stopped. They were in the middle of the green, but people were going about their own business. Here was as good a place to go as any.
“Hey, it’s Heartwood’s hottest couple,” said Tony, walking up to them with Gerard, his arms out for a hug.
“Bugger off, you two,” snapped Liam. “I need to talk to Austin.”
They both cracked up laughing, but walked away saying they’d see them later. Austin looked amused.
“It’s not funny, Austin. I’m the one who’s supposed to freak out. You’re the grown-up in this relationship.”
Austin pulled him close and had his arms around him. There was nothing sexual in it, and his eyes radiated nothing but love.
“I’m sorry. I felt funny when you referred to your dad’s place as home, and I know you haven’t officially moved in yet, but I want you to think of the cottage as our home.”
Liam sighed. “You know, it could get annoying with how sweet you are all the time.”
Austin kissed him. It was chaste, but enough to reassure Liam. That Austin could let his emotions get the best of him made Liam feel better in a way. He wanted their relationship to be balanced, but he couldn’t help loving this wonderful man being all protective of him.
“Will you move in with us, Liam? I understand you might not want to leave your dad yet, but as soon as you’re ready, just say it, and I’ll bring the truck straight round.”
“I’m ready now.”
“Really?” asked Austin, beaming.
“Don’t we need to check with the lady of the manor first?”
Liam would happily move in today. He was there all the time anyway, and it wasn’t like he couldn’t still see his dad all the time and even stay over occasionally.
His annexe wasn’t going anywhere, but it wasn’t just their decision.
Maisie had to be on board. She’d had a lot of changes this year, with moving to a new town and school.
“She’s been hassling me to ask you for weeks, so I think she’ll be okay with it,” said Austin.
“Okay, well, let me talk to my dad. Maybe we can move my stuff next weekend.”
“Or tomorrow?”
“And I thought I was impatient,” he laughed.
Austin kissed him again. There was more tongue in this one, and it got them a few whoops from passing villagers, making them both laugh.