Page 55 of Grounding the Baker
Nathan wasn’t wrong. He was already so far gone forLiam, 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.
FOURTEEN
LIAM
A bike ride in March was not on Liam’s list of date options, but seeing Austin in cycling shorts that left nothing to the imagination had quickly changed his mind. At least one of them was being sensible. After their dinner on Wednesday night, where Liam had cooked a sausage casserole– yes, there had been a lot of flirtatious jokes– they’d spent the best part of an hour kissing on Liam’s sofa. He'd been so close to cumming a few times, but Austin had kept enough space between them that he couldn’t get enough friction. As soon as his truck had driven away, Liam had pulled his cock out. It had only taken half a dozen strokes, and he’d cum so hard he couldn’t move for five minutes.
At least this way he could restrain himself and not act like a horny teenager. Plus, he had the best view, as Austin was in front and he could see that perfect round arse and thick thighs. He could imagine the power that would be in them when he finally gave Liam the pounding of his life. Liam had built up their first time in his head so much, he doubted even the god of sex could live up to the fantasy. Was there a god of sex? There was definitely a goddess oflove. Or would it be a goddess of sex? Was it presumptuous of him to assume that it would be a sex god to contrast with a love goddess? He couldn’t help but laugh. Austin looked at him with a frown before stopping his bike.
They were on the trail that went around Heartwood and some of the neighbouring towns. This was the ten-kilometre trail. The ground was all flat, and there was lunch waiting for them by the river when they got to the end. Liam couldn’t remember the last time he’d ridden his bike, and had needed to repair a puncture he didn’t even know he had before they’d started out. He pulled up alongside Austin.
“What are you laughing about? Have I got something on me?”
“No. I was just thinking about ancient Greece.”
“Oh. I thought you were ogling my arse.”
Liam blushed. “I might have been doing that as well. I was just wondering if there was a god of sex, or if it was a goddess of sex.”
Austin snorted. “I suppose that’s a compliment, given what you were looking at.”
Liam dismounted the bike. They were in a clearing, and nobody else was around, so a quick break wouldn’t hurt them. He grabbed his water bottle and guzzled some down. Austin was watching him, and it felt like he was being undressed. Liam wondered if they could come back after their fifth date, and Austin could fuck him against a tree. Knowing anyone could pass by at any moment gave him an excited thrill, and he wasn’t even an outdoorsy fucking kind of guy.
“And what filthy things are going through your mind right now?” asked Austin.
“Nope. Not saying anything, because then you’ll saysomething, which will mean I’ll have to cycle with a hard-on.”
“So, you wouldn’t like me to push you up against that tree and stick my tongue down your throat.”
“I’d rather you stick your tongue somewhere else,” he mumbled.
“What was that?” asked Austin, putting his bike down and stalking over to Liam.
“Nothing.”
He picked Liam up and carried him towards the tree, his back hitting the trunk. Fuck, that was hot. Liam had a lot of muscle, and Austin just picked him up like he was nothing. He leaned forward for a kiss, but Austin pulled back with a smile. Liam whimpered– completely involuntarily, of course.
“First, tell me what you said.”
“I just saidyes pleasewhen you mentioned the whole tongue down the throat thing, so how about we do that and stop talking.”
He leaned forward again, but Austin shook his head. He was smiling, so Liam knew it wouldn’t take much for him to get what he wanted. Austin was still holding him up, so Liam wrapped his legs around him and gave a thrust.
“You’re trouble, Liam Wells.”
