Page 70 of Grounding the Baker
“Please help me,” he groaned, holding his arm up.
He felt Austin sit down on the bed and stroke his back. It was so soothing, and he could happily fall back to sleep. He couldn’t help but let out a little moan as Austin gently turned Liam on his side. He was fully dressed, looking delicious and smiling at him. Liam always felt like his smiles were only for him.
“How are you so chirpy?” he grumbled. “You’re like twenty years older than me.”
Austin frowned at him before slapping one of his cheeks. It wasn’t hard, but it sent a jolt of pleasure through his body. Not something he’d been into before.
“Okay, I need to get up, but we’re revisiting that,” he said.
Austin grinned at him with clear heat in his eyes as he helped Liam stand up. He stumbled a bit, but let Austin guide him into the bathroom. Austin sat him on the toilet, which had a towel on it. That could have been a coincidence, but Liam knew it was Austin’s caring nature. He got the shower to the right temperature for him before giving Liam a gentle kiss and leaving him to it.
After he was cleanedand dressed, which took longer than usual given how much his body ached, he walked into the kitchen-diner to find a sausage and egg bagel waiting for him.
“Do you not think I’ve had enough sausage for today?”
“I hope not. I have more plans for you later.”
“Er . . . I think . . .”
Austin snorted. Liam glared at him.
“Relax, Liam. I was joking.”
He breathed a sigh of relief– well, his arse did. Well... metaphorically speaking. Okay, his brain thought of some bizarre shit. Not something he’d be vocalising. Despite that relief, he couldn’t help but feel disappointed Austin didn’t have more plans for later. Sunday was the only day of the week they both had off, but his daughter would arrive soon and she was understandably his priority. Liam adored Maisie and knew they were a package deal, but having all of Austin’s attention on him for the past sixteen hours was something he could get used to. He’d felt spoilt. Austin made Liam feel he was at the centre of the man’s world. And it wasn’t just with sex. It was every look, touch, smile, and word spoken. He made Liam feel like he mattered. Liam hadn’t realised how much he needed something like that until last night.
Okay, those were some pretty heavy feelings he needed to unpack later, not while he was chomping down on a breakfast bagel. He couldn’t help but smile at what went on in his head.
“What have you got planned for today?” asked Austin.
“I’ll get going in a minute.”
“That’s not the question I asked you, Liam.”
“I know, but Maisie’s back soon and you’ll have stuff to do.”
“Again, not the question I asked you.”
“Oh, well, nothing really. It’s Sunday, so some washing, clean up a bit. You know, the usual weekend crap that needs doing.”
“Nothing urgent, then?”
“No, why?”
“You should stay for Sunday dinner with us.”
“With you and Maisie?”
“Yes, Liam. Are you okay?”
“Sorry, I just assumed... you know what, never mind. I’d love to stay.”
“Come here,” said Austin, pulling him up from his chair and hugging him. “What’s going on in that clever brain of yours?”
“Nothing. Just thinking about stuff.” God, this man gave the best hugs.
“You know you can tell me anything, Liam. I’m your partner, you can share anything with me.”
“I know, I was just being silly. Overthinking things.”
