Chapter 3
Austin
With Oliver’s hand doing wicked things to me half the way to the wedding, I forget all about being nervous and nauseous over having to face Harry and let myself get lost in the fantasy world Oliver is helping me build with each probing question and wicked touch.
We pull into the church parking lot, and he goes into full on coach mode.
“You’ve got this. This part will be over before you know it, and then we’ll get to the booze and dancing.”
“Yeah, it’ll be fine,” I agree, even though I don’t fully believe it; Oliver has a strange way of making it seem true.
I get out of the car and hurry around to open Oliver’s door for him.
“Wow, what a gentleman,” he comments, sounding impressed. “You’ve got the whole gentleman in the streets, beast in the sheets thing going.”
Pleasure unfurls in my chest, and I let myself preen a little at the praise.
“You’re not so bad in bed yourself.” I wink.
As soon as he’s out of the car, Oliver reaches for my hand, twining our fingers together.
“We’re boyfriends,” he says in way of explanation when I glance down at our joined hands.
“Right,” I say with a flutter in my chest. How strange is it that in the three years since Harry and I broke up, I’ve fucked numerous men, but haven’t held hands with anyone? I don’t know what it is about our fingers twined and our palms pressed together, but it feels far more intimate than fucking.
As we walk up the steps to the church, I’m eternally grateful for Oliver’s steady grasp on my hand. For a moment, it feels like it’s the only thing holding me together. Just inside the entrance is a sign announcing the wedding and a table for gifts. I didn’t bring anything, because if I had, it would’ve likely been a giant dildo with a card saying go fuck yourself.
“Oh my god, please tell me they’re taking the last name Sacs. Your ex is going to be named Harry Sacs?” Oliver whispers to me with delight, his breath tickling my ear as he giggles. And this time, the name has the full impact, a laugh bubbling up in my chest, forcing me to put my free hand over my mouth so I don’t let out a loud guffaw on our way into the chapel.
I keep my head down as we grab seats near the back, trying to avoid any possible gazes from Harry’s family, not sure how I’m supposed to interact with them. That should’ve occurred to me before we got here, but I was so focused on proving to Harry how happy I am that I didn’t think about his sweet mom who used to text me during finals to make sure I was getting plenty of sleep and vitamins, or his little sister who always begged me to play “Minecraft” with her when I would visit.
“So, why’d you and Harry break up?” Oliver asks conversationally as we wait for the ceremony to start.
I can feel all of my muscles tense at the same time, that night washing over me like a bad dream.
“Aus, you knew this was coming. We had fun, but this relationship was never going to last past college. You were something to do in between classes, but we don’t exactly have a lot in common, right? No offense, but outside of bed, you’re a little…boring.”
The words echo in my head, burned into my mind permanently. Despite Harry insisting we both knew this was coming, I was completely blindsided. I had been daydreaming about a summer wedding and a little house in the suburbs when he dropped the bomb all of five minutes after graduation.
Oliver squeezes my hand, and I clear my throat.
“Apparently, I was a perfectly fine distraction between classes when he wanted a quick fuck, but I wasn’t someone he could see being with long term.”
“What a dick. How long were you together?”
“Three years,” I grit out, feeling like a complete idiot, exactly like I did back then. The stupid old wound gaping open and oozing.
“This guy sounds like a fucking sociopath,” Oliver declares. Before I can respond, the music starts, and the doors at the back of the church open. I steel myself and turn my head to see Harry walking down the aisle, his arm on a man who’s everything I’m not—stupidly sexy, confident, and I’m sure endlessly interesting.
The wedding itself goes by quickly, just like Oliver promised. His hand stays in mine the whole time, and while Harry and Martin exchange cheesy vows, Oliver whispers funny things in my ear and runs his free hand up my thigh from time to time, making my skin prickle with awareness.
When the ceremony ends, the guests start lining up to congratulate the happy couple before heading next door to the reception venue. My heart stutters, and I cast a quick look at Oliver.
“We can slip past the receiving line and head straight to the reception if you want,” he suggests.
“No, then he’ll think I’m freaked out, and even if that’s true, I don’t want him to know that. Let’s do this, but feel free to make it clear how irresistible you find me while we’re up there.”
“You got it,” Oliver agrees, planting a quick kiss on my cheek, which eases some of my tension.
As soon as we join the line, Harry’s mom spots me, making a beeline over to greet me.
“Mrs. Brewer, it’s so nice to see you again,” I greet her with a stomach full of swarming butterflies.
“Austin James, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Rebecca?” she scolds playfully, pulling me in for a hug. “It’s so good to see you. I wasn’t sure if you’d make it. Harry wasn’t sure if he should invite you, but I told him to at least give you the option. The two of you were such good friends before you dated; it was such a shame that he ruined everything.”
Rebecca’s quickness to blame her own son for the breakup has me feeling a little better.
“It was what it was.” I give a one shoulder shrug. “This is my boyfriend, Oliver,” I introduce, hoping to steer the subject in a less awkward direction.
“It’s nice to meet you, Oliver.” She pulls him into a hug as well. “How did the two of you meet?”
Oliver and I exchange a look, and I can tell he’s re-thinking his original story now that he has to say it out loud to Harry’s mom. I give him a subtle nod, curious to see the reaction the story will get and ready to have a little fun at everyone else’s expense.
“I’m an artist, and I put an ad online for a nude model. Austin responded to it. I was hoping for a hot model to paint, but when Austin showed up…” Oliver looks at me adoringly for affect, and I have to say he’s a damn good actor because even I’m buying it. “He was so much better than I’d been imagining. We flirted and got to know each other while I painted him, and after three sessions, I gave in and made a move. The rest is pretty much history. Now, we’re living together and talking about getting a dog. It’s basically a fairytale.”
Rebecca looks stunned and amused at the same time.
“Nude modeling? That was not what I was expecting.”
“It’s a hobby,” I lie. “Although, now most of my nude modeling is done for Ollie.”
“You two are precious,” she sighs. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to go make the rounds, but let’s talk more at the reception.”
“Ollie?” Oliver questions quietly once Rebecca walks away.
“It felt right,” I explain with a laugh as he leans into me and chuckles as well.
“Normally, I hate it when people call me Ollie, but it’s kind of cute coming from you, so I’ll allow it.”
“Aw, I feel so special,” I joke.
“Now I need a nickname for you. How about sugar lips?”
I laugh even harder. “Sure, why the hell not?” I agree.
The line moves quickly, and in no time at all, we’ve reached Harry and Martin.
“Aus, wow, I’m so glad you came,” Harry greets, making an awkward move like he’s not sure if he should hug me before settling for holding his hand out for a handshake.
“Yeah, congratulations and thanks for inviting me.”
Oliver drapes himself around my waist, holding his hand out to Harry as soon as I release his grip.
“Nice to meet you, I’m Oliver. I have to admit I was surprised to hear you and my sugar lips here used to date; he never mentioned you before the invitation showed up,” he muses in the most passive aggressive way I’ve ever heard, making me have to bite the inside of my cheek against another laugh.
Harry frowns for a second before recovering with a smile. “I’m guessing you haven’t been together long,” he guesses.
“Just over a year actually, living together for the past six months,” Oliver volunteers. “We just clicked right from the start though. You know how it is when a relationship just feels right? Well, of course you do.” He gestures between Harry and Martin. “Martin and Harry Sacs, you two are just perfect. Congratulations again; we’ll see you at the reception.” With that, Oliver leads me away before I can collapse in a fit of laughter, leaving a gaping Harry behind.
“That was epic. I think I may be in love with you,” I whisper, wrapping my arms around Oliver’s waist.
“Yes, that does tend to happen to men who spend too much time around me.”
Oliver
With the tension of facing his ex out of the way, Austin relaxes significantly. When we enter the reception hall, he heads straight for the bar, bringing back two glasses of wine.
“I hope you like wine? I forgot to ask before I went up there, sorry.”
“I do, thank you.” I take the glass from him and sip it happily, looking around at everyone finding their seats or greeting other guests. As traditional as they are, I do love weddings.
Austin makes polite chit chat with a few other family members of Harry’s who approach him, and I play his dutiful boyfriend while enjoying my drink. It’s no hardship, and I can’t believe I’m getting paid to spend the night getting free food, drinking, and flirting.
It has been niggling at the back of my mind, wondering why Austin never messaged me again for another hookup. He seemed happy enough to see me and hasn’t been shy about touching or flirting with me. But maybe that’s because I’m a lifeline in an awkward situation.
When the grooms are announced and take the dance floor for their first dance, Austin stiffens beside me. As the newlyweds dance to “What a Wonderful World” I slip my arm around Austin’s waist and nuzzle against his neck to distract him. He gives me a weak smile and squeezes my hip.
“Sorry, it’s just so weird to see this when I was so sure for three years that it would be me up there with him,” he whispers.
“What’s that like? I’ve never been serious with someone; is it a nice feeling while it’s happening?”
Austin’s brows furrow for a moment, a little frown forming on his lips.
“Yeah,” he admits after a minute. “It’s the best feeling. It’s like you’re flying and falling at the same time, thrilling and terrifying. It’s great, as long as someone’s there to catch you before you hit the ground.”
I nod in feigned understanding, trying to imagine it. I’m not sure it’s worth the risk to be that vulnerable with anyone, but it does seem like it might be nice to try. Maybe someday…with the right person, of course.
The song ends, and people clap, and then the DJ switches to something poppy and easy to dance to while people fill the dance floor. Snatching Austin’s glass from his hand, I set both our drinks on the table and grab his hand.
“Let’s dance,” I suggest, not waiting for an answer before dragging him onto the dance floor.
He’s stiff at first, doing sort of a dorky, white boy dance that doesn’t fit the song at all.
“Come on, sugar lips, I know you’ve got more rhythm than that,” I cajole, and he blushes. A small laugh escapes, seeming to loosen him up. Austin reaches for my hips, pulling me closer and copying the sway of my body. “Much better.”
“I’m pretty sure it’s down to our chemistry rather than me having any rhythm.”
“Now you’re just trying to sweet talk me,” I tease. “But you should know that it’s strictly against company policy for me to have sex on a paid date.”
Austin’s face falls a little before he pulls me even closer, brushing his lips against my cheek and then whispering in my ear. “That’s a shame, because I haven’t been able to stop thinking about how you felt underneath me.”
I shiver with excitement, my cock growing hard and pressing against his thigh where I’m sure he can feel it.
“Damn shame,” I agree breathlessly.
We dance through several songs, Austin relaxing more and more with each one until we’re both ready for more drinks. This time I go for liquor while Austin sticks to wine.
“So, sex isn’t allowed, but I can kiss you, right?” he checks.
Technically, kissing isn’t allowed either, but that’s a more lenient rule and usually up to the escort’s discretion.
I bat my eyelashes, feeling a little playful, taking a slow sip of my drink to draw out the tension before giving him an answer. Austin’s eyes are hungry as he hones in on my lips, his body seeming to vibrate with anticipation. He runs his thumb along my lip after I lower my glass and transfers a drop of alcohol to his own mouth, licking it off his skin. It’s impossible not to remember that hot, wicked tongue of his on my cock, on my nipples, on my flesh while he fucked me.
Finally, I nod. “Kissing is okay.”
He descends on me in an instant as if it was all he could do to hold himself back while waiting for my answer. His lips are soft and lush like I remember, but tonight, he tastes like wine instead of weed and lust. His tongue teases mine, coaxing it out to play and making me forget we’re in a ballroom full of people. My fingers find their way into his hair, my other hand clenched tightly around my glass.
A throat clears somewhere behind Austin, and we reluctantly part. I nearly laugh out loud when it’s Harry standing behind him with an uncomfortable look on his face.
“Hey, congratulations again,” Austin says, more confidence in his voice this time as he pries one of his hands off my waist to offer it to his ex.
Harry clears his throat again and forces a smile. “Thanks. My mom was just telling me you’ve changed a lot since we talked last. Something about nude modeling? I told her she had to be mistaken.”
“I know I was awfully boring when you and I were together, but I’m not that person anymore,” Austin answers in a clipped tone, the muscle in his jaw ticking.
“It would seem so.” Harry’s gaze darts to me and then back to Austin. “Listen, I was a prick back then. I shouldn’t have treated you the way I did. I hope you can forgive me.”
The apology clearly catches Austin off guard, his hand still on my hip spasming as shock washes over his face.
“That…um …that means a lot to hear, thank you.”
“So, you forgive me?”
“Sure, yeah, I forgive you,” Austin agrees.
“Thank you. As you were,” Harry says, shooting us a wink before sauntering away.
Austin sags against me, shock and confusion written all over his face.
“That was fucking weird, right?”
“A little, but maybe that’s why he invited you. He has probably felt bad for a while about how he treated you and wanted to rid himself of the guilt.” I put my hand on the back of his neck and massage away a little of the tension.
“Yeah, I suppose,” he says absently. “I’ve hated him for so long, I’m not really sure what to do with myself now,” Austin confesses with a laugh.
“Think of all the mental energy you’ve freed up by forgiving him.”
“I guess that’s true. What he did was shitty, but I guess we were young. Who doesn’t do shitty things when they’re twenty-one, right?”
“Oh god, the shitty things I did when I was twenty-one could fill a book.”
Austin smiles, some of the flirty, playful smile returning to his lips. “Yeah, like what?”
“Oh, I was heartbreaker, a rebel, I gave my parents and my friends all kinds of grief as I flipped the bird to The Man.”
Austin chuckles. “It doesn’t sound like much has changed.”
I smirk and brush my lips against his lightly stubbled jaw. “Not so much, no,” I agree.
We dance and drink, and at some point, there’s food and cake but by that point I’m a little drunk on Austin and maybe a few too many glasses of wine.
I lean into Austin, the feeling of his body moving with mine to the beat of the slow, romantic melody playing through the speakers has my blood humming and my cock aching.
“You almost ready to get out of here?” I whisper into his ear, pressing my erection into him so he catches my meaning.
“I thought sex was against company policy?” he challenges with a smirk.
“My watch says it’s ten-oh-three, which means I’ve been off the clock for a full three minutes already.” I raise my eyebrows and bite my bottom lip. “Unless you’re not interested, of course.”
“I’m definitely interested,” he assures me, his hands wandering to my ass and giving it a playful squeeze. “Let’s go.”