Page 6 of Slower

Austen

I drive us to campus since I’m the most familiar with the way to get there. It’s also another chance for me to focus on something besides the man beside me.

Corrin has had my attention since the first day he showed up by my brother’s side. For many years, that focus has been to figure out why he didn’t like me. After recent events, I’ve left behind that idea to contemplate alternate narratives.

Namely, the ones in which I get to have my hands on him again as soon as possible.

The kisses of my youth were nothing in comparison to Corrin’s touch. He’s gentle, yet hard. Eager yet hesitant.

I feel as if he’d swallow me whole if I didn’t keep some semblance of control.

“This place is bigger than I remember,” he says as I turn into one of the student lots closest to my first class of the day. It’s a finance course that I’ve already completed all the work for. If there wasn’t an attendance mandate, I’d already have closed off this credit with an early final exam.

Unfortunately, not all teachers understand the concept of completing things early. The professor would rather waste both of our times by making me sit through lectures and group discussions.

I pull into a spot near the front, then shut the car off. When I turn to Corrin, he’s pointedly looking out the window.

It’s a wonder the man ever dates at all. He’s a nervous mess now that we’ve shared a singular intimate moment.

And it wasn’t anything more than a kiss.

Kisses aren’t a big deal. Or at least I didn’t think they were.

Tennyson kisses like he’s trying to get a degree in it. I’ve watched women flit in and out of his sphere for ages. It’s nothing for him to kiss more than one in a single night.

I guess I thought Corrin would be the same since they’re best friends.

Foolish of me.

Besides, Corrin is bi. I don’t want to make any assumptions on how different pairings of relationships work. It could be completely different.

It felt completely different.

“Austen.” His tone indicates this isn’t the first time he said my name.

I focus back on him. “Yes, Corrin?”

“I asked if you’re ready. I’m going to come around to open your door, but I didn’t want to let the cold in if you need a minute.”

“Umm, shouldn’t I come open your door?”

He shook his head. “Nope. I’m making the rules up, and I say I get to open your door.”

Seems weird but I go with it. He’s more into the dating scene than I ever have been. He knows the best way to do all this… stuff.

Unbuckling the belt, I turn to face him. “I’m ready when you are. Let’s do this.”

He gives me a gentle smile, then exits the car as he said he would. As I wait, I take in the students around campus. It’s not super busy this early, but there are enough of them that news of this will spread in an instant. Especially since Corrin has decided to forgo any type of hat or sunglasses — his normal camouflage.

When he opens my door, he reaches his hand out for me to hold. I ease from the driver”s seat and then open the back for my bag. As soon as it’s within reach, he tries to tug it free.

“What are you doing?” I ask firmly.

“If we’re dating, then I would carry your stuff. That makes sense.”

I shake my head at him. “There are no strict rules like that. Besides, I don’t want you to have to carry anything for me. Let me hold you and show you off. The bag will get in the way.”

He relents at my words. I toss my bag over my shoulder, then lock up the car and hand over the keys.

Only belatedly do I realize I haven’t asked one important question.

“You do know how to drive in the snow, right?”

He jolts. “I do. Want to see my I.D.?”

“What proof would your I.D. give? It doesn’t tell me where you’ve driven. I need to know you’ll be safe while out on the roads today.”

My gut clenches at the notion of him getting hurt or being stranded if the weather takes a turn. I don’t want that to happen, especially not when I suggested he take the car out.

His hand on my shoulder pulls me from the dark thoughts.

“I promise that I’m experienced enough to take care of the car and myself for the day. I only have one stop to make before going back. Silly me forgot a guitar, so I need to pick one up. After that, I’ll be home all day until you get off work.”

“There’s no need to be out that late. I can get a ride back to the apartment.”

Corrin is shaking his head before I can finish. He steps close to me, his body pressing against the front of mine.

“You will not. I’m using your car today; therefore, I get to drive it how I want. And I want to pick you up. Besides, it”ll help keep anyone away from you at work too if we’re seen together.”

I shrug my shoulder. “They don’t bother me at the office much. It’s the young people who don’t leave me alone.”

“The young people, he says.” Corrin snorts out a laugh, then places his head on my chest. “Is this ok? I hope it’s ok. I’m trying not to laugh at how ridiculous you sound.”

I wrap my arms around him to keep him close. “This is fine. Good, even. It helps the entire boyfriend situation.”

His body goes tight for a moment before relaxing. I hear him mumble something against my shirt, though I can’t tell exactly what.

People are openly staring at us now. There’s no hiding Corrin from anyone on campus. Not since he’s basically cosplaying himself.

“Let’s get you to class. I’ve got music to write.”

The way he speaks is more eager than before. I surmise it’s from his excitement over the potential new music he’ll create. While I wasn’t part of the writing progress for the previous albums, I’m familiar enough from overhearing conversations between Tennyson and Corrin to know that his process can be intense. I’m rather glad he’ll have the day to himself to work.

We take off for the business building where my classes are held. I slip my arm over his shoulders as instructed, while he ducks his head against me like it’s the most natural movement.

And somehow it is.

I don’t feel awkward holding him like I would someone else. In the past, relationships seemed fruitless due to all the rigmarole of it all. Why invest time in something that didn’t provide a guaranteed output? It baffles me.

Yet walking down the sidewalk with Corrin in my arm, I can see how others might want to take risks in finding love. The warmth of his proximity is endearing. So much so, I’m even quieter than normal.

Corrin can’t stand it. He tells me as much. “Are you nervous about your classes today? Or is it work stuff on your mind?”

“Neither. It’s you stuff.”

He nearly trips. I catch him and straighten us back up before we can keep going.

“What do you mean by that? What are you thinking about?”

We’re almost at the door of my building when he asks. I don’t think now is the time to hash out every detail given the audience we have. And I’d bet at least half of them have cameras capturing it all.

“I meant that I was thinking of you, love.”

He gasps, and I capture it in our kiss. The arm I had wrapped around his shoulder curls him closer to me, my hand moving to cup the back of his head.

With our height difference, I have to bend down to reach him. It should bother me to be hunched over in such a fashion, yet it doesn’t. I only wish I could pick him up to make it better for us both. I’d grip his firm arm in my hands and rock him against me until he came with my name on his lips.

I pull back from the kiss slowly despite the way I’m desperate to flee the moment.

Erotic ideas have never been my thing. I don’t just pop a boner like Tennyson does. My body is always under my control.

The pressure against my zipper tells me otherwise. Or at least that there’s new data to investigate.

“I’ll see you tonight,” I whisper against Corrin’s lips when he has yet to speak again. I almost tell him to smile for the cameras, but I stop myself. He’s a professional. He knows what to do.

I watch him turn to leave before I slip inside the door for my class. No sooner than I’m seated do I feel the stares roaming over me. The whispers soon follow.

“Was that Corrin Ray? The Corrin Ray?”

“No wonder Austen doesn’t date. I wouldn’t either with Corrin at my disposal.”

“You think he’d introduce us?”

And my favorite —

“Why was that so hot? Ugh, I need a fan or something. I’m not ok.”

Same, random girl. Same.

School flies by like it usually does. I keep my focus on the classwork despite the ache I feel in my jeans. I would love to figure out what the hell it all means, but work won’t give me more than two seconds to myself.

Evan is beside himself over the arrival of Mr. Miguel Stryker, the owner and apparently a tyrant, based on how my boss is acting. It’s concerning given I thought this company was amazing when I researched where I wanted to fill my internship requirements last year.

After weeks of poring over websites and job postings, I gave myself to this company in hopes it could prove to be a more long-term gig. Evan’s making me regret the choice.

“Can you run down to get some coffee, Austen? We need it in the conference room.” Evan doesn’t tell me anything else about the coffee order before turning to practically run in the direction of the aforementioned room.

Taking a stab at it, I order a variety of drinks from the barista downstairs. The young girl gives me the tray of drinks and wishes me luck as I venture back to the elevator.

I’m almost there when the doors start to close. Rather than call out for help, I let my head fall back on a groan.

“No need for all that,” a voice says from beside me. I drop my gaze to see a young man grinning over at me. He’s shorter than me by several inches, which explains why I didn’t spot him on my journey to the elevators.

“I’m sorry?”

The guy chuckles. “And now you’re apologizing. None of that. Let me help you get these.”

He snatches one of the trays from me before pressing the button to call the car. It’s not every day I’m pushed around by others so easily. Nor do I usually get so distracted.

I’m unsure what the cause is.

Liar.

The word echoes through my mind, tugging at my memories of the morning and the night before like a glowing red neon sign. It reads ‘here’s your problem’ and ‘get it together.’

“Geesh! Finally. I swear they make these buildings so ridiculously large just to teach us patience with the elevators. What floor are you on?”

I tell him, then watch as he presses the number. As soon as it lights up and the doors close, he’s talking again. It’s mostly random stuff like how the weather is different here than back home and how he really wasn’t in the mood to come on this trip, but he couldn’t miss it.

At my floor, I move to take the tray from him, but he won’t have it.

“I’m going this way anyhow. Let me help.”

With a nod his way, I do as he says. We walk side by side down the hall and to the conference room.

“This is me,” I tell him, hand extended for the drinks.

He raises his brow. “Ironic, since this is also me.”

Before he can say another word, the door opens, and Evan gives me a panicked look. “You’re back! Thank God. Help.”

Mr. Unknown beside me shakes his head at the exchange, then follows me inside when I trail after Evan. He doesn’t speak to me, though he does return the coffee tray after plucking one of the labeled cappuccinos for himself.

I’m about to tell Evan about the drinks when I notice movement from the corner of my eye. Mr. Unknown makes his way around the long table to a man seated at the far end. The two of them make eyes at each other much the way my brother does when he’s on the prowl for a one-night stand.

Curiosity keeps me focused on the pair up until the moment they connect. The guy from the elevator climbs into the other man”s lap without a moment’s hesitation. It’s like the movement is so natural and something they always do.

“Now that my husband is here, let’s start the meeting,” the larger guy calls out to the room.

Evan squeaks like a small timid creature before whispering to me, “That’s him. That’s Stryker.”

The pieces click then.

If that”s Stryker, then I presume the man in his lap is his husband. Which means… I was in an elevator with my boss’s boss’s boss’s husband. Or however many it takes to get it right. I have no clue exactly how many levels of management exist between me and the man staring down the table at me.

Mr. Unknown, aka Mr. Stryker’s husband, whispers something in his ear. I can’t hear it all the way down here, but whatever it is, it makes him smile.

“You.” He points in my direction.

I nod, then announce myself. “Austen Page, sir.”

“Yes, Austen. Thank you for escorting my Aiden back to me. It’s a wonder he didn’t get turned around like last time.”

Aiden giggles and takes a sip of his drink. Neither of them elaborates on the story, so I go with a nod and a muttered, “You’re welcome” before taking my seat off to the side of the table.

The meeting begins shortly after as they go over company business. Typically, I’d focus on every word and find ways to give Evan my input. This afternoon, it becomes an impossible task.

Time passes quickly as the conversation flows through more and more business details. I finally find the focus I need around the dinner hour, to which I make sure the others are taken care of. I eat too, though I don’t much care about what it is. I’m too busy soaking up the experience of it all.

Eventually, Aiden begins to yawn as he speaks. It’s Stryker’s sign to end the discussions.

“This is all good work. I”m seeing improvement, which is what I always hope for. Let’s call it a night. I’ll be in town until tomorrow, so we can do a follow-up then if I think of anything.”

He dismisses us with a flick of his wrist. Everyone else works to flee the room, but I remain in my spot. My gaze catches on Aiden. Not because I desire him in some way or anything. It’s more that I’m fascinated by his dynamic with Stryker. He hasn’t left the man’s lap for anything other than to use the restroom twice in all the hours we’ve been here.

And even then, he simply tucked himself back in his lap once he returned. The intimacy of it all is overpowering.

I find myself wondering what it feels like. Not to be held, but to hold someone. Someone specific who has been on my mind all day.

As if I’ve conjured him with my thoughts, Corrin steps into the conference room with a sheepish look on his face. “Is Austen in here?”

Given Miguel Stryker of Stryker Global is in the room, you’d think people wouldn”t freak out at Corrin’s arrival.

You thought wrong.

There are squeals mixed with gasps as they take him in. I don’t get a chance to answer before Corrin’s eyes lock on me. He grins, then moves past everyone else to get to me.

“What are you doing here?” I ask in lieu of a greeting.

He only smiles wider. “It was getting late. I hadn’t heard from you and wanted to come make sure you didn’t work yourself to the bone. The receptionist said you all were wrapping up soon. I waited outside until I heard some sound of dismissal.”

“Oh.”

I want to tell him that’s nice of him or thank him for coming to check on me. Anything to get the chaos of my mind to quiet down.

Corrin mistakes my silence for something else entirely. Or maybe it’s that he can read my mind. I’m not sure.

All I know is that he goes from standing in front of me to in my arms in a matter of seconds. From there, he’s on his tiptoes and pressing a kiss along my jaw.

Of course, I bend down even further to give him access to me. Not because of some arrangement we’ve made but more so that I enjoy his touch.

Every bit of his hands and lips on me is intoxicating. I want more of it. More than I should.

“This is an interesting turn of events.” Miguel Stryker’s voice is like an ice bath over my mood.

I turn to find him standing beside us, Aiden tucked to his side.

Corrin looks him over, his gaze assessing. “You’re the big boss, right?”

Mr. Stryker shakes his hand as he laughs. “That would be me. And you’re Corrin Ray of the band Loveless.”

“I am,” Corrin replies.

“Excellent. How long are you in town for? I’ve been wanting to do something, and I think you could help. I could pay you a consultation fee if you have time tomorrow.”

“No payment needed. I’m not sure what I can do to help, but I’m willing to try.”

The men make plans for the following day as I let myself sink into the exhaustion I’d been battling for the last few hours. It’s all at once overwhelming.

I don’t register much of what comes next. I only know that Corrin gets me home where he tucks me into bed and whispers, “Goodnight, love” against my hair. His kiss presses against my skin, then there’s nothing.