•- Laine Bennett -•
A loud shrieking laugh exits my lips as I fall into the soft booth rested behind me.
Upon waking up, Austin had insisted on bringing me to breakfast instead of 'giving into the government funding with the use of gas taken up on the stove' which truly translated to, 'Chris taught me one recipe I give up' but it resulted in a laughter filled breakfast with amazing food and the freedom that came with not being in New York.
After the interview, my existence so clearly came into the eye of any business weekly reader, or any of Austin's many social media followers. I was the new assistant who everyone wondered if she'd fall at the skillful hand of Austin Wood. The answer is yes. She did that.
I fiddle with the end of the fork that was once pressed into the most appetizing French toast my tastebuds has ever been granted with.
"What are you so deep in thought about?" Austin kicks my foot underneath the table, causing a smile to formulate on my lips.
I shrug my shoulders and scan the surrounding vessels comfortably sitting with coffee in front of them.
"I guess it's just nice to not have to worry about someone recognizing you. Not that it's annoying or that I mind it, the best publicity is through the pictures and whatnot, but I like being able to sit across from you and not have to think about what headline our public communication could have."
Austin's eyes move around the room before landing on me. "I think we're in the clear," he whispers, making me roll my eyes.
His hand lingers over mine gently and he traces my skin with his index finger at an intimate rate. "I get what you mean. It feels liberating to be able to publicly be out with a friend and not have to worry about what everyone wants to assume."
Despite the pang to my chest, I simply not my head and carry my attention towards the few exit points. Granted, I'd have to go home with this man whether I wanted to or not, but it was still good to know where you could escape awkward moments where the man you've admitted to love calls you a friend. It's a good thing to have.
Austin removes his hand and carefully fishes for his wallet. I wasn't going to fight him on this one, seeing as my belongings were so kindly left at the house as ordered.
Austin drops the amount to the table before stretching his body carelessly. I stand from my position and he immediately wraps his hand around my own before hiding me from the restaurant that as of late, had the best damn French toast my mouth has ever had the pleasure to be presented with.
Austin, being a child trapped in a man's body, immediately takes off for the beach just feet away. He was athletic and had an image to uphold, but there was still no need to drag my ass through sand just so he could stop immediately so my body falls into his.
My hand immediately goes to my forehead and I shut my eyes as the short, yet painful moment passes.
I feel Austin remove my hand before slowly pressing his lips to my forehead. "See, I made it better," he shrugs, taking my hand in his once more.
I roll my eyes and shove him carelessly. "Not even an apology. You just assume that kissing me would make me feel better," I scoff, loudly speaking to myself just to create a conversation between the two of us as we walk hand in hand towards the morning population of beach visitors.
"Did it?"
I turn up to him with a look of pure resentment. "That's not the fucking point. The point is, you suck."
Austin lets out a wailing laugh before kicking his shoes of and carrying them in his hands without another thought about it.
He seemed so in his element here. I didn't blame him. New York was a bustling city with investments and dirty mafia crime. There were perks to the city, and it was enjoyable at times, but it was stressful and here, across the country, nothing like that could get to either of us.
I stand in pure appreciation of the view. Water crashing against the sand was a calming noise during insomnia fits, but this was a sight to behold. I couldn't imagine myself in the city. I'd be getting Austin his coffee, sneaking into his office just so I could kiss him, maybe even make a very inappropriate joke that should get me sent to HR, but here I was, with Austin, and completely relaxed.
As I glance to Austin I see his face of formulating a plan, and that was scarier than any episode of The Haunting I could have bee watched.
Almost immediately, I'm being lifted off the ground and flipped onto Austin's back as he secures his arms around my legs.
In fear of the embarrassment that follow falling, I latch onto him, nearly choking him then and there.
"There should be a new 'don't spontaneously lift Lainey from the ground' rule," I announce as Austin carries me off onto the shoreline.
As long as my feet weren't being met with that cold electrifying water, I was perfectly content to be on his back. Amongst other places of course.
"But where's the fun in that? You love when I surprise you, don't even lie," he laughs loudly as he turns his head ever so slightly.
I roll my eyes and innocently peck his cheek, just grazing the corner of his mouth.
"Change the subject to something I can argue with," I scoff, causing another vibrant laugh from Austin.
I wondered how I ever got by with not agreeing to this deal. The circumstances have obviously shifted and I was beyond happy that they had, but alas, I can't go a day without the want to be near him. I was a lovesick puppy who wanted someone she could never really have. It broke my heart to know that I was just another girl and when he gets bored, I'll just be an assistant. Self deprecation aside, Austin jumps my body up his back and I immediately tighten my legs around his torso. I'd savor every touch for as long as I could.
"So, Miss. Lainey Bennett, what do you want to do today?"
I look to the sky as though that would help me come to a decision, but I can't find anything up there.
"That's a good ass question. I don't know," I shrug before pressing my lips gently to his neck, only for one single kiss before retracting my head.
"Now there is something I wouldn't mind doing," he mumbles just loud enough for me to hear.
I hum but don't carry on my action as Austin hauls me towards the water.
"You know, I don't love many things," I begin theatrically, "But this here island is amongst that small list."
Austin stops in his tracks and the fear inside me immediately flips through my words to find any fault.
"And what all is on this said list?" He replies gently, not staggering into any worrisome tone as though he expected me to announce my identified attraction for a man in a suit.
I stare out onto the ocean as I formulate my words properly.
"I don't think I even know. Thea and Grams probably. Friends, food. More food. Some even more fucking food."
"We just ate and you're already thinking about food?" Austin interrupts thankfully because one more answer of food and my stomach would be prepped for more.
"It was good food," I immediately reply with a bashful tone to mask the now craving for something to eat. It's a craving hunger that can't be stopped. It will overtake my body and eventually I will explode only for my remains to be eaten by pigs or cannibals.
Austin shakes his head playfully before he lifts me up his back once more and carries me in the direction of the house. It was nice to know that we were walking distance from the best restraint my tastebuds has ever had the privilege to be in contact with, excluding Chris' because obviously nothing could ever compare.
I'm dropped off onto the back patio and I can finally not worry about Austin losing grip on my legs and dropping me to my embarrassing plummet.
My phone behind to ring in the back pocket of my shorts and I answer without question. Seconds later, I'm consumed by conversation by Brent and Mahalia who were hammering me about how my trip was going, and the occasional innuendo about Austin.
I couldn't help but laugh as Austin steps back slowly as though the slightest sound would trigger a switch and he'd be immediately attacked by my best friends.
•- Austin Wood -•
I could formulate the floor plans and layouts of many projects throughout my college years. I never needed to concoct a blueprint from my memory. Especially a memory that was nothing more than a blur of hope that I could get into the pants of my refusing assistant. As if I couldn't sound more sleazy.
In a frustrated groan, I pull the pen from my mouth and fall back into my desk chair. As I do so, the door is lightly opened and Lainey steps inside, now dressed in only a shirt to cover her bathing suit. But I enjoyed the view.
"You've been in here for hours, you know. It took me a while to find you, but then you looked too damn attractive to disrupt."
I raise an eyebrow in interest as she steps inside, only to hover in the doorframe.
"Oh, so you think I'm attractive?" I ask in response.
She lets out a vibrating laugh before stepping inside my office.
I'd always adored a woman who could freely display herself in a manner of comfortability with their romantic interest. She could do so little as move her hair from her face and I could go crazy because she owned every action, every word she spoke. It was the most exhilarating feeling to watch someone in their element.
"I think it's a little too late to deny anything. But to go along with your cocky little attempt at a forced compliment, I will say, and only once if I can help it, you are the most attractive middle aged man I ever did meet."
I gasp dramatically. I wasn't the only one in this room who housed some of the worst dramatic moments done solely for the development of our relationship.
"I take offense to that. If I'm middle aged, then you've only got 35 years left."
Her shoulder shrug so effortlessly as she steps front he doorframe and begins walking around the room curiously.
"I'd say I've had a rather fulfilling life. Even without parents."
I immediately choke on air and this causes a soft laugh to emit from her lips.
I recover just as she stands in front of my desk with her hands on the corners of the paper in front of me.
"What are you working on?"
I glance up to her with a proud smile. There was no shame in being appreciative of your own artistic abilities especially when it comes to guiding layouts done completely from memory.
"I figured I would get a head start on Evaleen's store. I can't make a sales pitch without something to sale," I reply all too happily.
I hadn't worked hands on on a project in years. When I started the business, it was all me. I hired the contractors, I drew the plans, sold the idea, I was the average man starting a career he was happy with. But as I picked up pace, I was demoted, at least in my opinion, to paper work and business calls with men and women who had set plans for me. I would savor as much freedom as I could.
"It might only be a box," Lainey begins as she stares at my work so far, "With some other lines and things that I don't understand, but I don't want this trip to be about my grams shop, or work at all. As of now, a new policy has been set in place."
I lean my hands on the table and lift my body so I was at as much eye level as I could be considering the height difference, "And that is?"
"Until further notice, you and I, are spending this time to actually know each other. We worked past the gory daddy issues and bitchy baby mama issues, so I want to know everything there is to know about the Austin Wood," she smiles innocently before pressing her lips to mine in a quick manner.
This could be entertaining.
"And where do I begin?"
•———•
My passion for writing has just left the building. I feel like Austin and Laine don't talk enough and really that's because I hate dialogue it's a lot of work and I'm getting too tired for that. But I had a snow day today so I wrote this in portions so you could see it sort of progress before crashing to the end of the bar graph.
•Climax King
•Summer Sex
&
•2,213.3 Miles Away