SCHADENFREUDE// LASHTON AU

Chapter 6: An Exchange of Gifts

Over the next few weeks, things went back to normal. Luke hadn't lashed out again, and Ashton was making sure to steer clear of alcohol, given its effect on him that fateful night. He had to be very careful, so as not to upset the man he was growing to love.

Ashton was at work, despite Luke's insistence that he quit his job in favour of working as the blond's secretary at Dreadfort. It would be much better paying, but the boy just couldn't part with his beloved Pâtisserie. Sharna needed his work much more than Luke did, and he wouldn't feel right to ditch her for his new boyfriend.

"Pete, when you get a minute, I need a dozen French buttercream cupcakes for delivery before three," Ashton said, leaning his elbows on the counter of the kitchen pass.

The man nodded as he rolled out some puff pastry dough. "No one ever asks how I'm doing. All anyone wants is buttercream cupcakes," he joked, flashing his piano teeth.

"Maybe you should stop making them so well, then, hm?" Ashton quipped back, laughing musically before turning to help the next customer in line. "Welcome to the Pâtisserie, how may I– oh, hey, baby!"

Luke stood on the other side of the till, smiling widely at his cute little boyfriend. In his hands, he held a bouquet of Damask roses.

"Hi, Ashy," he replied, leaning over and pressing his lips against the tanned boy's. "I got you these flowers."

If Ashton weren't at work, he'd have cried at the romantic gesture. "Aw, Lukey, you're too sweet!" he gushed. "I'll put them in a vase right here on the counter, so all the customers can see what a great boyfriend I have."

Luke hummed, clearly enjoying the idea. "Everyone will see that you're taken. These will be enough to mark you as mine, until we get you a little doggy collar," he joked, lightly poking the boy's dimple.

"You're so weird," Ashton giggled. "Thank you for these, really. God, you're so good to me. I don't know how I can pay you back."

"Start with a pain chocolat and a medium black coffee," the taller man ordered humorously, before leaning in to whisper in Ash's ear. "Then, you can pay me in flesh tonight. How does that sound?"

The curly-headed boy bit his lip, trying not to get too visibly turned on. This was his place of work, after all. His voice cracked as he spoke, "That sounds very good."

☓☓☓

Ashton and Luke, finally finished with their work for the day, hurried to climb out of the truck and into the house, where the smaller, tawny-haired boy was now staring down at his boyfriend's obvious erection straining in his jeans. Both of the men were far past excited for tonight.

They had done a few sexual things before, sure, but nothing beyond a quick handjob before bed. This was different. This had the element of anticipation. It was more than just hot; it was downright erotic, and they hadn't even started yet.

"I couldn't stop thinking about you at the office today," the blond purred as he tugged his shirt off, revealing his toned muscles. "I really wish you'd take that job at Dreadfort. You could sit under my desk all day long and suck me off. Wouldn't that be lovely?"

Ashton felt his face heat up. "Heh, jeez, Luke."

Jeez, Luke? Was that really the sexiest thing he could think of? He looked incredibly awkward, especially in comparison to his alluring, seductive boyfriend.

The taller of the two paused the conversation in order to peel Ashton's shirt off for him, dropping it carelessly to the living room floor. They stared at one another for a moment before crashing their lips together in a frenzied hunger, working their way up to Luke's dark bedroom without breaking the kiss.