It was really quite amusing how quickly Austin attempted to fumble through dressing. Hopping around, he pulled on the sweatpants, precariously balanced on one foot. Perhaps Austin believed that if he took too long, I'd take the clothes away.

Lust fanned to life inside me, my cock perking up at the thought of prancing around the stores, Austin's smooth skin bare to the world. Of course, I'd have to make sure everyone knew of his ownership. A collar and leash would do nicely.

The ache in my balls was becoming increasingly uncomfortable, and the urge to throw out my plans and drag Austin towards my bedroom was strong.

But Austin's unsure face appeared in my line of vision, fully dressed in the grey sweatpants and large navy hoodie, and I internally sighed. An excited spark had lit in the younger man's eyes when the fact they were going out had settled in his brain. I was a criminal, not a monster.

This time sighing out loud, I consigned myself to a day of blue balls. I gestured for Austin to follow me as I strided out of the room, and traversed the hallways.

Glancing behind myself discreetly, I watched as Austin took in the grandiose architecture surrounding him. I hadn't had the energy to change much about the residence since father's passing, so the walls and hallways still had the occasional expensive painting or statue. The walls and ceilings were trimmed with gold, and the hallways lined with marble pillars. If my father was anything, he was a man who enjoyed the finer things in life. And wanted everyone to know it.

Finally the large double door loomed in front of me. Treading down the carpeted stairs, I reached the foyer and signaled for Jerry—the man may be stooped and old, but the butler could be a forced to reckon with—to open the doors.

I reached the driveway and turned to get in the car, when I realized Austin was gaping at the picture the mansion presented from the pavement.

"Oh for fucks sake." I mumbled under my breath. To be fair, the estate was quite magnificent from outside, especially with the sun glinting off its windows and exterior.

But I was still grumpy, what with my balls still aching and heavy, so I snapped out, "Austin! Now or never!"

Austin jerked, and began trotting towards the car. I scowled as I noticed the soft strands glinting auburn in the sunlight. Damn it! That was one beautiful man, and my dick took full notice.

Today was going to be a long day.

•••••••••••••••••

My head lolled to the side as the velvet curtain in front of me was once again pushed back. Austin stepped out of the changing cubicle, and into the private showing room I had requested.

The eighteen year old was basically bouncing in his excitement, as he examined the clothes on his body in front of the full length mirror. Honestly, I hated shopping. I had a personal shopper just for that reason. But despite the normal fatigue from a sleepless night, and the added sexual frustration, I couldn't help but be partially excited as well. It was infectious.

Austin was beautiful at any time, but smiling so broadly, so clearly carefree, he was breathtaking. The chocolate pools of his eyes sparkled with happiness, his cheeks flushed from constant movement and joy.

The familiar ache once again started in my chest. What I would give to be as carefree as Austin was in this moment.

Once he was done his mirror perusal, Austin turned towards me and struck a pose. "What do you think?"

I blinked in surprise that he was even asking me. But my eyes, nevertheless, traced his body. This round had been formal wear. I believe in being prepared, and honestly, I couldn't say no to that face when it looked like that. It would be like kicking a puppy.

The black dress shirt nipped and dipped in all the right places to reveal Austin's figure. The beige slacks hugged just tight enough to show lightly muscled thighs. I licked my lips before I could stop myself. Fuck, that boy was a treat.

Clearing my throat before speaking, I adjusted my jacket as a fidget, suddenly nervous. "It's...perfect on you."

The hell was that? It's like my brain had taken a vacation. I almost wanted to face palm. The dazzling smile Austin bestowed on me coaxed a small answering one out of me, and my heart fluttered in relief.

Why did I care so much? Austin was nothing but a toy, a distraction, I told myself. Then why did it feel like I was lying to myself?

••••••••••••••••

Arms laden with luxury shopping bags, Austin skipped alongside me. Literally skipped. Sam and Quinton walked behind us as people gave us a wide berth down the hallways of the shopping complex. We of course garnered stares.

It wasn't uncommon to find the wealthy traversing these walkways with bodyguards in tow, but people still liked to gawk and gossip. Especially because people recognized Maddox Stone behind the two hundred dollar pair of sunglasses.

But Austin didn't seem to mind the stares and whispers. He was living on a high, and nobody could bring him down. At least I thought so.

He stopped dead in his tracks so suddenly, I hadn't realized he wasn't beside me for a few steps. Pivoting around in confusion, I saw Austin was staring sadly at a mom, and a boy around eleven or so.

The two were sharing ice cream, laughing about a joke only shared between them.

Moving closer towards Austin, I saw a shaky breath pass his lips. His shoulders seemed weighed down, and his previous attitude had completely dissipated.

Sam gave me a glance, signaling we should get going. I nodded once before turning back to Austin. His gaze was still locked on the boy and woman, body statue like, a white knuckled grip on the bags.

I gently pried the bags from him, handing them off to Quinton. Without even thinking, I grasped Austin's hand in my own. His startled eyes met mine, and I felt myself falling into the sadness in their depths, it was so expansive.

Rubbing my thumb lightly over Austin's pale knuckles, I gently tugged until he quietly trudged along beside me.

Once in the black Mercedes, Austin still remained silent, staring blankly out the window at the passing scenery. Settling in for the hour and a half drive, I pulled up my emails on my phone, planning to complete some work in the silence.

However, the memory of the sadness in Austin's eyes continued to plague me, so much so that the words kept swimming in front of my eyes. Austin's sadness affected me in a way I didn't want to acknowledge. My fingers itched to once again tangle with his. I wanted to smooth the crease between his eyebrows, and hug his smaller frame until I saw his beautiful smile again.

I didn't want these thoughts or feelings. But no matter how hard I tried to shake them, they clung on like a stubborn leech.

Pointedly looking away from Austin, I raised the tinted glass between the guards in the front and us. Austin glanced briefly at me out of the corner of his eye, before going back to watching outside.

"I don't know where the bastard of your father is. But I do know Tj is safe."

Seconds ticked by agonizingly slow. I began to think I wasn't going to get a reply when Austin's word quietly drifted to my ears. "Where?"

"He's in one of my apartments in the city, with only my most trusted staff. He's in an elite private school, and from the last text I received from his nanny, has made a very good friend. I can put you in touch with the nanny, so you can arrange phone calls, if you'd like." I wasn't sure where that last part came from, but I wasn't about to retract it.

Peeking at Austin, I saw his shoulders were shaking as he silently sobbed. I felt a piece of my heart crack as I pushed down the need inside me to reach out and hold him.

"Thank you." The whisper was so quiet, I almost didn't hear it. The tear in my heart mended just a little at the gratitude in his voice.