Loving The Corporate Prince Ch. 03

Copyright © 2021 by M.J. Moréo

All rights reserved. This book or any portion of, may not be reproduced, used, or distributed in any manner without prior written permission of the publisher or author, except in the case of brief quotations for critical reviews and other non-commercial uses.

Trigger Warning:

This book contains scenes that may trigger dysphoria including transphobia and penetrative intercourse (not at the same time). This book contains kink scenes including limb restriction and more. If these are themes you are not prepared to handle, please do not continue. Always read and play responsibly!

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DUSTIN

Dustin didn't think he was nervous until he entered the community college building the following Tuesday and he realized what class he was attending and who he would be attending it with. Suddenly his knees felt weak, like the floor beneath him would crumble at any moment. He couldn't be entirely sure his legs were even there when his palms became moist.

'It's fine, it's fine. Yes, you made a total ass out of yourself in front of the hot, brooding guy in class but he probably doesn't even remember it. He hardly even remembered your name when you, again, made a freaking ass out of yourself in front of him at the gas station.'

Dustin did his best not to physically cringe at the memory. His heart thumped when slowed his pace to class because God forbid he get there early and River was there.

'Like I need more time with River to make an ass out of myself... River.' Dustin sighed. 'That's a cute name for someone so grumpy.'

Dustin was so much more at ease knowing there was someone his own age in class, but he knew he had already ruined any chance he had of making River his friend.

'Fuck,' Dustin thought. 'I'm so embarrassed!'

Before his nerves could fully overwhelm him, Dustin went to grab some water at the school store. He opened the cooler and released a heavy sigh but just holding the cold bottle of water in his sweaty palms calmed him down. It wasn't until he was standing in line had he even realized River was a few people ahead of him, having an animated conversation with the cashier.

Dustin knew it was River standing before him, even from behind. His piecey undercut poked out beneath his baseball cap and his dark, navy, long sleeve shirt hugged his body. He could see his long sideburns framing his face, even from behind, even though Dustin couldn't help but stare at his jeans. Suddenly, River's conversation tore him away from his thoughts.

"So, are you going to Steph's party tomorrow night?" asked the cashier.

This made Dustin's ears perk up even more.

'Stephanie? The nice girl who talked to me in class? I bet I could get invited to that party. It'll at least be something fun to do around here.'

"I don't know man, I think my wild days are over."

"Man, we haven't gone out in so long! I miss the good ole days! Besides, you work too much. Give yourself a break an' have a lil' fun."

"I'll think about it," River chuckled. "What do I owe you?"

"$5.21-"

"Shit, let's hope this works. I don't get paid until Friday." River chuckled, handing the cashier his card. The man behind the counter, who Dustin now knew was named Gil, swiped Rivers card, only to alert the store with a loud beep.

"It's a no-go, Riv. I'm sorry."

"Jesus," River sighed.

"Loves you."

It hadn't even occurred to Dustin to check the price of the water - he knew he could afford it. He wanted to step in when he saw River hand back the bottle of water, only checking out the bag of chips.

"You know I'm not one to complain, Gilly, but does the school want my firstborn too?" The two men laughed.

Dustin stifled a chuckle, shocked as he was to hear a joke coming from the King of Darkness, over there. It made Dustin want to befriend River all over again. He watched River leave, hardly noticing the line moving as quickly as it was. River dug in the recycle box, fishing out his used up water bottle before leaving the store.

'If I'm quick enough I can probably catch up to him.'

"Just this bottle of water for ya, new guy?" asked the cashier.

Dustin could now see how the man's name tag read Gil.

"Actually, I'll take that one too," Dustin's eyes were glued to the store window, keeping a lookout on the Men's Room door he had seen River enter, across the hall.

Had he been paying attention, he might have noticed the dirty squint Gil aimed in his direction. He wouldn't have cared though, even if he had noticed. Dustin was too preoccupied with what he would say when he finally reached River. The golden blonde paid before grabbing each bottle in his hands and rushing to the Men's room.

The door flew open in a much more eager fashion than he intended, surprising both River and himself.

"Uh... Dustin? Hi?" said River, confused. His slender frame was hunched over the sink as he stared at Dustin in the middle of washing his used-up water bottle.

RIVER

I expected to see Dustin in class, so seeing Gil in the store brought my anxieties back down to Earth for a minute. As I washed my bottle in the sink of the Men's Room, Dustin barged in. He was staring directly at me.

'There's no way he just happened to come in here, right? He's staring...'

I could sense his intention the minute he barged through the door. He wanted to talk to me, but why?

"Uh... Dustin? Hi?"

There was a moment where he paused, his eyes glowed and I could see him try not to smile.

"River... Hi," said Dustin. Again, awkward silence. I glanced down at the two water bottles he held, silently signaling him to speak. "Oh, uh, here."

He offered me a fresh bottle of water.

"How did you-"

"I was behind you in line at the store."

Everything clicked into place.

'Oh, he saw me not be able to pay...'

"It's OK," I said. "We broke, hillbilly townies are fine with tap."

Regret bubbled inside me when I saw the embarrassment cross Dustin's face. Exhaling, I finished cleaning my bottle out.

"Look, I'm sorry. That was petty of me. I don't know how else to say this but you know, you don't have to do that. I don't need your help or pity or whatever it is that you think you're doing for me. I don't need to be in debt to someone I hardly know over a stupid bottle of water."

'Holy shit, I'm standing up for myself. I didn't know I could do it.'

"It's not like that, I swear. I mean, I wanted to apologize for my shitty comment the other day and I know this doesn't really make up for it or anything I just wanted to... I don't know. Show you. I wanted to show you that I'm sorry."

He held the water bottle out to me again. At that moment, I couldn't say no to that ethereal face, so I reached for the bottle and allowed our hands to touch in passing, once again.

"I appreciate the apology," I said quietly.

I really did appreciate his apology.

'It takes a lot for people to fess up and admit their mistakes, especially to a stranger. Besides, I was rude earlier too, so I guess we're equal now.'

"Of course," Dustin began. He nervously massaged the back of his neck with his now free hand. "So, can this be considered, like, a truce? Can we start over?"

Dustin's high cheekbones shone under the awful, fluorescent light of the public restroom. His pouty lips curled into a hopeful, small smile. It wasn't fair that someone could look so fucking beautiful in such a gross setting.

"If you didn't have any money, how would you have apologized?" I asked. "I'm just curious."

Dustin's nerves became apparent, and my gut weakened.

'What's with me today? I don't even know this guy but here I am, talking to him like I do,'

"I'd probably tell you that I've lost people to drugs, so I get that that's not funny and as far as broke hillbilly stuff... I... I don't know. I'm in a new place, so I made a shitty comment to try to fit in and I regret it."

BING

Saved by the bell.

"How on Earth can I stay mad at that?" I gave Dustin a playful smile and a wink, letting him know that we truly were fine. "Just so we're clear, I really don't dislike you or anything. Like Steph said... I'm just k-kinda shy."

DUSTIN

Dustin tried his best to keep from falling asleep in class, but being in this new town and surrounded by all of these new people had severely exhausted him. At last, he was finally starting to get his footing and settle into his routine. His body was especially able to relax knowing there were people here, like Stephanie and River, who don't hate him. They might even actually like him.

'River even smiled and winked... At me! God, what a handsome smile. I get the feeling he rarely smiles at anyone, but somehow... I got one.'

"Hey Dustin!" Stephanie exclaimed when he arrived in class and sat down. She twisted in her seat and her own smile was as bright as ever. "I hope you're not busy this weekend because I'm having a party at my place! It's gonna be fun, especially if you need to blow off some steam from the start of the semester. Plus you can meet some new friends!"

Dustin couldn't help but glance at River, whose face was now beet red and whose eyes were firmly averted away from both blondes.

'Is he embarrassed for some reason?' Dustin thought.

Dustin eagerly accepted and with his anxieties at ease, Mr. Hope began class. Paired the drone of their professor's voice, Dustin couldn't help but let his heavy lids droop.

His toned torso slumped farther and farther down in his seat at the back of the class. The blonde's eyes trailed to River. Dustin wanted so badly to run his fingers through his neighbors thick, dark hair and lay his head on his shoulders. Hazy images of himself curling up with River's arm around him fluttered in his brain and the comfort he felt at the idea was enough to lull him to sleep.

'River moved out of the darkness, slowly revealing his torn, black skinny jeans. His faux-leather jacket was fully unzipped and he wore absolutely nothing underneath. A hazy glow surrounded him. He was dazzling and angelic. Dustin's heart beat faster and faster and his eyes locked on River's. The fire and ice between them could burn anyone who would cross their path.

Dustin had never felt the immediate safety he felt with River, and the tougher he looked, the more the juxtaposition made his heart swell.

"Fuck, you're beautiful." River's soft voice commanded Dustin's attention and it was then that he noticed he lacked his own shirt.

He could feel every pore of his skin burst into flames as his chest heaved and his nipples perked.

"You're one to talk." Dustin chuckled.

A sexy, sly smirk played on River's lips.

"I like it when you talk back."

River moved in such smooth motions toward Dustin, anyone could have perceived his movements as gliding. It wasn't until then that Dustin noticed the large glow behind him was almost wing-shaped. The pads of his fingers slid against each dip and curve of Dustin's chiseled abdomen before he wrapped his arms around the blonde's waist and laid sweet kisses along his collar bones.

Dustin's head tilted back and his breath caught in his throat as he melted beneath River.

"Don't stop."