Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
“That work for you?”
He stayed quiet, letting Tate work through his answer. This was the moment of truth. Tate would either put up his walls and flee or stick around. The choice was his. After all, he was the one with something to lose. Liam had never been closeted. The first time he felt attraction to a man, he’d gone to his mother and asked her about it. She hadn’t so much as blinked as she told him boys liked girls and some liked boys. No big deal.
He’d been ten. He came out to the rest of the world at twelve.
“Yeah,” Tate said after a long pause. “I’m down for that.”
Inside, Liam did a happy dance and a backflip, but on the outside, he kept his excitement muted. “Great. Um…” he said, not feeling an ounce of the calm he portrayed. “Do you want to stay? A while or… all night?” He held his breath as he waited for Tate to process that question.
A range of emotions played out on Tate’s face, but Liam didn’t know him well enough to decipher them or read his mind. Eventually, he shook his head. “I want to,” he said, eyes sincere. “I hope you believe that. This was…” He smoothed his hand over Liam’s hip, coming to rest on his ass. “This was one of the best nights of my life, no bullshit. And I mean it when I say I want more, but…”
Time to put the poor guy out of his misery. “But you’re not ready for a pajama party. I get it, Tate. No worries. And no pressure. I get this is uncharted territory for you. I told you I was your safe space, and that includes not pushing you into things you aren’t ready for. Just know the offer stands. Seriously, after that performance, you’re welcome in this bed any time you like.”
Thankfully, his quip had the desired effect, and Tate chuckled. “Good to know. Let me deal with this condom and clean up a bit, then I’ll get out of your hair.”
“Bathroom’s that way.” He pointed toward the door leading to the only bathroom in the apartment.
Liam watched as Tate climbed out of the bed.
Look at all those yummy muscles.
Tate stumbled when he took his first step. “Shit, I think I need to lie upside down to get some blood back in my head,” he said as he laughed. Once steady, he slipped into the bathroom and was back a few seconds later, clean and without the condom.
“I’ll walk you down,” Liam said as Tate located his clothes.
The sexy man shook his head. “Not necessary. Stay and relax.”
“Okay.” He tucked his hands behind his head and settled. “No argument here. I’m enjoying this show too much to get up anyway.”
“You like watching me put on my clothes?”
“I like watching you do anything.”
Tate paused, shirt in hand, and gave him a soft smile.
“Thank you for my date. This whole night has been unreal in the best way.” It also messed with his head, and now he’d have to work to keep from fantasizing about things he could never have.
“It has.” Tate’s low, sincere tone did nothing to prevent Liam from having stupid dreams.
“Now that you have my number, feel free to text anytime. I’ll try to resist sending you a dick pic, but it’s gonna be hard now that I know what a good fuck you are.” He winked—time to get this conversation on a lighter note.
Tate laughed. “No one knows my passcode or uses my phone. Send away.”
His spent dick tried to rally, but even though he could go a few more times tonight, he’d need at least a couple of minutes to recover.
As soon as Tate’s jeans were up and covering that beautiful cock, Liam pouted. “Well, now I have nothing fun to look at.”
There went the shirt, hiding his sexy chest. Most of his favorite spots were now covered up, though Tate’s face was eye candy enough.
“Well then, maybe I’ll be the one sending you a dick pic.” He winked, and Liam’s jaw dropped.
“Swear to God I’m more shocked when you flirt with me than I’d be if you sprouted wings.”
“Good. Gotta keep you on your toes, Luxe. Don’t want my big-city dancer getting bored with this small-town boy.” He shoved his feet in his shoes and then strode over. “We’ll talk soon.”
Then he did the most shocking thing of all. He gave Liam a goodbye kiss, and not a quick peck, but the kind of kiss that ensured Liam would be hard again and thinking about him all night long.
Hell, when he walked out the door, Liam’s cock was already waking back up.
Teasing bastard.
My big city dancer.
Swoon.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
LIAM PILED HIS cart high with the same nutritious foods he’d eaten as a professional ballet dancer. Though no longer performing daily, old habits died hard, and he had yet to stray from the stringent diet his career had required—except for one vice.