Page 53 of The Reality of Wanting Him

“I can’t believe you built this!” he finally says, sounding truly amazed. “I mean,I can, you’re incredible, but wow. It’s amazing, Liam.”

“Well, I did most of the work with my dad. And my best friend, John, is an electrician. His brothers still live here, so he came back into town and they all helped us with it. Plus, we didhire a few contractors for other things we couldn’t do ourselves, like the foundation. It’s not much, but?—”

“It’syours,” he finishes for me, glancing back at me with awe in his eyes. “That’s insane. You actually built a whole-ass house!”

I chuckle. “Not by myself,” I remind him again, but it’s cool that he’s so excited about this. I’ve always loved my house and that it’s something my dad and I did together, but having Blake be so impressed, so proud of me, is making me surprisingly emotional. “So, you could actually see yourself living here?” I ask, needing to hear it again.Just one more time.

He turns to me with obvious affection shining in his eyes. “Yes. I want this, Liam.”

I nod, my throat suddenly tight. I knew bringing Blake here would be a big deal, but I didn’t expect this type of reaction, and I guess I’m still processing it all. I hate that I couldn’t just accept his answer when he said he was excited. I know my past relationship trauma has left me jaded, but it’s never really come up again before now.Probably because it’s the first time I’ve truly cared this much about anyone else I’ve dated, and I’m terrified that this will still blow up in my face for some reason.

This is the first time I really want a future with someone. I want to be enough for him. Given my ex, and the fact that Blake had never considered wanting to date a man only a few weeks ago, it’s been hard not to doubt that he feels the same way I do, but as I look around at him in my home—our home—all I can picture is our future together.

“I want you,” he adds, stepping closer. His hands settle on my hips before snaking around my back, the feel of him grounding me.

I reach for him, sliding my fingers into his hair as I pull him into a slow, deliberate kiss. He chases my lips when I pull back to respond. “Me too. You ready for me to show you how much?”

Before I can deepen the kiss and show him how badly I wanthim, someone clearing their throat from the doorway has us both jerking back. One of the producers stands there, giving us an expectant look. “Uh, mind if we grab some footage of you showing Blake around before we wrap for the night?”

Actually, I do mind, but I know that wasn’t really a question so much as a reminder of what they’re here to do.

Blake sighs dramatically, and I do my best to will my growing erection to calm down.Why the fuck do I keep getting hard on TV?Nothing like getting cockblocked by the production crew shadowing your every move while you’re in the can’t-keep-my-hands-to-myself phase of a relationship. I swear if Blake looks at me a little too long with his fuck-me eyes again before they leave, I’m going to shove them through the door myself so we can get some privacy.

“Can’t we do that tomorrow?” I plead, already knowing the answer is going to be a resounding no.

“Sorry, we need his first reactions. It won’t work if we come back tomorrow morning after a night together.”

Fuuuuck.“Fine. Let’s get it over with,” I sigh.

I grit my teeth and start the tour. I’m extra grateful right now that I don’t have a large house so I can get this over with quickly. I walk Blake, and unfortunately the crew that are following us with their cameras, through the house pointing out specific details. But I mean, clearly a bedroom is a bedroom and a kitchen is a kitchen. The whole time, I’m trying to not be rude but my body is still on high alert, and I know the tour is the last thing either of us care about right now.

Blake is not helping.At all.He’s being extra animated and throwing out reactions that are obviously meant to keep torturing me. “Wait, you built these cabinets with your own hands? Babe, that’s so hot, I’m so turned on right now.”

I shoot him a look—hopefully off camera—trying to communicate that he’ll pay for that later. But all he does is grin wider and waggle his eyebrows.

When we make it to the bedroom, Blake immediately throws himself onto the bed. “I can’t wait to feel these flannel sheets on my naked body.” He’s intentionally pushing me and it feels like the last of my self-control is breaking. Honestly, I can’t be held responsible for my actions at this point. They might have to just blur some footage out if they really want to keep filming tonight because Blake’s ass isminethe second they walk out that door.

Thankfully, though—and I’m not sure if they actually got what they need, or if it was the way Blake is looking at me while obnoxiously running his tongue over his lips—they tell us they’ve got enough and they’ll be back in the morning. I’m not even sure what usable footage they have, but that’s the last thing I care about. We walk them to the door and lock it behind us so there’s no chance they can come back in.

Blake is immediately on me. His lips crash against mine and I let him take what he wants—for now. His tongue teases my lips and I open easily for him. His kiss is full of desperation, like he’s making up for every second we had to play nice for the show, but I pull back as soon as I feel him start rutting against my leg and grip his jaw in my hands.

“Bedroom. Now.”

He shudders against me, nodding immediately before turning to literally run toward the bedroom.Fuck, I love his enthusiasm.I follow, and the second we’re inside, I’m back on him, taking the lead this time. He melts against me as I push him into the wall and press my body against his. I want him to know just how turned on he makes me, and the wall is much closer than the bed. The moment he feels my growing erection, his hips rock forward, and fuck, if that doesn’t make me even harder.

I lean in, dragging my lips along his jaw, obsessed with the way his breath hitches. He tilts his head back to give me more access to his neck, and I make my way down. I take full advantage of his responsiveness, pressing open-mouthed kisses alongthe column of his throat, nipping lightly to feel him shiver beneath me.

I pull back just enough to look at him—his flushed skin, his kiss-swollen lips, his blown-out pupils. Fuck, he’s so beautiful when he’s turned on and desperate like this.

“I want to take my time with you tonight.” My voice is low and gravely. “But if you keep looking at me like that, I’m going to lose every ounce of self-control I have.”

His smirk is almost cocky, but the way he shivers under my hands tells me he’s just as gone as I am. “Who said I wanted you to have self-control, babe?”

“Fuck, B.” I groan because he’s really testing me. “Tell me exactly what you want tonight.”

Blake bites his lip and looks at me through his lashes, eyes dark with lust. He leans in and whispers in my ear, “I want you to fuck me.” Then he shakes his head and adds, “And I don’t want you to hold back because you’re worried that it’s my first time. I want you to own me. Ruin me. I want to feel you everywhere. Whatever you want L, I want it too. Make me yours.”

Jesus. This man.Heat surges through me and every single part of me is screaming to give him what he wants. To take him apart piece by piece and put him back together so he never forgets he’s mine.

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