Page 59 of The Reality of Wanting Him

I look over at him as he approaches, his bright smile and warm blue eyes focused on me, more love shining in them than I ever thought I would deserve. The animals swarm his personal space, probably looking for more food. In his backwards baseball cap, worn T-shirt, and jeans, with a bit of a classic redflannel visible beneath his open coat, stubble lining his jaw, surrounded by the chickens, he looks like the perfect farmer. He looks likemineand everything I never knew I wanted, everything I want our future to be.

I don’t really make the conscious decision, I just fall down to one knee, scrambling for the ring box in my pocket that I’ve been carrying around since I bought it with Chad. The chickens seem excited that I’m closer to their level, and more flock to my side, vying for my attention. As much as I would love to propose while holding a chicken,because that would be fucking adorable,I couldn’t possibly single just one of my babies out for the honor like that.

“What are you doing?” Liam says, sounding amused. His eyes are wide, but there’s a grin stretching across his face, so hopefully he won’t be upset that I didn’t make this moment more romantic or something.No, fuck that, just because I’m being spontaneous doesn’t mean I can’t make this romantic as hell.

He’s close enough now that I can take his hand in mine as I look up at him through my lashes, and I’m reminded of the first time I dropped to my knees for this man. My cock starts to thicken at the memory, but I will myself to calm down and focus. “Liam, we both know when I signed up for the show, I never imagined I would be here today, in love with a man, making plans to move to a farm and leave my life in the city behind.”

“And I don’t even like sports,” he teases, smile growing even wider.

“Exactly! You are not at all the person I would have pictured myself marrying,” I say with a laugh. “But Liam, you are the only one I could ever see myself having a future with now. You’ve taught me so much about what it really means to love someone, to be loved by another person. I’ve never had that before. I know you don’t give a shit about my family’s money or what number I was in the draft picks. I love how kind you are, how hardworking and passionate you are about your lifehere and continuing your family’s legacy. Earning your laughter is my new favorite thing in the world. You’re the first person that I’ve ever dated that I’ve wanted to spend all my time with. Even if we’re just sitting in the same room, I want to be near you?—”

“And probably on top of me,” he interrupts.

I aim a shrug his dad’s way. “I like to share personal space. Don’t worry, he loves it.”

Wyatt is glancing between us with watery eyes, a huge smile on his face.

“To answer your question,” I continue, still laughing a little, enjoying how perfectly casual this huge moment feels. I’m not nervous, just excited to finally show him the ring I picked out, and to claim him as mine in this new way. “I was hugging your dad because I asked for his blessing to propose to you, and I couldn’t possibly wait another moment when he gave it. I’m glad you came to us here, because asking you to marry me in front of our babies feels way more romantic than if I’d found you in that shed by the lawn mower.”

Liam bursts out laughing, and we all join in, even the camera guys are chuckling. “Well, are you going to officially ask then, or was that the whole speech?” he asks when we all calm down.

“Fuck, did I not do that yet?” We’re grinning at each other like lovesick fools, and for once, I’m so glad there are cameras on us so I can remember this moment forever. I can’t wait to go back and rewatch this with him for years to come. “Liam,lover,”I draw out dramatically, loving the eye roll I earn from him. “Will you make me the happiest man alive and agree to marry me?” I officially ask, opening the ring box to show him the black band I chose for him.

“Of course I’ll marry you, baby,” he says, then he cups both sides of my face in his rough palms and drags me up to meet him in a searing kiss. My entire body heats up at the feel of his stubble scraping across my cheeks as our mouths tangle and ourbodies press together, like we’re desperate to eliminate any space between us.

When I hitch my leg up around his hip, there’s a deep throat clearing that reminds us both that we’re not alone, and we reluctantly pull away at the same time.

“I got this for you while I was with Chad in the city,” I explain as I take a small step back to put the ring on for him. “I also got a silicone one that I know you’ll probably end up wearing more with all of the work you do around here.”

Liam’s smile grows soft at that, and I can tell he appreciates that I put in the extra effort. “Well, you beat me to proposing. I wanted to propose to you, but I was planning to use one of the rings the show offered since I figured they’d be nicer than what I could afford for you,” he admits.

“I don’t want to overstep,” Wyatt cuts in, coming closer as he removes a chain from around his neck, and I see him pull a necklace with a ring around it out from his shirt. “I certainly didn’t expect Blake to drop down on one knee in the middle of the chickens not even two minutes after our conversation.” He chuckles, and I shrug.

“I didn’t want to go another moment without Liam being my fiancé,” I explain.

“Like I said, I think his mom would have appreciated your enthusiasm.” He offers me a soft smile, holding out the necklace in his hand to Liam. When I look at his expression, it’s clear that it means something to him, his eyes are wide in surprise, and he tentatively reaches out to take the chain from his father.

“I’d planned to offer you this in private before either of you proposed, but Liam, if you would like, I think it would have meant a lot to your mother if your partner got to wear the ring she had made for me.”

It’s a gold band with a small row of diamonds in the middle of it.Fuck, it’s so cool.And the sentiment is making me so emotional.Don’t cry, don’t cry.

“She didn’t want to be the only one with diamonds,” Wyatt explains to me. “And she used the jewels from her own mother’s ring to make mine. But I’ve always worn it around my neck, tucked into my shirt for the same reasons you probably got Liam the silicone band, so it’s in pretty good shape. If you’d rather get something new, though, I won’t be offended.”

“Dad, if you’re sure?” Liam checks, and I’m glad he doesn’t feel the need to ask me. That is easily the coolest ring I’ve ever seen, and the backstory makes it so much better.I’ll be fucking honored if Liam offers it to me.

“Of course, son,” Wyatt says with a firm nod.

Liam holds the ring in his hand, turns to me, and drops down on one knee.

28

LIAM

Producer:You just got engaged! How does it feel now that it’s official?

Liam:This feels like the start of what I’ve been waiting for my whole life. Blake leads with his heart and I love him for that. I’m ready for forever with him.

“Ithought I’d have time to plan something big for this,” I admit. “Something romantic. But I don’t need any of that. Everything I want to say to you, everything I want for our future, it’s already right here.” I gesture around us, voice filled with emotion over how this proposal has played out with him taking the lead.

---