Page 26 of Hate To Love You
“I’m not sure I can even stomach five seconds.”
“This isn’t how I was hoping tonight would go. This isn’t how I was hoping thesummerwould go. I meant it when I said I wanted you to like me, Liam … but not because I felt, uh … entitled to your feelings. If you really hate me so much, I …” He drops his gaze to the ground. “I guess I just need to accept that. Somehow.”
Liam looks down at the broken old sidewalk, too. Something about the change in Teague’s tone of voice rewrites the emotional landscape of his mind. Now all he can think about is how softly Teague spoke to him while they were in the house. The way his whole body tensed under Teague’s challenging, determined stare.
The way his heart galloped as they sat on that couch, staring into each other’s eyes.
He’d be a downright liar if he didn’t admit he wanted to play that game, too. He wanted a chance to look at Teague without having to sneak a glance all the time. He wanted to pour every last drop of himself into those syrupy brown eyes.
He wanted to see what everyone else sees.
And if Liam was strong enough to admit it, he might even say he could have stared into Teague’s eyes for a whole hour. Hecould imagine them touching each other, too. He could imagine himself caught in Teague’s strong arms, like the day he fell down from the stepladder.
He could imagine their lips…
“Can we just start over? Please?”
Liam looks up. Teague has taken a step closer, standing right in front of him now.
“Please?” he tries again. “Can you give me a chance?”
Liam considers it. Not for long. “There’s no need. You have two guys in that house who think you’re amazing. Both Gracie and Deena obviously want you, too, so … just take your pick of whose spotlight you want to be in today.”
“I don’t want any of their light,” says Teague, a touch firmer.
“I’m going home.” Liam takes one step.
The next thing he knows, Teague’s hands are on his chest, pressing his back against the side of the truck.
Their eyes are locked once again on each other’s—Liam’s in surprise, Teague’s with yearning.
“I said I don’t want them,” repeats Teague. “I want you.”
Liam’s lips part, at a loss.
The next thing he knows, Teague lunges forward.
Their lips come together.
The full weight of Teague’s body presses against Liam’s with need, pinning him to the side of the truck with his heat, with his desire, with his nearly naked body. No matter what words were just shared, no matter the aggression, no matter his fears …
Liam instantly realizes this is what he wanted all along.
Teague’s lips. Teague’s fierceness. Teague’s passion.
Teague’s attention.
Even the bulge in his skintight shorts is acutely and fully felt.
And it responds, flexing against the stretchy material.
Nothing seems to go through Liam’s mind as Teague kisses him deeply, leaving him in a blissful state of denial, oblivion, andboundless glee. He’s become another person. Living another life. Experiencing something he never dreamed he would know.
And also everything seems to go through Liam’s mind. The unexpectedly soft and tender touch of Teague’s lips. The breath crashing between their faces. The weight of their bodies against each other, pinned to the truck, no escape possible.
No escape desired.
Teague’s grip on Liam turns soft. Then he lets go, but doesn’t take a step back.
