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)
His heart threatened to beat out of his chest. “Then let’s eat because you, my friend, will need your stamina. It’s been a while for me, and I have a lot of pent-up desire.”
Tate lifted his glass in salute before downing the entire glass of wine in three gulps. The tremor in his hand had Liam grinning. Yeah, Tate wanted him so badly he was shaking with it.
Who wouldn’t love that?
For the rest of the evening, they alternated between eating, drinking, and kissing. As the sun dipped below the tall stalks of corn, Tate produced a battery-operated lantern to illuminate their private area. He’d thought of everything.
“So, tell me about wanting to start your own business,” Liam said as they lay side by side, looking up at the stars. He had his head resting on Tate’s outstretched arm and felt a sense of peace he’d never had in bustling New York City. The air had chilled, and if it weren’t for the warmth of the man he cuddled up to, Liam might be cold.
“Oh, it’s just a silly thought. Doubt I’ll ever make anything of it.”
He frowned. Tate was a master at dismissing his own worth. Not on Liam’s watch. That garbage would stop now. With a huff, he pushed up onto his elbow, glancing down. Scruff dusted Tate’s jaw as though he hadn’t shaved in a few days. He couldn’t resist stroking a hand through the soft bristles that had tickled his cheeks and chin moments before.
“Tell me.”
Time ticked by as Tate stared at him. One thing Liam quickly learned about the man was his need to take a few minutes to process his words before he spoke of anything deep. Instead of turning away, assuming his command would be ignored, Liam waited.
Eventually, Tate spoke. “You might think it’s dumb, but I actually like what I do.”
“Why would I think that was dumb?”
“Because you make art with your fucking amazing body. I put ceramic on the floor.”
“Tate!” Liam socked him lightly on the shoulder. “That is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. I’m instituting a rule. Every time you say something disparaging about yourself, I withhold sex.”
A loud burst of laughter rumbled the body beneath him. “So, you’re saying I’m not getting any tonight?”
Well, shit, he hadn’t thought that one through. “Just shut up and tell me your dream. We’ll start tomorrow.”
Still laughing, Tate wrapped his arms around Liam and fully pulled him onto him. They now lay chest to chest, nose to nose. “No one ever gives a shit what I want.”
Ugh, stab me in the heart.
“Well,” he said, trying to keep the sadness of that statement out of his tone. “That changed when you met me.”
“My boss is close to retirement. He doesn’t really give a shit anymore. We accept easy local jobs because he isn’t motivated to go for anything bigger or learn more modern techniques. With social media and stuff, we could expand our market and reach new customers. But, as I said, he doesn’t give a shit anymore.”
“And you have ideas to expand?”
Nodding, Tate ran a hand up and down Liam's back. He swore he purred like a happy cat under the touch.
“A crapload of acreage was sold recently to a developer. They’re planning multiple communities and looking for subcontractors right now. I do good work and enjoy the design side of things. I also keep up with modern trends and what people are looking for. The shit they’re planning to build is ritzy as fuck, and I bet they’re going to have some really unique, intricate work. I’d love in on that.”
The passion lacing his voice captured Liam’s attention. This was more than a flash-in-the-pan idea—he’d given it serious thought.
“So do it,” Liam said. “Break away. Take your brother and Daryl.” He couldn’t keep his nose from wrinkling as he said that jerk’s name, but thankfully, Tate didn’t seem to expect him to like his friends. “Break away and approach the developer.”
“Just like that, huh?” The man below him smirked.
“Yes. Just like that. It doesn’t need to be more complicated. I recently went through a lot of the process with my studio, so I can help you.”
“Luxe…”
“Nuh-uh.” He placed his fingers over those tasty lips. “Don’t say no yet. Think about it first. It’s a really great idea. You’d make a fantastic boss. Just think about it. Okay?”
Nodding, Tate said, “Okay,” but the word was muffled by the fingers squishing his lips.
“Good.” Liam beamed.
It was the best date of Liam’s life, hands down. It probably ranked in the top five evenings of his life, period. With each passing second, keeping his hands off his date grew harder as did his cock.
When Tate snuck his tongue out and licked along the seam of Liam’s fingers, he sucked in a harsh breath.
“Kiss me,” Tate ordered in an impossible-to-resist growl.