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)
“Come sit.” Liam slid into a chair at the table, waiting for him. “The pie is warm, and the ice cream’s cold.”
“Thank you,” he said, his throat tight as he strode across the room to take the other seat. The delicious aroma of cinnamon and sugar floated through the air, making his mouth water. “This, um… this is nice.”
No one did things like this for him. Hell, it’d been a few years since anyone even got him a birthday cake.
Liam beamed. “It is, isn’t it?” He scooped some pie and ice cream onto his spoon and held it halfway between them. “Cheers.”
The playful move made Tate’s lips twitch, which hurt more than he’d admit out loud. He followed suit, gathering some pie and tapping his spoon to Liam’s. “Cheers.”
Liam watched him as Tate ate the first bite. The warm pie, cool vanilla, and sugary goodness mixing in his mouth drew an involuntary groan. “This is so good,” he said before swallowing.
“Excellent.” Liam gobbled his own bite, moaning a porn-star-worthy hum of appreciation. “Heaven.”
No, the pie was delicious, but heaven was the entire moment. Sitting there in the low light with the man he loved. The man who accepted him and hadn’t run from an awful situation. Who wasn’t making him talk about it yet because he knew Tate and could tell he wasn’t ready. Heaven was touching Liam, sleeping beside him, and waking to him in the morning.
Christ, he’d gone sappy.
They ate in comfortable silence, and Tate’s tension melted away with each bite. The pain medication kicked in as well. By the time Liam pushed his plate across the table with a groan, “Ugh, I can’t eat another bite,” Tate was able to smile without more discomfort than a minor ache.
“No worries, I’ll take care of that for you.” He used his spoon to pull the plate in front of him.
Liam chuckled. “Thank you for your sacrifice. Oh, this is a good song.” He hopped up and began to dance to the upbeat pop song playing through a small speaker.
Tate couldn't have named the song or artist for all the money in the world, but he’d never complain about watching Liam dance. After polishing off the rest of Liam’s pie, he settled back in the chair and watched the show.
As usual, Liam looked gorgeous as he lost himself in the music. This peppy song was far from his usual style, but movement and dance seemed to come so naturally to him that he could adapt to anything.
After a few moments, the song changed to a slow number. Liam glided over to the table. “This is Make You Feel My Love by Adele. It’s a beautiful song. Dance with me.” He held out a hand.
Tate huffed a laugh. “You know I don’t dance, Luxe.”
“Come on.”
Why did that pout have to be so irresistible? “No fucking way.”
“You danced with me at the club the first night we met.” If his lip stuck out any farther, it’d hit the table.
“That was different. That was fast. And we mostly just humped each other on the dance floor.”
Now Liam was laughing. He grabbed Tate’s hand and tugged. “Come on, big guy. I’ll lead. All you have to do is hold on to me and sway.” He winked. “I think you can manage.”
Tate allowed himself to be pulled from the chair and maneuvered into the middle of the den. “Fine, but don’t blame me if I break your toes.”
“I’m not worried. Now, hold my hand here and put your other arm around my waist,” Liam instructed. When he did as ordered, Liam pulled him so close they were basically hugging. “Now, just move with me.”
He tried, but he was big and clunky and definitely not built for slow dancing. “I feel stupid, Luxe,” he mumbled as an awkward fish-out-of-water sensation claimed him.
“Shh. Listen to the words,” Liam whispered.
Tate blew out a breath, shut his eyes, and tried. Liam had said the song was about all the ways Adele would show her man how much she loved him. Within thirty seconds, the poetic words slid beneath his skin and straight to his soul. He relaxed into Liam’s hold and could suddenly move without bumbling.
He opened his eyes and found Liam staring deep into him as they swayed to the meaningful song. If this was dancing, he’d dance with Liam all day. The quiet, peace, and closeness to Liam soothed his wounded soul.
Cocooned in an almost dream-like state, Tate tried to convey with his eyes how much Liam meant to him. The rest of the world outside the small apartment could have evaporated for all he knew or cared. Everything he needed to survive was right here in his arms.
The song changed to another gentle tune, and Liam slowed them until they were still. He rose on his toes and kissed the puffy skin under Tate’s eye with a tender brush of his lips.