Page 84 of The Masks We Burn

I roll my eyes but smile, taking in the view of William being in my store. The storehethought of. I hope he loves it as much as I do.

“Oh, see, now this is insane.”

He draws my attention to the couches. There’re two long ones in the shape of an L facing the library. Tall, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves line both sides of the wall, and in the corner is a seventy-five-inch TV with LED lights surrounding the frame. Some of the shelving houses merchandise, like lanyards and plushies, but others hold an abundance of manga for free reading along with some cute decorations. Right now, I only have a contract to sell the officially licensed products from four shows I love, but as I grow, I plan to buy more.

The set of manga William got me is at the top of the shelf for display.

At first, I thought that’s what he was referring to until I see him run a hand over the back of the couch. “It’s vinyl.”

I scoff, looking at the badass setup behind him but wonder why he’s focused on the couch. “Yeah. For easy cleanup and sanitation. They typically use them in schools too since they are so durable.”

“It looks like leather.”

“Yeah, they were more expensive, but it complements my aesthetic.”

His eyes flash to mine, and in two seconds, I see the hunger pass over him. He eats the small space between us, taking two large steps and has me on my back before I can get the surprised yelp out.

My heart flutters in my chest as he hovers over me, gazing into my eyes with the same longing he did in the tent. I kiss the pink butterfly. “I love you.”

His signature smirk ghosts across his lips. “I love you too. Can I be honest with you?”

“Always.”

“I plan to make all the amazing love with you tonight. But first, I’m legit about to fuck you senseless.”

This makes my blood rush south so fast I’m surprised I don’t pass out. “Sounds like a dream. But upstairs.”

His eyebrows furrow. “Upstairs?”

I nod, tucking my bottom lip between my teeth. “My studio apartment is up there.”

“And you’re just telling me because?” He scoops me back up, throwing me over his shoulder as he listens to me yell directions to find the stairs. He somehow takes them two by two before emerging into my space.

Like downstairs, I’ve kept everything clean and simple. But here it’s got a bohemian vibe—lots of plants and beige.

He flops me down on my bed and chuckles, dragging his eyes too damn slowly down my frame. “You look so beautiful.”

My face heats under his gaze, but before my vixen comes out, I force out the question. “Did I do okay?”

Will’s head tilts to the side as he thinks over what I mean. When he realizes, he leans forward, pressing a soft kiss on my lips. I want to drink him in, but he pulls back, running his hand along my shoulder, sprouting new goosebumps down my arms.

He reaches behind my back, forcing me to arch so he can unzip the dress. “I think…”

His voice is so low and gravelly, he makes my pussy clench around nothing. He pulls the dress down slowly, watching as he frees my breasts to the cool air. They pebble immediately, and he kisses each one. “That this café…”

Pulling the dress down past my hips, he licks his way down my core and swipes a tongue over the top of my panties.

A moan slips from my lips and my hips buck up, the pent-up need for him beginning to drive my mind into delirium. “Will.”

He ignores my whines. “Is your calling. It was…”

He frees me from my dress completely, and lets his hand rove over my hot skin, flushed from his torture. “Your key.”

I swallow his words and latch my arms around his neck, forcing him to me. “I fucking adore you.”

“Ditto, baby girl.” He kisses my nose before working too damn slowly to undress himself. He watches my reactions the entire time and when he finally unbuttons his last one, I jump up, tearing it from his body.

“Pleasantries are over. I need you.”

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