It took me years to build my confidence and to feel comfortable in my skin. Now? I love myself and the way I look. But I’m not so daft to assume that Liam’s perception of himself has changed from the second we started dating. He’s still insecure about the way he looks, given the way he’s been treated in his past. It pains me that his bullies have led him to believe he isn’t attractive or worthy.
I promise, even if it’s the last thing I do, I’m going to make sure this man knows how beautiful he is inside and out.
I curve my palm over his bearded jaw and smile, even as my heart batters a rough rhythm against my chest. I wish I could go back in time and hurt every motherfucker who had something mean to say about my best friend. “Liam, I want to see our bodies and everything we do to each other. Please don’t turn off the lights.”
“Okay,” he whispers with defeat.
That won’t do. He’s only going to leave them on to please me. Not because he’s comfortable.
Never letting my smile waver, I get up and extend a hand.
Confused, he takes it and rises to his full six-foot-five height. Shifting on his feet with uncertainty. Smoothing a palm over his clothes so they’re less askew—thanks to my grabby hands.
“C’mere.” My destination is a full-length mirror next to his bookshelf. I drag him along and he follows dutifully. I position Liam in front and watch the way his Adam’s apple bobs. I glue myself to his side and meet his gaze in the mirror. “Do you trust me?”
“With my entire being.”
I press a kiss to his sturdy bicep. “What do you see when you look in the mirror, Liam?”
He takes a deep breath and lets it out in a slow whistling exhale, shaking his head like he’s trying to get rid of his bad thoughts. “Babe, you don’t want to know.”
The smile falls off my face. “Liam…”
His stare is downcast. “Why don’t you tell me whatyousee?”
I wanted to do a little exercise in self-love, but now I’m on the verge of tears. How did the world convince this amazing human being that he’s anything less than stellar?
“You want to know what I see?” I hold his chin and bring his face back up so our gazes meet again. “The prettiest shade of blue. I’ve never seen more lovely eyes, Liam.”
“I love yours too,” he chokes out.
“You have great hair. Soft and thick. I love running my hands through it.” I do it to prove my point. The stylish backcomb is now messy, his strands flopping over his forehead endearingly. “Don’t even get me started on your beard.”
I’m ashamed to admit how many times I’ve imagined the feel of it as he eats my pussy out. A girl can dream, right?
“What else?” he demands and my suspicions are confirmed.
My boyfriend has a praise kink.
I’m going to feed it so well.
“You have wonderful skin, courtesy of Mabel and all her skincare recommendations.” We chuckle in unison and then he sobers up when I stare at him with a serious glint. I lean my head against his shoulder. “Liam, you’re so handsome and you don’t even know it.”
“Thank you,” he returns, twisting his face to kiss the top of my head. “I…believe you, Bel.”
That statement gives me the courage I need to continue my appraisal.
Grabbing hold of his arms, I twist his body so we’re face-to-face. My hand skims the collar of his black dress shirt and I finger the first button, peering up at him. “Do you still trust me?”
Tension balloons in the space between us before Liam closes his eyes briefly and nods earnestly. “Yes. Always.”
The weight of those two words settles on my soul. I don’t take his trust lightly or for granted. It means more to me than I can put into words.
Ever so slowly, I begin to undo his buttons until his chest is revealed.
Liam is doing everything in his power not to meet my gaze.
I push the dress shirt off his shoulders. It lands in a pool by our feet. Liam’s fists are balled by his sides and his eyes cut into the air above my head, like he’s scared of my reaction.
