“Just like that.”
Blake pauses, glancing hopefully down at his wristwatch, but it’s dark. “Damn it, Ava, we’re connecting left and right over here. Throw us a bone. Or let one of us throw the other a bone, either way. I’m not picky.”
“That was terrible,” Paxton remarks, but he’s chuckling. There’s a moment of silence, and then, “Blake? Forgive me for being too forward, but does this mean you’d like to continue this — whatever is between us — once we return home?”
It’s abigquestion, and one that Blake should fear answering on camera, especially since the way Pax asked, he didn’t give any of his own intentions away. Blake could still end up heartbroken and humiliated here, but somehow, he doesn’t think that will be the case. Anyway, he spent all afternoon moping about the possibility that he’d never even see Pax again after filming, so he’d be pretty damn stupid not to ride this wave.
“Yeah,” he says quietly. “If you would.”
Pax’s smile can’t lie. “I really would,” he replies.
There’s no doubt in Blake’s mind that they would have kissed (and with zero regrets), if Ava hadn’t chimed inrightat that very moment.
“Paxton and Blake,” she says, the lights on her cone a bright orange tonight. “I have noticed that over the past few days, neither of you has been tempted by any of the otherplayers or to break the rules with each other. You have made genuine progress in your relationship, and are deserving of a reward. The private suite is yours for the night. Use it as a means to take your relationship to the next level, and don’t break the rules.”
Blake and Paxton exchange gleeful looks. “Can we take the snacks?” Blake asks, pointing to the untouched champagne, fruit, and dessert platters next to the tub.
Hey, priorities.
_____________________
The rundown he and Pax get from Rachel regarding the private suite is not what Blake is expecting. By the time she stops talking, he’s fully convinced that the show’s entire premise of “making them better people,” is a total farce, and that the producers want nothing more than for either Blake or Pax to bend over for the other tonight.
That’s fine — that’s pretty much what he wants, too.
The snacks do come with, and one of the PAs is nice enough to pop the champagne and pour it out before he leaves. Rachel gives them the nickel tour, pointing out drawers full of various types of protection, lube, and even toys (brand-new-in-box, Blake’s relieved to see). There’s a soaking tub almost as big as the Jacuzzi he and Pax just left, a rain shower, and anenormousbed with an incredible mattress.
She also tells them that they’ll only be “charged” by Ava for theworstoffense committed tonight. Meaning, if they have sex, the cost of that will be the only thing deducted, not the kissing before or after, or the handjobs or oral leading up to it. Rachel is stoic and blunt while she details these things, and Blake mostly tries not to let his mouth hang open in shock. Far as he’s concerned, this room is basically a free-fuckin’-pass, and he intends to make the most of it.
The producers know they’re on board, that they don’t have to be manipulated into giving it up in the private suite. Yet, they’re still encouraged by Rachel to play the game, to ensure plenty of moments are filmed where they appear hesitant to make contact with each other, where it looks like they’re torn about what to do.
Sure, sure,Blake says, hustling Rachel out the door and slamming it shut behind her before realizing that here, absolutely nothing comesthateasily.
On the one hand, no camera person will be joining them overnight. On the other, before they can be left alone, a staged “entrance” has to be recorded. One where Blake and Pax walk into the room and act surprised and thrilled while running around “discovering” all the things Rachel already pointed out. They oblige and film that mess in one take, and Blake thinks he’s pretty damn convincing, barely even looking at the camera lens more than once. Okay, three times max. Whatever, he’s going to bealonewith Pax.
Well, as alone as they can be with cameras mounted in multiple corners of both rooms, but who’s counting?!
Once every last member of the crew is finally gone, there’s a moment where Blake and Pax just stare at each other, unsure of what to do. Blake’s pretty sure they’re on the same page, but maybe Paxdoeswant to be good. Maybe he’s gotten really into following the rules, is looking at it like a personal challenge, or whatever. Blake can get behind that, too, if that’s the case. Hey, Ava’s rules have done a lot for him so far, no one can deny that.
“Pax,” he says carefully, one hand out, like Pax is some kind of spooked cat that’s gonna bolt if Blake gets too close too quickly. It’s not the worst analogy, Blake’s sure seen him seek out patches of sun like a cat. Oh, and the way he contorts himself doing yoga in the mornings —
“What?” Paxton replies, and only then does Blake realize he’s zoned out, caught up imagining Pax in various poses and all the ways he could insert himself into each one. Might be time to admit that the self-deprivation is getting to him.
Orhe could keep on doing what he’s doing, because now Pax is pulling himself up onto the bed and crossing his legs into that “hip-opening pose” he’s so fond of and —
“You’ve got a little, uh—” Paxton mimes wiping drool from the corner of his mouth with a poorly-concealed smirk.
“And here I was trying to be considerate,” Blake replies with a snort, crossing his arms and swaying back and forth where he stands. “Beingthoughtfultowards your dirty little sex addiction and recent recovery. Wouldn’t wanna knock you off the wagon or anything.” He punctuates his mockery by strippingoff the robe he put on when they exited the hot tub, as Paxton shakes his head up at him, eyes crinkling in amusement.
“You are very lucky you’re so attractive,” he says.
“I was only half-being a dick, you know,” Blake offers, standing in front of Paxton and working his hands under Pax’s own robe. “Was serious about the part where I don’t wanna do anything you don’t wanna do. For any reason. Happy to just be alone with you for a while. And, you know, to share a bed that one of us isn’t falling half-off of all night long.”
“This mattress is very comfortable,” Pax agrees, patting it appreciatively. “I wouldn’t mind a bath either. I know we were just—” He waves in the general direction of the outside hot tub. “—but we weren’t alone.” He scoots off of the bed, letting his robe drop alongside Blake’s to puddle on the floor, his swimsuit following right after. Pax steps out of it and keeps walking with ease, like that display wasn’t the thesinglehottest thing Blake’s stood by and watched someone do. Like Pax doesn’t have onethe bestasses Blake’s ever seen walking away, period.
He scurries after him like his feet are on fire, entering the bathroom to find Pax already making himself comfortable in the tub as the water sprays down on top of him, faucet going full blast. He looksdamngood like that and he knows it, the cocky bastard. Arms slung over the sides of the marble, legs splayed wide, goddamn bedroom eyes laser-focused on Blake as he strides through the door.
“Come here,” Pax says, and Blake doesn’t need to be told twice. Already naked, he steps over the edge of the tub and seatshimself directly in Paxton’s lap. The cascading water from the tap pours down his back, hot and relaxing, and Blake adjusts himself so that he’s comfortable. Pax’s arms wrap around his waist and his own hands slide up and down Pax’s toned chest, just enjoying the feel of him, the luxurious idea that they canhavethis.
