Pretty Boy (The Boys of Apartment 13, #1)

by Brianna Flores

I want to be the one whose pleasure is the focus, not the other way around. Why can’t I just lay there and take it? I am not at all a giving person. Give it to me, dammit. Give me all of the things. That’s what I want.

I like him. I have a crush on this guy. A big one. I don’t know what this means, how it’s possible to go from straight to wanting everything from some big-tattooed dude, but it’s there. And I want everything. His attention, the words he speaks, the very air he breathes. I want him to like me, to want me as much as I want him.

I don’t understand why it bothers me so much, but I’m not one to live in denial. It bugs the hell out of me. Clearly, some part of me has claimed him because the mere thought of someone else’s hands on Liam has me seething. There’s a throbbing in my forehead that every so often is intense enough that it makes my eye twitch.

“Oh.” My shoulders slump, and I have to look down so that he can’t see it when my face reflects how much that fucking hurt me. I’m not even surprised. I mean, I didn’t see it coming, but yeah. Makes sense that he doesn’t want me. Nobody really does and that’s something I’m aware of, so why does this bother me? There are so many reasons for him to not want me.

I’m fiercely protective of those I care about, and as small as the list is, it has landed me in many fights. Last night was just a mild example. It could’ve been worse.

It feels like you’re it for me. You’re so kind, brave. You accepted me and you wanted me enough to come out for me. You’re just beautiful, Liam. All of you. And I don’t want to do wrong by you. You deserve me at my best,”

“I want you as you are, all the broken pieces as they come. I want to help you put them all back together. I don’t want you to do that alone. Please don’t push me away. I––I hope that things between you and my dad, and you and Cade get better, because, I’m sorry but they’re in my life for good, but I want you to be a permanent fixture too.”