Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 123877 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123877 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
“You know, you’ve got that charming thing down with the way you duck your head and tilt your chin, grinning like that.” Julian smiled too, shaking his head. “I see you. You aren’t average.”
“Thank you. I know it’s painfully obvious, but I haven’t dated too often. The art of flirting doesn’t come easy for me,” Beckett said.
“Couldn’t tell. You’re doing a fine job,” Julian said, chuckling. “So, what makes tonight so different?”
Beckett enjoyed the connection they were building with one another. The comfort of talking. Exchanging the bits and pieces of their lives had him being honest now too. “I had six beers before I showed up tonight.”
“Ah. That explains it, then.” Julian stayed with him as they strolled along the walkway leading up to the front lobby of Escape Coronado. He took the steps up, tightening his grip on Woofer’s leash as they entered the building. Beckett reached out before the valet could get the door and opened it for Julian. He didn’t want the evening to end. This had truly been one of the best nights of his life.
“Why don’t you let me give you a ride home?” Beckett offered as Julian slid by instead of asking Julian to come up to his room like he wanted.
“My car’s in the lot closer to Reservations.” Woofer walked past Beckett as many of the heads in the lobby turned their way.
“Hey, Julian.”
Julian kept going toward the bank of elevators as he reached out to fist tap the bellhop’s extended knuckles.
“Hey, Julian,” The same woman who had helped Beckett when he first arrived smiled down at Woofer.
Beckett kept pace, watching as the same thing happened over and over. Julian literally knew everyone they passed. He answered questions about the restaurant, about scheduled events, about Woofer. Beckett was impressed with his friendliness. He stayed silent as they walked down the long hallway toward the back of the building.
They were in their last few minutes. Beckett needed to be bolder, and he one hundred percent had to cancel Thane’s harebrained scheme. He never wanted Julian to know about his reluctant involvement.
When they reached the doors leading to the parking lot that separated Reservations from the resort, Beckett pushed through, again holding it for Julian and Woofer. “About that dinner. We could make it breakfast or lunch.”
“I think we should stick to Reservations,” Julian answered and kept walking toward the lot.
No. Beckett could feel the special bond they’d created fray at the edges. He had to do something.
“Okay…” The word lasted until they fell into an awkward silence. Something they hadn’t been all evening.
“Here’s where we part ways.” Julian pointed to an older model Tesla in a parking spot close to the front of the building. He dug a key fob from his pocket and tapped a button. The locks released with a click. Julian didn’t pause as he reached for the backdoor and loaded Woofer inside. That door slammed shut, and Julian reached for the driver’s side door handle without a backward glance toward Beckett.
“Hold up,” Beckett said, reaching past Julian for the car door and shutting it. It seemed less final to have Julian on this side of the car. “I get there're things I don’t know.” Beckett took a step in closer with Julian arching a brow as he watched each move. “But can I just try something?”
Beckett moved slowly, lifting his hands to Julian’s cheeks. He counted it a win when Julian let him run his fingers over his perfectly cropped scruff. Julian stayed utterly still, not pulling away, but also not moving any closer.
For a man who was kissing boys at church, Julian sure didn’t make this easy for him. Julian left it to Beckett to do all the heavy lifting. The pad of his thumb crossed over the soft skin of Julian’s cheek. “This is just an experiment.”
Something uncertain crossed over Julian’s face, drawing Beckett to focus on more than the most perfectly formed lips he’d ever seen. His gaze lifted and locked on Julian’s eyes, causing him to pause midway to Julian’s mouth. The uncertainty had Beckett pulling back a fraction of an inch, concerned.
One of Julian’s hands reached out, tightly gripping Beckett’s bicep. Not necessarily pulling him forward or away, more like a grip on a life preserver.
“What? Did I do something wrong?” Beckett whispered, watching the swirl of emotion crossing Julian’s face.
Julian gave a quick shake of the head, dispelling whatever held him back. “Shh. If you’re going to kiss me, then kiss me, Marlboro Man. I don’t think I can initiate it.”
He took the invitation. Beckett instinctively wrapped an arm around Julian’s back, sliding his hand from Julian’s shoulder to the small of his back, feeling all the muscular ridges of Julian’s perfect body. Beckett stepped in, his body barely touching Julian’s, still very aware of the fingers digging into his bicep.