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 still should tell them what’s happening,” Beckett said, ticking over the list of police officers he may know in Los Angeles. “Maybe something you say will help point them in a direction.”
Julian was riding on a thin line no matter what he tried to project to the world. Beckett wasn’t sure how long Julian could continue traveling down this path alone. He hadn’t tried to hang on to his heart where Julian was concerned, but right now, at this moment, he found himself willing to give his all to help Julian. He felt connected to Julian in every possible way. He saw how Julian wasn’t in a place to give himself to anyone. Julian had to figure out who he was again and what he wanted out of life.
A deep feeling of loss cooled the empty space between them as Julian slowly pushed out of Beckett’s arms. With the way the man’s hands slid from his back to his chest, Julian seemed hesitant to leave the embrace, maybe because Beckett had a hold of Julian’s waist, keeping him close. He held on as long as he could, watching Julian place his palms on Beckett’s pecs until he felt the weight of them on his heart. Julian’s eyes lifted to Beckett’s with so much vulnerability in their depths.
“I couldn’t help but notice you. I never ignored you, not really. I knew you were there. What I tried to ignore was this stirring inside me. Now you know why it’s not the best time for me to explore anything personally. I had thought you might be the one to help me get back into my old life, but I don’t think it’s going to happen.” Julian fully pushed out of Beckett’s arms. A quirky grin split Julian’s lips as he started to turn away.
Beckett wasn’t entirely sure he understood Julian’s meaning about leading him back into his former life, but that didn’t really matter because he was on the exact opposite plane of everything else Julian said. More so, Julian wasn’t getting rid of him. Even if they were destined to be nothing more than friends, Beckett was all in.
“Your old life, like back to escorting?”
“Yeah, I guess.” Julian dropped down on the sofa, patting his thigh. Woofer didn’t budge. The dog acted as if he wanted to move, muscles rippling as he looked to Beckett for instruction. “So, Thane and Arik cornered you at dinner last night to trick you into training me in self-defense?” He patted his thigh again, but Woofer stayed still. Julian followed Woofer’s gaze, landing on Beckett. “That’s why you were so loose last night. You’d been drinking with them. Probably to get through that meeting. They’re a handful individually. Together, they’ll plow right over a person. What did you do to my dog?”
He grinned. They weren’t over speaking of what happened or how Beckett could help, but he did let Julian veer off course. “There are commands he understands. It’s in his training. Didn’t they tell you?”
“Maybe they did. I don’t know. Woofer, come.” The dog didn’t budge.
“Break.” Beckett gave the command and the German shepherd jumped up from his spot and sauntered over, ducking his head under Julian’s touch. “Walker and Layne are two weird dudes. I didn’t eat even though they had a table full of food—”
“Right? Arik can eat his way through a cookbook, and he won’t really share,” Julian interrupted, leaning back on the sofa, his hand staying on Woofer’s head. “Arik Layne’s a fatty at heart. He eats more food in a single meal than I eat over an entire week. Thane isn’t too far behind him. The way they eat is shocking to me.”
“Me too,” Beckett agreed, walking around the small table to take a seat close to Julian. “Between the little bits of information you dropped and what they said, I knew something bad had to have happened. My nerves were tested while I was sitting there. I drank about a six-pack before I saw you last night. Maybe I should always have a few drinks before I come to the club. I was able to get my flirt on.” Beckett gave Julian a big grin.
“Oh Lord no. You’re hard to resist when you’re all reserved. I might not have been able to stand it,” Julian teased.
Beckett angled himself and reached over, taking Julian’s hand in his. “You know, I’m not as good a guy as you keep giving me credit for.” Beckett threaded their hands together. “Remember how I’ve made my money.”
“Medical marijuana isn’t bad, Dudley.” Julian squeezed his hand and smiled, probably making sure Beckett knew he was joking.
“I like you thinking I’m such a good guy though, so I’m not going to dissuade you anymore…” Beckett waggled his brows, making Julian bark out a laugh.
“Yeah, okay…”