Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 102282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
“He wasn’t on duty the first time he came in. It was late evening. He ordered an Orange Sunrise protein shake.” Canaan spoke fast, trying to save Renzo from needing to answer.
“You remember all that?” Renzo twisted his mouth in a funny expression that Canaan couldn’t place. “That’s...sweet. And yeah, my team knows I’m bi. One of my good friends on the team is pan.” To Canaan, he added, “You know, Bacon? The one with the scorpion tat.”
“Oh yeah, I know him.” Two hot SEALs who swung Canaan’s way on Renzo’s team? Yummy.
“I smell threesome bait for Canaan.” Eric snorted.
“He has a silver fox boyfriend who’d have some opinions on that.” Renzo’s face grew stony.
Fuck. Not like Canaan hadn’t already started daydreams about being the filling in a SEAL sandwich, but Renzo didn’t need to know that.
“This dude is plenty for me.” Canaan wasn’t lying as he bumped shoulders with Renzo. Sure, he’d done some wild shit in the past, but right now, he’d trade it all for one makeout session with Renzo. However, the chances of kissing seemed to be melting under the force of Renzo’s death-ray glare.
“Hey. Who’s getting a threesome?” The dark-haired woman on Canaan’s right, whom he didn’t recognize, had apparently been listening to their conversation. Her riot of curly hair bobbed as she nodded emphatically. “I want in. Two bi dudes plus me is like my all-time fantasy.”
Renzo blinked. “Thanks for sharing.”
“Seriously. TMI, Ariel.” Damian shook his head. “And didn’t you already hook up with Ridley and Jules recently?”
“Maybe.” Her brown eyes danced as she gave a coy smile.
“See. This is what I came for. You guys have to fill me in on the tour gossip. How long has Ridley been around?”
Finally, the conversation shifted to somewhat more stable ground as they ate, but Canaan could still sense the tension rolling off Renzo. Fucking Damian and Eric and their big mouths. After the food was finished, a number of people around them ordered another round of drinks, no hurry to rush back to the hotel.
“Hey.” Renzo leaned in again, breath all minty. “You want to hang out with your friends? With that early start tomorrow, I’m thinking of getting a run in at the hotel gym, then turning in before it gets too late.”
“Nah, I’ll come back with you. And give me one of those mints.” Unlike the others who’d flown into Phoenix the day before, they’d had a long day with the drive, and surprisingly, he didn’t have that much urge to keep hearing the band’s stories. They were all about European cities he remembered only vaguely, venues he’d never seen, and a rotating cast of characters, most of whom he didn’t know. He’d come to feel a part of the group again, but instead, he found himself wanting to hang out with Renzo more.
“Sure thing.” Renzo passed him a tin of mints. “I’ll skip the hotel gym run if you race me back?”
“Too fucking cute. You guys need a Hallmark Special.” Damian made a vague shooing motion with his hand.
“See you in the morning.” Canaan made the necessary goodbyes, then followed Renzo toward the door.
On their way out, Renzo stopped the server who’d been doing the bulk of the work for their party and slipped her a folded bill and a sympathetic look. “Hey. Big night huh? I worked at a restaurant some in high school, and large parties are the worst.”
“You know it.” She gave them both a grateful smile before heading back into the room.
“That was sweet of you,” Canaan said as they continued their way toward the lobby. “You’re right. Big parties never tip well. Kelly will try, I’m sure, but that was a nice gesture on your part.”
“I don’t do things just for a medal.” Renzo was still in a mood, and the desert night air didn’t seem to be cooling him down any.
“I know. You’re pretty cool, man. And I’m sorry—”
“Don’t apologize for your friends.” Renzo’s voice was as firm as the set of his jaw. “Just race me?”
“You really are gonna kill me. And I’m going to need another shower.”
That, finally, got a laugh from Renzo. “It’s three blocks and some stairs. I think you’ll live.”
“Okay, okay. Go.” Laughing, he tried to keep pace with Renzo, who wasn’t even breathing that hard as they sped through the streets of Flagstaff, which were fairly quiet for that time of night. San Diego would still be hopping, but here the city seemed to have already closed up shop.
“Need the elevator?” Renzo called as they approached the hotel.
Yes. But Canaan didn’t want to admit that. “I’m good,” he huffed, following Renzo to the stairwell.
“Come on. You can do it.” Renzo slowed his pace down and switched to cheerleader mode about halfway up when Canaan started dragging.
“Fine. Fine. You win, by the way. What do you want?” Canaan leaned hard on the railing to catch his breath.