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)
“Beckett.” Julian took the shirt and wiped it over his face as Beckett hovered around Julian. His scent… That dick-pleasing cologne mixed with Beckett’s naturally alluring aroma. It was intoxicating. Beckett’s strong, gentle hand swept over Julian’s hair, brushing it from his face. The back of Beckett’s fingers slowly caressed down his cheek. Woofer nudged between their legs, wanting to offer his own comfort.
Julian melted against Beckett’s broad chest, soaking up every bit of affection offered. He was a forever changed man. His road was always meant to lead him right here to Beckett. In the fucking wilderness. Julian glanced up, helpless, as he stared at the man before him.
“Months ago, when you first walked into Reservations, the first minute you came through the restaurant into the bar, I saw you. Something compelled me to look your way. I knew you were going to be trouble.” Julian’s tears cascaded down his cheeks again. “I want this to happen between us. I know I don’t deserve…”
Beckett lifted his fingers to Julian’s lips, stopping him from saying anything more. He took his damp T-shirt and haphazardly wiped it over Julian’s face. With strong fingers, Beckett tilted Julian’s chin, forcing him to meet his gaze.
“You have to know I’ve loved you since that very first moment. Every thought, every day since then, has revolved around you. I love you to my core.” Beckett tried to smile, but it didn’t come easy under the weight of his confession. “I’ve tried hard not to push you before you’re ready, but when the time comes, I want us to be each other’s one. To be bound together. You and me, facing the world. I liked everything you laid out last night in the hotel room. I’m so in.”
Julian tossed his arms around Beckett’s neck to tug him down to seal their fate with a kiss. Julian’s legs gave out from underneath him as Beckett scooped him between his arms. Woofer barked as Julian gave a yelp and tightened his hold around Beckett’s neck.
Beckett’s face instantly flushed.
“You look lighter than you are…” Beckett said through a huffed breath then started, slow-footed, toward the door.
“Is that a fat joke?” Julian asked, cocking his brow inches from Beckett’s face. “I’m actively trying to make myself heavier right now.”
Beckett chuckled and edged them awkwardly through the doorway. “Not a fat joke at all. I’ll take you at any weight. I’m afraid you’re never getting rid of me.”
Julian tightened his hold around Beckett’s neck, aligning them face to face. “Good. That’s just the way I want it.”
Chapter 40
Three weeks later
Julian pulled into the parking lot in downtown Baltimore, coming to a rolling stop as he leaned into the windshield of his rental, looking over the combination restaurant and pub that Thane had had such a hard-on to buy. He tilted his head as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing. Thane owned some of the largest restaurant chains in the world. He negotiated with top business executives and world leaders to elevate his empire. The man would be a billionaire soon if he wasn’t already.
Yet…this was Pat’s Pub and Sunday’s Side? He narrowed his eyes at the building before him. He’d heard the place was genuine. The patrons looked to be both old-timers and new customers. A dream clientele from an administrative perspective. It had been around for a long time, but the construction looked new to be so generationally beloved.
They must have had a radical facelift. No shame in that. Julian had already marked on his calendar app the day, twenty-nine years from now, when he planned to gift himself a facelift.
He sat back in the seat and repeated the question he’d been asking himself for a while now. What alternate universe had he landed in? From his own personal changes to Thane wanting this restaurant and bar, all reasonable signs were pointing to the world entering a new dimension. Life as Julian knew it had come to a screeching halt. Life was changing and all he could seem to do was hang on for the ride.
The honk from behind reminded Julian he was blocking the entrance, urging him into a nearby parking space. He sat there, fishing out his cell phone from his pocket, jonesing for any kind of communication with his boyfriend. Warmth seeped over Julian at the Daddy Bear title he had given Beckett’s contact information. It had been six hours since he’d left Beckett at the airport in San Diego. Their departing was a melodramatic display with Beckett clinging to Julian, not wanting him to leave for his three-day on-site intensive training at the Dishology headquarters in Ellicott City. And by Beckett clinging to Julian, he really meant Julian clinging to Beckett.
He’d learned over the last three weeks that once love’s arrow struck, the serum spread rapidly, leaving him a major codependent baby who wanted Beckett within reach at any given moment. Meaning Beckett’s job seemed to be at Julian’s beck and call. His Daddy Bear spent hours a day inside Reservations, and Beckett was one hell of a handyman. Julian recognized his ridiculousness, but it didn’t seem to matter. He couldn’t get enough of his man.