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)
Julian gave him a mocking side eye as he passed by. Other than the few moments they’d danced, Beckett hadn’t been this close to Julian. He greedily took in everything about the man.
The heady scent of Julian’s cologne caused Beckett’s cock to punch against his zipper as all those tingly feelings raced along his nerve endings. Julian’s striking gaze spoke directly to Beckett’s heart. Julian was no more than a few inches shorter than Beckett.
“Those are new shoes you’re wearing. Do you really want to risk it?”
Beckett looked down at his feet and shrugged as Woofer sauntered past, trailing his caretaker. Julian had a keen eye and a good point.
Lifting his gaze back up to Julian, he gave a soft chuckle. “I think I can tough it out.”
Julian glanced back over his shoulder. “Shut the door behind you, tough guy. It locks automatically.”
It made him crazy happy to know Julian noticed his new shoes. He’d deal with any possible blisters. Beckett reached for the door, drawing it closed, following Julian out.
Chapter 9
The hum of fluorescent lights inside Danny’s Palm Bar & Grill added to the ambiance of the small, cozy outdated grill. The bar took up half the space, but on a Monday night, there was little action going on. Julian and Beckett sat at one of the booths lining the interior walls. They were the only ones left inside the dining area. Woofer strategically placed himself underneath the table, planting himself on Julian’s feet. Besides an initial bout of whining when they first arrived, most likely due to the proximity of the pet groomer next door who regularly bathed and deshed Woofer, the massive dog had gone practically unnoticed.
Beckett got all the credit. Woofer responded well to Beckett’s commanding presence and simply stated commands.
Woofer wasn’t the only one to respond well to Beckett. Julian struggled to keep perspective. He’d never known anyone to be such a true gentleman. But more than just the gentle side of Beckett, Julian couldn’t quite put his finger on the mystery surrounding the man. Beckett oozed sensuality in all his masculine, rugged swagger. From the way he walked to the way he talked, Beckett carried himself with class and pride. Combined with his attentive gentle nature, the man was a triple threat.
“We should have gone somewhere else,” Beckett said before adding the last few fries to his mouth.
“And miss the chance of watching you inhale that burger? No way. We made the right decision. Who eats a burger in four bites?” Julian teased.
It might have actually taken five or six large bites. And he hadn’t missed the way Beckett’s eyes lit up from the second the waitress put the red plastic basket filled with a hamburger and fries on the table. Apparently, Beckett stopped here regularly while in town. He’d ordered without a menu and had peeled out of his suit coat and expertly rolled up his shirt sleeves as he prepared for his feast.
Honestly, watching Beckett undress was an unexpected treat. Julian had gotten a little lost in the tight cords of muscle on Beckett’s forearms. They teased of something harder underneath all those clothes.
“Are you going to eat those fries?” Beckett asked, causing Julian to chuckle. He pushed the half-full basket toward Beckett.
“Have at ’em.”
Beckett started to reach, then hesitated. “I don’t want to take your food,” he said in that considerate way he always seemed to have. Beckett’s eyes, though, spoke of something else. He was still hungry and wanted the fries. Julian reached for the ketchup bottle and squirted across the top of the fries because Beckett had smothered his in ketchup when they’d first arrived.
“Go ahead. I don’t usually eat greasy foods. I’ve got to watch my figure,” Julian teased as he lifted his whiskey sour in the air, motioning to the bartender for another.
“I watch it enough for both of us. You’re perfect,” Beckett said, giving Julian a wink as he added salt and pepper to the top of the ketchup before digging in. Whatever had loosened Beckett up, probably the beer he steadily consumed, had shown Julian glimpses into the real man. Some he’d tagged early on, like those damn manners being innate. Others he hadn’t realized…like Beckett was a fun, clever guy who Julian enjoyed spending time with.
“You’re good with the compliments,” Julian said halfheartedly.
“Sounds like it bothers you.” Beckett paused on his first bite of fries long enough to get the words out, then stuffed three or four fries into his mouth.
“Let’s just say there was a time I knew what it meant to shine. Not so much anymore.” Julian lifted the glass, shaking the ice, trying to make enough liquid to help wash down the truth of his words.
“You keep saying things like that without any explanation, so I can’t speak to your past. I do know you’re quite possibly the most handsome man I’ve ever seen, and you’re sharp as a tack. I don’t know how you could be any more special.” Beckett dragged another group of fries through the ketchup and took a bite.