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)
“Me too. Everything you just said.” Beckett yawned again, this time bigger than before. “Stay right here with me?”
Julian was wired. Wide awake, but he couldn’t think of moving a single inch. “Outside of a possible bathroom run, just try to peel me away.”
Beckett nodded and closed his eyes.
He rested his head on Beckett’s shoulder, staring off into his dark bedroom. It wouldn’t be much longer; his old self was moving to the forefront.
He owed Beckett the world.
Chapter 23
Noiselessly, Woofer knocked his head against Beckett’s bicep, causing his eyes to open wide, instantly awake. There wasn’t a single moment of confusion as to where he was or who slept directly on top of him. The darkened room spoke to the quality of the blackout curtains lining Julian’s window. Beckett had slept like a baby on the side of the bed he’d been assigned. Julian though knew no boundaries, with his mouthwatering body draped over Beckett, caging him in place.
Julian stirred, his stubble scraping against Beckett’s shoulder and pec, sending a shiver of excitement racing over his skin. Beckett tightened his hold when Julian reached for the edge of his pillow, angling his body to the side of Beckett’s, pulling the soft duvet to his chin as he snuggled deeper into the comfortable mattress.
“Five minutes, boy.”
“I’ll take him,” Beckett whispered against the heated skin of Julian’s neck. He pressed his lips there, giving a soft kiss.
He paused a second or two, worried that the decisions of last night might come with a rebuke this morning. Julian moved just enough to allow Beckett to withdraw the arm still wrapped underneath him. The heavy exhale of sleep confirmed Julian’s deep exhaustion.
Beckett rolled from the bed and reached for his underwear and pajama pants, a reminder that he was the only one not wearing them.
Julian was a complicated man.
His desires ran deeper than anything Beckett had ever known before, and he suspected they had only broken the surface of the real Julian. The idea of getting to know all those different facets fueled Beckett to move a little faster to lessen his time away from Julian and that insanely comfortable bed. As he went for the leash, he caught a glimpse of the time. Eight o’clock in the morning. How long had it been since he’d slept to such a late hour?
Instead of adding the leash, Beckett took a risk and opened the back door. Woofer bolted out to do his business. A dog needed a chance to run. Besides, Woofer was a boss at following his commands. As if he and Woofer were on the same wavelength, the dog did his thing and ran back to Beckett’s side before he reached the edge of the small porch.
“Good boy.” He gave Woofer a solid rubdown as he started back inside the condo. He tossed the leash on the sofa and dropped his clothes to the floor as he went. From the second he entered the bedroom, Beckett kept his eyes on Julian. Julian turned onto his other side, drawing the covers with him as he cracked a single tired eye open.
“What time is it?” Julian murmured.
“Early,” Beckett said noncommittally, crawling back into bed. Julian automatically lifted, letting Beckett back in his spot. Julian didn’t hesitate to stretch out over his body, burying his face in the crook of Beckett’s neck. Damn, it felt good to be right here. Beckett drew the duvet over both their bodies as Julian’s soft lips kissed the skin on his neck as he settled in.
“Did you take him out?” Julian’s breath caressed the skin he’d just made wet as he nodded. “I’m gonna sleep a little while longer. You good?”
“Very.” Beckett let his fingers graze Julian’s back, taking a deep breath, loving the way Julian’s scent filled his soul. Heaven. Quite possibly the second-best moment of his life. Last night still reigned as number one.
Two hours later, Beckett stopped the gentle caress of his fingertips up and down Julian’s back when he moved with more purpose than merely adjusting his body in sleep. Beckett couldn’t remember a time he’d ever been motivated enough to lay idly in bed with another person, let alone give his time to help another man sleep.
An absurd silent laugh rumbled from him as he brought his lips down to the top of Julian’s head, kissing the silky strands. Beckett was so in love with Julian. Head over heels, sickeningly sweet in love with this beauty in his arms. This over-the-top physical attraction had morphed into a solid, everlasting love. Julian had turned out to be someone he could see himself settling down with. Fun, engaging, and so unintentionally loving.
Beckett knew with all certainty that he’d give up everything to forge a new life with Julian. This week had sealed Beckett’s fate. Julian just needed time to get on board, and if actions did indeed speak louder than words, it sure seemed like Julian was right there with him.