Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 127213 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127213 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
Guilt sank deep into Ezra’s flesh as he remembered the angry comments he’d made about this place in that first nerve-wracking week, but he no longer hated it here. In fact, he felt quite at ease around people who didn’t care about his exterior nearly as much as those he knew in his former life. The junkyard hid exciting possibilities, and while a part of Ezra still dreamed of California, and a lifestyle that would eventually lead him to the security and agency he craved, there was comfort in knowing that the man he slept next to cared for him and didn’t see him as a commodity.
“I’m sorry. They were clearly very stupid. You need to pick better.”
Frank stalled with the wine in his hand. “I forgot the glasses.”
Ezra shrugged and grabbed the bottle to drink straight from it. Because, fuck it. He wasn’t too dainty to enjoy some booze like this. All that mattered was that he could enjoy this moment with Frank.
“Do you like it? I chose a Californian wine.” Frank smiled and took the bottle once Ezra was done with a few gulps.
Ezra chuckled, loving the tartness on his tongue. “I’ll let you in on a secret. I know nothing about wine. I pretty much only distinguish between those I like and those I don’t, so when I buy, I just go for fancy-looking labels,” he said, pushing his nose against Frank’s arm.
Frank whistled. “Oooh! Not as classy as he pretends to be. Naughty, naughty. What next? Are you going to tell me you don’t know which cheese is which? Should I have put those little name cards on the plate?” he teased.
Ezra laughed and kissed Frank’s cheek, eager to melt into his body. “I am much better with cheese, actually,” he said and took the bottle from Frank to warm up with a few more sips. “And with watches,” he said, showing Frank the Rolex he’d given Ezra on what they’d thought would have been their last night together.
“I’m happy you kept it,” Frank said and leaned away for a piece of cheese.
Ezra snorted. “Are you kidding? This is my life insurance. If worse comes to worst, you’ll save me just to retrieve the watch.”
Frank laughed and squeezed him closer. “Dumbass. Better tell me what cheese this is, because if you can’t, this date is over.”
Ezra made a show of a loud inhale. “Outrageous!" But he did take the morsel straight from Frank’s thick fingers, making sure to give them a teasing lick. “Mm, Manchego.”
It was most definitely Brie.
Frank eyed him in silence. “Good, you can stay.”
Ezra wiggled his brows, wordlessly calling him out, but this game didn’t matter as they sat together under a canopy of stars, floating toward some distant shore where reality did not have bearing on dreams.
Ezra leaned in, pushing his hand under Frank’s shirt. It was cold against his scorching hot stomach, and the shocking difference made Frank stir against Ezra as they slotted together like the only puzzle pieces needed to make a full picture.
“Jag! No, look. Why didn’t you say they were on a date?” Dane asked in a hushed tone, pulling Ezra out of this little magic cocoon of tenderness.
Jag had no such qualms as he circled the boat to show himself at the bottom of the scrap mountain. “No, it’s fine, there’s more people coming.”
So typical. Jag had no sense of privacy whatsoever. It was a miracle he never started pissing in the corner of the room, but maybe Frank had already trained him not to. But while this spoiled their romantic plans, there was no point crying over spilled milk. Maybe it was about time Ezra embraced a little spontaneity. At least they had a lot of food to share thanks to him bringing a whole bag.
Frank stiffened, looking over the railing like a guard dog alarmed by intruders. “What the hell? What people? What are you doing here?”
Jag waved him off, dragging over a large piece of wood. “I told Shane and Ros to come.”
“I’m sorry, Frank. He’s obsessed with this blood moon situation. Says no one should sleep tonight.” Dane spread his arms wide, the blond side of his head appearing on fire in the reddish glow of the moon. He had the most unusual appearance, with one side of him being blond and blue-eyed while the other was a brunet with a dark, smoldering gaze. It was as if identical twins with different coloring had been merged into a tall guy with thick thighs and a smiley face. And while Dane had covered his body with tattoos featuring superheroes and currently wore an anime hoodie, he was capable of discussing things beyond popular culture, and Ezra had shared several interesting, if brief conversations with him.
“I’m gonna make a bonfire,” Jag said, ignorant of Frank’s agitation, or ignoring it willfully. “There’s some wood inside,” he said, climbing onto the deck despite his man’s protests.