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)
Levi turned, following Beckett’s line of sight. “He gives his all to Thane and Reservations, but I think it’s out of appreciation. The concept of the club was made with Julian in mind. Thane wanted a safe place for gay men to meet and hookup.”
Beckett’s head jerked toward Levi. “Are you saying guys are meeting here then exchanging money for more?”
Levi stared at Beckett in astonishment then gave a knowing smirk. “When I first started working here, I struggled with the concept of money exchanging hands for sex. I didn’t want to go there even though I needed money in a bad way for my brothers. But it’s not the majority. Still, there’s a decent size group of wealthy men finding happy endings here. You didn’t know?”
Beckett shook his head a little harder than necessary and reached for the glass of ice water. He took a drink, wondering why no one ever approached him to buy or be bought for the night. His feelings were a little hurt.
“Stop looking like that. It’s a very private exchange, and everybody here thinks you’re Dudley Do-Right. You have to know that. You’re relationship material, not looking for an escort. Besides, you only have eyes for Julian. Everyone knows that too.”
Beckett let himself be distracted away from the pain of Julian’s past. It seemed too upsetting to explore too much deeper.
“You’re wearing new clothes, and where’s the cowboy hat? You’re looking young and metro. We might have to change your nickname.”
Beckett looked down at the tieless suit he chose tonight based on the schematic his buyer sent. “I like my new clothes.”
Levi laughed at his uncertainty. “So do I.”
“You do what?” Thane asked. He carried his own stool and placed it close to Levi before leaning in with a ready pucker on his lips. These public displays of affection weren’t something Beckett had been exposed to during his life, but they seemed important in building the connection Thane and Levi shared. Levi rose enough to accept Thane’s kiss. Levi’s actions seemed a gift to Thane who grinned as if the man gave him an extraordinary prize in that quick peck.
For Beckett, the Reservations VIP treatment continued. Chase stopped by the table with three cocktails on his tray. He guessed his alcohol timeout had come to an end. Without a word, Chase placed a drink in front of each man.
“We were talking about Beckett’s new clothes,” Levi said, filling Thane in. “I asked where the cowboy hat was.”
“What’s the answer?” Thane asked, nodding at Chase as he reached for his glass.
The relaxation brought on from too many drinks and food in his belly had Beckett chuckling at the waiting stares and shaking his head at their silliness. “It’s not far away. I promise.”
Chapter 16
Minutes from midnight, the night was finally coming to an end. Only a few stragglers remained. Last call had been made well over ten minutes ago.
As Julian watched the revenue totals appear on the screen, he mentally tallied the take for the week, pleased with the money they had made so far. Considering it was only Wednesday night, they would easily exceed their weekly goal.
The continued success of Reservations made his heart swell with pride. Both the club and the restaurant consistently turned a profit. Julian reached for his cocktail glass, taking a drink of the straight whiskey as he let his mind wander.
Almost half his life ago, at the young age of sixteen, he’d run away from his strict Christian home. By running away, he really meant he’d been forced out after being caught inside the family church having sex with the pastor’s son, Micah. The memory always made him grin, remembering the noises he’d made when Micah had shoved his fat cock down Julian’s throat, cutting off all oxygen.
Man, he’d always been a sucker for that move.
Julian tucked his lip between his teeth, lost in the mental visual of the way the lack of oxygen had the edges of his vision darkening and shooting stars sprinkled his line of sight. Fuck, that turned Julian on. Why he’d panicked, he didn’t know, but the noise he’d made had brought the entire congregation down on their heads.
Of course, he’d had to drop out of high school. For a troubled youth, he’d learned his own form of survival by doing whatever it took to earn a few dollars to keep a roof over his head. Not one time had he ever bemoaned his past. Julian had pride over the road he’d carved for himself, and those first few years out on his own held some fond memories. Julian’s mom had correctly labeled him a reprobate. He had always loved to immerse himself in the seedier side of life.
While he craved having his old life back, earning a more respectable living had shaped up to be almost as good. General Manager of Reservations - Coronado. Wow.