Total pages in book: 164
Estimated words: 152931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 765(@200wpm)___ 612(@250wpm)___ 510(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 152931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 765(@200wpm)___ 612(@250wpm)___ 510(@300wpm)
Thane allowed himself one hour to hold Levi in his arms before he carefully pulled free. Leaving Levi sleeping alone in that bed might have been the hardest thing he’d ever done, especially when everything inside him wanted to wake his sleeping beauty and make love to him right there. But he couldn’t, not with all this vulnerability coursing through him. Maybe once he had himself under control and an agreement in place that could protect them both from the emotional fallout.
Luckily, the ache in his heart ebbed as he pushed away those feelings, growing void of emotion as if his heart ceased to do anything more than beat to keep him alive. This was how it had to be. He pulled the blanket over Levi and turned away. With each step he took, the place where his heart had rested turned colder. Now that he wasn’t letting his emotions guide him, logic could reign supreme. With his plan in place, Thane quietly dressed then went for his safe in the living room. He would make it quick and as painless as possible. It was best for both of them this way.
After gathering what he needed, he quickly scrawled out a note. At this point, part of him hoped Levi didn’t take him up on his offer. Thane had a feeling that every time with Levi would be more special than the last. And that was something he was afraid his heart couldn’t handle. He would be fighting an internal struggle with his emotions every time he came to Coronado.
Chapter 13
Levi’s eyelids fluttered opened as he looked around and lifted himself enough to stare at the clock on the nightstand. Ten fifteen in the morning. He never slept this late. Thankfully, the PT clinic was doing some restructuring, reworking everyone’s schedule, and they had given him the afternoon shift. He didn’t have to rush.
Levi searched the room. No sign of Thane. One of his first thoughts was how pretty the room was; his second was wondering if those windows opened to the outside. He hadn’t noticed that last night, and his next thought was that it was quiet, not a sound inside the suite. Thane was either super silent or gone.
Levi whipped the blankets off his body, yawning as he got to his feet and went immediately to the bathroom. His clothes were folded together with his tennis shoes lying right underneath. A toothbrush and toothpaste, along with a brush were close by. That must mean Thane was gone. Damn. His hard dick could’ve gone for another round this morning. He wished he would have woken before Thane left.
Levi quickly relieved himself then got hold of his dick—literally—before dressing as he tried to remember if he had clothes in the car to change into for work. He hoped he did, but if not, he’d have time to swing by the house. He’d just like to get in a workout before his shift. In the bedroom, he flipped on the light switch, hoping Thane had left a note. If not, he’d have to.
It wasn’t the best time in his life to start something up, but their connection was too strong. He couldn’t just let something like this slip through his fingers. He’d enjoyed everything they’d done last night. His gaze slid across the dresser then the nightstand on his side of the bed.
What the…?
Oh, God no. It couldn’t be. Pain shot through him seconds before his heart shattered into a million tiny pieces and dropped into his stomach making him physically ill. He sucked in a deep breath as he hesitantly stepped closer to the stack of money taunting him. He stood there, staring down at what felt like a slap in the face. His hands trembled, and the heaviness of the implications weighed down on him.
Everything he’d felt last night, everything Thane had whispered to him had been a lie. To Thane, he was nothing more than a whore. The pain was almost too much, the humiliation unbearable. He was mortified. He couldn’t touch the cash. It represented his total stupidity. How had he not known better? He just stared at the small stack with a simple printed band that said one thousand dollars. There were five of them.
His shoulders slumped as he broke on the inside. The weight of it all too much to bear. He reached behind him for the side of the bed. His brain froze, having a much harder time processing what was happening. No, he knew what was happening. His heart just didn’t want to recognize it for what it was. His heart pounded so loud now that he heard nothing but the frantic drumming as he picked up the handwritten note.
Levi,
We can do things your way if you’re willing to fly to me a couple of times a month. I’ve been spending significant time here in Coronado. I’m sure I can continue these trips. There’s more in the dresser’s right-side drawer to help get you set up. I have dinner parties which require formal clothing. I have a shopper who helped Julian. I’ll give her your telephone number. We can discuss a monthly stipend and the logistics. I’d prefer you not continue to work at the bar. I seem to get a little possessive where you’re concerned. Don’t worry. I’m sure that will work out. I’ll get you all my contact information.