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)
Their gazes collided and all his worry faded away.
The realization that Levi was his still stunned him. Thoughts of Levi regularly stole his breath and robbed him of his focus—something that had only intensified since they had moved to Ellicott City. He rightfully considered himself the luckiest man on earth that he’d somehow managed to win Levi over.
Thane absently dropped the hand towel and started stalking in Levi’s direction. His guy shot another questioning look over his shoulder before turning back to the refrigerator. A split second later, Levi darted his head back around. Thane watched the expression on his handsome face change as he got closer. Levi quickly stepped aside, letting the refrigerator door slam shut as he turned to face him, shaking his head with a big smile forming on his lips.
Levi tried to move around him. Thane grinned as he threw out an arm to block Levi’s retreat.
“Everyone can see,” Levi whispered, putting a palm to Thane’s chest, using his strength to keep him at a distance.
Like that would ever keep him away. Hell, Thane considered that foreplay.
“Just one little kiss,” he said, giving his first counterargument.
“He’s right, son. Everyone can see,” Thane’s father added from the living room. Levi started to turn his head that direction, but Thane discouraged the move by placing his hand under Levi’s jaw, keeping his redhead’s focus just on him.
“Just a celebratory kiss. Hopefully it’s gonna be a big day for us, handsome.” Thane lowered his voice while he lingered over his lover’s lips. “Daddy’s ’bout to make the big bucks. You play your cards right, I’ll buy you something really special.” A chuckle welled inside Thane making it hard to get the words out with the look of horror crossing Levi’s face.
“I think Daddy should focus on the current gift right now. The Escalade’s too big for the driveway, and you’re gonna have to build a taller garage to park that thing inside,” Logan quipped, causing everyone to laugh.
Thane tried to press his lips to Levi’s but only managed to catch the soft flesh behind Levi’s jaw just below his ear when he dodged the move and tried to squirm out of his arms.
Thane’s parents’ presence made Levi nervous in the PDA department. Probably the only disagreement they’d had in the three months they’d been in Maryland. For whatever reason, Levi felt it was disrespectful to pack on the affection when Thane’s mother and father were around and always shied away. Of course that became a game for Thane, doing everything in his power to get even the smallest of pecks from his guy.
“Yeah, Thane. The Escalade’s a problem. In the lease agreement, we’re allowed to park in the driveway in order to get around back for efficiency, but we can’t get past the enormous ride. I think you need to knock some off our rent for the inconvenience,” Corey teased.
With the talk of rent reduction, Thane finally turned, looking away from Levi to discover his mother and father, Luke and Logan, Erin, Corey, Autumn, Jared, and Brock, along with Linda who had insisted on being there via Skype, all staring their way.
“You know, I’ll take that reduced rent too,” Brock added. “I feel real inconvenienced.”
“If you’re paying people, we shut down Sweet Suds to be here today. I could use some cash,” Autumn teased, Jared nodding his approval.
For the first time since moving in, Thane regretted knocking down the wall separating the kitchen from the living room. Sensing the impromptu mini make-out session wasn’t going to happen, he finally relented and let Levi move out of his arms.
“Hey! It’s back on,” Luke called out excitedly and quickly turned his laptop back toward the television so Linda could see too.
The segment opened to the host introducing Arik and Chef Ferico. Everyone in his house grew quiet as they turned to watch the show. The only sound came from Levi’s boots tapping against the hardwood floor as he headed across the room and came to a stop behind the sofa, standing there facing the television. Levi crossed those brawny arms over his chest, staring at the show’s host. Even at such an important moment, Thane’s attention remained riveted to Levi. It was always Levi. It would always be Levi. His world centered on his beautiful, engaging, reserved, sexy redhead.
Thane slipped in behind Levi, wrapping both arms around Levi’s waist, loving how his guy automatically rested against his chest and angled his head to the side to give Thane a better view of the screen. The heat from Levi’s body helped to distract him from the nervous uncertainty he felt about the show.
He inhaled Levi’s scent, which calmed him further, and kissed his neck, keeping his eyes on the television as the camera panned out and the shot widened. This moment was pivotal. He couldn’t watch, but he couldn’t look away either.