Reservations

“Remington, this is Levi.”

“Hey, sweetness,” the guy said from directly behind him, so close that the guy’s breath ghosted across his ear as he spoke, causing Levi to jerk around and take a step back. Clearly, he was hypersensitive to everything right now, and he needed to calm the fuck down. He finally nodded in greeting.

“Remington, tell Levi how much money in tips you earned last night.”

“Just waiting tables?” Remington asked, standing a little taller. When Remington focused on Julian, Levi raked his eyes up and down the waiter’s body, getting an eyeful in the groin area.

“Of course,” Julian said, drawing Levi’s gaze to him. He could feel the heat of embarrassment creeping up his cheeks. Remington looked half-aroused and the underwear did nothing to hide the half-hard dick he sported, yet no one seemed to care. “The rest is on your time.”

“Three hundred and three dollars.” Remington lifted a hand, giving a cocky little snap before settling on his cocked hip.

“On a Monday night?” Levi asked, not sure he’d heard that right.

“Yep. Weekends are better, but those are harder days to get. Everybody wants to work weekends,” the guy replied, resting his other hand on his hip while openly staring at Levi. No question about it, Remington had sex appeal. Levi didn’t have that kind of charm working for him, but if he could make even half that, it would seriously help his life.

“Thanks, Remington. We have a bachelor party tonight. Make sure we’re good to go,” Julian said, coming toward Levi, a suit jacket slung over his arm.

“I heard you’re taking Jay’s position,” Remington said, his eyes lighting up as he came over and squeezed Levi’s bicep. Julian just lifted his hand toward the door and cocked his head, urging Remington out. The guy had no problem with the rebuff; he just laughed and left, shutting the door behind him. When Levi looked back at Julian, he held out the suit coat to him.

“It’s mine. Slide it on so I can give you a tour of downstairs, just in case the club opens before we’re done. We have a firm dress code,” Julian said.

“I’m sorry,” Levi started, shrugging the jacket on.

“Totally my fault. I’ll explain as we walk.” Levi followed, fixing the collar as he trotted back down the stairs. “This whole concept came about because of my accident. Are you familiar with Thane Walker?”

“Only as the guy that you mentioned who helped you out.” Levi remembered the name, because Julian had used it all the time.

“That’s right. He owns this place. He also owns the chain restaurants the Iron Maya and Szechwan Dragon and a bunch of other places. I had planned to meet him the night he found me in the hospital. He stayed by my side until I could be discharged. He’s something special and wanted to build a safer place for gay men to mingle.” When Julian got to the bottom step, he faced Levi, placing a hand on his own chest. “The original concept was for guys like me, just the average escort, to have a safe place to meet men who were looking for that type of relationship.”

“I’m not an escort, Julian,” Levi immediately countered.

“That’s painfully obvious,” Julian teased, pointing a finger toward his wardrobe.

Still at the base of the stairs, Julian winked at him just like when they worked out together at the clinic, but that moment of honesty was gone as he gave a slight turn and extended both arms toward the club. “As it turned out, the concept evolved. It’s a membership only club with every member and employee passing rigorous background checks.” Julian strolled casually through the club, winding his way through the tables as he explained. “Reservations is a nightclub and fine-dining establishment where men can come and be themselves and meet other men who have gone through the same application process. We have both couples and singles coming to enjoy the company.”

“With no sex?” Levi asked, having a hard time letting go of his misconceptions about ‘Reservations’ and ‘fine dining’ not being code-words for a fully operational fetish club with chains, whips, and a live sex show right there on the stage.

“Frowned upon in both the club and dining area. But let’s say there’s mutual attraction between two parties, the resort we’re attached to has rooms always available.”

“You’re kidding?” Levi asked, surprised. He hadn’t considered that option.

“Absolutely not. We have security stationed at all exits as well as posing as guests inside. The whole goal is safety for everyone involved.”

“What if something still happens? Will you be sued?” he asked.

“It’s doubtful,” Julian explained. “Members sign paperwork that they won’t sue, plus it’s the same as any other restaurant or club out there. I’m sure Thane’s got that part handled.”

“Huh,” Levi said, this time looking around the club as if seeing it for the first time. He couldn’t imagine the overhead cost for such an undertaking. A shaft of light and movement caught Levi’s eye. He glanced over to see the doors across the space close as two men stepped inside. “Are they coming from the restaurant?”