Reservations

“Answer the question,” Thane said sternly, watching as the waiter acted almost shy to the point of brooding until the last drink was served, and then cracking a brilliant smile that once again stole Thane’s breath. Oh, he was good. Thane looked at the men seated around the table who were all just as mesmerized as he. The oldest one, probably his own father’s age, reached out and shoved money in the guy’s waistband. His fingers lingered until the waiter moved away from the touch and headed toward his next table. Thane’s gaze fixed on that firm bubble butt. So perfectly framed and highlighted by the fact that the underwear didn’t quite cover each cheek, revealing a bit of tempting flesh. Damn, he bet those men down there were eating that shit up. “Are you gonna answer the question?”

“I did.” When had Julian told him a name? Thane tore his gaze away from Mr. Perfect-ass and glanced back at his cocky club manager, standing there with that smug shit-eating grin plastered across his face.

Fuck this, he’d go figure out the waiter’s name himself. It would be monumentally easier than dealing with Julian’s smart ass. He cut his eyes back to the club, stealing one last glance at the waiter when he got to the office door. Julian’s laughter echoed behind him until he made it about halfway down the stairs to the club foyer. Who could even know what was going on with his weirdo manager.

Thane stopped by the bar and scanned the room, looking for the nameless waiter. When he spotted him again, nothing had diminished, only intensified. The guy was even better-looking up close, hot as hell. All boy-next-door and that had Thane’s dick standing up and taking notice, also had the wheels turning in his head.

Holy hell, how lucky could he get? He’d just found someone he really wanted to spend time with.

Thane scanned the club. Of course, he couldn’t find any empty tables, but there were some unoccupied seats. He had no idea what tables belonged to what waiters, but that could quickly be remedied. Thane looked over to the bartender, Ricco, and cocked his head, drawing the guy over. The bartender stopped what he was doing to the frustration of the waiters and came straight over to Thane.

“What’s up, boss man?”

Thane didn’t look away from the nameless waiter. He just pointed. “What tables does he have?”

“He’s new. I think he’s got the four along the back wall and the booth in the corner.”

“Does he have a name?” New and already earned four tables and a corner booth in the main section. Pretty impressive.

“Levi. Need a drink?” the bartender asked.

“Nah, I’ll order one from him.” Thane turned away from the vision he’d been watching and looked directly at the bartender. “Stay quiet about this conversation.”

That earned him a confused look and perplexed nod. “You’re the boss.”

Thane was already scanning those four tables. Only one was full. The others had a couple of guys at each place, none looked ready to move. The booth was completely out of the question. There was a whole lot of heavy making out going on over there. When Levi passed by him on his way to the bar, Thane’s gaze followed. His profile was rocking good, but it was the side-view of his ass that had Thane’s mouth watering and his brain slipping into the gutter. He could worship that ass with the reverence it deserved. Thane reached down to adjust his overly enthusiastic dick. Suddenly, every bit of aggravation Julian gave him, all the exorbitant costs of this restaurant and bar, every single bit was worth the effort.

Levi.

He bet that name would sound even hotter forced from his lips as he came. He went to the first empty seat in Levi’s section. “Can I use this chair?”

“Yeah, sure,” the guy replied, before turning back to his friend. Thane dropped onto the seat and scooted up to the edge of the table before resting his forearms on the side. When he looked back up, the two men now stared back at him suspiciously.

“I’m Thane,” he politely introduced himself before looking back over his shoulder to check Levi’s position.

“Okay?” The guy that had given him the chair sounded a little testy.

Thane turned back to the annoyed customer. “I’ll only be here a minute. I’m monitoring a new hire; you know, quality control and all…” His words trailed off as a napkin was placed in front of him. Thane looked over his shoulder, and his gaze collided with startled green eyes. Yeah, he’d nailed it. Green eyes. He bet those auburn streaks in the guy’s hair were natural, and boy did that turn him on that much more.

Obviously, he’d gotten Levi’s attention too. The unexpected shock of the moment lasted until one of the guys at the table laughed. Thane didn’t look away from Levi. Instead, he turned his body in the waiter’s direction, anchored his hand on a thigh, and grinned. The exhaustion and frustration of the last few weeks faded as anticipation and excitement took its place.