Reservations

As much as Levi wanted to bang his forehead against the metal door, he didn’t. Instead, he just rested his head there and spoke honestly. “I know you’re not a bad guy. I get that I’m lucky to have someone like you interested in spending time with me. I’m just too basic for a man like you. I don’t play all those sophisticated games. I’m very…uninteresting.”

Thane turned him around, but caged him in, not leaving any space between them. “You’ve used the word sophisticated twice tonight to describe me. What does that mean to you?”

He couldn’t make eye contact as he spoke. “It means that my heart gets in the way. I’ve never been one who can easily go from person to person. I like sex. Love it. I do. But that’s just it, we have to keep it only sex. All this other stuff you’re doing and saying confuses me, and my emotions get involved. I can’t turn them on and off. People like you…” He let out a deep sigh and finally lifted his eyes to Thane’s. He was saying too much, giving up too much of himself. So instead of finishing the thought, he shook his head and tried to turn away.

He needed to leave, get out of there. This was exactly what he’d been talking about. At this point, they might as well be cuddling in that bed for all the sentiment he spewed. Giving Thane the upper hand would ensure Levi’s demise. He’d be crushed. He was barely hanging on as it was. Thane’s body pressed against him, taunting him, reminding him exactly why he needed to get away. He had no willpower when it came to Thane.

“Levi, finish your thought. Please.”

Thane lifted his hand, warm fingers grazing Levi’s jaw, his dark gaze imploring Levi to continue. It still took several long moments before he could find the words to make Thane understand. “You schedule your life.”

“That’s true on some levels. Keep going,” Thane encouraged with a small nod.

“I connect with my life.” There was silence between them as they stared at one another for another long pause. Levi could tell Thane tried to understand. The guy opened his mouth to speak, said nothing, and closed it again while continuing to stare at him.

“Okay…that makes sense. About me, up until a few days ago, I’d agree with you. But are you saying you’re falling for me?” Thane asked, giving no clue how the man felt about the possibility. All Thane did was study him closely, waiting for his answer. And since Thane hit the nail on the head but showed no outward expression, Levi panicked. Pain coiled its doubtful fingers around his heart, stealing Levi’s breath. Insecurity hit an all-time high. Levi shoved away from Thane’s hold. He needed air. Being near Thane was too much; he felt caged and moved back into the living room.

“No. No.” Levi let out a groan and tossed his hands in the air, circling back around toward Thane as the lie rolled off his tongue. He was unprepared to have Thane less than a foot away from him and took a giant step backward, creating the distance he needed. “Okay, maybe. And I’m only confessing that much to show you how basic I am. My life’s much bigger than just me. Logan’s gonna be gone in January, but Luke’s with me for many years, and even when they’re gone, I’ve got to remember birthdays and holidays. I have to be there for them forever. I can’t get messed up. I’ve got to stay focused.”

Frustrated, Levi just stopped speaking, knowing he wasn’t explaining this correctly. His brain scrambled for something that might help Thane understand what he was saying and the importance of his needing to stay level and focused in his life.

He’d been pacing in all his agitation and whirled back to Thane. “It’s like this. I’m a domestic beer. Maybe even a domestic generic beer like a Keystone and you’re an Antarctic Nail Ale that everyone wishes they could have.”

A smile touched Thane’s handsome face, and he took a step forward. Levi retreated two, trying to keep distance between them.

“You’ve got some serious class hang-ups. You don’t see either one of us clearly. All I’m asking for is a date… Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday.” In an unexpectedly swift move, Thane swept forward and caught him, pulling Levi against him, briefly pressing their lips together before he spoke. “But I like our jumping ahead, defining things between us, because whether you believe it or not, I’m falling for you too.”

That shocked Levi, and Thane laughed at whatever look he had on his face before taking his hand and tugging him toward the suite’s door.

“So, we’re set. Date nights are Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday. And we’re giving ourselves time to let you get comfortable with us, right?”