It's Complicated: A Reservations Story

But did he have what it took to run a multi-million-dollar establishment? Even with as much money as he made as an escort, he regularly found his bank accounts in the red. So, the answer was no, he didn’t have what it took, but if effort and dedication counted, he’d figure it out.

Besides, he’d stress about it all later, or never, whichever was fine.

Warmth bloomed up Julian’s chest to his shoulders, rising to his neck. All the little tingles flittered over his nerve endings as an unexpected pride swelled in his chest. Who would have ever thought he could make a respectable living in the business world?

Without even thinking about it, he cast a quick look over his shoulder toward the dance floor.

The few lingering couples danced provocatively with their partners, drawing out the anticipation of unspoken promises the night held. Thane had somehow talked Levi into staying until closing time. Watching Thane and Levi dance felt almost voyeuristic. The chemistry between them sparked and sizzled, by far the most X-rated pair on the floor.

Thane’s sexual magnetism shone like a beacon whenever he had Levi nearby. Their combined heat even had him reaching for a fan. Witnessing the two together left no doubt in his mind that Levi just did it for Thane. His boss’s newfound happiness helped settle something inside Julian, glad his friend had found the one who completed him.

Julian’s stare traveled to Beckett; the man he seemed to want to share all his good news with. Beckett had moved from his regular table down to one closer to the dance floor. Their gazes met and locked for one, maybe two, long moments. Julian couldn’t help the smile breaking out across his lips. The handsome Marlboro Man transformed into a sleek, modern young professional. Whoever had helped him with his new wardrobe had done an excellent job. Like last night, Beckett’s tieless state drew Julian’s eye to that collar with two buttons open. Beckett had a hint of dark hair on his tanned chest, enough for a man to run his fingers through.

Julian liked Beckett this way, with the hints of the Marlboro Man shining through. Beckett had his long sleeves carelessly rolled to his elbows. His shirt and slacks snugged to his hard body, his suit jacket carelessly tossed across the small round-top table. Beckett was an extremely attractive guy, but he’d seen that the minute the shy man had walked through the front doors of Reservations on that very first night.

He had little doubt that if he got a closer look, he’d see a worldly intelligence reflected in Beckett’s dark stare that Julian found alluring. He’d also spotted the rigid lines of Beckett’s thick cock outlined nicely in his new, crisp pants.

There was a time that Julian would have been all over that guy. Even if he couldn’t have talked Beckett into becoming one of his regulars, Julian would have happily crawled up that muscular body and fucked the shit out of Beckett’s firm ass. Beckett thought he had a thing for Julian now; he had no clue. Julian would have fucked him so good he’d have the man desperately panting for more.

He broke their stare, turning away while tucking his chin to his chest. The warmth of knowing someone cared for him for no other reason than being drawn to him settled over Julian like a protective blanket, easing his worry.

He took the cash drawer before starting for the office. Months ago, honestly from the first moment Beckett had entered the club, Julian had trained himself to keep his eyes forward. To not look back at the man who bore holes through his body with that laser beam focus. Beckett made Julian feel special and genuinely appreciated. Both those qualities had been in short supply for him for longer than he cared to admit.

At the base of the steps to the office, he couldn’t resist another moment. He looked back in the direction of the dance floor before disappearing as he took the first steps up. Beckett still stared after him. The coy, shy man disappeared from his gaze, though. Beckett blatantly made his interest known, not caring in the least that he might appear a bit stalkerish. He liked that more than he’d admit.

Julian let his inner smile beam. You couldn’t stalk the willing. He picked up his steps, taking the stairs up two at a time. With everything that had happened over the last several weeks, he wasn’t sure why he couldn’t wipe the grin off his heart.

Julian pushed through the office door and took the cash drawer to the desk, discarding it absently there. He’d been making cash drops into their safe all night. It wouldn’t take much to finish his nightly duties, but instead, he went to the one-sided mirrored glass to look down over the club. Beckett still sat there, looking up toward the office. The man never relented. Beckett couldn’t see Julian, but that didn’t seem to matter. Beckett stared up at the darkened glass as if he knew Julian was looking down upon him.