It's Complicated: A Reservations Story

Woofer lay sprawled out on the sofa too—another firm rule broken; but Woofer hadn’t wanted to lose the hand stroking his fur. Beckett’s hand rested on Woofer’s belly. His arm now circled around the dog.

“I thought he’d left. Want me to go get his hamburger?”

“No. I’ll get it on the way out.” Julian had to fight a yawn of his own and rubbed the back of his neck where his anxiety usually built after such a long night. The tension was absent tonight; his gaze skimmed the sleeping man, knowing Beckett’s presence was responsible for all these feelings of security. He relished the idea of getting some real sleep tonight.

“They’re cleaning the floors tonight, right?” Julian asked, forcing his mind and stare back to Ricco and their business.

“Yeah, they already buzzed in. They're setting up the equipment,” Ricco said. He moved inside the office, crossing his arms over his chest, staring down at Beckett.

“Good,” Julian muttered, racking his brain for anything else that might be scheduled overnight. He went for the hooks on the back of the door where his suit coat and dog leash hung.

“He’s a good guy, Jules,” Ricco said, casting a quick look Julian’s way.

“Yup,” Julian agreed and shrugged on his jacket. “We need to find someone worthy of him and push him in that direction. Maybe that Jason Hammer, Thane’s attorney.” The thought turned Julian’s stomach, leaving a bitter taste behind the words.

“Yeah,” Ricco said, not very convincingly, as he shrugged and ambled back toward the door. He paused before leaving, looking back at Beckett who gave a gentle snore, drawing Julian’s attention there too. “He’s got a single-minded focus, boss, and that’s all on you. You should tell him if you aren’t interested. He’s too good a guy. He’ll get over it and be snatched up pretty quick.”

Ricco wasn’t wrong, but Julian was a selfish bastard and not near ready to lose Beckett’s devotion. He knew what he should do but just couldn’t bring himself to let the man go just yet. Julian said nothing more as Ricco left, letting his words be enough.

With the leash in his hand, he went for the sofa. Woofer leaped down and onto his feet, stretching out his long body. He instinctively understood when the time came to leave. He jostled Beckett as he jumped off the sofa.

Even inebriated, Beckett woke with no sleep confusion. He knew exactly where he was as he rolled to his feet, instantly wide awake. “I’m sorry. I think I’ve had too much to drink.”

“I should walk you to your room. Make sure you get there safely,” Julian teased, clasping the leash to the collar.

“Nah, I’ll be fine. Let’s go.” Beckett nodded to drive his point home and strode toward the door, taking the leash from Julian’s hold.

“Well, aren’t you helpful?” Julian taunted at such a take-charge move, then pivoted on the balls of his feet to follow Beckett out with an almost silent chuckle. “I’ve got to make a pit stop before we leave.”

“That’s fine. I’ll take him outside to do his business. Take your time. We’ll be waiting outside the employee entrance for you.” Beckett was just so damn straightforward as he trotted down the stairs, Woofer keeping his pace right beside the man. The dog never looked back to check on Julian.

Beckett’s ass bounced as he went. Julian watched and recognized the deep sense of attraction drawing him to the man. He genuinely liked everything about Beckett. He loved learning all the layers Beckett slowly revealed of himself.

When had the tables so completely turned? He appreciated Thane. He owed Levi. But Beckett had somehow wormed his way inside Julian’s caged heart. How had that happened?

Maybe he was finally growing up. No, most likely, the restraints of such a normal life were dulling his senses, making him think in terms of relationships…and possible monogamy… Oh lord, no.

On that odd note, Julian let out a sarcastic laugh and left the office, locking the door behind him.

All this overthinking would mess with the sleep he intended to get in exactly twelve minutes when he walked inside his condo door and went straight to bed.

Chapter 17

“You gonna go, boy?” Beckett asked as Woofer walked him all around the small patch of grass nearby. Between the lights of Reservations and Escape, the whole area was lit bright against the encroaching pitch-dark of the late hour. The cool salty breeze of the ocean helped clear his fuzzy brain. Exhaustion weighed down on him. Beckett needed some serious sleep. His five o’clock in the morning wake-up call creeped closer with every passing second.

As if Julian read his thoughts, he pushed through the employee entrance door, letting it bang off the brick wall. The rattle interrupted the quiet of the middle of the night. “St. Clair, you should be in bed, not waiting around here for me.”