Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 135792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 679(@200wpm)___ 543(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 679(@200wpm)___ 543(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
This was a trophy boyfriend, if Liv had ever seen one. Flawless olive skin marred only by a long pale scar on his cheek, an expensive watch, the perfect features of a male model, with a long yet proportionate nose, and lips that would have been extremely kissable on a girl. Not to mention that he had to be at least ten years younger than his partner. Frank had done well for himself.
When Knox reached for a dried apricot, Frank grabbed the bowl and pulled it away. He hadn’t even sat down since coming in and introducing them.
“Shower first. You’re not stinking up my kitchen any longer.”
Ezra cleared his throat. “There’s a set of fresh clothes and toothbrushes for you in the bathroom.”
Knox gave the nuts one more longing look before getting up. Hunger tended to make him snappy, but it seemed that he understood how dire their situation was and didn’t dare agitate a man like Frank in front of his partner.
When they got up, Ezra retreated toward the heating oven, as if he couldn't endure their stench any longer. Wow.
Liv was aware gay people were everywhere, and knew of one gay guy in their trailer park, but this was the first time he’d met so many at once. They were all so very casual about it too. Even the weirdo with the spear, to whom others referred to as Jag, mentioned a “mate” and talked about that person using male pronouns.
So this was some kind of gay criminal enclave.
Frank sighed and rubbed his face. In the warm kitchen light he didn’t look as murderous anymore, but Liv wouldn’t dare underestimate anyone with fists the size of mallets.
“Be quick, we’ll put some pizza in the oven,” Frank said as if to soften the blow of taking away the food earlier.
So he did have a heart.
Liv’s mouth filled with saliva at the mere thought of fresh, hot pizza.
“Can it have pepperoni?” Knox asked, and Liv wanted to slap him, because even he had more tact than that.
Frank’s dark eyebrows lowered. “For questions like that, you’re getting pineapple on yours.”
This moment of tension needed to be dealt with, and quick, so Liv did the first thing that came to his mind and dove in for a quick peck on Knox’s lips.
A charge of electricity sparked when their skin touched, sending aftershocks down Liv’s body as he pulled away, curling his toes while Knox’s blue gaze sliced him like a newly sharpened knife.
“We’ll have… whatever you offer,” Liv said before tugging on Knox’s wrist and leading him into the bathroom.
They were greeted by the shine of white tiles, made a bit fancier by the green potted plants placed in a couple of strategic spots, but Liv didn’t get to have the first word once the door closed.
“What was that about?” Knox asked with a scowl, pushing on Liv’s face, but then followed with a whisper, “you think they have cameras here?” He looked around, bewildered.
Liv pulled him farther from the door, toward a large walk-in shower that would easily fit them both. “What? What are you on about? Why would they have cameras in their own bathroom?” he whispered before letting go of Knox.
“I don’t know. What if it’s a setup? For like… gay peeping Tom porn?” Knox went on, but he must had realized how implausible that was, because he did start undressing.
Liv exhaled and rubbed Knox’s shoulder as soon as it was exposed, before turning on the shower to mute their conversation. “You’re paranoid like that old lady convinced the government is spying on her. I’ll go ask if they have tinfoil, so I can make you a hat.”
Knox rolled his eyes and threw his jacket and T-shirt to the floor, revealing a nasty bruise on his side where Vlad had hit him. It was right next to the anatomical tattoo of a liver Knox got on Liv’s dare, to commemorate their friendship. It was Knox’s only ink, and Liv rather liked it that way.
“Ha. Ha. Very funny. You can’t be too careful. Our situation is already messed up enough.” He bit his lip. “But… if this place does turn out to be safe, maybe we could stay for a few days. It’s not like we have anywhere to go.”
“I mean… they do have a hot shower.” Liv grinned and tugged his own top off, finally ridding himself of the cold, damp fabric. He wasn’t ignorant of the fact that they both smelled, but when he raised his arm, the sourness of old sweat assaulted him like a fist to the face. “Jesus, I think even you smell better than me. They could use my clothes to produce stench for those weird museums that have stink emitters to gross people out.”
Knox leaned in to smell Liv’s pit, only to recoil seconds later. “You wouldn’t be getting any smelling like that. But my breath’s no better.” He shook his head and grabbed the toothbrush left on a neat pile of clothes. “Wash your teeth in case they want us to kiss with tongue or something.”