Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 119011 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119011 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
“If things get too hot, you can always hide on my sofa,” Zolt said with a smirk, pinning Leo with a gaze that spoke of all the things he would like to do Leo on that sofa.
“Nice try. I’m loyal to the club, I won’t be running because of a little heat.” Leo took a sip of the aromatic alcohol, because the tension in the room was becoming too much. Zolt’s presence never affected Leo this much when they had company, as if the man was doing something differently, and Leo just couldn’t catch what it was.
“You’re saying that now,” Zolt said, pointing at the sofa in invitation, as if he wanted to reinforce the image of Leo’s body stretched over the tan leather cushions. “But if you decide to take me up on my offer, remember that you’re the only one invited. There’s too many of you Hellers to fit in here,” he said, playing with the golden anchor pendant hanging from a chain around his neck.
When their eyes met, Leo wasn’t able to blink. “Why me then? Isn’t Mike the handsome one?” Okay, so now he was fishing for compliments. Was it really that low of him? Didn’t he deserve a little praise on the night when his girlfriend rejected his proposal?
Zolt wouldn’t miss any opportunity for teasing and stepped closer, gently spinning the ice cubes in his glass until Leo was mesmerized and couldn’t force himself to move. But while Zolt stood closer than he should to another man, he didn’t do anything outright sexual, which put Leo at ease.
“Why do you care what I think about your brother?”
Leo could barely swallow. Why did he care indeed? He took a big swig of whisky to untangle his tongue. “I was just… you know, as a gay man, you’d probably want one of the better Hellers.”
Zolt’s eyelids lowered over his hypnotic sky blue eyes, and he must have leaned closer, because the scent of his peppery cologne caught Leo and refused to let go. “As a gay man, I get to decide who’s the best Heller.”
Something inside of Leo so desperately wanted to get that meaningless title. And yet, as a straight man, he knew it was time to pull back. He inched away and fished out the small jewelry box. He popped it open to show off the engagement ring. “Clearly it’s not me though, because this baby won’t be landing on my girlfrien—ex-girlfriend’s finger.”
“Sorry to hear that,” Zolt said in a tone that clearly suggested anything but. Leo knew the man enough not to expect sympathy or charity of any kind. “You want to pawn it?”
Leo nodded with a deep sigh. “Yeah. I don’t wanna keep it for the next opportunity. I don’t know when that could be, and I need the cash.”
A smirk crooked Zolt’s lips, and this time Leo watched them for a bit too long. He wasn’t sure whether it was their shape that seemed so perfect, or if it was the beard that framed them so well, but he couldn’t look away from the scar, and every sip of the whisky pulled him farther away from the reality where keeping his distance was necessary.
He’d probably become the ‘best Heller’ if he sucked Zolt’s dick, but that wouldn’t be happening.
“How much cash do you want for it?” Zolt asked, nodding toward a door next to a display of sneakers on glass shelves.
Leo led the way into a narrow corridor and to the actual pawn shop filled with an array of goods. Instruments attached to walls next to a bicycle and guns, but they headed to a large glass cabinet filled with jewelry. There wasn’t much to the interior, just white walls cluttered with shelving units, items hung on hooks, and lockable cabinets for the most expensive items. Zolt knew his business didn’t depend on his interior decorating skills. The space smelled of both dust and cleaning products, and was noticeably cooler than Zolt’s apartment.
Leo had goosebumps on his back whenever he thought about how closely Zolt walked behind him, but it had to be the alcohol muddling his senses. Zolt was too smart to try anything inappropriate with a member of the MC.
“I’d just want to get what I paid for it. Twelve hundred, and that’s a steal anyway.”
Zolt had the audacity to chuckle, and the dark sound of his voice made Leo feel like a scolded child. “For this little thing?” he asked and took the ring from Leo’s hand.
Leo’s heart sank. This wasn’t going well at all. He’d put all his savings into this ring. Into the dream of his future. “Yeah, come on, look at it in some good light.” He groaned and pulled on Zolt’s hot, thick arm.
So maybe he was touching Zolt on purpose, to make him friendlier. Big deal. The sharp, blue eyes met his, and he stopped breathing, feeling as if they were in close quarters despite the huge space around them. The moment seemed endless, but eventually Zolt sighed and approached the main counter. He had a station for this kind of thing there, and by the time Leo followed his lead, the white lamp was already on, casting its pale glow on the huge fish tank that was Zolt’s pride and joy, and not for sale.