But Rhys…Rhys was going to be work.
That didn’t scare him, but it wasn’t what he expected. Hell, he wasn’t expecting anything when he’d woke up except for a run to the bank and a trip to the store. In the course of a meal, Rhys had turned Beckett’s whole life upside down. Beckett didn’t know why he was already so interested in the other man. Rhys was far out of his league financiallyandsocially. It wasn’t even like Beckett had a savior complex, because he surely did not. He had no interest in saving Rhys, and he doubted if Rhys even saw himself as being in need of repair.
But there was just…something.
It was a small feeling in the deepest part of Beckett’s chest that tightened and twisted when he caught Rhys looking exposed, and it made him want more. More of that look, more of that feeling, more of Rhys.
“Can I give you a ride home or did you want to walk?” Rhys settled his hand against Beckett’s lower back and led him into the parking lot. It was a subtle touch, and not the first time Rhys had done it. But it felt electric, even through the shield of Beckett’s clothes.
“I’ll take a ride,” he said.
Gene opened the door and Rhys stepped aside to let Beckett in first. He threw a glance over his shoulder as he climbed in, and he definitely caught Rhys checking out his ass. Beckett smiled to himself and settled in the seat, resting his hands in his lap and giving the driver his address before turning his attention out the window.
They were a block from Beckett’s apartment when Rhys finally asked, “Can I see you again?”
“Have you figured out what you have to offer yet?” Beckett cast Rhys a sidelong glance.
“I’ll have to circle back with you.”
“If I agree to see you again, there are conditions.” Beckett shifted his weight so he could better face Rhys. He wanted to see his face, to try and get a read on how what he was about to say was received. He was definitely interested in exploring the way he felt when Rhys was around, but he had no interest in being wined and dined and dialed in the way he figured Rhys was about to try.
“I can handle that,” Rhys said.
“No more of this.” Beckett gestured around the car, toward Rhys.
“No more lunch?”
“No more town cars, no more triple digit bottles of wine, no more caviar.”
“You ate it.” Rhys smirked. “Not me.”
“I’d never had it before. I figured it might be my only chance.”
“It doesn’t have to be.”
Beckett sighed, a small smile landing on his lips.
“No more of this for now,” he amended. “I want to get to know you and who you are apart from all of these fancy things.”
Rhys’s expression faltered, but only for a breath. He quickly slipped back on that mask of smooth arrogance Beckett had gotten familiar with, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. Beckett realized it might be the first time Rhys didn’t have control of a situation, and he clearly wasn’t sure how to proceed.
“That ask puts me at quite the disadvantage.”
“I know.”
“You look as if you enjoy the idea of that,” Rhys murmured.
“I think it could be a good learning experience.”
The car jerked into park and seconds later, the door was open.
“Can I walk you to your door?” Rhys asked.
That tight feeling in Beckett’s chest twisted some more. “I’m not going to invite you in.”
“I know.” Rhys glanced up at him quickly. “Just trying to be a gentleman.”
Beckett climbed out of the car and waited for Rhys to join him on the sidewalk. “I’m not sure you have a gentlemanly bone in your body.”
