Page 109 of Just Business

Eli’s smile was pure evil. “And if I gave you incentive to do a little work first?”

That was completely different. “What are we talking here? A fuck? A blow job?”

“How about whatever you want to do to me?”

The bottom fell out of Justin’s world. Not Eli the Dom talking. Yet... they were negotiating. “You... serious?”

“Very.” Eli caressed Justin’s neck. “What’s that worth?”

Everything. Anything. “A chapter?”

Eli snorted. “I am notthatcheap.”

Yeah, he didn’t think he’d get away with that. His stomach somersaulted. “Two, then? That’s like a hundred fifty pages.”

“Is that what you’d planned?”

He’d planned three. But two would put him where he needed to be. Still, the presumption chaffed a bit. “I’m not a child, you know.”

“No, you’re not.” Eli leaned in and brushed his lips against Justin’s, lingering long enough for Justin to smell the cold night air that hung in his curls. “You’re the love of my life.”

The world tumbled, like a boat rocking on the sea. Or maybe that was him. Eli offered everything, in one sentence. “Two chapters.” It was fair—the work he needed to complete.

Eli grinned. “I’ll be waiting.” He stood and headed upstairs.

Justin pulled his book, notepad, and pen off the table. Two chapters. Notes. Then Eli.

You’re the love of my life.

Careful notes, because he would not disappoint Eli or himself with sloppy work. Then on to graduation. After that? He knew exactly what he wanted after that.

He damn well would be the love of Eli’s life, no matter what Eli’s parents—or his own—said.

Chapter Twenty-two

Mercy had saved Eli a seat with Justin’s family for the MBA graduation ceremony, but it was Justin’s mom who dragged him over to join them. “He wouldn’t want you lurking in the back of the room.”

They’d warmed to him over the past few days. Surprising, but heartening.

“Did you know the hoods are plaid?” Justin’s mom waved her hand. “It’s... odd.”

Eli coughed a laugh. “Carnegie tartan is the school color. At least the collar is something that matches.” Other masters programs were not as fortunate. The MBA was tan, not pink or orange or light blue.

A hand fell on his shoulder. “Hey, E.” Sam’s voice.

He turned and found Michael as well. “Have you met Justin’s family?”

They hadn’t. A round of introductions later, Sam and Michael settled into the seats behind them. Just in time, too. A hush fell over the audience and the first speaker approached the podium.

Eli scanned the group of graduates—they would be seated in alphabetical order—and yes, there was Justin. As if he sensed Eli’s appraisal, Justin looked back and smiled.

***

After graduation, Eli hung back as Justin’s parents and Mercy moved forward. A delight to watch Justin beaming in his cap and gown, suit and tie peeking out from beneath the robe. Vivid blue to match his eyes—the first tie Eli had bought him. An unexpected ache tightened Eli’s chest as he watched Justin’s father engulf his son into a hug and his mother kiss his cheek. Mercy, resplendent in her uniform, mock-punched Justin in the stomach.

He hadn’t had that when he graduated—either time. Yes, Michael had been there and a few other friends, but no one else. He looked down at the cane beneath his palms. Some pain never left.

“Eli? What are you doing?”