Page 32 of Just Business

Eli moved toward the stairs, the crowd parted, and holy fuck, he was wearing black leather pants. The white button-down was no different from the ones he wore at work except there was no tie and the top two buttons were undone. The vest was far more elaborate. Dark brocade that shimmered with gold. It matched the handle on his cane. Black gloves.

Utterly Eli. Down to the lifting of a single eyebrow when he reached the foot of the stairs.

Justin’s feet moved on their own, taking him down each step until he stood before Eli.

“You know Master E?” Kelly asked again.

Eli tipped his head slightly. “Justin and I work together.”

“Ah.” That from Lyle.

“Wow,” Kelly said.

God, the way those pants clung to Eli’s legs and over his package. Justin’s own jeans were skintight—and his cock pressed against the confinement. “I... What... We...”

It took one gesture—a single finger pressed to Eli’s lips—for Eli to silence him. “Lyle, is there somewhere Justin and I can talk in private?”

“The deck off the east hallway. There may be some folks outside, but I assume you can change that.”

Eli’s chuckle twisted around Justin’s nerves. “Unless you object, Justin?”

“No.” Because they did need to talk.Holy fuck.

Eli crooked a finger. “Then come with me.”

Following Eli was like a drug.

“Breathe.” Eli wasn’t even looking at Justin, and yet heknew.

Justin pulled in a breath. All around them, people moved out of the way. Deferential nods for Eli and curious looks that stroked over Justin. Some tinged with envy.

Everything fell into place. That afternoon in the office. Hell, every day in the office. Of course Eli was a Dom. What else could the man be?

Your CFO.

Yes, that. They reached a sliding glass door, which led out onto a deck that would have been huge had it not overlooked a sprawling terraced patio that made the deck seem downright cozy. As Lyle said, there were a few people on the deck. Justin walked to the railing and gripped it since his legs were about ready to give out.

Eli.Master E.

How the hell wasthatsupposed to work? What if Sam found out?

Except Sam’s words echoed in Justin’s brain.E, why is my assistant kneeling at your feet?

Hell. He really didn’t want to think about what that meant. He stared at the patio beneath them. Somewhere, water trickled.

Eli murmured behind him. The sliding of the glass door opened and closed and Justin knew they were alone.

He shivered, but it had nothing to do with the night breeze and everything to do with the distinctive sound of Eli’s cane against the wood decking. “Justin.”

He couldn’t move. Couldn’tthink.

“Turn around, please.”

He could obey, though.

Eli rested both gloved hands on top of the golden head of his cane. “You should know that I’m not entirely surprised to see you here.”

Justin’s heart wanted to race its way out of his chest. “Was I that obvious?”