Page 52 of Just Business

“I’m at your mercy.”

“Don’t you forget it, either.” Eli nudged him with his foot. “And yes, pancakes. As soon as I can move off this bed.”

Justin sank back down onto the pillows. That had totally been worth it. “I can wait.”

“Oh,nowyou can wait.” Eli’s grin lit his face. “What am I going to do with you, Justin?”

“Feed me breakfast, apparently.”

Eli rose enough to grab hold of Justin’s arm and pull him over into his arms. “And coffee.” Eli dug his fingers into the welts in Justin’s ass.

Justin twisted in his arms.So deserved that.

Eli relented and kissed Justin on the brow. “I am, after all, quite merciful.”

“Very.” Justin listened to Eli’s heart and pushed away the doubt that kept creeping back into his mind. Right now was perfect.

***

Eli ran his hand through Justin’s hair, smoothing out tangles and enjoying the slip of the silken locks against his fingers.Justinwas in his bed. Abrasive, messy, Justin was all the things Eli should hate. But that content face, the brown scruff that didn’t match the blue-black of his hair, those cheekbones as sharp as knives—he’d never wanted a man more. Even after the lust had been satisfied. This... closeness. He wanted more. Beyond work, beyond play.

Favorite flavor of ice cream. Best album. Comfort movie. Eli shifted. “I should make us coffee. Feed Lavi.”

“Coffee would be good.” Justin sat up and scrubbed his face. “Mind me catching a shower?”

“Not at all.” The grin came naturally. “Do you some good.”

“And whose fault is it that I’m covered in sweat?”

A little more than just sweat. Eli pulled him close. “Are you complaining?” His lips hovered over Justin’s, heart tumbling when Justin smiled.

“Not at all.” Justin brushed his mouth, and that was all Eli needed to deepen the kiss and steal Justin’s breath the same way Justin stole Eli’s. When Justin moaned, Eli relented. “Towels are in the hall closet.”

Justin’s shaky exhale was delightful. “Want to join me?”

So tempting, but they had time. No need to rush. “There are things I want to do to you later. Breakfast first.”

Justin’s eyes were so blue and so full of desire. “I can wait.”

“Good.” Eli climbed out of bed and headed for the closet to find a pair of shorts. “No jacking off.”

“I’d rather you do that to me.”

“Damn straight.”

When Eli returned, Justin was sitting on the edge of the bed, and his gaze slipped down Eli’s body—and stopped.

Shame and embarrassment tightened Eli’s throat. This is why he hated being naked in front of anyone else.

Justin looked up and paled. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have...”

Eli waved the words away, but didn’t put anything in their place. Couldn’t without giving away too much of his pain. He took a long breath and pushed that down deep, where it belonged. Finally words came. “Don’t worry about it.”

Justin gripped the edge of the bed. “Um, my backpack is still in your car.”

So it was. “I can get it for you.”

“If you wouldn’t mind.” Shyness there. Trepidation.