Page 69 of Just Business

Eli slipped his hand around Justin’s neck, his fingers finding the sensitive skin right below Justin’s hairline—then Eli pulled Justin in for a kiss.

He shouldn’t have been embarrassed to have Sam standing there. He’d seen more—far more—at the party weeks before. Heat rose, as did his dick. There was something sexy about being watched. And kissed. Eli teased open Justin’s lips, drawing him closer until their hips met, cocks pushing against each other through fabric that was worth a fortune.

Or at least a couple grand.

Eli broke the kiss. “Hungry?”

Yes. In every way.“Would be a shame to waste that reservation.”

Sam cleared his throat. “Please go before you set my office on fire.”

Eli’s chuckle was rich and dark. He took his cane back. “Shall we?”

“Sure.”

Justin followed Eli out of the office, but not to his Audi. Instead, there was a black Cadillac with a driver at the curb. “You hired a car?” How much didthatrun?

Eli looked a bit sheepish when he opened the passenger door. “I’m not fond of driving downtown, to be honest.”

Justin slid onto the leather seat, Eli close behind. “I could have driven.” The interior was plush, like a mini-limo, which was what this was, come to think of it.

“I know you could have, but I wanted this to be a gift. From me to you.” His grin was large and endearing. “Having you drive kind of defeats the purpose, eh?”

And there was the money word:purpose. Justin looked away. “I guess it would.”

“Hey.” Eli slid his hand over Justin’s. “If it bothers you, we can—”

“It’s fine.” He turned back and smiled as best he could. At least Eli noticed his discomfort. “I’m just not used to”—he waved his free hand to encompass the car—“this kind of thing.” At least not while dressed in a suit.

“It’ll be fine.” Eli leaned forward and tapped on the partition and the car moved forward.

Easy for him to say. Justin doubted Eli had ever knelt on the floor of a moving car while giving a blow job. Those weren’t memories Justin wanted to relive, even if it had been exciting at the time. Everything afterward hadn’t been.

Still, Justin had said yes to this night and had looked forward to it for weeks. What had changed? He studied Eli, who smiled back.

“Thank you for coming with me. First time I’ve ever had company for my odd winter habit.”

“Not even Sam or Michael?”

“No. This is... very personal. But I wanted to share it with you.”

Justin’s back unknotted. Good—that was good to hear. “I’m glad I can.” Maybe he was being too wary. This wasEli. Justin sat back.Enjoy the ride.

But he’d said that to himself last time, too.

***

When they pulled up to the Capital Grille, Justin’s heart dropped into his stomach.This place?They didn’t let people like Justin into restaurants like this. He glanced at his black nails. But the maître d’ greeted Eli by name and they were shown to a table without fuss. No one commented on Justin’s hair or his nail polish. Then again, Eli cut a figure that spoke of money and power.

The delectable aroma of good beef cooked to perfection overcame Justin’s trepidation. If Eli wanted to wine and dine him, who was he to argue?

After two steaks, several sides, and a bottle of wine that had to have cost half Justin’s rent, they were well and truly fed. Worry evaporated into a food coma sent from heaven.

“We still have a show to see,” Eli said, stifling a yawn.

They opted for coffee, no dessert, to finish the meal.

Justin picked up his cup and breathed in the aroma. “Kick me if I fall asleep.”