“If this is about my stuff—”
He broke in, shaking his head. “No, it’s everything. Preston’s overworking himself. I need to step up and take on more of a real role at the company, so he can take a vacation. I’m almost done with the master’s program, but this last part is crazy. And I found a new line of fetish wear that I absolutely love, but I need to find out more about the company. I don’t have the time to take a week off and play Elijah for her. She needs a freakin’ hobby.”
“She does have a hobby—trying to get Elijah married.” When Eli had first started explaining his ultra-boring alter ego, I’d thought he was crazy. But as he began letting me into his life more, I started to understand.
Not that I approved, but I didn’t have the healthiest relationship with my family, so I couldn’t say much. Eli had initially been worried that I’d be angry or disappointed that he wasn’t ready to talk to his family about us, but when he wasn’t even out to them, me losing my marbles over the fact that they didn’t know we were a couple was stupid.
And it wasn’t like I was a meet-the-parents kind of guy.
That was always awkward, and I wasn’t expecting the first time I met his family to go any better. When googling my name meant seeing all about my sex life, I wasn’t expecting it to be something that went over well.
“Elijah is exhausted and wants to fade away. He’s tired of existing.”
And Eli’s habit about referring to Elijah as another person was odd, to say the least. “It’s up to you, Brat. But she’s not going to drop it.”
His mother was like a dog with a bone. One of those little yappy ones that bit. She thought she would get her way no matter what and expected people to just see her as cute and sweet. But I’d been bitten by one of those angry fluffy dogs as a kid, so I was expecting the claws to come out at any time.
Eli hoped that she would accept who he was and what he wanted once he was ready to tell her, but he’d also made it clear that he had a family at Leashes and Lace who would support him if she went all batshit crazy on him.
“I know. I’ll figure it out.” He didn’t glance over at me as I started to move around the room, but he stilled, so I knew there was something else he was waiting to say. Finally, it came out. “I don’t want to even pretend to date other people over there. And I don’t like the idea of being away from you when I won’t even have enough privacy to call.”
He glanced over like he was expecting a reaction. I wasn’t sure what was going through his mind, so I walked over and sat down on the bed. Leaning close, I gave him a kiss. “We’ve had this conversation before. What did I say?”
A smile finally started to form. “That you’d understand and see any socializing I had to do over there was something completely platonic. But that if I even thought about kissing someone without your permission, you’d tan my hide and leave me in the cock cage indefinitely.”
“I knew you remembered.” Laughing at Eli’s mocking tone, I reached down to pat the cage he was wearing again.
My drama queen hadn’t gotten enough sleep earlier in the week and had gone completely off the rails, driving everyone nuts. So he’d gone back in the cage. He’d griped and whined but had lain calmly as I’d locked his cock away, so I understood he hadn’t meant it.
Eli liked knowing that someone cared enough to rein him in occasionally.
“How much longer?” He gave me a pout and snuggled close, trying to look cute and tempting.
It was closer to working than he realized. “You know the answer to that too.”
“But two more days? That’s forever.”
“Then you shouldn’t have made the pizza boy cry.” Saying that sentence still made me want to shake my head.
“I said I was sorry…and he must’ve been having a bad day for that kind of reaction.” Eli’s pout seemed more genuine, but it wasn’t going to get him out of the cage.
“That’s not the point.”
“I know.” Sighing, Eli leaned in and gave me a kiss. “You’re going to be late if you don’t finish getting ready. No dawdling any longer.”
“Smarty-pants.” Reluctantly standing and moving my hand away from his trapped cock, I gave myself one last look in the mirror.
I didn’t look too dressed up, did I?
Preston had called recently and had said he wanted to discuss the idea of me coming back to work for Leashes and Lace now that Eli and I weren’t trying to verbally eviscerate one another. I’d gotten a kick out of the way he’d phrased it, but I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea.
When I’d approached Eli, he’d said I was stupid and worried too much.
After that ringing endorsement of my intellect, we’d sat down and discussed it like real adults, much to Eli’s frustration. He’d thought the whole thing was ridiculous and didn’t see a problem. Once we’d talked about the what-ifs and about the different possibilities, I’d felt more comfortable, but I still wasn’t sure it was a good idea.
Eli again called me a moron, which earned him the spanking that he’d been craving, and I’d agreed to the meeting. I knew Preston would have questions, primarily regarding how sure I was that I could function with Eli, but I thought we were at a good enough place in our relationship that it would be fine.
As much as I teased him about trying to push us into getting married, we weren’t rushing into anything. We’d had a long discussion to make sure we were on the same page about everything from limits to spelling out that we were serious and weren’t going to date other people.
The way Eli flirted and hammed it up in front of the camera sometimes, we didn’t have the most traditional rules about monogamy, but that was where the kissing and anything more than smacking someone’s ass rules had come about.
He’d already had to use them.
Last week he’d called me, sounding slightly frantic, going on about how he needed to win a bet and wanting to know if he could kiss the new model. Laughing, because he’d been so funny, I’d given permission and then grilled him later. He’d earned a hundred dollars for the LGBT center, and the new guy had to admit that Eli was the best kisser amongst the models.
My brat was a handful, but I wouldn’t change him for anything.
“Okay, I’m leaving, but I’ll be back before the client comes. Are you sure you’re okay getting everything ready? I feel bad for making you work on your only free afternoon this week.” Eli had volunteered to help with my first fetish boudoir shoot, with the idea that it would make him more comfortable. Eli was probably right, but it was taking up a lot of his time.
Climbing off the bed, Eli gave me a look that made it clear he knew I was putting off the meeting and worrying too much. “It will be fine. I’m going to have fun rearranging your living room to make it work.”
Taking a deep breath, I nodded. “Thank you.”
With one last lingering kiss, I left, promising to be back in plenty of time to finalize the shoot. It was with a very nervous young man who wanted photos taken of him in his puppy gear. He was vague about what he was going to do with the pictures, but he didn’t seem like he was being coerced, so I didn’t worry.
Nervous, yes…Forced, no.
I had a feeling I was going to be getting a lot of clients like that. Devin’s friend had an appointment for the following week. He’d been cautious about the entire idea until he’d seen the pictures of Eli. That had convinced him.
We’d sat down over coffee and had gone through ideas and photos until I had a good idea about the look he was going for. He was photogenic enough that even if he was nervous, they were going to turn out wonderful.
Pushing work and the endless to-do list that came along with a new business out of my mind as I headed out of the apartment, I turned my mind back toward the meeting with Preston. I didn’t need the job; I was confident I could make the new business work. But as I’d gotten to know more about Eli and had some time to step away from the madness, I’d started to realize that I’d missed it. I was just hoping I would
be able to explain that to Preston.
****
Smiling, because the meeting had been better and shorter than I’d expected, I headed up the last flight of stairs to my apartment, ready to give Eli the good news. I was so lost in my own world, I almost missed the fact that the voices I was hearing were coming from my apartment.
Stopping, because they both sounded too familiar, I waited at the stairwell so I could hear who it was.
Ken.
Eli was going to eat him alive.
Debating whether or not to step in, I quickly realized it wouldn’t be necessary.
Eli’s words were cool but professional; if I wasn’t familiar with his usual almost-flirty tone, I would have thought nothing was up. “I’m sorry, but Roman isn’t in right now. I’m sure if he wants to speak with you, he’ll call you back.”
I’d clearly missed the introductions, but by the sound of Eli’s voice, he knew exactly who he was talking to. I almost felt bad for Ken…until he opened his mouth.
“Roman will want to speak to me. I have something personal to discuss with him. I think I should just come in and wait. He won’t be happy that you sent me away.” Ken’s whiny voice was like nails on a chalkboard.
“Honey, trying to make me jealous is stupid.” I could hear the drama queen rearing its head, and I knew he was barely restraining himself.
“I’m not trying to make you jealous.” The tone of Ken’s voice gave that lie away immediately. “I’m just being honest; he’s not going to want me to go away. We have a history together and things we need to discuss. I don’t know who you are, but I can guarantee you’re nothing compared to me.”
I wasn’t sure if it was all bravado or if he was stupid enough to believe it, but Eli shot him down right away. “That’s the biggest load of shit I’ve ever heard. He calls you that flaming moron who couldn’t get a reality TV show gig even when he plastered his naked ass all over the internet. You’re not even worthy of being called his ex. So, honey, why don’t you just march those knockoff boots down the stairs and go find a corner somewhere, because you’re not coming in here.”
Ken sputtered, and I could hear the insanity building. “These are not knockoffs!”
When his anger was over shoes, I knew he’d never really wanted me. Oddly, it sent relief flooding through me. I might have been stupid for believing his shit at one time, but I’d been smart enough to know when to walk away.
I just wished I’d been able to see the truth sooner and that I hadn’t held on to the anger for as long as I had.
“Honey, they’re flea market rip-offs and not very good ones at that. Now scoot, before I call the cops and tell them you’re trying to pick up new johns in the building. It’s a rough part of town, but I know enough guys on the force that they’ll come in a heartbeat.” Eli’s anger was starting to build, but I was more curious than worried.
I could only guess how he knew that many cops, but knowing my brat, he’d nearly gotten arrested for something and then had charmed his way out of it.
“Roman will change his mind as soon as he sees me, and you know it! That’s the reason you won’t let me in!” Ken’s voice was starting to rise, but the desperation was beginning to show.
Eli laughed. “Honey, that man and I are head over heels for each other. He’s taken the most beautiful pictures of me and has shouted how he felt about me from the rooftops. I know he loves me, and you are just grasping at very pathetic little straws. Now shoo. We’ve got plans later, and they don’t involve desperate little skanks.”
Hearing the door slam, I hurried up to the next floor. I wasn’t a coward, but I wasn’t going to deal with his crazy ass.
As I listened to Ken stomp down the stairs, still mumbling about his boots, I had to smile. Eli had been right. I did love him and I had shouted how I’d felt from the rooftops. The fact that I’d been screaming at him about how insane he made me, and how he should go find a corner, didn’t make his statement any less true, but it was pure Eli to use that in an argument.
Heading back to my apartment, I knocked instead of letting myself in. Eli came stomping up to the door, and I could hear the profanity spewing from him. “What did I tell you?”
“That you knew how much I loved you and that you’re head over heels for me.”
Eli gave me a dirty look. “You were eavesdropping.”
“You had it handled far better than I could.” Stepping into the doorway, I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him close. “Say it for me this time.”
Eli’s voice went breathy. “That’s not fair.”
“What? The fact that I heard you before you were ready to tell me, or the fact that I’m turning you on when your dick can’t get hard?”
Eli gave me a pout. “Both.”
Smiling, I kissed him gently. “Tell me.”
“You’re so bossy.” He said it like I was a stubborn child.
“And you’re smart enough to know when I won’t give up.” Turning my head, I started kissing up his neck. “Tell me.”
“Damn it.”
Not bothering to hide my smile, I just kept licking and biting at the column of his neck. “Brat, you know you want to.”
“Fine. I love you. Is that what you want to hear?” Eli’s voice lost some of his frustration as I licked around the shell of his ear.
Blowing on the damp skin because I knew how turned on it made him, I grinned. “Yes it is, and I love you too, but from what I heard, you already knew that.”
Eli sighed. “I can’t believe you were ever serious with that moron.”
Only Eli. Pulling back, I kissed him tenderly. “Oh, Brat, I was never serious with anyone until I met you. I just hadn’t realized it until I found you.”
Eli smiled. “Are you willing to shout that from the rooftops?”
“My sexy, sweet brat…I’m positive I will spend the rest of my life shouting how I feel about you from the rooftops.” We’d make each other crazy sometimes, there would be no way around that, but love…anger…frustration…desire…whatever happened, I knew we would be together forever.
Eli gave me a glance that said he knew what I was hinting at. “That was not as romantic as you think.”
Not bothering to hide my grin, I shrugged. “But you love me anyway.”
Shaking his head, Eli narrowed his eyes at me. “You’re very lucky that I do.”
“I know just how lucky I am.” Pulling him back against me, I let my hands slide down his ass and cup his cheeks. “And I’m going to take my time and show you just how much I appreciate that luck and how much I love you.”
“Does that mean the cage comes off?”
“Not a chance, my brat.” Turning us so he was pressed against the frame of the door, I let my hard cock rub against his trapped length.
“You’re so mean.” His breathy words came out needy and loving.
“But you love me anyway.”
“You’re right. But the next time you ask me something sexy and special, it’d better damn well not be standing in the hallway of your apartment building.”
I shook my head, trying not to smile. “Always talking about marriage, Brat. What am I going to do with you?”
“I’m sure you can think of enough things to fill a lifetime.” Eli’s expression said just how pleased he was with himself.
“I love my smart, sexy brat. You know that?” Staring at Eli, some of the laughter faded, and I looked deep into his eyes.
Eli reached up and touched my face. “I know…but I’m going to spend the rest of our lives reminding you who said it first and who was brave enough to chase off your ex.”
Life with Eli was never going to be dull, but I knew there was nowhere else I wanted to be.
My brat.
My drama queen.
My brilliant, crazy man.
Eli was mine, and I would never let him go.
Epilogue
Eli
“Is she handling it any better, Brat?” Roman’s arms wrapped around me an
d I couldn’t help leaning back into his embrace.
“No, this time she called explaining that it might be a psychological disorder because she didn’t give me enough attention as a child.” I sighed and just shook my head. It was too ridiculous to get upset over. “She didn’t understand why I laughed.”
Roman chuckled. “I shouldn’t think that’s funny, but it’s not as bad as the call last week. At least a hooker didn’t show up on the porch after this call.”
“God…she’s insane.” I just couldn’t imagine what was going through her mind most days. “Thankfully, the lady was polite, just confused.”
A still-snickering Roman started pulling me over to the couch. “Come here. It’s going to get through to her, eventually. She hasn’t stopped calling or bugging you to visit, so she’s not trying to cut you out of her life.”
“That sounds even worse when you say it like that, Roman.” Curling up on his lap as he sat down, I sighed. “Is it bad that part of me wishes she’d stop calling?”
“No, but I think you’re making progress. She called you Eli this morning, Brat. She’s driving you crazy, but it’s getting better.” Roman was right, but sometimes I just wanted to scream at her, and with Elijah laid to rest, it was harder than ever to hold back.
His hands started rubbing over me and I could feel my stress melting away. “She did call me Eli, but she was almost screaming at me to read the article, so I’m not sure it counts.”
“Oh, it counts; most people want to scream at you at least once in a while.” Roman laughed as I elbowed him.
“Not funny.”
“Very funny and very true. What about Lane and dragging him down to the coffee shop?”
“It’s not like I made him get a tattoo. It’s just coffee, and he needs a push or he’ll end up watching the guy forever. He needs to get to know the guy or just move on. I can’t handle this living in limbo shit. It’s too stressful.” Watching Lane drag it out and not push forward was making me crazy.
Roman laughed and shook his head. “You’re not trying to date the guy, Brat.”
“That’s not the point. If I was trying to date him, it wouldn’t have taken this long to get to the point.” I’d have just put myself in front of him and seen what would happen. Lane wasn’t even flirting with the guy. Even if the tattoo guy was gay, figuring it out would be almost impossible from just watching him. It wasn’t like every gay guy wore heels and rainbow T-shirts.
Eli Page 16