Page 83 of Just Business
He stopped, eyes stinging, heart pounding. Eli cared. That was the worst of it. Nothing Justin did made Eli stop caring. He pressed his lips together.
A hand on his shoulder. Fingers under his chin lifting his face until he peered into Eli’s gray eyes. “Please stop.”
“I can’t.” His heart would burst from the pressure squeezing it. If he stopped, he’d never be able to resist Eli. Never not want to be with him. He couldn’t be the submissive whore again, not even for Eli.
“You can stop.” Quiet words, made even more silent by the snowfall and the empty street. “For a little bit. Let me drive you home. After that, hate me all you like, I don’t care. But let me see you safe tonight.” Eli let go.
Like every other time, Justin missed Eli’s touch once it was gone. Seconds stretched out as snow fell all around them. Eli was right, of course. The man was so infuriatinglyrightthat Justin couldn’t keep away.
Eli’s shoulders fell and he stepped back. “I just want to see you safe.”
Under Eli’s thumb, no doubt. Because safe to a Dom meant something entirely different to everyone else. But in this case itwasa little ridiculous to think he could walk several miles in this weather. If Eli wanted to offer him a no-strings lift? “Fine.”
The relief in Eli was palpable. “My car’s just up the street.”
They walked in silence to the Audi. Eli let him into the car, started, it and dusted off all the windows. When he settled into the driver’s seat, he was frosted in snow, ruddy-cheeked, and beautiful.
Fuck.Justin stared at the car in front of them. This was a bad idea. He’d walked away once. But a second time? Wasn’t sure he had enough willpower.
At least Eli was a man of his word. If he said he’d take Justin home, he would. If it had been Francis, all bets would have been off.
Eli eased the car out onto Braddock Avenue. The car slipped a bit, even with the all-wheel drive, but they moved up the road. They even managed the turn onto Forbes without sliding much. The roads were shit, though, and getting worse. They never plowed in the city when they should, and while the streets were fairly flat here by Pittsburgh standards... they weren’t entirely. Getting to and from Oakland in this weather, where therewerehills? Justin bit his lip and glanced at Eli.
Pale and strained. Wide-eyed. In control, but behind that was a hint of wild panic and terror.
Shit.Shit.Justin knew that look. He’d seen it in Mercy when she fought against the memories of war.
The car accident. He didn’t know a thing about it, just that it had killed Eli’s high school boyfriend and crushed Eli’s leg. But if he had to guess—he’d lay odds it had happened on a snowy night like this one.
Oh hell.
Of course Eli wanted to see him safely home, especially if what Justin suspected was true. But who would make sure Eli made it home? Because after this drive... He stole another glance at Eli. Fraying edges. White knuckles.
This was a horrible idea. No way they were making it to Oakland, unless the streets miraculously cleared up.
No such luck. The snow fell harder.
They crept down Forbes Avenue, the car occasionally wavering in what should have been a lane had there been anything but white in front of them. At least there was no one else on the road. Eli hissed a few times when the car slipped—he was as pale as the scene in front of them, every muscle bunched, his face pulled sharp into fear. Justin nearly asked if Eli wanted him to drive, but he doubted Eli would let anyone take control now. If they stopped the car, they might not get it moving again, anyway.
They made it to the edge of Squirrel Hill and thankfully, the lights were green straight through the business district, up until Murray Avenue. A red light halted them there and Eli slumped in the seat, chest heaving.
“Halfway there.”
“I know.” Tight words. Breathless. No anger, just unfathomable weariness. And terror—oh God, the terror in Eli. What Justin wouldn’t do to lift that weight from Eli’s shoulders, tell him it would be okay, that they would make it. Justin’s eyes stung. Wouldn’t work. He’d never been able to do anything for Mercy, couldn’t make her demons vanish. Just... support her. That’s what he’d done when he’d finally escaped Francis.
The light turned green and they moved forward again. Wightman was next—Eli’s street. Another light... this one red as well. They slowed, but not enough.
Shit.Cross traffic. A lone car inching its way across Wightman and they weren’t slowing enough.Oh my God.
The car shook—the antilock breaks kicking in. A thin cry from Eli. The Audi kept moving.
They were so fucked. Justin tensed against the door, the seat, everything. Eli let out a sharp curse that wasn’t English and swung the wheel.
The car spun, crossing the intersection. A flash of the terrified face of the other driver as the cars slipped past each other. So close. Bright red lips and nails. Dark hair. Ashen skin.
She moved away... and they continued to spin... snow-covered trees, houses, parked cars all moving past in a pantomime of slow motion. Horrible. Beautiful. They banged up against the curb on the opposite side of Forbes and lurched to a stop. The Audi’s engine stuttered and died.
Holy fuck.They were alive. In one piece. Pointed in the opposite direction. Justin took several gulps of air and tried to calm the pounding of his heart and throbbing of his head. Eli was...
