Page 7 of Just Business
Justin took a breath. “Because CMU is fucking hard.”
“Yes, I know.” Eli pointed a thumb over his shoulder in the direction of two diplomas from Carnegie Mellon. Hard to miss, given their obnoxious size.
What a pretty blush Justin had. “Oh.” He cleared his throat. “Tepper School?”
“I was one of Don’s students.” Justin met Eli’s gaze. No eyeliner. Justin’s eyes were far bluer than Noah’s had ever been. A tingle in Eli’s leg was a reminder of the past he could not forget. He didn’t need that now, not during an interview.
“I know my shit.” No warble in Justin’s voice. No fear, or at least none showing.Good.
“You think you do. Time will tell if your ego matches your ability.” Eli tapped his good foot against the underside of the table. “You didn’t answer my question. Why the coffee shop? You could do better.”
Anger softened Justin’s voice down to the level of a lover’s. “Fuck you.”
If only. “That’s still not an answer, Mr. White.”
Justin drew a breath and rose from his seat. He pressed his hands flat on the table and leaned over, his whole body trembling in his fury. “Seriously. Fuck you. I’ve done my time in corporate America. Short hair. Clean-cut. Straight, conservative male. I don’t want to live like that.” He drew in a breath. “Downstairs, they don’t care how I dress or who I screw, as long as I can brew a good cup and keep the customers happy. Nice change of pace. You should try it sometime.”
“Check your assumptions.” Eli stood then spoke low but with the force that usually buckled men’s knees. “Sit down, Mr. White.”
Justin did, lips drawn into a circle, his eyes wide. Surprise and beautiful obedience.Good God.If Sam hired Justin, Eli would have to be careful not to walk over every line he desperately wanted to cross. What the hell was it about Justin? He was just another candidate.
Justin exhaled, the anger all but gone. “I’m sorry. That was way out of line.”
Very. Seemed he’d hit a sore spot. Eli waited.
Justin’s conviction returned, but without the fury. “I’m not an idiot, nor a freeloader. I do know my shit.”
“You still haven’t answered my question.”
There was the anger and pain again. “Yes, I could do better.” He dropped his hands into his lap. “But I want the best. That’s why I’m here.”
Now, that was a proper response. “Much better. Thank you.” Eli settled into his chair. “Do not make me get up again.”
A tremor shuddered through Justin.
Working with this one could be exceedingly fun, or utterly frustrating. Given how hard Eli’s cock was, probably both. “Now tell me about your work with Don.”
After the outburst, Justin spoke calmly and without the rancor that he’d carried. By the time he’d finished explaining his studies and capstone, Eli understood why Don Miller had taken on this hot mess. Thepotentialin Justin, the intelligence. Focused, he could take on the world. Undoubtedly, Don had seen that, too. A perfect fit for Sam.
Why hadn’t Justin gone further at his age? Eli doubted it was Justin’s sexuality or style choice—but something had derailed Justin White. Oh, to pick the man apart and discover what. Sadly, his methods wouldn’t be appropriate.
Working together would be an interesting challenge, for both Eli and Sam, and very likely for Justin, too.
Eli softened his tone. “Thank you, Justin. That was nicely done.”
Praise spread a different kind of flush over Justin and his shoulders relaxed. “Is that—are we done?”
“There are some HR housekeeping details. My department, too, for the moment. Something Sam’s assistant will take over.” He’d very nearly saidyou. Eli rose, crossed to his desk, and picked up the application for Justin to complete, plus the list of benefits.
“I’ll give you some time to fill this out.” He handed the papers and a pen to Justin.
“Thanks.” The shake in Justin’s voice played along Eli’s nerves. He was far too hard—probably noticeably, too. But Justin focused on the papers in front of him.
Pity.
Eli made his way to Sam’s office and leaned against the doorframe. When had he gotten so breathless?When Justin sank at your command.No. Before that. Long before.
Sam gave him a once-over. “Looks like he made quite an impression on you.”
