“No, I will not, Stell. I told you, stop trying to set up quid pro quos for me. Not falling for it.”
“It’s not work! It’s personal. She’s really—”
“Doublyno. I’m sick of people playing matchmaker. My personal life is none of your damn business. I’ve already told you, I keep my private life private for a reason.”
She hesitates. “So you’re dating someone? You can’t even tell your own sister?”
He actually laughs. “Stell, if I held a gun to your head and ordered you not to tell a secret, you’d still blab it to everyone. You are the absolutelastperson I wouldevertell anything to, unless I want everyone knowing it. You’re too focused on scoring brownie points with all your friends at work.”
Well,damn. That’s news to me. I wonder if this is a recent development. I might have to take a deep dive there to add to the library of oppo research I already have on her. Research neither Elliot nor Jordan know anything about.
“You’re a real asshole sometimes, Elliot. She’d be great for your visibilityandyour career.”
“Uh, I’m vice president, sis. You meant it’syourcareer you want to boost. I thinkmycareer is doing just fine, and so is my visibility. Listen, gotta run. Quit wasting my time. Next time, send me an e-mail. I’m not here to boost your social or professional standing with anyone. Love you. Bye.”
She starts to say something, but Elliot hangs up on her and hands me the phone. “How was that?” he whispers.
If I didn’t think it’d give him a nervous breakdown, I’d pull him into my arms and kiss him right now. He’s wearing a satisfied smile on his face, a smile that’s been missing for too damned long.
“That was fucking amazing,” I whisper. “I’m really proud of you.”
He glances down but the pink that rises in his cheeks, combined with his now-bashful smile, tells me the full story. He brings his hand up to his face, like he’s scratching his cheek but also effectively blocking the other staffers’ view of his mouth. “Thank you, Master,” he silently mouths to me.
Holy.
Fuck.
Now there’s a distinct chanceImight burst into happy tears. That’s the first time he’s ever spoken to me like this in this situation—not securely locked behind a door,andwith witnesses.
He didn’t say it out loud, but you have no clue how big that was for him.
I smile and nod before reaching across the seat to pat him on the thigh. He reaches down and squeezes my hand before he slides his right foot across to rest against mine for the remainder of the ride.
Again, holyfuck.
My soul still hurts. I will never be okay over losing Jordan. The fresh pain still rolls through my veins.
But this little moment rightherecarries all the potential and possibilities and has placed them right in the center of my heart.
It gives me hope.
Real, honest hope.
It’s the best I can do, for now, and it’ll have to be enough.
Chapter Fifteen
Then
After I blindfold Elliot, I spend the next hour teasing, edging, spanking, and having my way with him. It’s as gloriously fun as I imagined it would be.
I slowly build him up, until he’s crying, trembling, and torn between humping my hand every time I stroke his cock, or safewording after receiving yet another mean impact from one of the implements. I read his body, wanting to repeatedly bring him close to the edge of both too much pain and too much pleasure to judge his endurance, all while watching for any sign he’sdone.
Yet he keeps sticking his ass out for more.
And every time I ask him to give me a color, he says green.
I’m careful not to bruise or otherwise mark his left leg. I don’t want to do anything to cause him harm. I want him to see I’m careful and want him to want to play with me again.
