I swallow hard, finally interjecting. “Umm—”
Eli turns to me, expression hardening. “It’s a bad idea.”
“It’s a terrible idea,” I agree, forcing a smile. “And I really do need to get going. Too messy, remember?” I widen my eyes letting the implication scream at him, loud and unmissable.
Because after just a few minutes of his hands and his mouth on me, I know exactly what kind of mess I’d be stepping into if I stayed.
And I can’t stay.
These few hours with him have told me everything I need to realize I can’t stay. Eli is too heavy for me, and I won’t be able to resist the inevitable if I linger. Staying means softening. Staying means opening up. And the last time I let myself soften for a man, he broke my heart, stole my tech, and sold it to an egomaniac billionaire.
I swallow again. “But…” I hesitate, because something in my gut won’t shut up. Because something about Eli feels different. “What’s the pitch for?”
Drake jumps right in. “To win a major investment. We’re expanding to bigger properties, wider reach. Housing for people who actually need it. That kind of impact takes millions, and this summit is our shot.”
My chest tightens. Then softens. Of course it’s something like that. Noble.
I bite the inside of my cheek. “So I’d be…a strategic distraction.”
Eli groans again, running a hand through his hair. “Operative word being distraction! No. Absolutely not. Max, don’t encourage him.”
But Drake’s already nodding. “It’s perfect. You’ll be brilliant. Just say yes and I’ll fly you to meet any romance author in the country once this is all done.”
There’s a beat.
Eli says, “No.”
I say, “Yes.”
“Max,” Eli snaps. “You need to get to your conference.”
I shrug, unfazed. “You also need me. And what if I could actually help? What if what you need to win is a tech angle? I can offer a lot more than arm candy, Bear.”
Drake frowns. “Bear?”
“Shut up,” Eli barks.
Eli doesn’t say anything else right away. Just looks at me. Like he’s finally lining up the pieces he’s been deliberately ignoring. His gaze drops for half a second as if he’s running the numbers in his head.
Drake, smug as hell, claps his hands once. “Then it’s settled. You can’t leave.”
Eli exhales slowly, like the weight of an entire decade just landed on his shoulders.
I grin. “Looks like I’ve been captured by the Canadians.”
Love Is a Hell of a Drug
Max
Eli storms off down a path beyond his driveway, leaving me and Drake just standing there blinking.
And that's when I remember I am still basically half-naked, wearing Eli’s shirt, minus a few buttons, and my leggings. No bra.
Zero dignity.
Also no orgasm.
“Okay,” I say, inching away from the door. “I'm going to go get changed. And when I come back, you're going to tell me what the hell is up with him and Vanessa. I mean, that's only fair since you’re taking me hostage now, right?”
