Elijah stares at Dominic, processing everything.
A list of rules? Warnings? That intense look that makes his stomach do weird flips?
He huffs. "Dude, I barely know you, and you're already acting like my overprotective sugar daddy."
Dominic's expression remains unreadable. But there's a shift.
Like he's remembering something.
Something from before.
And then-a throwback.
---
Flashback: The First Encounter
Six months ago.
It had been raining.
Elijah was soaked to the bone, cursing himself for forgetting an umbrella.
He had just left his favorite coffee shop near campus, but the downpour caught him off guard. The streets were nearly empty, except for a few cars parked along the curb.
And one of them? A sleek, black car that screamed 'I'm expensive as hell.'
Elijah, being Elijah, didn't think twice.
He ran straight toward it, yanked the back door open, and slid inside.
"Dude, drive! I'm drowning out there."
Silence.
A heavy, dangerous silence.
Elijah blinked.
Then slowly turned his head-
And froze.
Sitting beside him, dressed in an impeccable black suit, was a man who looked like he could kill someone with a single glance.
Dark eyes. Sharp jawline. Broad shoulders.
And the coldest stare Elijah had ever seen.
Dominic Moretti.
A voice-low and smooth-cut through the silence.
"Who the hell are you?"
Elijah swallowed. Oh, shit.
---
Back to Present
Elijah snaps out of the memory, staring at Dominic in disbelief.
"Oh my god. This is about that time I stole your ride, isn't it?"
Dominic doesn't deny it.
He just sips his whiskey.
Elijah laughs. "Holy crap, I can't believe I forgot about that. Dude, you were SO pissed."
Dominic was pissed.
Because no one-no one-ever gets into his car uninvited.
But Elijah?
He had just waltzed in, completely unaware of who he was dealing with.
And instead of fear, he had cracked a joke.
Dominic should have had him thrown out.
But for some reason, he hadn't.
---
Flashback Continued
Elijah had quickly realized he had made a mistake.
The guy next to him? Didn't just look dangerous. He was dangerous.
Vincent, sitting in the driver's seat, was gripping the steering wheel like he was ready to throw Elijah out.
"I'll ask again." Dominic's voice had been calm, but lethal.
"Who. The hell. Are you?"
Elijah, despite his very obvious bad decision-making skills, had grinned.
"Elijah Sinclair. And you?"
Vincent had nearly choked.
This idiot really just asked Dominic Moretti who he was.
Dominic had stared at him for a long moment before exhaling, looking out the window as if he was debating whether or not to throw Elijah out into the rain.
Then-without answering-he had simply said:
"Get out."
Elijah had raised a brow. "Damn, no 'nice to meet you'? No 'welcome to my fancy-ass car'?"
Dominic had given him a slow, warning look.
Elijah had finally decided to stop pushing his luck.
"Fine, fine. I'm going."
And just like that, he had hopped out of the car and disappeared into the rain.
That should have been the end of it.
But for some reason-Dominic had remembered him.
---
Back to Present
Elijah is still laughing at the memory.
"I can't believe you were already this grumpy when we first met."
Dominic doesn't smile. But there's something in his gaze.
Like he's remembering more than he's letting on.
Like maybe-just maybe-that night had meant something more to him than it should have.
Elijah grins. "Admit it. You liked me from the start."
Dominic's jaw tightens.
"Elijah."
That voice-low, dangerous.
Elijah really should stop pushing his luck.
But he never does.
Because something about teasing Dominic? Feels too damn fun.
And something about the way Dominic is looking at him right now...
Feels too damn dangerous.
---