DAMIR
And now, after all that madness, I was finally clean, damp hair slicked back from the steam of my shower, and tucked in my study. A thick, rich oak desk beneath my fingers, phone pressed to my ear while I juggled a high-stakes deal with a man I'd flown halfway across the world to keep in business. Numbers, threats, codes they spilled from my lips like second nature.
And then the fucking door creaked.
I didn't look up. I didn't have to.
Because I felt him before I saw him.
Soft feet padding across the marble floor, a flutter of something delicate brushing my senses, the subtle sound of breath caught in a throat that was too small, too pretty, too goddamn innocent to be anywhere near me.
Then he stepped into my view.
Wet hair curling against flushed cheeks. A shirt..just a shirt.. no shorts draped over that sinful, slender body, barely hiding the way his thighs peeked from underneath. And those thighs… fuck. They were glistening from leftover shower mist and sweat. The shirt hung lopsided, slipping off one shoulder like a whisper begging to be kissed.
And he smiled.
I nearly crushed my phone.
"Yes, Mikhail, we'll increase the shipment volume for the Dubai client by twenty percent…."
He walked closer, unhurried, like he knew exactly what kind of power he had over me. The boy was a menace. My sweet, spoiled menace.
I gestured silently with my hand. Sit. On my lap.
He obeyed like the little prince he was.
Settling against me, ass pressed down right where I was trying not to feel anything, his scent wrapping around me like smoke and sugar.
And then I felt his lips brush my ear.
"I'm bored," he whispered, voice thick with faux-innocence. "I wanna go to the amusement park. Right now. Please."
I held in a groan. The call wasn't over.
"…Yes, the warehouse in Rostov is secured. I had Lev handle the permits personally…."
Eli didn't like being ignored. Not when he was in one of his moods.
First came the kisses.
Soft, lingering ones at the base of my neck. Then a trail up toward my jaw. Feather-light lips that knew exactly what they were doing.
Then the grind.
Oh, fuck me!!!.
His hips shifted, slow, teasing, rotating just enough to make my hand clench into the leather armrest. He leaned closer, breath hot against my skin. I felt his pout before he spoke.
"You're not gonna say yes?" he mumbled. Then a little more needy. "Damiiiiir…"
"…no, no, we can't reroute the shipment through Poland. Customs will rip us a new…."
He ground again. Harder this time. My whole body jolted. My cock pressed against my slacks in protest, already painfully alert. My baby felt it, I knew he did. He had the nerve to smirk.
"Is this call more important than me?"
Little shit.
I didn't answer.
I couldn't.
He got up with an exaggerated huff, frowning like a kicked puppy. And then.. ..he started walking away.
No. Sashaying.
Hips swinging side to side in the most sinful little display of defiance I'd ever seen. That shirt barely covered his ass. The fabric swayed like a curtain begging to be drawn back.
I watched him reach the door.
Watched him look over his shoulder with that wounded gaze like I'd hurt his damn feelings.
That was it.
"Mikhail, I'll call you back," I growled and slammed the phone down.
I shot up from the chair.
"Eli."
He froze.
I stalked toward him slowly. Like a predator that had finally reached the edge of its patience. His lips parted, a breath catching.
My hand gripped his waist and I pulled him back, slamming the door shut with my foot.
"So, you wanna go to the amusement park, huh?" I said, low in his ear.
He nodded slowly, breath shaky. "Y-Yeah. I do."
I nipped at his earlobe. "And what if I wanna take you on another kind of ride? One that doesn't require tickets."
His cheeks flamed. He looked like he wanted to melt.
"Damir…" he whispered, burying his face in my chest.
I leaned in closer, inhaling the scent of his shampoo. "You think I didn't notice you grinding on me just now? You think that didn't do something to me, малышка? Hm?"
He didn't respond. Only clung tighter.
"Answer me."
"I… I knew. I just wanted your attention."
"You always have it. Even when I'm on the goddamn phone with a crime lord. You still have it."
He peeked up at me, eyes wide and glossy.
"You gonna punish me for it?"
I growled low. "Don't tempt me."
Then he laughed. Giggled really. Like he was some carefree thing that hadn't just almost killed me with his thighs and pout.
I lifted him up, one arm beneath his thighs, the other around his back. He squealed softly and wrapped his arms around my neck.
"Fine. We'll go to the amusement park."
He gasped. "Really?!"
"Mm-hmm. But afterward," I smirked, dragging my lips across his jaw, "we're going for a ride of our own."
He blinked. Blushed. But didn't say no again.
I could feel him thinking. Considering. I didn't push.
I'd promised him. I wouldn't touch him until he was ready.
But damn if he didn't make it hard.
I carried him all the way to the lounge, sat him down gently on the velvet couch, and turned on the TV.
"Pick something while I get ready."
"But you're already dressed."
"Not for amusement parks. I need armor."
He laughed again.
"I'll pick something scary," he warned.
"Figures. You love getting scared so you can crawl into my lap."
He stuck his tongue out at me and turned to the screen.
Shit, I love him.
And I was going to protect that smile with everything I had. Even if it meant tearing the whole world apart.