ELI

I tried. God knows I tried to focus.

But my brain wasn’t working. Words swam on the page, legal citations blurred together, and all I could think about was how his tattoos looked in the light.

I shook my head, scribbling something down. Focus, Eli. Focus.

Then I hit a case I couldn’t make sense of. The paragraph tangled around itself, and my notes were just question marks.

I groaned softly and pushed back my chair. “Um… Professor?”

He didn’t look up. “What.”

“I don’t get this part.” I walked over, sliding the file toward him. “See? The way they worded it doesn’t make sense to me.”

He took the paper, scanning fast. “You missed the exception clause. Look here.” He tapped the margin.

I leaned closer. His cologne was sharp, clean, and expensive. My pulse spiked.

“Ohhh.” I nodded. “That makes more sense.”

I turned to go back to my seat—

And my foot caught on the chair leg.

I stumbled forward.

Strong fingers caught my wrist, pulling me back before I face-planted.

Straight into his lap.

Again.

“Shit!” I gasped.

My whole body crashed into his, chest to chest, thigh pressing right against him.

He groaned lowly, probably from the force.

But the sound shot fire straight through me. Heat curled in my stomach. My skin prickled.

I froze. My heart hammered so hard it hurt.

His hand stayed on my waist. Firm. Steady.

For a second, neither of us moved.

Then his voice, low, dangerous: “You really like falling on me, don’t you?”

My face went nuclear. “I—I didn’t mean to!”

“Twice now.” His lips curved faintly. “Starting to look intentional.”

“It’s not!” I scrambled to my feet, words tumbling. “God, you’re—”

He stood too, smooth, unruffled. He pulled a new document from the stack and slid it toward me.

“Review this one.”

I blinked. “Right now?”

“Yes.” He stepped closer, leaning down just enough for his mouth to brush near my ear. “Read every line. Carefully.”

His breath was warm. His voice was deep. The words sank straight through me.

I shivered. My knees went weak.

I grabbed the file like it was a lifeline. “O-okay. Sure. Yes. Reviewing. Right now.”

I stumbled back toward my desk, nearly tripping again. My face was on fire.

He sat calmly, opening another folder, like he hadn’t just whispered sin into my ear.

I lasted thirty seconds before my pen slipped out of my hand. My thoughts were gone. Completely gone.

I stood so fast my chair screeched. “I—I should go. I just remembered—I have to—uh—something.”

His eyes flicked up, cool, sharp. “Running again?”

I stammered. “I’m not running. I’m just—leaving.”

He smirked faintly. “Whatever helps you sleep.”

My entire body buzzed. I bolted for the door, clutching the file to my chest.

Maya was going to eat me alive.

********

CARTER

He ran.

Bolted out of my office like the room was on fire.

I almost laughed. Almost.

God, the boy did things to me.

That flustered stutter. Those wide eyes. The way he froze every time my hand so much as brushed his.

It had taken everything in me not to pull him closer when he landed on my lap again. Not to crush his mouth under mine. Not to fuck the shyness out of him until all that trembling turned into begging.

My jaw clenched. My hand curled around the pen I was holding.

Pathetic. What the hell was wrong with me.

That was Liam’s ex. A student. Young. Too young.

A child.

I pushed back from the desk abruptly and stood. The air in the office was too heavy. I needed to move.

When I opened the door, I stopped short.

Eli was still standing there.

Back pressed to the wall, file clutched in his arms like a shield. Eyes wide when they landed on me.

I exhaled slowly. “Get in. I’ll give you a ride.”

His mouth opened, closed. “Uh—I don’t want to bother you—”

“You already are,” I cut in. “Get in.”

He hesitated another beat, then nodded, shuffling toward the car.

We drove in silence.

He sat stiff in the passenger seat, staring out the window like I was about to eat him alive.

I almost smirked. “Relax. I’m not going to bite.”

His head whipped toward me. “You keep saying that.”

“Because you keep looking like you’re waiting for it.”

His face went red instantly. “I’m not!”

“Good.”

He crossed his arms, muttering under his breath. “You’re impossible.”

“Mm.”

The car settled into quiet again. My grip tightened on the wheel, thoughts darker than I wanted to admit.

Then my phone rang through the car system.

The name flashing on the screen made my gut tighten.

“Sorry,” I muttered, answering.

Eli blinked. “It’s fine—”

“Vale,” I said into the speaker.

The voice on the other end was sharp. Urgent.

I listened, jaw tightening, eyes on the road. “Understood. I’ll be there in ten.”

The line cut.

Eli looked at me nervously. “Everything okay?”

“No.” I flicked on the blinker, making a sharp turn.

He gripped the seat. “Where are we going?”

“Detour.”

“Detour?”

“My law firm.”

His brows shot up. “Right now? Wait, you have a law firm?”

“Yes.”

“What about me?”

“You’ll wait in the car.”

He frowned instantly. “I can come inside—”

“No.” My tone was final. “Stay here.”

“But—”

“Eli.” I glanced at him, sharp. “Stay. In. The. Car.”

He pressed his lips together, mutinous. “I don’t like being told what to do.”

“Too bad.”

His eyes narrowed. “You’re not my boss outside class.”

“Technically, I’m your boss everywhere.”

He sputtered. “You—you’re—God, you’re insufferable.”

“Good. Keeps you obedient.”

His jaw dropped. “Obedient? I’m not—”

I parked in front of the firm and cut the engine. My voice dropped low, final. “Stay here, Rivera. I won’t repeat myself.”

He glared, gripping the file tighter.

I didn’t wait for his reply.

I walked inside.

The second I stepped into the firm, the atmosphere shifted.

Every head turned. Every voice silenced.

“Good evening, Mr Vale.”

“Mr. Vale.”

“Sir.”

They bowed their heads, moved aside. The path to my office cleared instantly.

Power wasn’t loud. It was quiet. And they all understood exactly who I was.

I didn’t acknowledge them. I didn't need to. The elevator doors slid open, and I went up.

When I walked into my office, I already knew something was wrong.

The air smelled of copper.

Dante was there. My PA. My best friend. His fists bloodied, shirt streaked crimson. His mismatched eyes—one green, one blue—were sharp.

On the floor lay Brandon Pierce.

Politician’s son. Spoiled. Untouchable.

Or so he thought.

He spat blood, grinning up at me. “About time you showed up, Vale. Tell your mutt to keep his hands off me.”

Dante’s jaw flexed, knuckles twitching for another blow.

I didn’t look at him. I walked to my chair, sat down, leaned forward, pressing my palms together under my chin.

Then I dropped my hands and slapped Brandon across the face. Hard.

The crack echoed.

Blood smeared across his lip. His grin faltered.

“Do you know what you’ve done?” My voice was calm. Too calm.

Brandon sneered. “So what? Kid was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Not my fault.”

My jaw tightened.

I hit him again. Harder.

His head snapped to the side. He cursed, coughing blood.

“You killed his future,” I said coldly. “Seven years old. Paralyzed because of you. Do you feel big, Pierce? Do you feel powerful?”

He glared, defiant. “My father will clean it up. He always does. You’ll win the case like you always do, Vale. That’s why you’re here, right? To fix my shit?”

I stood and walked around the desk.

My hand closed around his throat.

He choked, eyes widening, both hands clawing at my grip.

I leaned down, voice low, emotionless. “I told you to lay low after the last case. I told you if you touched another life, I would end you myself.”

He gasped. “You… you wouldn’t…”

My grip tightened. His face turned red. His legs kicked weakly.

Dante didn’t move. He only watched, silent approval in his eyes.

Brandon’s struggles weakened. His eyes rolled back.

At the last second, I released him.

He collapsed to the floor, coughing, gagging, desperate for air.

I stepped back, smoothing down my cuffs like nothing happened. “Clean this shit up, Dante.”

“Already on it,” Dante muttered, wiping his hands on a rag. His gaze flicked to me. “He’s not worth prison time.”

I grabbed the glass of water from my desk. Threw it hard at the wall. It shattered, fragments scattering across the floor.

My chest rose and fell once. Twice. Then I straightened, my expression back to steel.

“You think your father can save you again?” I asked Brandon coldly.

His eyes flickered with fear. Just for a second.

“Get him out of my sight,” I told Dante.

Dante smirked darkly. “Gladly.”

He hauled Brandon up by his collar, dragging him toward the door.

I rubbed my throat absently, forcing the tension out of my muscles.

Control. Always control.

But then I turned.

And froze.

Eli stood at the doorway.

His eyes were wide, mouth open, face pale. He had seen everything.

For once, my mask almost slipped.

Almost.

He blinked at me, stunned, voice breaking the silence.

“Well… fuck.”

ELI

I stood there in shock, digesting what I had just seen. Did Carter just try to strangle a young boy? I flinched when the sound of glass colliding with the wall and shattering rang through my ears.

“Get him out of my sight” he said to his other big looking colleague.

I felt my face go pale as the man pulled the boy by the collar.

Carter whispered to himself slowly, taking deep breaths, until he turned to my direction.

He froze when he saw me, like he had just seen a ghost.

“Well…. fuck” I muttered.

I could see the anger increase in his eyes. I should have listened.

“Didn't I say you should stay in the fucking car?” he whispered but it sounded like he was yelling.

“I…I…. I thought..” I couldn't make up the words to say. I didn't have time to mentally scold myself for not listening to him.

He didn't say anything, he rushed past me, his shoulder colliding with mine and walked away from the scene.

“I’m so sorry” I muttered as I hopped into his car. It was a bold step because I assumed he would throw me out.

He didn't reply. He just started the engine and the car got in motion.

The entire ride to my apartment was silent. I felt like he hated me now and the thought of that hurt me more than it should.

The car parked in front of my building and I hesitated a bit before I made an attempt to get down from the car.

“Get out” he said lowly.

I gulped. My throat was dry but I understood it was my fault. I should have listened.

I walked through the doors of my apartment and I was already exhausted, mentally and physically.

I wondered if Carter would forgive me. My mind went to the young boy at his firm. What could he possibly have done and why did he look so terrified of Carter.

I walked into the bathroom to wash off the day’s shenanigans. My shirt went off first, then I began to undo the buckle of my belt and take off my trousers when I felt my dick twitch in my pants.

Fuck no. Now was not the time.

I groaned as I dragged myself to the shower. There was nothing more than I could think of except Carter. The way I fell into his lap and the way his hand rested on my waist. I would be lying if I said it hadn't turned me on. Only for me to ruin it this night just because I could sit in the fucking car.

As the shower droplets hit my skin, my dick became harder. The feeling of the warm wet drops turned me on even more. I couldn't help it. I began to stroke myself down there slowly and carefully. Images of Carter being naked filled my mind.

I imagined myself sliding down from his lap and digging my head between them. Having his long form in my throat. I stroked myself faster as the images in my head turned me on even more.

What the hell was I doing? This was Carter Vale, my professor. Liam’s elder brother.

I stoked harder and faster, this time, images of me riding Carter’s cock filled my head. I couldn't help it anymore and jets of cum began to splurge out of me. Once I was done, I quickly rinsed off the nastiness and walked out of the shower.

I picked up my phone to see that Maya had called me. I called her back quickly.

“Hey”

“Hey, so how was the date with the professor” she cooed.

“It wasn't a date Maya” I groaned. I had texted Maya earlier when I went to Carter’s office to tell her I wouldn't be free for the rest of the day.

“It sounded like one”

“Well it wasn't”

“Okay.. So what did you and hot professor do?”

“We didn't do anything much, I helped him grade a few papers..”

“And….???”

“And nothing Maya. I graded papers and he offered me a ride home” I left out the part about stopping at his firm and witnessing the darkest side of our professor.

“That's all??” she asked “You didn't fuck each other?”

“No”

“You didn't even share a kiss?”

“No Maya, I don't even think he would think of me that way”

“But you sure do think of him that way huh?” I could imagine her winking. Maya had a way of teasing and it always worked.

“Maya!!”

“What?” she whined.

“Stop it. You don't see me talking about your love life like that” she let out a loud laugh.

“You must be joking”

“You definitely don't remember teasing me back in first year huh. Well that's a story for another day” I was definitely glad she didn't pester on the topic. But it was a funny one. Let's say Maya’s first college crush was a big flop.

“I just wanted to get some tea about hot professor but I guess you're holding back now” she added.

“No I'm not. There's really no tea”

“If you say so”

“Good night Maya”

“Good night Eli” and with that she ended the call.

I stared at the phone in my hand and an idea popped into my head, it wasnt the most brilliant but I was going to do it anyway.

I scrolled to find Carter’s number and I typed a full on apology paragraph. I wanted him to know I did not mean to disobey or interrupt him at his firm.

The moment I clicked the send button, my chest started to hurt. I wondered if he would even reply.

Within a minute, he had read the message. I could see the three dots that showed he was typing but yet nothing.

And just then my phone buzzed in my hand.

CARTER.

I didn't know it was definitely hard for young boys to stay put these days. I gave the kid just one instruction. To stay in the fucking car.

The look on his face at the firm told me he had seen everything.

The entire ride was silent except for the mutter of apology he uttered.

I felt strange after that. I didn't feel as angry as I was supposed to. One apology. That was what it took me to soften up.

No it can't be.

What the fuck was this boy doing to me? I dropped him off at his apartment but I still had to maintain my cool so I slowly told him to get out.

He seemed hurt and I could genuinely tell he was sorry. It took every will in me not to call him back and ask why he didn't just listen.

I wasn't sure I wanted to expose Eli to such. I wasn't proud of many things and I don’t think he would be either.

I got home and picked up a bottle of scotch. I needed that after the whole day.

Brandon was always pushing my buttons and today I could say he got what he deserved.

Good thing Dante handled him before I did. I was sick and tired of having to be his way out of every mischief. He was just like his father, cocky and arrogant. I was done with their bullshit.

I was already preparing for bed when I heard a ding from my phone.

I assumed it was Dante, giving me update but when I checked it was Eli.

He had never texted me before, we only saw at school.

I opened the message to see a whole apology paragraph. I wasn't expecting that.

My chest started hurting slightly and I get bad for lashing out on him earlier. I wanted to reply but I didn't. I didn't was to give any silly clues.

***

The next day was as boring as usual. I had a few classes to take in the morning but something lighted up my mood, knowing that I had Eli’s class later in the day.

During the class, I could tell Eli was avoiding eye contact with me because he was face down in his notepad the entire time. I decided to do him a favour and not call him to answer any questions

When the class was over. I called out to him.

“Rivera”

He looked up and I could sense a bit of fear. His lady friend, Miss Adeniran smirked a bit and I wondered what she was smirking about. It better not be what I thought it was.

“I got your message” I said when he came over to my desk.

He nodded, “I should have listened to you”

“Well you should”

“I apologise”

“You already did that”

I could see his shoulders tense up but I wasn't going to stop.

“You’re definitely not going Scot free, Rivera”

He looked at me and his eyes widened.

“Here, take these” I bring out a folder from my briefcase.

“What's that?”

“Domt question me.” I shot back. “They’re test papers from first-year students. I graded a few of them before I remembered you could do them.”

He ran his fingers through the papers and examined them. “But….I…”

“I need it on my desk by tomorrow morning”

“Tomorrow???… They’re all essays. I can't read and grade them all before tomorrow”

“Figure it out.. It’ll teach you a little bit of discipline”

“I apologized though”

I let out a small laugh, “Actions don't go unpunished. You should have thought of that.”

“Can I have an extension, please” the way he begged flipped something in me and I hoped that it wasn't the cause of my pants feeling tighter.

“No”

He looked defeated. Just what I wanted to see.

“I’ll have it here tomorrow” he muttered.

“Good, now go home, the earlier the better”

As he walked out of the room, I couldn't help but notice the way he walked. How his legs moved one after the other in a unique form. I quickly shut out any ideas that may be forming in my head and packed up my briefcase.