Page 123 of Psync
“It’s nice to meet you.” Eli’s bow was far more formal than the one Haruka had given.
“I love him, give him to me when you are done,” his aunt said in Russian.
Haruka responded in kind. “We won’t be here that long.” It was true. Eli could be here for a hundred years, and Haruka still wouldn’t be done with him. He switched back to Japanese so Eli could understand. His boy’s obsession only extended to Asian languages. It was adorable. “Is there something you needed? Otherwise, we’ve got video games to play.”
“Yes, I wanted to invite you to eat this evening. The both of you.”
“We can’t make it. Jet lag.”
“Nonsense. Our CEO is finally back. It would look bad if our company didn’t celebrate it.
Eli sucked in a sharp breath at the word CEO. Haruka felt a spike of anxiety from Eli before he stepped backwards, breaking their link.
Fuck.
“An hour. Then I’m leaving.” And Eli wasn’t coming.
Haruka stepped forward, using his size to force his aunt out of the doorway and pressed the penthouse button. The doors closed in his aunt’s face.
The elevator was deathly silent as they continued their trip to Haruka’s rooms.
Haruka wanted to touch Eli but wasn’t sure if he’d be welcome.
It was a physical ache in his bones, the need to make sure Eli was okay and to comfort him if he wasn’t. The boy was tiny and, for all his bluster, very innocent. In Haruka’s eyes he was painfully breakable.
“CEO, huh?” Eli said finally. “I’m not calling you that, ever, just so we’re clear.”
“Are you mad?”
“I’m only mad if you were planning on not telling me.”
Haruka place a hand on Eli’s chest, telegraphing the movement in case his boy was feeling twitchy.
He wasn’t. Instead of shying away, Eli allowed Haruka the same easy access he’d enjoyed for the past month. How he loved this tiny, enchanting creature.
More than anything, he sensed curiosity. Eli wasn’t angry at all. Nor was he anxious. After the initial start Haruka’s aunt had given him, Eli had suspended his reaction until he had more information. He believed in Haruka completely and was waiting for him to explain what was going on.
“I was planning on telling you.” Haruka allowed a brief break in the wall he’d built in his mind so Eli could feel his sincerity.
“I’m CEO in name only. The company belonged to my parents. They died when I was very young, so my aunt took over.”
He opened another small breach in his wall. :We can’t talk about this here. Wait until we reach my room.: He tapped his ear in the universal gesture ofsomeone might be listening.
He felt Eli’s assent before the boy said cheekily, “So you’re a like a trust fund baby?”
Haruka smiled at how fast Eli had caught on to the game and nodded.
“All right, trust fund baby, get ready to spoil me rotten.”
He knew Eli didn’t mean it, but he wished he did. Nothing would make him happier than to spoil him. Eli was annoyingly unmaterialistic.
Haruka pulled Eli close. “Are you going to be my sugar baby, then?”
“Only if I get my own car. A shiny one.”
Haruka would buy him ten if he was serious.
The door chimed and opened onto Haruka’s suite of rooms. He tugged on Eli’s hand and led him inside.
