Signed and Sealed by B.A. Stretke Read Free Book Online Page A

a noise from behind them. Someone was coming into the room. It was just enough diversion to force Will back to reality. Elijah felt his resistance, but instead of releasing Will, he only deepened his kiss and pulled him even closer. Will became embarrassed and frantic in his need to pull away. Finally, Eli moved his lips from Will’s mouth across his cheek to rest against his ear, but still he held Will solidly to him. Eli drank in the scent of his hair and his skin. He’d never known a man to smell so damn good. Why do I have to feel like this… about this guy… this gold digger?

    Will seemed to struggle to compose himself, yet Eli didn’t care that someone was going to see them in this intimate embrace. He wasn’t ready to release Will… not just yet. He’d had the urge to kiss him ever since they met on the road. He looked amazingly sexy all disheveled and sweating. At the time he thought it was pure hormones, but the urge never left.

    “Excuse me, Mr. Hunter,” Mrs. Coleman stammered and quickly exited the room. She was bringing a fresh carafe of coffee for Mr. Drake, but then realized that coffee was probably the last thing on Mr. Drake’s mind at the moment.

    Elijah slowly loosened his hold, but kept Will within the circle of his arms. His eyes went immediately to Will’s, silently searching. Embarrassment flooded Will’s face. Will wanted to speak, to say something, anything.

    “To think I wondered why you weren’t afraid of your neighbors calling you gay,” Will said with more sarcasm than he meant to.

    “If you tell me you didn’t enjoy that, you are a liar.” Elijah flinched at the harshness of his words.

    Will pulled away from him and stepped back, his eyes dark and angry. “I will not stay here.” He turned away from him toward the door.

    “Not so fast, Mr. Drake.” He spoke formally and with an undertone of immense authority. “You would do well to rethink your desire to leave. You agreed to stay until the thirty-first. If you renege on that agreement, I will, with all the power and influence I have, take your home, and I will make your life and the life of that miserable sister of yours a living hell.” He stood over Will, looking down at him as he drove home the seriousness of his statement. “Do not make the mistake of underestimating me.”

    “What guarantees do I have that my home is safe even if I stay? Tell me why, exactly, I should trust you.” Will tried to match the hardness of his tone but fell short.

    “There are no guarantees, but there is hope.” He reached out and pushed a stray lock of hair back from Will’s face. Will flinched, but didn’t move. “Stand by your word to me, and I will consider tearing up the contract. Break your word, and I will destroy you and Katrina.”

    Will didn’t remember agreeing to stay. He remembered listening to Eli telling him he was staying, but he never agreed. Eli must have assumed that by saying nothing, he was agreeing. There was something about the man that just got his back up. He brought out every unpleasant aspect of Will’s personality. George used to complain that he was too aggressive when they argued, which was rare since George wasn’t good with confrontations. If George had witnessed the last few minutes, he would have been floored, but Elijah wasn’t the least bit fazed by it. Apparently it would take a lot more than a few harsh words to get the best of him.

    “I will abide by the agreement,” Will said without emotion, “but I maintain little hope. Good night, sir.” He turned on his heel and left the living room, returning to his bedroom. He sat for several minutes on the edge of his bed, staring at the floor. The memory of Eli’s embrace was burned into his consciousness. He would never forget how Eli touched him and how good it felt. Will would also remember how Eli belittled and embarrassed him. He’s a big cat playing with a little mouse, and he will keep playing until it isn’t fun anymore.