Elijah POV
I get to the parking lot and realise I left my water bottle in the gym so I run back in to get it, bumping into Darius as I enter the gym. Darius catches me gently by the arms to steady me, his grip firm but not harsh, his laughter deep and unapologetic. "Don't flatter yourself I am just here to get my bottle. Don't want you farm folk stealing my DNA for those weird deep state experiments I heard about on some documentary." Elijah says as he pulls away from Darius' chest. "Your DNA? Baby, if I wanted it, I’d source it in a more enjoyable and satisfying way than that water bottle you’re blushing over." He releases me, stepping back with a slow, knowing smirk. "But since you’re still here, want to grab a protein shake after this? Strictly platonic, of course. Wouldn’t want to taint that Harvard DNA with a farm town date."
I am about to decline the offer but my stomach growls loudly , loud enough for Darius to hear. "Umm, you know what, I think I can squeeze you into my schedule. I will just confirm the details with my assistant." I smile at Darius trying to conceal the embarrassment.
Darius laughs running a hand over his long black beard as he shakes his head in amusement. He grabs his gym bag and slings it over his large muscular shoulder, stepping closer just enough to let his presence linger ."Tell them Darius said they should clear your whole evening. Don't worry I’ll make sure the shake place has something that meets Harvard standards. You’re trouble, Elijah but I like trouble." He winks as he says the last part.
Elijah pushes against Darius' chest playfully. "Let me just grab my bottle and I'll meet you upfront. " Elijah does a slow jog to retrieve his bottle and return to the gym lobby. " All done ! After you farm boy." He winks as he falls into stride with Darius
"Sure do love the Atlanta air its so fresh , so where are we going I am parked over there." Elijah points to a small grey Smart car. "What, don't judge. I am an environmentalist."
Darius chuckles shaking his head as he follows Elijah's gaze to the miniature vehicle. "Judging? I’m just imagining you folded into that thing after leg day." He unlocks his truck parked a few spots over, a big, black Chevrolet Silverado . "Hop in. I’ll drive. My treat. And don’t worry I won’t make any farm boy jokes about the very evident size difference. " He snickers as he says the last part.
Elijah rolls his eyes as he enters the passenger side. "Trust me there isn't much of a size difference where it matters farm boy. You saw me in the locker room so you cant deny it." Darius slides into the driver’s seat, turning to face Elijah with a slow, deliberate smirk. "Oh, I’m not denying a damn thing, Elijah. Just saying that some things are better appreciated up close." He revs the engine lightly, leaning back in his seat with a stereotypical country boy swaggar ."You keep talking like that, and this “platonic” shake might turn into dessert. And I don’t mean protein powder." He smiles as he says the last part.
Elijah's stomach growls again. "Umm, I think we should stick to the shakes only." Elijah pulls out his phone pretending to speak into it "I am in a strange farm giant's car , and I hope the subject doesn't kidnap me like Jeffrey Dahmer. Subject is driving into a strip mall so I can make a run for it in the face of any sign of danger , file is closed for now Agent Carrbean out ."Elijah looks at Darius with a bright smile on his face "What ? Haven't we established I am weird by now." He shrugs his shoulders.
Darius cuts the engine and turns in his seat, letting his gaze drift over Elijah ."Now come on, Agent Carrbean. Let’s get you filled up before you start accusing me of hiding bodies in my gym bag." Elijah follows Darius to the smoothie store counter and studies him as he flirts with the smoothie twink while placing the order. He rolls his eyes as the twink twists his colourfully beaded cornrows and traces his tiny fingers over Darius' bulbous biceps and well defined chest. "Umm sorry sir, when you are done fondling the customer you might want to serve the rest of the people in the line because I don't know...it is your job , no hate though you're an icon." Elijah gives the smoothie twink a sarcastic grin as they pull away to let the other customers order.
Darius leans in close to Elijah's ear, his voice dropping to a low rumble as he ignore the twink’s lingering glare. "Jealous, Elijah? I like it." He smiles as he pulls away getting the smoothies as Elijah reserves them a booth in the dimly lit corner.
Elijah rolls his eyes at Darius ignoring his joke. "You didn't have to bring me here if you were going to flirt around like a small town himbo . He takes a sip of the smoothie to refuel for his next argument. "Dang this is good. Okay fine , keep flirting with twinky pop at the counter because he put his all into this smoothie." He starts slurping repeatedly moaning after every sip.
Darius lets his gaze drift over Elijah's broad shoulders, down his long, toned arms, like he is memorizing the intricate lines of his lean, toned body ."I’ve seen you in that gym for two months watching you move, watching you work. You think a body like mine doesn’t notice a body like yours? But today, you let me spot you. Today, you didn’t look away when I got close. So yeah, I made my move. No games, just a man who knows what he wants. And right now? I want you." He looks intensely into Elijah's light hazel eyes making his stance known.
Elijah leans back and takes the final slurps of his smoothie. He nods his head in some form of agreement. "Well, I am a reasonable man so I will give you three months to prove you're not a 'playa' but if you mess it up then you're toast and I don't mean the 'friend zone'. I mean the 'does not exist zone'. Plus you have already seen me naked so I might as well give you a chance ." Elijah stretches his hand out for a handshake. "Deal!"
To be continued
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