Darius POV
I catch Elijah's finger gently, bringing it to my lips for a soft kiss before releasing it. "Crystal clear." I let out a low, warm laugh. "I’ll behave, tonight. Your couch is going to feel like a king-size after all those hours bent over that machine." I stretch, my muscles rippling under the light. "Lead the way. And don’t worry, I’ll keep my hands to myself. Unless you change your mind and crawl over to me at 4 AM." Elijah hands Darius his shorts and shirt. "You better put these on before entering my room." He rolls his eyes as he catches Darius' reaction to the last part.
Darius pulls the shirt over his head slowly, his dark brown eyes never leaving Elijah's light hazel ones, as he tugs the shorts back on. "Your room, huh? Guess I’ve officially levelled up from a three-month trial to an overnight guest." Darius steps closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Don’t worry, I’ll be on my best behaviour. But if you happen to wake up with my arms around you, just remember, you invited the temptation. Now show me where I’m sleeping, before I do something we’ll both regret in the morning." Darius winks , rubbing the hairs on his large , well defined pectorals as he follows Elijah up the stairs.
Darius steps into Elijah's room, taking in the clean lines and soft lighting before turning to him with a softened smirk . "Relax, superstar. I know when to appreciate the view without touching the art." He stretches out on the bedroom carpet near the foot of the bed, propping his head on his arm. "Get some sleep. Tomorrow, that runway’s going to be yours ,and I’ll be right there watching you own it. Now turn off the light before I start imagining you in less than those pyjamas."
Elijah pats the empty place next to him on his bed. "C'mon up , you are way too big to be nestled at my feet. Plus, I called you here to help, so the least I can do is offer you a comfortable place to sleep. Remember , If your finger touches any place lower than my chest , I am going to catch a case."
Darius rises smoothly and slide into the space beside Elijah, keeping a respectful few inches between them as he settle against the pillows. "Your rules, your bed. I’ll keep my hands right where they belong." He turns on his side to face Elijah, the moonlight catching the curve of his smile. "But just so you know, waking up next to you like this is already better than any fantasy I’ve had in months. Now get some rest, Elijah. Tomorrow, you shine."
Elijah is too tired to argue and falls asleep the moment his eyes close. Elijah is woken up by Andre (his cousin) banging on his bedroom door and yelling that Eduardo (his undergraduate assistant) and the other models are downstairs. Elijah tells him that he is coming and his eyes catch Darius sleeping peacefully on his back. He finds himself fascinated by how much his chest fluctuates as he breathes. He shakes him lightly but Darius goes back to sleep after each instance. Elijah leans in and kisses Darius awake, as a final resort. "Hahaha, you think you are so sleek ,sleeping beauty." Elijah swats Darius' chest playfully.
Darius' eyes flutter open as Elijah's lips meet his, a low groan rumbling in his chest before he smiles drowsily up at Elijah. "Mm, that’s one hell of an alarm clock." He stretches, chest muscles flexing under Elijah's hand as he sits up slowly. "You been watching me sleep, Elijah? Could’ve joined me instead of just staring." He swing his legs off the bed, running a hand through his freshly cut fade. "Sounds like your team’s ready to roll. You want me to go greet them, or you need a minute to compose yourself after that kiss?"
Elijah rolls his eyes as he heads into the ensuite bathroom. "I am going to take a quick shower and you can hop in after me . Umm, D..." He leans out the bathroom door. "Touch anything of mine and I am going to cut those fingers off." He blows Darius a kiss before entering the shower.
Darius chuckles softly, holding his hands up in surrender. "Alright, alright, I’m not touching anything. Just admiring the view." He winks before turning toward the bedroom . "Hurry up though, sounds like your crew’s getting restless downstairs. And save me some hot water."
Elijah steps out the shower naked and walks casually to the front of his closet. "I know you are still staring. It is nothing you haven't seen before. Go and shower!" He chuckles as he sees Darius' stunned face as he takes in his fully naked body for the second time.
Darius steps out of the shower minutes later with a towel slung low on his hips, water still glistening on his well defined chest and well sculpted abs. "You called?" He runs a hand through his damp fresh fade , grinning as he sees Elijah waiting. "Don’t look so impatient, I know you’ve been counting the seconds. Now hand me my clothes before I give your models a show they didn’t pay for." Elijah tosses him the clothes he got from his larger and taller ,cousin's closet.
Darius catches the clothes effortlessly, pulling them on with practiced speed before stepping close behind Elijah. "All dressed. You can breathe again, Elijah." He rests his hands lightly on Elijah's shoulders, voice soft but teasing. "Though I got to say, watching you try to pretend you weren’t affected just now might be my new favourite thing. Ready to go stun everyone downstairs?"
Elijah slaps Darius' shoulder playfully as they walk out the room together, unaware of the waiting group downstairs. "Stop playing with me now . Focus okay." Elijah playfully pinches Darius before introducing him to his team and cousin , Andre. "It is not what it looks like." Everyone starts smiling suspiciously including Andre. "Stop it all of you." Elijah looks over at Darius for support but finds him smiling too. "Stop smiling, you are making the situation look like, what it is not.
Elijah sighs deeply before getting back into business mode. "Anyways, let us get started. The guests will be arriving soon." He starts going through the checklist , running around the ranch to make sure the runway is properly set up , the chairs are correctly placed and that the sound equipment is working perfectly for the performers . Time elapses and the guests all arrive and are all seated shortly after, dancing to the DJ's pre-show mix in their seats.
Backstage...
"Reel it in everyone" Elijah and the team join hands in a circle. "Dear Father thank you for this opportunity to showcase our gifts and talents. May we excel and prosper in Jesus Name Amen. They all cheer and the runway music is cued as the first model opens up the fashion portion of the evening. "You have got this!" Elijah shouts as every model passes. He catches Darius eyes and takes his hands . "You have got this. No pressure." He gives him a quick peck on his soft, thick lips.
To be continued...
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