Clark's POV

I didn't realize how much I missed getting fucked into oblivion until having sex with Elias.

He isn't a selfish lover. He cares about my pleasure, and he's willing to make me feel good no matter how long it takes until I come. I meant what I said when we had sex for the first time a few days ago—he is perfect. And whoever ends up with him will be a lucky bastard.

For the next twelve months, however, he's all mine.

"Clark!" He cries out when I hit that special spot inside him, my hands gripping his hips as I continue to fuck him through his orgasm. "So good... Oh, God..."

I lean over his back to kiss him on the neck, one hand moving underneath him to stroke his sensitive cock. His mess covers my hand, and if I had the energy to clean him off with my tongue, I'd do it. But the thought sends me spiraling and before I know it, I'm coming inside him.

"Fuck, it just keeps getting better." I'm panting as I pull out of him minutes later to toss the condom into the trash. I then collapse beside him on my bed, every inch of my body tingling and wanting more. "Elias?"

"Yes?" he mumbles against the pillow, eyes closed.

"I think you broke my dick."

He laughs. "That would be really unfortunate, because I was hoping we could do this again tonight."

I exhale a quiet moan when his hand grips my flaccid cock, his thumb circling the sensitive wet tip. His eyes open and he shifts closer to kiss me deeply, hungrily. I tangle myself in him, arms and legs locked as we lazily make out like we don't have work to attend to this morning.

"Have you heard anything about the power coming back on in your neighborhood?" I ask him after we part for air. I keep my eyes on his, one hand gently stroking the back of his neck.

"Trying to get rid of me already?" he teases.

"Quite the opposite," I admit, feeling reckless with my words. "I don't want you to leave."

"Oh." He blushes. "Well, I um, spoke with Kahlan last night. He said he stopped by the house to pick up some more of his clothes and we were still without power."

I try hard to contain my excitement. "Were you guys able to move all your food out in time?"

"Yeah. And insurance will cover what we lost, so I'm not worried. I was going to talk to you about this today to ask if you cared about me sticking around for a few more days."

"You know you can stay for as long as you need." I kiss him again, unable to get enough, and he snuggles in closer to me. "So, what's on your agenda for today?"

"A lot. My plan is to head to the shop around noon to help my mom interview a few candidates who can hopefully assist me with running the second shop."

"Getting the ball rolling early, huh?"

"Better that than waiting at the last minute. What about you? Going into the office today?"

I sigh, already dreading it. "I wouldn't if I didn't have to."

"Damn. You sound so depressed already." He chuckles, then moves to sit on top of me. "Shall I help take your mind off it until it's time for you to go?"

My mouth waters as I stare at his beautiful cock. He's getting hard again. And so am I. "Yes, please."

***

Thinking about Elias and all the filthy things I wish I were doing to him surprisingly helps the day speed by.

I text him as soon as I take my regular seat at Oliver's.

Clark: Have you had lunch yet?

Elias: No :( I'm getting ready to interview another candidate.

Elias: They showed up late just as I was about to head out to eat.

Elias: I already told my mom to go without me, so I'm stuck until she gets back.

Clark: I can bring you something from Oliver's on my way back to the office. I'm here now.

Elias: I love it when you spoil me <3

Clark: Expect more of that tonight.

"Hey! No sexting in my restaurant. We have families here," Oliver whispers with a cheeky grin. He slides over my order while taking a seat opposite me. "Ooh. You're blushing, so I guess I was right. You were doing some freaky shit while waiting for your order?"

"No." I push my phone aside and grab a fry off my plate, tossing it at him. "It wasn't like that."

"No?" He smirks, raising a brow. "Stand up and prove it."

Fuck. I am a little hard.

I shift in my seat, face hot with embarrassment as he laughs at me. I join in.

"Can you not right now?" I roll my eyes. "Anyway. How's the new menu going? Doesn't look like business has slowed down, so I assume the people like it?"

"More than I thought they would." He nods. "I've been thinking about tweaking some of my dessert options, too. But I want the new menu to settle and people get comfortable with it before I throw in additional shit."

"That might be for the best."

"Probably. But enough about my good ass food. What's been going on with you and Elias?"

I shrug, playing it cool. "We finally stopped lying to ourselves and each other about our feelings."

"Oh, really? It's about damn time." Oliver's eyes light up, and he places both arms on the table, resting his cheery face on his hands. "Tell me more."

"It's not what you think," I preface. "There's nothing romantic going on between us." Liar. "We just...got fed up ignoring that we're not attracted to each other. Sexually. So, we talked and agreed to be friends with benefits."

Oliver frowns. "This sounds messy as fuck. You've never been the friends with benefits type."

"People change, Oliver."

"Not you. And definitely not without a fight. So, why now?"

Because I want Elias in any way that I can have him, even if it means I'll end up completely broken when he leaves me in a year.

"I'm a little offended you don't believe I can have a casual relationship like this," I respond, dodging his question. "It's just sex. It's not that serious."

"It's not just sex. I've seen the way you look at him, Clark. And we've both seen how he looks at you."

I break eye contact, lowering my gaze to my untouched burger. "Again, it's not what you think."

"Lie to yourself, but don't you dare lie to me."

"Fine." I sigh, shaking my head. "It's complicated, alright? I don't know what else you want me to say."

"I don't want you to say anything. I just don't want you to end up getting hurt," he says, taking on a serious tone. "You're happy with him, Clark. You fucking light up around him, and I love that for you so much, man."

I'm not sure how to respond to that, so I keep quiet, and let my thoughts continue to free fall.

"I'm not trying to tell you what you should or shouldn't do, but I hope you start listening to your heart instead of your head and just fucking do it."

"Do what?"

"Ask Elias out! Officially."

I blink, startled. "And why the hell would I do that?"

"Because you deserve to be happy. So, maybe, quit fucking around and just do the damn thing."

That's easier said than done.

Elias and I literally just agreed to the friends with benefits thing. It doesn't matter how badly I want him or how much he wants me. We can't date for real. We've come too far by playing pretend. Switching everything up could derail us and everything I'm working toward with Ava.

Besides, apart from the amazing sex we have, I have no clue if Elias even wants something serious right now, let alone wanting it with me. He's about to open a second business, and I have my shit going on with Ava and my grandfather and Project Terra. We're at the worst point in our lives to try for a serious relationship.

How can I give him the love and attention he deserves when I barely have the time to breathe?

"If I've overstepped, I humbly apologize," Oliver says, pulling me out of my head. "At the end of the day, I'm just trying to look out for you, man. You're my best friend. My brother. I only want the best for you."

"And I appreciate that. Truly, I do." I nod, taking his words to heart. "But I don't think now is a good time for me—for Elias and I—to change up what we have. There's just too much at stake if we make things real, and then it immediately all goes bad, you know?"

"Point made. Still think about it, though."

"I will. Promise."

"Good. Now, do you want to hear about this girl I met over the weekend?" He grins, wriggling his brows and rubbing his hands together. I laugh, encouraging him to continue. "Dude, she's smoking hot..."

While he talks, I eat, and the hour flies by before I know it.

I grab something for Elias and then say my goodbyes to Oliver. On the way to Elias' shop, I receive a text from an unknown number. Thinking it's more spam bullshit, I try to swipe to delete it but end up opening the message instead.

Everything in my stomach threatens to come up as my eyes scan over the short text.

Unknown: Drop Ava as an investor or else I'll tell her the truth about you and your hired boyfriend.