That's What Straight Men Do.

“You didn't stop me. I didn't stop you. So who the fuck are we lying to?”

His lips didn't lie. Mine did. And now I can't stop tasting the truth. — ELI CORTEZ

ELI

The coffee burned my tongue, but I didn’t stop drinking it.

I needed something, anything, to distract me from the fact that I was standing outside his office, wearing a damn tie.

My hands tightly gripped my laptop and some documents I had to submit to him with my jaw clenched. This was all mom's fault. I would accept being disowned and thrown out of the country over this any day.

Welcome to day one of hell.

“Eli, right?” A tall woman with sharp eyes and stilettos that could kill paused beside me. “You’re the new assistant. Mr Cruz should be waiting in his office and he hates waiting. He hates tardiness and might I add, you're late for your first day.” I gulped.

Right.

Mr. Cruz.

Not Dante.

Not the guy whose voice still echoed in my head when I tried to sleep last night.

Or jerked off.

Twice, while cursing myself out in disgust.

I wonder what my girlfriend would think of me if she found out I slept with a guy. Not any other guy but my sister's fiancee. That was just messed up on all levels.

“I apologize.” I stated almost immediately.

She smirked, clearly amused by my nervousness, all in fact a ploy, then walked away leaving me alone with my heartbeat and his office door.

I knocked once, there was no response. It would even be more perfect if he wasn't in his office. All I have to do is go in there, dump the documents on his table and get right out.

Sounds pretty simple.

Fuck it.

I pushed the door open and there he was behind a massive desk, black suit jacket hanging on the chair he was seated on, sleeves rolled up, typing on his laptop like he hadn't ruined my life twenty four hours ago.

I can bet he had a hand in me being his assistant.

He looked up almost immediately and locked eyes with me.

“You’re late.” He finally stated, his attention returning to whatever he was doing.

Is he going to ignore me?

Good, that was what I wanted.

“Good morning… sir.” I greeted and he smirked.

He actually smirked.

His smirk was slow, dangerous, like he liked the way that sounded coming from me.

I cleared my throat and held out the document.

“Your schedule.” He didn’t take it and just let his eyes linger on me for a moment too long.

“I hope you’re better at taking orders than giving them.” His eyes dropped to my lips and I shuddered.

Why the hell is he doing this to me?

“Are you enjoying this? Seriously baiting me with my mum to be your assistant is fucked up, Dante. You're fucked up.” I half yelled and turned towards the blinds.

Good, they're closed.

Just in case I wanted to punch him.

“What?” He chuckled dryly, the corner of his lips contorting to a half smile, “You think I want to be in close proximity with you? I had no hand in your employment.” He snapped back and I took a step back.

He’s lying. He had to be.

“Whatever happened, never should have happened. I don't care if you remember it, it was a drunken mistakes and I'm going to spend the rest of my life forgetting it.” I finally said, lowering my voice.

“Mistake? Right.” He picked up the document and flipped through it, his face turning rigid, “Nicely done.”

“Although I must admit I don't appreciate your lateness. Don't let it happen again.” He dropped the document and went back to working on his laptop.

“I should leave.” I finally muttered, the air seemed stiff and I really needed to breathe.

“You should do that. Also, as you said, let's leave whatever happened as a mistake. I can't have you ruining my life as well.” He suddenly said as I was about opening the door and I paused.

What the hell is he going on about? Did he actually think he was the only one who had a reputation to protect?

Ruining his life?

Heck, he ruined my life. Who gave him the audacity to say something like that?

I swerved back to him, to lash out, to yell but he wasn't even paying attention to me.

So I walked out.

Fuck you asshole.

“Let's try to go through this day without jumping off the stairs.” I muttered underneath my breath as I took a seat at my desk.

My job description wasn't even stated yet. His assistant, I had to do whatever he wanted.

“Seriously, what god cursed him to be recruited as Mr Cruz’s assistant. Stuck up, cold, arrogant and every other thing Mr Cruz is but maybe, he’ll last longer than the last two since he’s a guy.” I squinted my eyes at the coworker who was whispering behind me.

“Yeah. I heard the last two assistants were fired just because they tried to seduce the boss. It leaves me wondering if he's gay.” Another one commented.

Fuck yeah, he is.

And it doesn't even help that I'm a guy. A straight guy.

“Eli, you're with me.” His voice suddenly rang out and I jerked out of my thoughts, standing up immediately.

I stared at my watch briefly, I had spent all night memorizing his schedule.

Right now, he had a meeting with the investors on the third floor, as his assistant, well I had to be there.

I fell into step with him and then we got into his private elevator.

I tried to keep my gaze forward, trying to pretend he wasn't standing right behind me.

Damn, I hate myself for having all these weird feelings, for not even being able to think straight.

Just then my phone started buzzing, I looked at the caller ID.

Incoming Caller…Snuggle Bunny.

Avery, My girlfriend.

I glanced at it for a moment too long and declined it. I need my head to be collected and put together when talking to her.

“Snuggle Bunny.” Mockery was laced in Dante's tone and I turned just in time to see the muscle in his jaw tighten.

“That’s cute.” He muttered.

Another one from her came in almost immediately.

“She must really miss you. Didn't you tell her it's wrong to take personal calls at work?” He commented, while I folded my fists at my sides.

“Shut up.” I retorted almost immediately.

“Watch your words. I'm your boss now.” I bit down on my lips as I put my phone back into my pocket.

My jaw clenched and my hands stayed coiled in a fist.

Another call, still from Avery. Oh Lord, baby, just stop calling for now. I'll call back once I'm away from this monster.

“You should probably answer her before she realizes you’re a damn lie.”

“Dante, you're out of line.”

“And you’re full of shit.” He hissed.

I pressed back into the wall, still gripping my phone like it was some kind of lifeline.

He stretched his hands out and touched the edge of my collar.

“I bet she doesn’t even know this part of you exists.” His voice was low, like it was made to crawl under skin. “The part that—”

“Dante, stop—” I half yelled, my eyes tightly shut.

“No.”

“Do not touch me if you don't want me to send your severed hand back to the Cruz estate. There's no ‘part’ of me that she doesn't know. And that disgusting mistake will remain in the past, I'm straight and that was all your fault.” I stated, slapping his fingers away and I saw his jaw clench.

He seemed almost offended, maybe becayse I said it was all his fault, but wasn't that the truth?

If I had never encountered him, I would have never thought of having sex with a guy.

“All my fault?” He drawled out slowly, his eyes darkening and no sign of amusement on his face.

“Yes. All your fault, I'm straight, I would never willingly want to have anything with a guy if I wasn't straight. That is just disgusting.” His hand gripped my jaw as if daring me to pull away but I wasn't fast enough as his lips slammed onto mine.

My phone slipped from my hand, hitting the ground with a slight thud as I pushed against his chest.

I tried to struggle out of his grasp but he gathered both my wrist and pinned them right above my head, on the elevator wall.

DING.

We were here.

“Don't be delusional Eli, you fucked a guy and you liked it.” He groaned.

The elevator doors slid open and before we could detach from each other, I heard her voice.

“Eli?” Avery's voice cracked as I ripped away from Dante.

Her eyes met mine, wide and horrified while I swallowed hard. Fuck! What the fuck just happened? Why did I have to be here?

The gift bag in her hand slipped to the floor as her eyes darted between Dante and I.

“Avery—” She stepped back as I got out of the elevator, her lips trembling as I tried to reach out.

“No.” She whispered, shaking her head.

“Baby, hold on. I promise you, it's not—”

“Don’t say anything.” She held out her hands, spinning on her heels as she ran out.

“You just ruined everything. You don't realize how much of a nuisance you are right?” I ruffled my hair, gasping for breath. It felt like spots filled my vision and there was that loud ringing in my ears

I need my inhaler. Oh damn, where is my inhaler?

“Chase after her. We're both fucked now and that's what straight men do.” My vision was blurry as I tried to breathe. It was getting really hard. Everything was swirling and then I felt myself hitting the ground.

“Eli.” I heard a masculine voice call out before darkness enclosed my vision.