Page 37 of Hot for Teacher
Killian had never so badly wanted to shove his friends out a window. Preferably one that overlooked two or more stories.
Devon was smirking over his wineglass, and Prince was looking incredibly self-satisfied, sprawled in his chair like a graceless oaf. The two of them weren’t saying a word, which was somehow so much worse.
Killian let out a deep, weary sigh. “All right. Have at it.”
“Why, Burke darling, whatever do you mean?” Devon cocked his head, the picture of innocence.
Prince let out a guffaw, then covered it by tearing into a bite of his dinner. “Steak’s great, Kill,” he said with his mouth full. “Perfectly cooked.”
The two of them were here for the group’s monthly dinner. Killian had tried to push it to Saturday. (Because he’d gotten used to a certain routine, was all, not because of any other reason.) But Devon had insisted he was unavailable any other night this week.
“Yes, perfectly cooked,” Devon purred, although he hadn’t touched his steak since the interruption. “Are you going to bring sweet Chase any?”
Killian had to force himself to unclench his jaw. “I’m sure he’s already eaten.”
“Oh, you know the youths. Always missing their dinners.” Devon took a sip of his wine. “How old is he, anyway?”
“Old enough.”
“Aha!” Devon leaned over the table, pointing his finger like he’d caught Killian out at something. “Old enough forwhat, exactly?”
“Ignore Devon,” Prince said, his mouth full of yet another bite of steak. “He’s just happy to see you so smitten.”
Killian gave him an incredulous look. “I am not smitten.”
“Yes, you are.”
“Says who?”
Prince waved a hand. “Your face. Your pheromones. The way that boy looks at you. You’ve got to be treating him awfully nice to have him looking at you that way.”
Killian decided to focus on his wine. It was bright and peppery, a surprisingly good balance to the steak. It was a meal he might have prepared for himself on a particularly decadent night.
Yes, that was it. He could pretend he was alone. That he had no friends to speak of.
“It’s fine if you’renotsmitten,” Devon said easily, running a hand through his blond hair. “Bring him to the club some night, then. I wouldn’t mind a little taste. Neither would Prince, if the drool is any indication.”
An alpha growl rang out, followed by the sound of glass breaking. Wine sloshed over the tablecloth in front of Killian’s plate.
Killian stared down at the table in front of him. Apparently he’d set his wineglass down too hard, and the stem had snapped.
That wasn’t—Killian didn’tbreakthings. He didn’t getangry.
Neither of his friends looked at all surprised. Prince threw his napkin over the spill and then got back to his steak.
“What’s the problem?” Devon asked, all teasing gone. “He’s lovely, and he clearly adores you.”
Killian wasn’t sure where they were seeingthat. Outside the bedroom, Chase was frustratingly difficult to read.
Although, he had come here tonight.
Whyhad Chase come here tonight?
Sex? Comfort? Routine? A simple check-in to make sure Killian was adhering to the terms of their arrangement?
Killian cleared his throat and set the broken cup of his glass carefully on his plate. “Like you said, he’s young. And a student.”
“Yourstudent?”
