Page 61 of Hot for Teacher
It was going to be a battle, wasn’t it? Keeping his cool and not fucking everything up by railroading Chase. But Killian could do it. Small steps forward, no steps back—that would be his new mantra when it came to his beta.
And Killian had already decided the first step would be convincing Chase to let Killian take him out to dinner. In public.
That was what people did when they were dating, right? What Killian had done once upon a time. They went on dates. And so far Killian and Chase had been confined to Killian’s house for the duration of their relationship. And while Killian liked having Chase in his house very much—on his couch, at his table, in his bed—he needed things to shift. He didn’t want Chase convincing himself this was only a matter of sex.
Maybe it had started that way, but it sure as fuck wasn’t ending that way.
It was ending with a ring on Chase’s finger, if Killian had anything to say about it.
But that was getting ahead of himself. For now, the important thing was that they were fucking boyfriends, goddamn it, and Killian had to make sure Chase was on board with that or he was going to lose his goddamn mind.
Killian’s gaze caught on the bite marks and hickeys that were scattered over Chase’s skin.
Well. Lose his mind more than he already had.
It turnedout it wasn’t difficult at all to convince Chase to go out to dinner.
That was possibly because Killian had suggested a restaurant far from campus—and far from the one he’d picked Chase up at the night he’d had been so upset—or it was possibly because Chase had seemed to be in a bit of a daze all day long.
The rut had clearly taken it out of him, and Killian had been doing his best to mitigate the effects. There had been quite a lot of scent marking and petting and foisting as much hydration on Chase as he would allow (he’d accused Killian at one point of trying to drown him from the inside out, and Killian had eased up a tad).
But maybe getting out of the house would be the answer. They’d been cooped up for days, and as much as Killian had been doing his best to air out his home, the rut pheromones were still thick as hell in certain areas.
They parked in the restaurant’s tiny parking lot, and Killian led Chase inside. He’d been deliberate in his choice: a casual spot with the best pho Killian had found so far in Phoenix. He thought something hot and filling and not too heavy would be good for someone still feeling a bit … fragile.
The hostess seated them at a booth, and Killian slid in after Chase, choosing to sit next to him rather than across. It was their first time out of the house since the rut, and Killian needed to be close to his beta with those possessive urges still so close to the surface.
Although, it did help that Chase still smelled of Killian. Not the rich sex pheromones of a rut—they’d showered thoroughly, using scent-neutralizing soap to aid the process—but the usualleather-and-cherry scent that always coated Chase after effusive nuzzling and petting.
Killian ordered beers for them both—he’d drink Chase’s if the beta wasn’t up for it—and slung an arm around Chase’s shoulders.
Chase startled, then relaxed into the touch. He tilted his head to peer up at Killian. “You know, this is a really elaborate way to trick me into eating chicken soup.”
Killian grinned. “Nonsense. I was going to suggest the rare steak pho. It’s the better option here.”
Chase shook his head, seemingly unconvinced. “I’m really fine, I promise.” He took a swig of his beer, letting out a small, contented sigh, his weight resting against Killian. “But this is nice. Thank you.”
Killian grabbed his own beer. “Were you getting a bit stir-crazy, sweet boy?”
“Maybe it’s just nice to breathe in some fresh air.”
Killian huffed out a laugh. “I’m going to choose not to be offended.”
“Please. You know I like your scent.” Chase toyed with the corner of his menu. The tips of his ears had gone pink. “I’m covered in it often enough.”
“Are you?” Killian asked mildly.
“I don’t even have to look at you to know you’re looking very smug right now.”
It was true—Killian was looking quite smug. He couldn’t have helped it even if he’d wanted to, which he didn’t. He had his beta out on a date, in public, and they were flirting. And practically cuddling, since Chase hadn’t made any move to wiggle out from under Killian’s arm.
This was progress. Killian was sure of it.
They ordered their food—Chase blushing becomingly when he ordered the chicken pho after all—and then they settled in to wait.
“Did you always know you wanted to go into academia?”
“Mm.” Killian considered. “From fairly early on. I enjoyed college in a way I hadn’t been expecting. I wanted to continue learning. And once you go for a doctorate, teaching is the obvious path.”
