Page 80 of Hot for Teacher
Killian doubted it—the man wasn’t wearing a uniform or a name tag—but if he was, he should probably be looked into.
But the alpha only flashed Killian an amused grin and stood lazily, wandering down the path in the same direction as Professor Thomas without sparing Killian another glance.
Ah, fuck. Was this something Killian had to deal with?
But no, it was none of his business. Besides, Professor Thomas had been rushing in the direction of the biosciences building. And while the man was petite and scatter-brained perhaps to a fault, he had an extraordinarily devoted group of grad students who studied under him. Killian had been subjected to their offended glares more than once when he’d failed to afford Professor Thomas the proper respect (not that Thomas had noticed). If they thought this alpha was up to no good, they’d have campus security called within seconds.
Killian let the incident drop from his mind as inconsequential and strode in the opposite direction.
He had a social engagement to prepare for.
The neighborhood Elilived in was closer to campus than Killian’s—the kind where every house had stucco walls around its property, and presumably its own pool to match.
Killian hummed thoughtfully as he took stock. When he’d bought his home, he’d preferred having a little distance between himself and campus, despite the annoyance of a commute. But maybe Chase would like his own pool?
Although, Killiancouldadd one to his own backyard. Therewas room.
But it was equally likely Chase might need to relocate for grad school—Killian had done his research, and becoming a licensed therapist required a master’s—so perhaps Killian should table any real estate purchases or major home renovations until Chase had decided on where he might like to go.
Killian was arriving later than he’d planned, thanks to an unwelcome phone call from a colleague asking his advice on managing a tricky situation with a student. There were a few cars outside Eli’s house already, and it seemed likely everyone had arrived before him.
Eli answered the door when Killian rang the bell, and it was vaguely unsettling seeing the tidy omega professor in swim trunks and a T-shirt. Judging by the way Eli blinked up at Killian, he might have felt the same about seeing Killian in swim trunks and an unbuttoned short-sleeve shirt that bared his chest.
But then Eli broke into a smile, a little shy but nonetheless welcoming. “Professor Burke. I hear congratulations are in order.”
Killian arched a brow. “You know we have to be on a first-name basis now.”
The baby alpha Killian hadn’t officially met yet came in behind Eli, all broad shoulders and loose blond curls. He slung an arm around Eli, grinning at Killian like they were old friends. “Hi. I’m Noah.”
Maybe it should have looked strange, this younger alpha draped over an older omega Killian had only ever seen act professionally before. But there was nothing but ease and affection between the two of them, and their pheromones mingled pleasantly.
Killian had the sudden, overwhelming urge to see his beta.
“Is Chase inside already?”
Killian already knew he was, and maybe he was being rude, but Noah’s grin only widened. “In the kitchen.”
He and Eli stepped back in unison to let Killian through.
The single-story house’s floor plan wasn’t complex, and Killian made his way directly to the kitchen.
And there was Chase, standing at the counter next to Spencer. He was in front of a cutting board. Holding a knife.
Killian couldn’t help but tease. “Are you actually cooking?”
Chase looked up from his task, breaking into a smile so relaxed and pleased that it made Killian’s chest ache. “I’m cutting fruit for a fruit salad. Does that count?”
Killian smirked at him. “And here I was fearing it would be all Jell-O shots and overcooked hamburgers.”
Spencer cackled. “I’m telling Eli you thought he was serving Jell-O shots to his esteemed guests.”
Chase just kept smiling. He was shirtless, his shoulders already a little darker than earlier from whatever sun he’d gotten.
Killian wanted to kiss him. Aggressively so. But Spencer was giving him an obnoxiously knowing look, so Killian made do with walking over and pressing a chaste peck to Chase’s cheek. “I’ve brought corn for the grill. And extra beer. As instructed.”
“Thank you.” Chase turned his head, pressing a kiss to Killian’s lips after all, completely ignoring Spencer’s delighted hoot. He tossed the watermelon he’d been chopping into a large bowl and took it off the counter, grabbing Killian’s hand. “Come on. The cooler and everyone else are already out back.”
Everyone else turned out to be Noah’s younger brother and his surly, tattooed friend, as well as Eli’s alpha sister and her omega wife. Eli and Noah had already joined the others, sitting on the steps at the shallow end of the pool, which was small and already crowded with floaties that Killian could only imagine the younger contingent had brought with them.
