Page 31 of Hot for Teacher
Killian set down the coffee filter he’d started filling and strode over to rectify the situation, only to be halted by Chase’s outstretched hand. “I’ve got a pick-up game with some of the guys from my old team in a few hours. I think one or two of them have taken your class.”
As in, one or two of them would recognize Killian’s scent if Chase showed up saturated in it.
Killian frowned. That was … fine. Of course Chase wasn’t going towalk out of his house reeking of his pheromones every single time the beta came over. That would be unmanageable.
Killian cleared his throat, stuffing down his ridiculous alpha instincts and returning to his task. “Coffee?”
“No, thank you. I don’t drink it.”
“Tea?”
“I should really—”
Killian whirled with a cut-off growl. “I’m making you breakfast. Only the choice of beverage is optional.”
If Chase was surprised by Killian’s insistence, he didn’t show it. And really, Chase had every right to tell Killian off right now. To remind Killian that he was only entitled to boss Chase around in the bedroom, and even that much was conditional.
But the beta only nodded calmly. “Yes, Alpha.” His gaze darted to the fridge. “Do you have orange juice?”
Some knot of tension in Killian’s shoulders resolved itself. “Yes.” He went to the fridge to fetch it. “Take a seat.”
Chase sat at Killian’s square kitchen table. Sat and stared, quite openly. For once, he wasn’t wearing his ever-present cap.
“You’re shirtless.”
Killian glanced down at his chest. He’d only thrown on sweats before coming into the kitchen this morning. He’d expected Chase to sleep in a little longer, but it seemed the beta was an early riser. If he was a former athlete, it made sense. Most college teams had to keep to a rigorous training schedule, including early morning practices.
When Killian returned his gaze to the beta, Chase was still staring. Killian arched a brow. “Do you object?”
Chase’s cheeks flushed pink as he shook his head. “You should teach classes like that, you know. You’d have perfect attendance.”
Killian resisted a foreign urge to preen. “I’ll stick to my usual methods of terrifying them into submission,” he said, setting a glass of orange juice in front of his guest.
Chase grinned. “So you admit you’re intimidating.”
“Of course I do.”
“Yeah.” Chase let out a soft laugh. “Of course you do.”
Killian set about making breakfast. He kept it simple: eggs and toast and some breakfast sausages he’d possibly bought expressly to feed his guest.
While he cooked, he let himself give in to his curiosity, just a little. “Old teammates, you said. You played a sport here?”
“Lacrosse,” Chase told him, toying with the rim of his glass. “I … had a scholarship.”
“An injury took you out?” Killian guessed. Chase was still at the school, after all, and most athletic scholarships were protected against such things.
“No. I just—I just stopped.” Something in the beta’s voice had Killian turning, but Chase’s expression was unreadable. “I wasn’t all that passionate about it.” He shrugged. “Maybe I’m just not passionate by nature.” Killian gave him a look, and the blush returned to Chase’s cheeks. “That’s different.”
“Is it?” Killian asked mildly as he set their plates in front of them, taking a seat across from the beta.
As expected, Chase ate with perfect manners, murmuring his appreciation in between delicate bites.
Killian had meant to put on a shirt before they ate, but he found himself too gratified by the way Chase’s eyes kept darting to his bare chest to regret his lapse.
It was nice. Comfortable. Killian usually enjoyed his time alone in the mornings, but Chase’s presence was by no means an intrusion. He lacked the chaotic energy of so many young men his age. He was calm and steady, and he seemed to fit perfectly at Killian’s table.
When Chase made a move to stand and clear their dishes, Killian halted him with a hand on his wrist. Chase stopped what he was doing immediately, looking to Killian expectantly.
