Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 147801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 591(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 591(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
“Who the fuck are you?” I ask in a low growl, feeling so goddamn territorial.
“My cousin, Nikolai.” Gareth pushes me, forcing me to release him as he gives me a pleading look. “Please leave, Sir.”
Fuck. I love how he calls me that.
“Sir?” Nikolai, the cockblocker but at least a cousin, scoffs. “Why the fuck are you calling him sir?”
“He’s my professor. Kayden Lockwood.” Gareth casts a fleeting glance at me before he trudges to his cousin’s side.
I give Nikolai a look of disdain for ruining my session and pin Gareth with a look. “We are not done, Carson. I expect you in my office tomorrow morning.”
Instead of leaving, I remain by the corner, my arms crossed as I listen in. While I can’t see them, I want to make sure Gareth is okay.
None of his family members know about his sexuality, and I know how freaked out he was about the gay thing. He’s more comfortable now, but I’m not sure if he’s comfortable enough to come out.
“Why the fuck would your professor corner you in an alley?” Nikolai asks the very obvious question.
Gareth, to his credit, answers in that mellow, pliable way he usually communicates in public. “We…had a slight disagreement.”
“And he couldn’t solve it in the classroom like all other professors?” Another good question.
“I…uh, I pulled something outside of law school and he was pissed.”
“That still doesn’t give him the right to attack you. Want me, Jer, and Kill to add him to the MIA list?”
“No, no. That’s not necessary. I can take care of this situation.”
“Didn’t look like you were doing a very good job at it. Kill and I will maim the fucker.”
“Niko, no. Don’t…tell Kill. Don’t tell anyone about what you just saw.”
Hmm. He sounds distraught.
Honestly, I don’t care whether or not he accepts his sexuality as long as he accepts me, but was his apprehension this bad?
“Why not…? Fuck me,” Nikolai says. “Is this that man you told me about that time? The only one you’re attracted to?”
My brows rise.
He talked to his cousin about me? He said I was the only one he’s attracted to?
Am I supposed to feel a twist in my chest at that?
“N-no,” Gareth says in such a cute little voice.
“You just stuttered. You never stutter.”
“Just forget it. Since when are you this perceptive?”
“Since now. It’s him, isn’t it?”
“No,” he says with more force than needed.
“In that case, I guess I can discuss this further with Kill and Jer and see if it’s true or false.”
“Nikolai!”
“Or you can just tell me.”
“Fine! It’s him.”
My chest expands, and I’m grinning like an idiot in the streets.
“A much older professor, huh?” Nikolai says in a teasing voice. “You’re much more adventurous than I thought, cousin. I’m actually impressed.”
“It’s nothing serious, so don’t tell anyone.”
My smile falls.
Not serious? He was on the verge of committing murder just because I didn’t reply to him, and it’s nothing serious.
I know he’s putting up a front, but it’s getting tedious now.
I hear them move, and I walk away so as not to be discovered.
But all I can think about is the pain in my chest because the little monster who’s been carving himself beneath my skin for months said we’re not serious.
27
GARETH
Suspecting—or knowing—I have feelings for my grouchy asshole professor that I met under the worst circumstances has been an experience.
Not the best, according to Kayden, who’s been bombarded by what he calls ‘excessive indulgence.’
It’s been about two weeks since I came to that realization and it kind of altered my brain chemistry.
So I’ve only had one genuine-ish relationship with Harper. Aside from her, my relationships have been fleeting and meaningless, and even Harper didn’t stay for long. Yes, I took a girlfriend or two home, but they were the girls I fucked at that time.
I certainly have no damn clue how to have a relationship with a man.
An older man.
Like another generation, really. He’s definitely more mature than anyone I’ve ever been with. More than me if I’m being brutally honest.
But his age has never really bothered me. Actually, I think I’ve been drawn to his domineering personality from the get-go. And while I’d never say this out loud, the way he orders me around does strange things to me.
The fact remains, he’s entirely different from anything I’ve experienced. So I’ve been calling my parents and grandpa.
Dad said acts of service are his love language, which is true. He often does things for Mom before she even asks for them.
Mom said it’s words of affirmation and touch, which is…a no, I guess.
I have no clue what to say to him, and I kind of feel awkward touching him of my own accord. If it’s not sex, I don’t know where I’m supposed to put my hands. And he’s not a girl, so I’m not sure if I can wrap my arms around his waist all the time like I truly want.