Page 55 of Overeager
And Eli’s pheromones were loose enough in preheat that Richard was able to scent Eli’s annoyance, his eyes crinkling in the corners as he gave Eli a condescending smile. “No need to get your hackles up, Lijah. I was simply—”
“In the neighborhood?” Eli finished for him, plopping his bag on the podium with a raised brow. “Having lunch with the dean, perhaps?”
“Why, yes.”
“Lotta lunches these days.” Eli lowered his voice as he handed his laptop to a TA to get set up. “An illicit affair, maybe?”
Richard only laughed, like Eli was being charming instead of irritable. “We’re rearranging his portfolio, is all. You know he’s not my type.”
“But his secretary, perhaps?”
Richard’s mouth pursed into a disappointed moue. “Lijah …”
Eli was disappointed in himself, actually. Not for the dig about the secretary—that had been perfect—but for playing into this whole thing at all. He needed to get Richard out of here, not vent his anger. “I have a class to teach, Richard.”
“I know.” Richard flashed white teeth. “I was thinking of observing. I do so miss watching you work.”
Of all the bullshit … Eli contained his huff but only barely. “Funny, because I remember you pressuring me to stop.”
“I may have been … hasty, Lijah.” Richard stepped closer, his pheromones pulsing just on the edge of inappropriate. “There was no reason for you to leave your career. Nannies exist for a reason.” He placed a hand on Eli’s lower back, and Eli was too startled to stop him as he leaned down to say in a low voice, “Like I said, I’ve missed you.”
And of course, just as Richard was pressed into him, whispering in Eli’s ear like some sort of welcome guest, Noah walked in.
He didn’t notice them at first—too busy chatting with his beta friend, Chase—but he looked over before taking his seat. Healwayslooked over before taking his seat, like he couldn’t resist laying eyes on Eli as soon as he could.
Eli watched in horror as Noah froze mid-step, the smile dropping from his face as his nostrils flared. No doubt he recognized Richard’s pheromones—they were distinct.
Please sit down,Eli begged in his head, brushing Richard’s hand off his back.Please sit down and let me explain later.
But Noah stood where he was, barely ten feet from the podium, practically vibrating with tension. “Do we have a guest lecturer, professor?” he asked, his voice stilted and unnatural.
Richard raised his head in surprise, noticing Noah for the first time, a genial smile already on his lips. “Just a visitor, son.”
Jesus. He couldn’t possibly have sounded more dismissive.
“One who isleaving,” Eli said desperately.
“Lijah …,” Richard chided, although his voice was warm—putting on a show for their audience, no doubt. “Not even five minutes for your husband?”
Fucking hell.
As Eli rushed to correct, “Ex-husband!” as if that was really going to help anything—a surge of dark, bitter pheromones filled the air. Like a beach after a storm, salt and seaweed and decay.
Noah had never smelled like that, not once since Eli had known him. It was heavy and stifling, a clear alpha warning.
Richard wrinkled his nose. “Back in my day, students had a better handle on themselves.”
A loud rumble filled the air. Dear god, was Noahgrowling?
Eli had to put a stop to this. He put a placating hand on Richard’s arm, trying to distract him from the damning noise. “Richard. Please. I have a class to teach. You have an … intimidating presence. Some students aren’t used to that.” He looked over to Noah, pleading with his eyes as he ordered, “Mr. Teller, please take your seat.”
He wasn’t sure if Noah would have, if not for Chase tugging on his arm, practically dragging him away.
When all this was over, Eli was going to buy that beta flowers.
Richard leaned into Eli again, murmuring, as if it was some kind of joke, “I think someone’s got a crush on teacher.”
Now that Noah was safely seated and out of Richard’s eyeline, Eli took his hand off Richard’s arm, hissing, “I need you toleave. You’re distracting my students.”
