Page 53 of His to Teach
I nod as the valet opens his door. Nate hands off the keys then comes around to my side, taking my arm. “Remember what I said? The first night we were here?” I think back. He’d said a lot that night. “About my rules.”
Rules. Right. It’s always about rules with him. “You said not to talk to anyone but you and to tell you if I have questions.”
“Good girl.”
I’m not sure what it is about those words coming from him, but I love it every time. Does that make me strange? It’s a patronizing phrase, something you would say to a small child. But when Nate says it to me, especially during sex, it fills me with a happy little glow. It makes me feel proud.
Before I can wonder too much about how fucked up that makes me, he’s pulling me through those heavy front doors and into the lobby. Nate doesn’t have to produce a gold card—he merely nods at the receptionist, the same gorgeous willowy blond I saw before, and leads me into the club.
I had wondered if it would look different tonight, now that it’s members only, but it’s mostly the same. Thereisslightly more bared skin, and the dark corners seem more occupied than usual. I turn towards the bar but Nate leads me in the opposite direction. “No time,” he says apologetically. “It’s about to start.”
“What is?”
He grins, the expression so wolfish I have to suppress a shiver. “Something I want to show you.”
We go through the steel door and down the hallway, passing the unmarked doors to private rooms that I’ve seen before. Then we’re through another door, into a narrower, dimly lit hallway. “Are these the super private rooms?” I ask, and Nate laughs.
“Something like that.”
“Nate, there you are.”
I look up to see a familiar man in front of us. Philip, I think. The British one who was with Nate last weekend and had seen Emma home. I was too agitated to really take him in that night. Now I’m struck by his almost severe good looks. His hair is blonde, his closely trimmed beard a shade darker. He has icy blue eyes that could take a girl’s breath away, and he’s even taller than Nate, though his build is more lanky. He looks a bit like Tom Hiddleston. No wonder Emma had been excited to have him show her around.
He’s looking at Nate with a slightly amused expression. “You seem awfully chipper.”
Nate rolls his eyes. “I am always the model of mirth and good humor.”
Philip snorts at that before his eyes travel to me, the smirk on his face growing. “I didn’t know you were bringing a guest.”
I shift, uncomfortable, wondering if Nate’s told his friend about me and whether or not I should care.
“Philip, this is Harper. Harper, my old friend Philip.”
“Nice to meet you,” he says, expression appraising as his eyes wander over my body.
Remembering what Nate said about talking to other people, I nod then look down at my feet, feeling very uncomfortable by the way this man is looking me over.
“She’s a natural,” Philip murmurs.
“Enough of that,” Nate says, his voice somewhat sharp. “I had assumed you’d be getting ready by now?”
Philip spreads his arms wide. “I’m ready now. Just going to have a word with Andres before I get started.” He gestures behind him. “Please, go get settled.”
“We will.” Nate tugs on my arm, pulling me past his friend, who gives me a broad smile.
“Enjoy yourself, Harper.”
Once we’re a few feet away Nate blows out a breath. “Ignore him,” he says. “I always do.”
I try to put Philip out of my mind. I’m worked up and nervous enough as it is. And apparently my nerves won’t get a break. Just as we’re about to pass through an unmarked wooden door, another man comes out, his face lighting up when he sees Nate.
“Dr. Chase,” he says, clapping Nate on the shoulder. “Long time no see.”
“Evening, Ward.” Nate doesn’t introduce me, but that doesn’t stop the man from looking me over.
“She’s a pretty one,” he murmurs, reaching out a hand as if to brush across my arm. “Interested in sharing later?”
Nate has me pulled behind his back so fast my head spins. “Absolutely not,” he growls, and the man’s eyes go wide.
