Micah flushed, rolling his chair back, trying to put more distance between himself and those brothers. I can’t believe I was fantasizing about them.
“Consultation doesn’t begin until 9:30,” Micah stammered, willing his cheeks to cool. “If it’s nothing urgent...”
“Good,” Spike said, stepping into the office. Kai followed him in, and Spike locked the door. “You’ve been avoiding us.”
Micah stopped breathing. “I-I’m a professor,” he said. “I’ve been busy with my work.”
Well, he had been avoiding them.
Spike raised an eyebrow. “You don’t pick me when I volunteer answers. You aren’t hanging around after lectures like you usually do. And you won’t look at me.”
Micah glanced at Kai, so he didn’t feel obliged to answer Spike. But Kai just shrugged.
“Sorry,” Kai said. “I told him to give you some time. He won’t listen.”
Micah rolled his chair even further back when Spike rounded the desk, all bulky muscle and hard body. Micah’s heart pounded.
He still wanted Spike. There was no denying it, and he was afraid his body would betray him, all over again.
Spike advanced on him, those dark eyes gleaming. His gaze coasted down Micah’s body, head to feet. Micah gulped.
“You don’t smell like us anymore,” Spike said, almost pouting.
Micah spluttered. “I can’t. You know that.”
“But I want to mark you.” Spike licked his lips, his voice dropping to a murmur. “I haven’t forgotten what happened last week. I want you in our bed.”
Micah’s blood swooped between his legs. He’d been trying not to stare, but Spike’s broad shoulders, his strong arms... Across the desk, Kai looked just as good, his pecs defined behind his shirt, his pants snug around his thick thighs.
“You’d rather have Kai?” Spike asked in a small voice, following Micah’s gaze. He looked... torn. Like he was happy about Micah ogling Kai, but at the same time, not.
“N-no!” Micah yanked his gaze away, swearing at himself for looking. “I’d rather have no one. Please leave my office if you aren’t here for a consultation.”
“I’d like a consultation about my body.” Spike smiled hopefully.
Kai sighed. “C’mon, Spike. We agreed. If he says no, we leave.”
Spike’s shoulders sagged. “You’d prefer someone more mature like Kai, wouldn’t you?” he asked Micah wistfully. “Yeah, I get it.”
Micah held his tongue. He watched as Spike turned slowly, glancing back, waiting for Micah to stop them. But Micah didn’t—this shouldn’t continue. Once was too many.
“I like you, you know,” Spike said softly. He blushed, his neck turning red. “I’ve liked you forever. I don’t even care if we don’t fuck. I just want to see you smile.”
And that sight, somehow—it struck Micah to the core. Having an alpha blush and say, I like you. Having him suggest hugs and kisses. Intimacy. Micah hadn’t had that in... ages. Something deep in his chest yearned.
“Yeah, he really has,” Kai said dryly. “Say something to him so he won’t keep me up at night talking about you. For, I don’t know, the next five years.”
Spike scowled, elbowing Kai.
Micah gulped, his heart pattering. First that night, and then now. He wanted what Spike offered. He wanted to be held and kissed, so badly.
Micah’s skin itched for touch, even all the mottled parts, and his reaction was far too visceral for him to be logical. This was dangerous.
“You should leave,” he said shakily. “Maybe your parents are paying your college bills and you can afford to flirt with a professor, but this is my livelihood. I can’t risk something like this.”
Spike flinched. “No, they aren’t paying for this. I am.”
Kai’s eyes flashed. He stepped forward, grasping Spike’s arm protectively. But his scowl—that was all thunderclouds and threat. “I’m on a scholarship, and I’m helping Spike pay his tuition. He isn’t the rich idiot you think he is.”
He’s judging me again. Micah’s throat squeezed tight.
He tried to look away from Kai’s glare, except he couldn’t. It reminded him of Bernard’s old threats. It said danger and you’ll get hurt, and Micah couldn’t breathe. His hands trembled. He hated this helpless feeling, knowing he wouldn’t come out on top.
His chair bumped against the back wall, and he could get no further. A whine slipped out of his throat. I need to get out before Kai hurts me. I need to leave.
“Kai,” Spike said, shaking Kai’s hand off with a frown. “Don’t do that. You’re freaking him out.”
Kai blinked.
Spike stepped closer, but Micah couldn’t move. He couldn’t help remembering All you are is a pretty face. You aren’t much of an omega.
Spike rounded the desk. Micah whimpered, suddenly afraid of him, too. What if Spike carried the same threat his brother did?
“It’s okay,” Spike said softly, his gaze fixed on Micah. “Kai can be an idiot.”
He stepped between Micah and Kai, breaking Kai’s line of sight. And Micah could suddenly breathe again. He sucked in a shuddering breath, pressing as far back as he could into his chair, uncertain of every decision he’d made.
“Hey,” Spike said, touching Micah’s face with his fingertips. “It’s okay. We won’t hurt you.”
“But—but...” Micah glanced at Kai, intimidated. He wanted to be in control. He was a professor. But Kai... Everything about him had Micah on alert, afraid of being stripped of his dignity.
Kai reminded Micah of his ex; Micah should’ve realized it before this.
“Shh.” Spike slid his arm around Micah’s back. Then he pulled Micah close, and brushed their lips together. “It’s okay. You’re safe here.”
He held Micah against his strong chest, and stroked his hair. Kissed his cheek. Micah closed his eyes. Breathed. Kai and Bernard aren’t the same person. Maybe you’ve read him wrong.
Slowly, the nervous tension faded from his chest. Micah sagged against Spike, gulping down lungfuls of juniper. Spike was right. Neither of them was hurting Micah. Instead, Spike’s palm stroked up and down Micah’s back, an easy, comforting weight.
Micah couldn’t remember when he’d last been held like that. Is it bad that I want more? He’s my student.
When Micah stopped shaking, he blew out his breath, wiping the uncertainty off his face. He could do this.
