6

He couldn’t hold back a smile as Gage knelt beside Matty and hugged the dog, ruffling her fur, and laughing as she licked his face. He poured two mugs of coffee and glanced over his shoulder at Gage. “How do you take your coffee?”

“Black with a teaspoon of blackstrap molasses if you have any.”

“Molasses?” Derek arched a brow when Gage shrugged like it was the most normal thing in the world. He fixed the coffee, adding cream to his own mug. He considered the sugar dish then put it away and measured a teaspoon of molasses for his own coffee. He brought both cups to the table, inhaling the fragrant steam as Gage sat across from him.

Gage brought his cup to his mouth, his lips twitching at the edges as though he was waiting for Derek’s reaction.

Rolling his eyes, Derek sipped at the coffee. The sweetness wasn’t overpowering as he’d expected. It seemed to add to the richness of the coffee. He smiled at Gage. “This is good.”

“I think so.” Gage set his mug on the table and wrapped his big hands around it. He seemed tired, but maybe he wasn’t much of a morning person. He used his thumb to clean a drop of molasses from the side of his mug then licked it off. His tongue traced his upper lip, a thoughtful expression on his face.

“What is it?” Derek stared at his own mug, annoyed at how his dick hardened a bit more along his thigh with each little thing Gage did to draw attention to his mouth. The bastard was probably straight, and even if he wasn’t, he was a student.

Maybe if Derek repeated that to himself often enough, his body would get the picture.

Shrugging, Gage muttered something about studying and chemistry.

“Enunciate, Mr. Tackett.” Derek tried to keep his tone teasing, but he had a feeling he’d failed by the way Gage stiffened and sat up straight.

Eyes narrowing, Gage stared at him. “Damn, you’re a bigger asshole than I thought you were. I’m failing chemistry. Just wanted to know if you had a textbook I could study from since I didn’t bring mine.”

“I believe so, but you should really come more prepared.” Derek knew he wasn’t helping Gage’s opinion of him, but what did it matter, really? Gage would come for the dog. They’d be civil to one another until she found a home and their contact returned to two hours, three times a week in Derek’s classroom.

“Thank you, Professor Paulson. I’ll keep that in mind.” Gage finished his coffee and went back to sit on the floor with Matty. She wagged her tail and put her head on his lap with a soft huff.

Derek could have sworn she was giving him a dirty look. He shook his head and headed to the living room. His old textbooks were on his large, antique bookshelf. He grabbed the chemistry textbook from his own freshman year and turned to bring it back to the kitchen.

And slammed into Gage who’d moved silently behind him.

“Sorry, professor. Didn’t mean to scare you.” The look in Gage’s eyes had changed. His lips curved slightly at the edges. He’d latched on to Derek’s arm to keep him from falling. His hand still hadn’t moved. “You’re probably in a hurry.”

“Yes.” Holding the book up, Derek tugged at his arm, relieved when Gage let him go. “Here. There are notes in the margin that you may find useful.”

“Thank you.”

Slipping out of reach, Derek cleared his throat. “I’m not sure how late I’ll be. There’s beer in the fridge…unless you’re not of age, in which case—”

“Smooth, professor. I’m twenty-three, but I don’t usually have beer before lunch.” Gage chuckled as he took the textbook. “Maybe I get what your issue with me is. You don’t have to worry. I’m here for Matty, and I can keep things…professional?”

“That would be best, though I’m not sure what you mean. How else would things be?” Derek didn’t want to read anything into Gage’s words, but he couldn’t help wonder why Gage would draw that line. A straight man wouldn’t have bothered unless… Well, some straight men liked to flatter themselves and assume Derek wanted them. He could see Gage being that arrogant.

Gage wet his bottom lip with his tongue, smirking when Derek stared at his lips. “Doesn’t matter.”

“I agree.”

“Then what are you waiting for, professor?” Gage braced his hand against the bookshelf, casually shifting closer to Derek. “You don’t want to be late.”

A sharp nod and Derek spun around, snatching up his jacket and barely shoving into his boots before he was out the door. He’d never been so eager to leave his own home.

Or wished he had a good reason to stay.