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Their lips curled in disgust, but our time was up. People were already shuffling their items into their bags as I called out this week’s assignment. I wasn’t sure why I bothered. It was clear most of them took this class for an easy credit. And I hated having to grade them.
My heels clicked on the cheap tile floors as I walked back into my office. I left the door open, already collapsing in the chair as Nathan followed me in.
The room could hardly be called an office. It was the size of my apartment bathroom. My desk occupied most of the space, leaving enough room for a chair on each side. Filing cabinets covered one wall while the other had generic pictures of the college. It was like working inside a saltine cracker. Boring and beige.
“I think we get dumber with each generation.” I kicked off my shoes. My fingers dug into my temples as I tried to rub the throbbing away.
It was so much more exhausting teaching. Maybe because I didn’t love it. It was just a job.
Or maybe it was the stupid questions and lack of interest. Or the heels instead of comfortable shoes. Or the boring days that stretched on.
I missed the excitement. Never knowing what was coming through the hospital doors. I missed making a difference.
Plenty of teachers did too. But you had to care. And I didn’t.
“Studies have shown that’s true.” Nathan said as he walked behind my chair.
“I don’t know if that makes me feel better or worse.” But a second later, I stopped worrying as he brushed my hands aside. He took my place, rubbing my head gently. A sigh escaped as he moved down, pressing his thumbs into the tension in my spine.
I had to suppress a groan as his fingers threaded through the hair on the nape of my neck. He tugged and our gazes collided. Glancing at him was enough to have wetness pooling between my legs.
He was too good looking. I still didn’t understand how he was a virgin. Or why it was me he was interested in. I was cute. Possibly adorable. I felt sexy in bed because I liked being in control. But just staring at me, I wouldn’t be called that. Not that he seemed to care.
“I have a meeting with my brothers.” He said as he bent forward and kissed a freckle on my chin, making me giggle. “You can come with me or I can take you home. I’ll have one of our men stay outside your apartment if you need anything.”
The idea of leaving him made my stomach flip. I should’ve been worried about my safety, but really, I just enjoyed being around him. I liked the warm feeling he gave me. It was too soon to be clingy, but I couldn’t help it.
“I’ll come with you.”
I was curious. About his family. Where he lived. I wanted to know more about him because I was afraid my feelings were getting ahead of reality.
33
Nathan
The elevator moved as I pressed my thumb onto the panel. “Security measures. I’ll add your handprint.”
“Why would you do that?” Lark blinked up at me. The small space filled with her vanilla scent. I stepped closer, wrapping an arm over her waist. I didn’t like it when we weren’t touching. It was as if I needed to touch her to breathe.
“In case you have to get around and I’m stuck in a meeting with my brothers.”
“So you see me coming here often?”
The question in her voice confused me. I cupped her cheek, bringing those deep brown eyes to me. My thumbs stroked over the smattering of freckles on her skin. “You go where I go, Songbird.”
She smiled, and my chest tightened. I still didn’t understand all these reactions I had to her. This attachment. But I couldn’t break it. Letting her go would be like ripping the heart from my body. I was beginning to believe I needed her to live.
“My apartment is the fourth from the top. But we’re going to Cole and Alessandra’s first.”
“Your brother and his wife?” I nodded in confirmation. I liked that she wanted to know. That she was trying to keep it all straight. It made me think she cared.
The elevator dinged, and we stepped inside. Their penthouse was an identical layout to mine. A foyer opened up to a kitchen; to the left was a dining room. The right led to a living room with a wall of windows that gave a sweeping view of the city. Down the hall were several bedrooms, two of which Cole and Alessandra had converted into separate offices.
The entire apartment had professional decorations with high-end finishes, but it also had personal touches. Detailed sketches created by Alessandra’s friend Ariella hung on the walls. Colored throw pillows decorated the couch where three women sat.
My hand rested on the small of Lark’s back as I guided her to them. All three heads turned to us; I even felt the attention of my brothers and Vander as they stood by the bar tucked into the corner.
“Lark,” Grace attempted to stand up, but her very pregnant belly and a stern look from Vander hindered her. She huffed out a breath before giving up. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’d hug you, but I can’t move.”
