It didn’t add up. Linus knew he should point it out.
But Storm prowled over to the front door, his T-shirt and pants clinging to taut muscle—a chance for Linus to look his fill.
Linus chewed his lip, his accusations stuck behind his teeth. He really liked how strong Storm was.
He’s probably my student.
And Storm looked as though he could make Linus feel very, very good. Especially with the bulge that his pants couldn’t hide.
At the door, Storm turned. Linus yanked his gaze up, only to find Storm’s mouth curved into a knowing smile.
He wished the floor would swallow him up.
“Like I said before, feel free to look,” Storm murmured. “I’ll be honest: I’m willing to do anything you want. All you have to do is ask.”
Linus couldn’t possibly...
Storm was hisstudent.
He ducked his head and poked his spoon into his stew. “Um, thank you for everything you’ve done.”
“You’re very welcome. I’ll see you around.”
With that, Storm grabbed his helmet and slipped out of the apartment, leaving Linus alone to lock the door.
The place suddenly felt empty, far emptier than it should’ve been.
5
ADVICE FROM THE DANGER ALPHAS
The momenthe was out of Linus’ home, Storm slouched.
That had been... one of the best moments of his life. Just getting to heat up the food he had made for Linus, getting to make him tea, all while Linus was aware of who it had come from.
Had Linus ever wondered who made his plentiful leftovers? Some days the professor seemed to assume that the apartment provided for him.
And that was fine. That wasgood,because it meant Linus wouldn’t look too closely at his belongings.
The last thing Storm needed was for Linus to go digging through his closet, unearthing all the stuff that Storm had hidden in there.
But the past day had also made Storm painfully aware of one thing.
For the last four and a half years, Storm had assumed that he would be content to remain in the shadows of Linus’ life.
Then Linus had looked at him, reallylooked,his gaze sweeping up and down Storm’s body, setting his nerves on fire.
Linus had spoken to him outside of class. He had allowed Storm to hold him, help him to the bathroom.
The memory of Linus’ fragile warmth, a thin layer of clothing separating Storm’s hands from his body... It made Stormache.Storm wanted to bury his nose in Linus’ hair, he wanted to breathe Linus’ scent straight off his skin.
Where his desire had been a banked flame before, it now burned steadily in his core, a constant whisper ofMore, more, more.
More touch. More closeness. More smiles.
I want to be more present in his life.
But Storm was also an ex-convict. He had no delusions about that. He had blood on his hands, crimes to his name, and none of it was good enough for a pure heart like Linus Bentham’s.
