Chapter 8
EIGHT
I’M NOT CALLING HIM TEACH
Hannah
I can hardly look him in the eye.
My brother is oblivious to my nerves, but Nolan isn’t. His long fingers tap against the counter as Hayes continues the conversation about my ex-boyfriend that makes me highly uncomfortable, especially with Nolan actively listening.
At least he isn’t eavesdropping this time, but still.
“Dad said he owed me one,” Hayes says in between a bite of pizza.
“For what?” I’m half afraid to know the answer.
“For getting you away from Koa.”
Nolan is staring at me. I can feel his eyes on me like a hot, searing brand.
“I got myself away from Koa.” My response is fueled with annoyance. “And I thought they liked him?”
Hayes snickers. “He treated you like shit.”
I frown. “They didn’t know that, though.”
He mumbles under his breath before finishing his pizza. “They do now.”
I yell at his backside as he quickly heads for the door. “Hayes!”
“Sorry, I can’t hear you!” he shouts just before the lock clicks.
Not only has my brother just carelessly humiliated me in front of Nolan, but he’s also left me alone with him for the first time since he offered himself up as tribute to help me in the bedroom.
I’m already on edge and embarrassed. The very last thing I want to do is turn around and face him now, but he clears his throat, and I know it’s my cue.
I spin on my heels, and we immediately make eye contact. My pulse skips, and although I didn’t think it was possible, I suddenly feel even less confident than before. His fingers are tapping again, and it sets my nerves on fire.
“So,” he starts, “not only could your ex not decipher a fake orgasm from a real one, but he also treated you poorly?” He hums under his breath when I don’t answer. “What exactly did he do that was so bad, besides not getting you off, Hannah Banana?”
I’m hot all over, and I try to channel my emotions into anger. “Well, at least he didn’t call me by my childhood nickname...”
I get a quick peek at Nolan’s white teeth when he lifts a lip. “You don’t like my nickname for you. Noted.”
A heavy sigh leaves the pit of my stomach. Getting spicy lessons from my brother’s roommate and star player of Wilder U’s hockey team is a terrible idea. It’s not going to work. I’m already uncomfortable with his eyes on me from across the room, let alone if I surrender to his touch.
I start to walk past the kitchen counter that Nolan is leaning against with defeat cheering me on. Being intimate with someone is a very vulnerable thing to do, and unfortunately, vulnerability and Hannah do not go well together. That’s exactly why this isn’t going to work.
“Not so fast.” Nolan’s hand wraps around my waist, and he spins me until I’m pressed against his hard chest.
I gulp when he refuses to let me go. He bounces those greenish-blue eyes in between mine and tilts his head. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“To my…” Shit, I don’t have a bedroom here.
“To avoid me some more? I thought you wanted my help?” He flicks an eyebrow, and somehow, that small gesture makes him ten times more attractive.
I push off his chest, but he keeps me trapped. “It’s not going to work.”
“Why not?” he asks.
I roll my eyes. “Because you’re you, and I’m me! That’s why.”
He thinks for a moment. “What is that supposed to mean?”
I stare at the fridge behind him so I can force the words out of my mouth. “You make me…” This is so embarrassing. “Uneasy.”
Nolan pulls back slightly, and I swing my eyes past his shoulder to see his reaction. He’s looking at me very closely, and I’m pretty sure I have hives breaking out along my skin.
“Let’s go.” He grips my wrist and drags me down the hallway. My attempt at putting the brakes on is pitiful. Nolan continues to tug until we’re outside his bedroom door.
“I told you this isn’t going to work. What are you doing?” My heart beats a little faster when he turns the knob and pushes me inside. I immediately look at his bed and feel something twist in my lower belly.
When the door shuts, I turn, and our gazes collide.
“They don’t call me Teach for nothing, Hannah.” Nolan runs a deft hand through his unruly hair. “Now get on the bed.”