Page 8 of What He Never Knew

His grip was firm, palm smooth and warm, but all I could think of was the talent that rested in that hand, in those fingers that wrapped so easily around mine. They had played pieces I could only hope to play, had dazzled people from all over the world.

“Sarah was top of her class at Bramlock,” my uncle said from beside me as Reese shook my hand. “Just wait until you hear her play. She’s out of this world. And now, working with you?” He shook his head on a laugh. “I can’t even imagine what will come out of this collaboration.”

Reese hadn’t taken his eyes off me, and I couldn’t do anything but stare at the floor under our hands. When he finally dropped mine, I quickly tucked my arms around my middle, glancing up at him before dropping my gaze again.

“I’m not an easy pedagogue to work with, Miss Henderson. I hope you’ve come prepared to work hard and dig deep.”

At that, I snapped my eyes to his, and didn’t even attempt to hide my incredulity. He was speaking to me like I was eight years old, or like he was sixty, or like I was some cute little thing he was simply entertaining.

“Of course I’ve come prepared to work hard,” I answered. “Do I not appear like a serious musician to you, Mr. Walker?”

“Now, I don’t think that’s—”

“I’ve only just met you,” Reese interrupted my uncle. “You don’t appear to be anything more than an acquaintance at this point in time.”

His words were calculated, professional in manner but said with an undertone of challenge.

I narrowed my eyes, holding my head higher. “Well, I can guarantee I’ll be the hardest-working student you’ve ever had. And I am thankful to you for agreeing to work with me.”

Reese smirked at his tone being served right back to him. He turned to my uncle and clapped him on the shoulder. “I owe this man for many things, so I was happy to help.” He paused. “Will you be joining us for the first lesson at my house, Randall?”

“At your house?”

The words flew out of my mouth before I could stop them, heart jolting from a steady beat to a chaotic one in a nanosecond. It hurt, it was pounding against my rib cage so hard, and I fought the urge to soothe it with a hand against my chest.

Reese may have been a piano prodigy, and one I was lucky to work with, but he was still a man. He was still a much older, much larger, muchstrongerhuman being than I was.

I didn’t want to be alone in his house with him.

Reese lifted a brow. “Yes, my house. That’s where all my private lessons are held. Is that okay?”

My throat was dry. “I just assumed we’d be at the school.” Where my uncle is. Where other people are.

Where it’s safe.

“Oh my,” Uncle Randall said with a chuckle. “I’m sorry if I didn’t make that clear, dear. School is out soon for the summer, and we try not to have any tutoring done, outside of our students, with the school equipment. If I made an exception for you, I’d have to make one for many other students who are eager to learn within those walls. But, rest assured, I’ve heard nothing but incredible praise about Reese’s private lessons in his home.”

“Will you come with me?” I squeaked out, the panic I was trying to hide more and more evident the more I spoke. “Just for the first lesson. Please.”

Uncle Randall’s brows tugged together, and he and Reese shared a look before he smiled, reaching for me. His hand folded over my shoulder, and in that moment, in his eyes, I saw my father.

I didn’t flinch away.

“Of course,” he assured me. “That would be okay, right, Reese?”

Reese nodded. “Absolutely. No problem at all.” He watched me a moment, rolling his lips together. “You know, I wouldn’t mind giving lessons at the school. If that would make you feel more comfortable.”

“No, no,” I assured him, embarrassment kicking in at my need for special treatment. “Whatever you already do, let’s do that. You’re already doing me a huge favor by agreeing to work with me when I’m sure you’re very busy.”

Reese chuckled. “I assure you, I’m far from busy — especially once school lets out. But, if you’re okay with working at my home, it’s where I’m most comfortable. I’ll do everything I can to make sure you feel the same.”

I stole a steadying breath at his words, oxygen finally making its way into my lungs.

He’s not my wolf. He’s not like him.

Breathe.

It was a little easier to do, now that I knew my uncle would be with us. I didn’t know why the news of our lessons being at Reese’s house took me by surprise, why it shocked me so. Even if we were at the school, I knew we’d have to be alone together. I knew I’d have to trust him as my teacher to respect me and my space.