Page 100 of The Headmaster’s Rule

“You’re not a lot.” He squeezes my hand. “You’re the perfect amount.”

My heart swoops at the way he gazes at me, so intensely. Fiercely. It’s too much.

I huff a laugh, tearing my gaze from his. “I still remember our first meetings, you know.”

He grimaces. “Yeah, I know.”

“I actually…” Taking a sip of coffee, I wonder if I should tell him. If he even noticed. “I changed the way I dressed, that first meeting, to try to impress you.”

“That’s what that was?” he asks. I glance up to find his mouth agape. “That gray dress?”

“So you did notice.”

“I noticed.” He shakes his head, brow furrowed. “And I hated it.”

I give a disbelieving laugh. “Really?”

“Really.” His eyes move between mine, serious now. “I would never have admitted it then, but yes. Your color, your passion—your personality—it’s who you are. I didn’t recognize that woman in the gray dress, and I was glad when the real you came back.”

A smile tugs at my lips. What I wish I could go back and tell myself at the start of this semester.

“You certainly didn’t show it,” I say dryly, and he grimaces again.

“Yeah, but… that wasn’t me. That was Headmaster Wright, and we both know that guy can be a jerk.” His mouth twitches, and a laugh escapes me. He’s so playful right now, with the weight of the school off his shoulders, if only for a moment, and it’s everything.

But I love him, I want to say. I love you.

I swallow the words down with my coffee. It’s too soon. Too much. And even though I trust him to take me seriously at work, I’m still afraid he won’t take me seriously like this. As a woman. A partner.

More.

Our breakfast arrives, and we eat, chatting about the city and what we might do while we’re here. He pays the check before I can protest, then lets me lead the way. He lets me guide us through side streets and subway stairs, even though he’s the one who always leads.

Every time his hand brushes mine, my heart falls a little harder.

This isn’t sneaking around. This isn’t thrilling. This is just us.

And that is far more dangerous.

CHAPTER 33

Theo

It’s amazing being in the city with Eleanor. Holding her hand, kissing her at a crosswalk, pulling her to my side as we take in an exhibit at the Met. It took some getting used to, not checking over my shoulder at every opportunity, but once I finally relaxed… fuck.

At dinner, I let my hand rest on her thigh, let myself lean close and whisper in her ear how gorgeous she is.

It’s unreal just being with her. Enjoying her company, laughing, being a couple, even if only for a weekend.

We head back to the hotel late, smiling and snuggling in the back of a cab after a delicious meal and bottle of wine. The date I wanted to take her on from the start.

In the hotel elevator, she kisses me softly against the mirrored wall, her hand in the back of my hair. It’s not the fevered, stolen kisses we’re used to, and I relish the feel of her in my arms, taking my time to kiss her slowly, properly.

Wondering, not for the first time today, how I can make this last beyond the weekend.

I let us into our hotel room with the keycard, smiling as she toes off her heels. She’s wearing the loveliest dress in a soft pink, black heels I’ve never seen, tiny roses in her ears.

“Have I told you how beautiful you look, sweetheart?”