Page 106 of The Headmaster’s Rule

I glance at him, surprised. He’s been impossible to read all week, making love to me passionately then lying awake beside me when he thinks I’m asleep. We’ve gone from sneaking around at school to sleeping beside each other every night, but I still feel unsettled.

Let’s get through the fundraiser, then we’ll figure it out.

His words do little to reassure me, because what’s going to change after the fundraiser? More to the point, what if he decides I’m not worth the cost?

My hands shake as I climb down the ladder, stopping on the bottom rung and turning so I’m face to face with Theo. His eyes are intense and inscrutable as they meet mine, and I want nothing more than to lean forward and kiss him.

I’m tired of hiding. Tired of worrying about getting caught. Tired of feeling like I have to choose between the man I love, and the school that stole my heart.

Because it’s not only Theo I’ve fallen in love with, it’s this place. The faculty. The students. These halls. The view of the ocean from my window, the way salt always clings to the air.

I’ve fallen in love with Wetherly, and I don’t want to lose any of it.

With a sigh, I step off the bottom rung, my heart aching. Theo’s eyes remain glued to mine, and I glance around, realizing we’re alone beside the tent. I know it’s wrong, it’s too much to ask, but I need something from him. I need the reassurance that he still wants me.

“Theo,” I whisper, searching his eyes. “Please…” I lean in, wanting the briefest touch of his lips to mine, but he steps back, shaking his head.

“Not here.” His voice comes out low and harsh, and I blink, hurt flashing through me before I can stop it. Of course he can’t kiss me here. I know that.

But it stings.

He reads my expression, looking agonized. “Eleanor,” he pleads, but now it’s my turn to shake my head.

“Forget it,” I murmur, raising a trembling hand to hide my embarrassment.

He hesitates, then catches my wrist in his hand, grip tight and unyielding. The contact burns. I should pull away, but I don’t. I can’t.

“I’m sorry—” he begins, but Rowan steps out from behind the tent, whistling, and Theo curses under his breath before dropping his hand.

“I’ve got a few more student art pieces to grab,” Rowan says, slowing a little as he nears, “but—”

“We’ll get them,” Theo interjects.

Rowan glances between us, mouth opening as if to argue, but Theo stares at him hard, leaving no room for debate.

“Okay,” Rowan relents, tossing his keys to Theo. “I guess… I’ll take off then.”

My pulse thrums as I watch Rowan leave, Theo’s presence like a solid wall of tension beside me. He turns wordlessly toward the art room, and when I don’t move, he looks back at me with a jaw that could shatter concrete.

I follow, heart pounding.

CHAPTER 35

Theo

Eleanor scurries across the lawn behind me, fallen leaves crunching underfoot as she tries to keep up. I know I’m behaving erratically, but I can’t help it. My emotions are scattered and coming out at the worst times.

This week has been torture. Knowing how badly I want a life with her, and the uphill battle I’m going to have to fight to get it. Every night she’s fallen asleep in my arms, and I’ve silently prayed that we’ll find a way to make this work. That we’ll find a way to keep our jobs and keep this fragile new thing growing between us.

So far, nothing.

Today was enough to push me to the brink. I spent the entire day watching her oversee the fundraiser set-up. She walked around with a clipboard and a grin, absolutely radiant as she brought her dream to life, and I’ve had to simply watch. I’ve had to sit on the sidelines, bursting with pride and love, unable to say a word. Unable to show any of it.

And it’s killing me.

Everything about this entire fucking situation is killing me, and I’m not sure how much more I can take.

I push open the door to the art room, motioning for Eleanor to step inside. Her eyes are wide and uncertain as she does, and I close the door behind us, locking it. I set Rowan’s keys on the counter, pacing the room. I’ve got that feeling again, the same one I had on Halloween. As if I’m an animal held captive too long.