Page 112 of The Headmaster’s Rule

He chuckles, leaning away and taking a sip from the glass of wine in his hand. Despite myself, my eyes follow the motion, tracking the movement of his Adam’s apple as he swallows, the crisp white neckline of his shirt against the silver beard at his throat, the way his tux strains a little over his broad shoulders.

I glance around us, checking we’re not in earshot of anyone, then whisper, “Although you look pretty damn fuckable in that tux.”

He chokes on his wine.

Collecting himself, he says in a low voice, “That’s no way to speak to your boss, Miss Hart.” His gaze comes to mine, eyes glinting dangerously. “I’d hate to have to reprimand you in my office.”

I whimper, pressing my legs together as need blossoms between my thighs. Is it possible we could sneak off there, just for a moment?

Theo reads my thoughts as if they’re written on my face, shaking his head with a deep laugh. The sound is so warm and rich, melting through my chest, softening everything in me. It’s so good to see him happy, like this.

“You guys really need to stop,” Juliana mutters as she approaches.

“Stop what?” I ask innocently, sipping my wine and glancing around the room.

“Stop eye-fucking each other. It’s too much.”

I glance at Theo in alarm. It’s easy to forget where we are when I feel this good, easy to let my emotions run away from me. Theo, however, just gives his daughter a fond smile.

“Don’t you have a speech to give, Headmaster?” she says pointedly, but her eyes shimmer with love.

“I do.” Theo smooths a hand down his lapel, still smiling. Even Juliana giving him shit can’t shatter his good mood. He pulls some notes from his pocket and scans them as he meanders toward the stage.

Juliana turns to me with a smile. “Gorgeous dress, Nora.”

“Thanks.” I grin, motioning to hers, a fitted navy-blue satin gown with a square neckline and pearl buttons tailing down the back. So perfectly Juliana. “Your dress is to die for.”

She offers a strained smile. “Honestly? I’d rather be in skinny jeans and heels, but…” She glances up at the ceiling, then back at me. “Appearances.”

“Well, you look amazing. And this place…” I motion to the decor. “You nailed it. Thank you so much.”

She beams, a true genuine smile, at my words. “I’m so glad you like it. And I came in under budget.”

I grin back and we clink glasses. Paige wanders to our table, looking quietly elegant in a rose-colored wrap dress and delicate heels. Her dark hair is pinned back, and she smiles as she approaches.

“Look at you two!”

We exchange compliments on each other’s outfits, then Paige gestures to the room.

“This is gorgeous, Jules. The decorations are perfect.” She looks at Juliana, eyes alight. “Who built that little boat bench by the entrance? It’s so cute.”

A sly smile curls along Juliana’s lips. “That was your Jake Ashby.”

Paige’s cheeks color, and she glances around nervously. “What? He’s not mine.”

Juliana winks. “Not yet.”

She motions across the tent, and we glance to where Jake stands alone at the edge of the crowd, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a glass of wine as he quietly surveys the room. His body language suggests he’s here more out of obligation than by choice, that a black-tie affair isn’t really his thing.

But he wears it well; dressed up in a crisp tux, hair neat and styled, he’s a far cry from the man we saw on Friday with the nail between his teeth. Paige does that soft little exhale she did the last time she saw him, then catches herself and looks away.

“No date,” Juliana points out, and Paige shifts uncomfortably, pretending not to hear.

I laugh. “Give her a break,” I say, elbowing Juliana.

Paige sends me a grateful look, changing the subject. “This entire evening is fantastic, Nora.”

“It was a team effort,” I remind her.