Page 125 of The Headmaster’s Rule

My breath hitches in surprise. “You did?”

He nods, a smile curving his lips as he rounds his desk. “I told them I wouldn’t end things with you, that falling for you wasn’t a mistake.”

My throat tightens at his words, a tear sliding from my eye. He reaches a hand to brush it away, cupping my cheek.

“What did they say?” I whisper, trembling under his gentle touch.

“They said I’ve earned the right to make that decision.”

A flicker of disbelief moves through me, and I swallow against the lump forming in my throat. “So that means…”

“Yes.” He strokes my cheek softly. “We don’t have to hide anymore.”

Relief makes my shoulders sag, and I press my eyes shut, another tear falling as I lean into the warmth of his hand.

Somehow, we’re getting what we want. Theo is staying. We can be together. And it hasn’t cost us everything.

I look at him again through my tears, thinking of what he did. What he nearly lost. How can I allow myself to be grateful when he was prepared to sacrifice everything?

“You shouldn’t have resigned because of me.”

Theo shakes his head. “Sweetheart, I didn’t do it because of you. I did it for you. For us. I was ready to give it all up if it meant keeping you.”

“But… how could you do that? How could you risk losing everything?”

He takes my face in both hands, forcing my gaze to his. “If I had you, Eleanor, I could learn to live without the rest. But you…” He pauses, as if considering whether to continue. When he does, his voice cracks. “You’re the one thing I can’t live without. Not anymore.”

Emotion swells in my ribcage, making my throat ache. I lean into him, burying my face in his chest, arms tight around his waist. He strokes my hair, pressing his nose to my head.

“I mean it,” he murmurs. “Nothing matters to me as much as you.”

He holds me for a long moment while I process this, my heart full. This man really chose me. He chose me.

And I get to keep him.

Drawing back, I press up onto my toes to kiss him. He sighs, his entire body softening as our lips meet, his firm grip on my waist a stark contrast to the tender way his lips brush mine.

“You’re what matters most to me, too,” I whisper, stroking his beard. “I hope you know that.”

“I do.” His eyes map my face, darker than before, and his gaze falls to my mouth. “I want nothing more than to sit you down on my desk, spread your pretty legs, and worship you right now.”

I huff an aroused breath, heat spiraling through me. God, I want that too.

“But…” He steps away, raking an agonized hand through his hair. “We should probably play by the rules now that we’re official.”

A disappointed laugh slips from my mouth, even though I know he’s right. I take a step back, nodding.

“We should.” Because as much as I want Theo to ruin me on his desk, I want more than that. I want our future, our jobs here, whatever is going to grow between us. That’s worth waiting for.

“But you’ll come to my place tonight?” Theo asks thickly, settling behind his desk again. I watch, helpless, as he slowly unbuttons his jacket, rolls up his sleeves, and slides his glasses on like he doesn’t know what it does to me. Like he’s not intentionally driving me insane.

Fuck. Me.

“Yes,” I choke out. His eyes glint as I add, “I’ll be counting the minutes.”

CHAPTER 42

Theo