Page 128 of The Headmaster’s Rule

I pass the sideboard again and pause, selecting a record. Billie Holiday. Eleanor glances at me when the music starts, her mouth curving in a delighted smile as she unlaces her boots and settles in front of the fire.

I think back to the way she described my office, that first night she came to my house for dinner. The fire, the music, the lamp… she’s right. It’s nice in here when I can get out of my head for long enough. I’ll always make it nice in here going forward. Not only for her, but for me. Another way to find joy in my work.

Flipping open my laptop, I locate the letter attached to an email, sent by the board yesterday, and reread it quietly.

Wetherly Cove Preparatory School Board of Trustees

To Headmaster Theodore Wright,

As discussed in our meeting on Monday, the board confirms its support for your continued leadership as headmaster, and appreciates your transparency regarding your personal relationship with Ms. Eleanor Hart.

We are satisfied with the professional conduct of both parties, and trust that all future behavior will reflect the school’s values and workplace expectations.

Your commitment to Wetherly Cove Preparatory School is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Helen March, Board Chair

With a smile, I press print. It’s not only the board who’ve given their approval. My father called last night to congratulate me on the success of the fundraiser, sharing his support for Safe Harbor. I hesitated to take the call, wondering how much the board had shared with him, then found myself disappointed when he failed to mention Eleanor.

Instead, I told him I’d fallen in love, and when I shared the unconventional way we’d met, bracing for criticism, he surprised me with an invitation for us to visit him in Florida during spring break next year. Eleanor was thrilled when I told her.

The printer whirs to life, while she watches me from beside the fire, yellow light dancing in her eyes as she rises and crosses to me. I pull the paper from the printer and hand it to her, settling into my desk chair.

“This is what I wanted to show you,” I say softly, and she leans against my desk as she reads.

“Theo,” she whispers, her wide gaze coming to mine when she’s done.

“This is real, sweetheart. We have the board’s support in black and white.”

She clutches the paper to her chest, eyes shining. “I’m going to frame this.”

I smile, watching as she sets the paper aside, eyes moving over me in the low light. The faint strains of Billie Holiday’s The Very Thought of You drift from the record player, snow falling beyond the window, the fire crackling warm in the fireplace. I can’t believe I’m here, with Eleanor, legitimately. This moment could not be more perfect.

Well, there is one thing that would make it better, but we swore not to do that anymore.

Even if it’s late at night. On a holiday weekend. Without a single soul on campus.

As if reading my thoughts, Eleanor’s mouth tilts into a sexy smile. She pushes off the desk to straddle me in my chair.

“I’m not sure this behavior reflects the school’s values,” I quote teasingly from the letter, voice rough at the closeness of her. At her brazenly flaunting the rules, the absurdity of trying to stay in control when I want her to break them.

But Eleanor shakes her head. “I disagree, sir.” She rocks her hips, gaze fiery and determined. It makes my blood heat, makes my cock ache for her.

“Go on,” I say thickly, despite myself.

“Well, this school values self-expression.” She lowers her head to drag her lips over my neck. “And I have some very naughty feelings to express.”

I chuckle deeply, hands coming to her back. “Is that right?”

She nods, threading her fingers into my hair. “And this school values honesty,” she continues, grinding against me harder now.

My dick throbs from the friction, knowing there’s no way I can stop her. This is exactly what we said we wouldn’t do, but then she gazes at me with dark, smoldering eyes.

“Honestly, Theo?” she says breathlessly. “I need you.”

And all my good intentions go up in smoke.