Page 36 of The Headmaster’s Rule

For what I almost did in the shower last night.

Guilt claws at me as I give José instructions to document the damage, then walk the school grounds, checking for other signs of forced entry, vandalism, or missing property. Everything else seems secure, and as I hurry home to shower and dress in the early pre-dawn light, I chastise myself for letting this happen. Between the break-in and whatever the fuck is going on with Eleanor, I’m losing control. The twisted knot in the pit of my stomach is enough to remind me I can’t let that happen.

The day drags on like no other. I spend my time filing police reports, looking over surveillance footage with José, discussing repairs with Mason, and typing up a report to the board that I ultimately decide not to send. The incident is low-level enough that there’s no need to alert them or the staff. José is probably right in that it’s likely just kids or someone looking to make a few dollars, and the last thing I need is to cause unnecessary panic.

By late afternoon, I’m exhausted, starving, and cranky. I shove away from my desk with an agitated sigh, rolling out my neck. A headache grips my temples, my shoulders tight. I could use a drink, but I still have to meet with Mason. He’s done an inventory of the missing items so I can file with our insurance provider.

Stalking to the window, I stare out at the sea, a dull green under looming gray clouds. The sky has threatened rain all day, with low rumbles of thunder rolling in from the ocean, but so far, nothing.

Yanking my tie loose, I turn back to my desk. I drain my sixth cup of cold coffee for the day, screwing my face up at the bitterness, and sink into my chair. A tentative knock at the door draws my eye from my computer.

“Yes?” I bark impatiently.

Nothing.

Heaving a sigh, I push to my feet and march to the door, jerking it open. Eleanor stands there, clutching her binder as she stares up at me, wide-eyed. I blow out a long-held breath, unable to stop my eyes from straying down her dress. Deep forest green, covered in a pattern of various woodland creatures: foxes, deer, squirrels, even red toadstools. Matching red toadstools dangle from her ears, catching my eye as she glances anxiously over her shoulder.

“I’m sorry,” she murmurs, shifting her weight. “I thought we were meeting…”

Shit. Is it that time already?

Her hazel eyes return to me, lingering. She’s pulled her hair back today, exposing the soft, pale skin of her neck, her pulse beating faintly at the base of her throat. The urge to lower my mouth to that spot overwhelms me, and I wrestle my gaze back to hers.

Fuck.

She swallows, her gaze slowly tracking my face, and I drag a hand through my hair. I must look like utter shit. I’ve run myself ragged all day, telling myself it was what I needed to do to keep a lid on the incident this morning, but as I gaze at Eleanor now, I know it was to punish myself.

To punish myself for wanting her.

I should send her away. I should tell her she can’t help with the fundraiser any more, that I’ll take it from here, but even if I could manage the workload alone, I could never do that to her. It would crush her after everything she’s poured into it already, and I couldn’t hurt her like that.

I have no choice but to continue working with her.

“Miss Hart,” I say, attempting a formal tone, but my voice comes out as a low, frustrated grumble. Over her shoulder, I spy Mason approaching in the hall, and sigh. “I’m so sorry to do this to you again, but I still have a few things to do.”

Her face falls before she quickly schools her expression. “It’s okay. If you don’t want to meet today—”

“I do,” I answer quickly. Too quickly. “I just need…” I check my watch. “Can you give me an hour to wrap this up?”

She twists her lips to one side in thought. For a second I think she’s going to say no, that she has somewhere to be, and the muted ache of disappointment stirs in my chest.

But she nods, smiling hesitantly, and says, “So… pizza?”

It takes me a second to realize she’s asking about dinner, and despite everything that’s happened today, I laugh. The kind of laugh that starts deep in my chest, working its way up my throat.

The kind of laugh that’s a relief.

Eleanor’s eyebrows shoot up, a surprised smile curving her lips, and everything in me softens at the sight.

That smile is the best thing I’ve seen all day.

CHAPTER 14

Eleanor

My heart aches as Headmaster Wright lets me into his office later that evening. His face is drawn, dark circles shadowing his eyes, his shoulders tight with tension. I’m not sure what’s going on with him, but he looks like he could use a stiff drink and a massage. I wish I could help him relax, to lighten the load he’s carrying.

The best I can do is pizza.