Page 45 of The Headmaster’s Rule

Eleanor softens. “So why do it to yourself?”

I stare at her, my heart beating wildly. Only Eleanor would see it that way. Only Eleanor would reach inside me, find that bruised, broken part, and bring it out into the light. Only she would care enough to argue with me in this parking lot in the dark.

Because that’s Eleanor. She cares that much. I think about the way she pours herself into creating Safe Harbor. How she fights so hard for the kids, for what matters to her. And as I look at the fierce determination on her face now, I wonder what it would feel like to be loved by her.

“You have to give yourself a break, Theo,” she says, eyes swimming with compassion. “Let yourself have a single moment to relax. To be happy.”

My chest shudders as I let out a long-held breath. A moment to relax. To be happy.

God, what I wouldn’t give for that.

You don’t have to figure it out alone, you know.

Her words from our second meeting come back to me, words I’ve played on repeat through my head for weeks now, even if I couldn’t admit it. Because I want so badly for her to be right.

For her to be the one who helps me figure it out.

She hesitates, then places a palm on my chest, as she did last night. Her hand presses to my aching heart, soothing the strain. My chest grows hot, my throat tight, as I gaze at this woman who is so determined to make the world better. So determined to make me better.

And my defenses fall away.

I sink a hand into her hair, dropping my forehead to hers. Her eyes flutter closed as I drink in her sweet peony scent.

Then I lower my mouth, capturing her lips with mine.

CHAPTER 16

Eleanor

He’s kissing me. Headmaster Wright—Theo—is kissing me. Me.

The second the thought forms in my head, he pulls away, as if he’s realized it too. I open my eyes to find his face contorted in horror as he steps back on unsteady legs.

“Oh, God, Eleanor.” He rubs his forehead with jerky, agitated movements. “That was so unprofessional. I— I’m sorry.”

“Sorry?” I choke out, incredulous. Surely he must know I wanted that as much as he did.

“I’m your boss.” He shakes his head. “I don’t want to make you feel unsafe, to violate your trust—”

Okay, fuck this.

I grab his tie, tugging him back toward me until his hand lands on my car behind me with a thump, his mouth inches from mine.

“What are you doing?” he rasps in surprise.

“I want it. Want you.”

I release his tie to cup his scruffy cheek. His nostrils flare, jaw tight under my hand.

“Kiss me again. Please, Theo.”

His eyelids drop to half-mast, a low growl rumbling deep in his throat. Then he takes my mouth again, firm, hungry, as if he’s held back for too long.

I melt into the feeling of his lips, their softness beside the scratch of his jaw, the insistent way he claims me. His kiss starts slow, deliberate, careful. Just like him. But it’s not long before I feel his control slip, his tongue sweeping into my mouth, urgent now, demanding, taking.

And I’m all too happy to give.

Desire rockets through me, hot and intense, my skin electric with need. I tilt my head, letting him in. Letting him devour me with desperate strokes of his tongue, his hand tightening in my hair, tugging in the most delicious way.