Page 18 of Before He Was Her Headmaster

I jerk my attention back to the page, re-reading the passage I didn’t actually absorb before, and pretend to be surprised when he slides onto the chair across from me. “Studying?”

I nod. “I met with Mrs. Taylor today. We have a game plan.”

“She told me.”

Ah. So they talk frequently. Of course, they do; they’re colleagues. It’s her job to tell him about the new girl’s thesis plans. I nod again, pretending I’m not sizzling with misplaced jealousy on the inside. “Good.”

He glances at the sandwich. “Did you miss dinner?”

“I was in the library.”

He frowns. “Do you want me to see if there’s any leftover stew in the kitchen?”

“I’m fine with this.”

“It’s important to eat.”

I smile against my will at the concern. “I know.”

“It’s my job to make sure you’re well taken care of.” While this is probably true, it also sounds filthy.

“I’m… thank you.”

His voice lowers. “How did you sleep?”

Shame rolls through me. “Uh…”

“Sorry.”

“No, it’s okay.” I make a face. “I went to bed just fine. Very sweet dreams. But then I woke up feeling guilty.”

His own expression tightens into concern. “That’s my fault.”

“Funny, I was thinking the same thing. I’m a bit of a….” I hesitate to swear in front of the headmaster, but I can’t think of another label. “Fuck up?”

“You are not.” His voice is immediately stern. “Lily, I can’t let you think that.”

“Don’t know how you’ll stop me.”

“If I had my way, it would be with a spanking,” he mutters. And he doesn’t even look embarrassed when he locks his gaze on me. “Which isn’t on the table. But maybe you should know that’s how I feel.”

“Oh.” A funny heat replaces the shame inside me. “You would really spank me?”

He crosses his arms over his chest. “If you needed it.”

I lean in, the tension in his body captivating me. “Why would I need it?”

“I don’t know exactly.” He clenches his jaw. “Forget I said that.”

“I don’t think I can.” I pick up my tablet and type inWhy would someone need to be spanked?

Sebastian’s eyes go wide. “What are you doing?”

“Research.” I poke the tip of my tongue into the corner of my mouth as I scroll. “This is really quite the mix of adults being horny and terrible parenting advice, isn’t it?”

“Put that away.”

“Why?” But I do as he says.

---