Page 77 of Taming His Teacher

“I don’t disagree with you. She’s a wonderful young woman. But she’s also sensitive. Since she’s not here to object or be offended, I’ll also say fragile. She needs someone to look after her, take care of her. Are you prepared to make that kind of commitment for the rest of your life? It’s not easy.”

“I know.” I do. It’s not always easy. She needs a lot of reassurance, a lot of affection, care, control. But what I get in return? That adoring look like I’m the only man on earth, how she loves me and cares for me in her own way, her sweet and willing submission? I absolutely get the better end of the deal. “She deserves someone who wants to be that for her, and I do. She needs me and I…I need to be needed.”

“Well, Mr. Shepherd—”

“Oh, hush, Rett,” Mrs. Wilson scolds before she turns her elfin gaze on me. “I think you’re going to make Erin very happy. If you don’t, you know who you’ll be answering to.”

Tilly Wilson is very shrewd and far more intimidating than her much taller husband. I don’t doubt for a second that she could make me very sorry if I hurt Erin. “Yes, ma’am.”

On my way back to Meyer, I start planning out the details. I want to ask her on graduation, but in private. Neither of us would want to overshadow the guys’ day. They deserve all the applause and attention and I’m not going to step on that. I’ll do it after, maybe in her classroom, because that’s where I kissed her for the first time. I got down on my knees then, too, and this time I hope her tears will be happy ones.

Chapter 22

Erin

When I get home on Good Friday, Shep is sitting on the couch, his arms crossed over his chest. He’s supposed to be down at the gym, overseeing movie night for the boys who haven’t left campus for the holiday weekend. He hadn’t been able to find someone to trade, but something must’ve changed. I suspect I know what something is.

I didn’t send in my application for the Chair and he must’ve found out. Maybe Uncle Rett mentioned it? They’ve seemed unusually chummy this week.

I ease the door shut behind me and lock it before getting on my knees and crawling to him like I do whenever we’re alone and off-duty. When I reach him, I kneel between his feet, looking down at the ground. I am in so much trouble.

He sits up and takes my chin in his hand, tipping my head back until I could meet his eyes if I looked straight ahead. But I don’t. I keep my eyes as low as I can. My breastbone caves into my chest, and my chin quivers under his fingertips.

“Look at me, lamb.”

I close my eyes for a second and open them to his. He doesn’t look angry. Good. I’m expecting consequences, but I don’t want him to be angry. I don’t think I could stand it. Punishment I can handle.

“Here’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to go into the bedroom and you’ll get your punishment. When we’re done, you’re going to sit at the kitchen table until your application is finished. Headmaster Wilson has given you an extension until midnight, and you’re going to turn it in, understood?”

“Shep, I…”

“I know you’re afraid. But that’s not a good reason not to do this. You’re going to apply, you’re going to get the position, and then we’ll work it out.”

“But—”

“No. You promised me you would do this, knowing there would be consequences if you didn’t follow through. If that’s not something you want, we need to have a conversation about it. But unless you’re prepared to safe out, and that’s always your prerogative, that’s what’s going to happen. I care about you too much to allow you to let this opportunity slip through your fingers. I want to see you thrive. If it takes a beating, then that’s what I’m going to do. You’ve got a choice. The next words out of your mouth are either going to be ‘Yes, Zach’ or your safeword. Your call.”

The tears slip from the corners of my eyes where they’ve been pooling, making my lashes stick together and my sinuses get stuffy. I sniff and swallow while his eyes stay steady on mine.

I want to be the head of the department. I love teaching here and I want to make the school the best it can be. I’ve already got ideas of how to make it better. But it’s going to be awkward. So awkward. I’ll do my best to be fair but I’ll get accused of favoritism. If I don’t, it’ll be because I’ve been too hard on Shep. I don’t want to do that, either. He’s a fine teacher and a better man. I hate the idea that decisions I’ll have to make could make him feel any different. But he’s said we’ll work it out. He won’t let me down again. I don’t know how he’s going to pull it off, but that’s not my problem. The only thing up to me is the next two words out of my mouth.

“Yes, Zach.”

* * *

Shep

I let go of Erin’s chin and stroke her cheek, wiping some of the tears away. I like the way the salty tracks look, glossy and wet on her soft skin, but there’s going to be plenty more tears tonight. When she’s done, I’ll make her forget.

I pull her collar from my pocket, a simple black one I gave her after the disaster at my parents’ house, wrap the leather around her throat and fix the buckle. She’s taken to it like a fish to water and I love how she softens as soon as it’s on. I take off the silver lock on the simple chain she wears around her neck during the day and put it on the table before I take up her leash. Clipping it through the silver D-ring that hangs at the base of her throat, my fingers brush against her collarbone and she shivers.

“Come on, love.” I tug at the leash to move her to the side so I can stand and start down the hallway. I’m glad her bedroom’s at the end of the hall, away from the guys’ rooms. No one should be around tonight, but she still worries. She follows a couple of paces behind me on her hands and knees and I pace myself so she won’t have to scramble on the runner.

When we reach the bedroom, I have her stand up and leave the leash dangling between her breasts. The leash has been a struggle for her—more than anything else I’ve asked—but in the end she’d accepted it. I think it hits a perfect sweet spot of embarrassment and pleasure.

I strip off her clothes, leaving her naked except for her leash and collar. The sight of her, pretty curves wrapped in smooth skin that will turn a nice red under my belt in a few minutes, is enough to drive me crazy. But I can’t give in. I have to do what’s best for her, what’s best for us.

I put on her cuffs, too: ankles and wrists. This is going to be hard for her to take. The more I remind her she’s mine, the easier it will be. Which is why I’m going to gag her, too, though she’ll think it’s for the noise.

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