HEADMASTER

  I sigh, opening the door wider to let him through. He walks in, closing the door behind him before looking around the place. “Your mum not in?” I shake my head and start walking towards my room. I don’t look around to see if he’s following. I already know he’s there.

  Once I reach my room, Easton closes the door. I suck in a breath. “Please open the door.”

  He sees the panic in my face and immediately complies.

  “Closed doors aren’t your thing, huh?”

  I shake my head. “Just inside a bedroom.”

  He nods, his eyes showing his concern for me. “I see.” He takes a little look around my room before meeting my eyes. “I guess you overheard me and my brother?” I nod. “I didn’t mean for you to find out this way.”

  “Who’s Catherine?” I don’t want to beat around the bush. He has a past I wasn’t made aware of. A past—it seems—which is dangerously close to the situation Easton and I have gotten into.

  “May I?” he asks, pointing towards my bed. I nod my head, but I remain standing. “Almost three years ago I got myself a teaching job at a local school in Edinburgh. It was a girls' school just like yours. There was this young girl there. Only fourteen at the time. Catherine.” He looks up to meet my eyes when he says this. I’m not sure what he’s going to say next, but I feel sick at the prospect.

  “She was like any other student at first. Quiet, courteous, and always handed her homework in on time. Then one day about three months in to working there she asked me to help her with her English homework after school. I agreed to stay behind for half hour to help go through some notes. Everything seemed normal and when we left she went her way and I went mine.” He sighs like the memory still haunts him. “The next day she came in wearing makeup and had her skirt hitched higher than normal. She was all smiles in the lesson and I just thought that maybe she had gotten herself a boyfriend and that was the reason for the makeup and her jovial mood.

  “After a couple of days I realised it wasn’t the boyfriend. It was me. She started winking at me, flirting outrageously with me in class and in front of the students. Then came the secret love notes that she would leave for me in my classroom. I told the headmistress what was happening and between us we asked Catherine to stay behind one day so that we could talk to her about how inappropriate her behaviour was. She was embarrassed, but told us that she wouldn’t do it again. I went away thinking that was the end of it.”

  Calmer I say, “But it wasn’t?” He shakes his head, looking downtrodden. I immediately sit next to him offering my comfort. I realise now that his situation with this Catherine was nothing like ours.

  “The school had a break in, but nothing was taken. The police were called and fingerprints were lifted, but none could be matched to their database. All the teachers thought it strange that someone managed to break in, but despite there being computers and camera equipment there, none of it was taken.” He sighs again, running a hand over his unshaven face. “I started to receive text messages, phone calls at the dead of night with no one on the other end. Then letters started coming through my door. Explicit letters detailing a fictitious sex scene between me and this girl. They were never signed, but I knew it was Catherine. I told her to stop. That I would go to the police, but the letters and phone calls continued.”

  “Did you go to the police?”

  He nods his head. “I was about to when they showed up at my door claiming that I had sexually assaulted her.”

  Gasping, I throw my hand over my mouth. “Oh God, Easton. I’m so sorry. What happened?”

  “I explained to them what had been going on and that I believed she was the one responsible for the break in at school. All the letters and phone records were taken. I told them to take everything as long as I could prove my innocence. They asked me where I was when the alleged assault took place and luckily for me I was at an art event in Glasgow. Miles away from where she said it happened. I had witnesses that said I had been there until two in the morning, and hotel bills to prove I stayed there the night.”

  I shake my head in disbelief. Silly girl. “What happened next?”

  “The school suspended me until further enquiries were made. I was devastated, but I knew this was the normal procedure. No matter what, though, news of what had happened got around and the parents started calling the school, wondering what kind of monster had been teaching their teenage daughters.”

  “That sounds awful. I’m so sorry.” I place my hand over his, offering him comfort. Immediately he threads his fingers through mine, still looking down.

  “The police looked into everything and obviously found that I was innocent and dropped the investigation into me. Soon after they arrested Catherine and found her prints matched those of the ones the police lifted. They also found her prints all over my personal file at the school. When they dug deeper they found she had done this before. Her parents were dubious, but they didn’t want to disbelieve their daughter.”

  “Understandable,” I sigh.

  He squeezes my hand slightly. “Of course. Any parent would believe their child if such an accusation was made. They apologised to me, but I told them that they should never have to apologise for believing what their daughter said. I was just glad that it was all cleared up.” He sighs again, closing his eyes. “But, something like that never leaves you. Despite being cleared, I noticed I got strange looks from the parents when they picked their daughters up from school. They would clutch onto them as if I were some sort of predator. All the kids had nothing but great things to say about me, but they still didn’t trust me. A month after that, I handed in my resignation.”

  Placing my free hand against his cheek, I pull his face towards mine and kiss him lightly on the lips. “I’m so sorry you had to go through all that. It sounds like torture.”

  “It was,” he agrees.

  “What happened to the girl? Catherine.”

  “She was arrested and charged with criminal damages for breaking the lock at the school. The school dropped the charges, but expelled her from school. I don’t know what happened afterwards. I left, got myself another teaching job and started my life over again. Luckily it never tainted my record, but being so close to where it happened took its toll. That’s why I opted to try for a teaching position elsewhere. The school told me about this head teacher job, said I was ready and would be perfect for it. I must admit, I had my reservations. I didn’t want to go back to another all-girls school, but here, at least I am head teacher. I’m not actually teaching the girls in a classroom this time.”

  I slouch my shoulders a little when I come back to the here and now. I sigh. “No wonder your brother is so worried about you. He’s frightened I’m going to be another Catherine.”

  Easton snaps his head to me, nudging at my hand. “You’re nothing like Catherine. In fact, it’s been me pursuing you more than the other way around. You’ve been very adult about the whole thing. This is all on me.”

  I shake my head. “No, this is all on us. We’re both adults, and we both made the decision to enter into something that could have dire consequences.” I close my eyes and wonder what the hell to do. “I was so euphoric when I woke up this morning. My only thought was that I hoped to have coffee with you and repeat what happened between us last night.”

  Easton’s eyes light up like that thought sounds perfect. “And then Grayson happened.” He rolls those same twinkling eyes. “Perfect timing.”

  I nudge his shoulder with my own. “Your brother loves you and is looking out for you. I completely understand why he’s feeling a bit of animosity towards me. He doesn’t know me from Adam. As far as he’s concerned, I could be another Catherine.”

  He shakes his head like this angers him. “As I said before, you’re nothing like her.” He squeezes my hand again. “I’m sorry about what happened. I would have told you, but I didn’t realise my brother would turn up and blurt what he said like that for you to hear.”

  I graze my finger lightly across
his knuckles. “And I’m sorry I ran. A bit childish, I know, but despite what I heard I also knew your brother wouldn’t want me around.”

  “That’s not his decision to make.”

  I nod my head with a smile. “I know, but I would never want to get in the way of your family. You all must have gone through hell. You most of all, but your family would have been suffering along with you. It must have been troubling times for them too.” With a huge knot in my stomach, I surprise Easton by releasing his hand and standing up. I feel his eyes on me as I tighten the towel that’s still around me and lean my butt against my desk. His eyes are questioning me before I say, “I think we have to stop this before someone finds out.”

  Easton rises from the bed and steps towards me. He stops inches away from my body and cups my face in his hands. I close my eyes for a moment, but when I open them his whiskey coloured eyes are boring into mine.

  “I can see it in your eyes that you know as well as I do that stopping this is not an option. You want to walk away, then fine. But I’ll be damned if I let you walk away when I know you don’t want to. You’re worth taking the risk. I told you last night that I’m not letting you go.”

  I close my eyes again. His words. They’re all I ever wanted to hear, but … and there’s still a but. He’s already had to deal with the shitstorm that came with this Catherine girl. I don’t want him going through all that again. Not for me.

  “If you lost your job I would never forgive myself.”

  “Shit!” Easton says, closing his eyes. When he opens them again, he pulls his hands away from my face and I instantly feel the loss. I suddenly have this overwhelming desire to curse at the universe for ever letting me fall for a man I cannot have. Right guy, wrong place and time. Easton is the type of man you dream about when you’re little and you daydream about being a fairytale princess with a prince that comes to rescue you. Easton has rescued me. He’s rescued me more than he will ever know. I never thought I would find and trust a man again after Liam, but Easton has not only taught me that not every guy is like Liam, he’s also taught me how to feel real love, real desire, and real passion. How could I ever thank him enough for that?

  “I want to tell you that you’re wrong,” he begins. “I want to say that we can sneak around and not tell anyone, that no one will find out. I want to tell you all of this because I’m a selfish man who wants you all to himself. But, at the same time, I don’t want you to feel like my dirty little secret. Under normal circumstances I would want nothing more than to ask you to be mine and tell the world that’s exactly how I feel.” He lifts his eyes up to meet mine and for the first time he looks lost. “I don’t want to lose you now that I’ve found you.”

  Biting my lip, I nod my head at first. I feel exhausted by it all. All I want is a normal life. I guess I should be grateful that I have someone like Easton, but I just wish I had met him a year from now.

  “I can guarantee you now that you will never lose me, Easton. Not unless you ever betray me in anyway. You have me for as long as we can stand each other.” I smirk, causing him to laugh a little. “It feels like a prison sentence, but I would take that knowing that at the end we could be together. I just know that I would be devastated if you ever got into trouble over me. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.”

  Easton nods his head, resigned to the idea that we need to nip this in the bud before it’s too late.

  “I best go home,” he says, stepping towards me and taking my hand. Before I even have a chance to realise, he pulls me into his chest for a big hug. I relax instantly, breathing in his musky smell. I feel him kiss my head before stroking my hair. I look up to smile at him, but what I’m met with are those intense eyes. They’re like beacons calling to me. “Bedroom eyes” is the better expression I think. I know he can feel what I feel as pretty soon he’s dipping his head, but hesitantly just in case I pull away. I don’t, though. Quite the opposite.

  Standing on tiptoe, I crash my lips against his. All thoughts about my little speech go flying out of my bedroom window. Right now, all I can think about is Easton. Wanting to taste Easton, wanting to breathe him in, wanting him, wanting him, wanting him.

  Our kiss deepens and my body responds by automatically pulling him towards my bed. At first Easton complies, but when I try and drag him onto the bed, he stops me. We’re both out of breath when he pulls away.

  “As much as I want to do this, I can’t in your mother’s home. It isn’t right. I can’t take advantage of that.”

  All that does is make me want him more. Despite feeling that way, I nod my head. I can totally understand that. My mum could come in any moment now, and although my mum’s really cool when it comes to things like this, I respect her too. I wouldn’t want her to catch the Sasha and Easton show as much as I wouldn’t want to catch a show starring my mum and Eric. I even shudder at the thought.

  “Are you okay?” Easton asks, laughing a little.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. I think I just lost my way a moment there. I don’t want my mum to catch us as much as you don’t.”

  He shakes his head. “No, that wouldn’t be a good idea.”

  We both freeze when we hear the door go. “Speak of the devil,” I say, quickly throwing off the towel and grabbing a pair of sweats and a jumper, placing them on me within seconds. All the while Easton’s staring at me looking both turned on and impressed.

  “Sasha, are you home?” She pushes the door in further and stops dead when she spots Easton in my room. “Sorry,” she says with a smile. “I didn’t realise you had company.”

  “That’s okay,” Easton replies, looking a little sheepish. “I just wanted to make sure Sasha got home safely. I have my brother over, and although Sasha’s more than welcome to stay with us, she said she didn’t want to interfere with me and my family time.”

  My mum smiles proudly at that. “Yes, family is important.”

  Easton smiles at my mother before turning to me. “I suppose I better go.”

  I nod my agreement. “Yes, you must. I’m sure Grayson’s stomach thinks its throat’s been cut waiting for this famous omelette of yours.”

  Easton chuckles, and my mum says, “Omelette. Hmm, sounds wonderful right about now. Do you fancy one, Sasha?”

  “Sure. Why not?” I say, laughing as we all head out of my room.

  My mum, noticing we need our privacy, says, “I’ll go make myself useful in the kitchen. It was nice seeing you again, Easton. Don’t be a stranger.”

  “It was lovely seeing you too, Laura. Have a great Sunday.”

  My mum smiles, waves her goodbyes and then disappears into the kitchen. Once I know she’s out of earshot, I say, “This is going to be awkward.”

  Easton looks towards the kitchen and says, “It looks like she already thinks we’re a couple.” We both exchange knowing glances. However, no matter what’s said it won’t change the fact that he’s my head teacher, and I’m a student at his school.

  Resigned to the fact, Easton sighs before opening the door. “I guess I’ll see you next week.”

  My stomach drops at the thought. “Yes. See you next week.” I half smile before saying my goodbyes and regrettably watch as he disappears from sight before closing the front door behind him. I want to run and hide in my room now, but I know my mum will want all the gossip now that she’s seen Easton here.

  Resigned to the fact I have no other alternative but to talk, I make my way to the kitchen to find my mum all smiles as she whisks the eggs inside a bowl.

  “Sooo,” she says, all long and drawn out. “You’re kind of a thing now, huh?” She winks at me making me laugh, but deep down my heart aches.

  “We’re … taking it slow. Well, I’m taking it slow. I don’t want anything interrupting my schooling.”

  Mum sets the eggs down before wiping her hands with a cloth. “Shouldn’t I be the one saying that to you?” She chuckles and lays a hand on my shoulder before saying, “I trust you, Sasha.” She turns away, and immediately picks u
p the eggs again to whisk, but all I feel is guilt. Deep-seated guilt in the pit of my stomach. If she knew who Easton really was, she wouldn’t be saying that.

  When did everything become so complicated?

  “I know you want to take things slow and I applaud you,” she begins. “But does he make you happy? That’s all I want to know.”

  I think about all the times spent with Easton and I’ve felt nothing but happiness. “Yes,” I answer honestly.

  She nods her head. The news obviously pleases her. “Then that’s all I need to know.” She gets back to work tending to the omelette.

  “So, how did things go with Eric?”

  She momentarily stops to turn and smirk at me. “Really well, actually. He wanted to spend the whole day with me, but I didn’t want to miss seeing you, so I came home. You’re my priority at the end of the day. Eric obviously understands that.”

  “If you want to spend more time with him, then do so. I won’t mind, Mum. I want you to be happy.”

  She smiles, a slight tear in her eye. “I know. I am happy. Having you here and Eric in my life is all I ever need.” She pauses a moment then says, “Hey, now that we’ve both found love at the same time, I guess we’ll both be spending time away from home.” She winks at me and then turns to start frying the omelette. I smile, but the smile drops as soon as she can’t see. I would want nothing more than to spend time with Easton. A whole week without seeing him is going to feel like a life sentence.

  How on earth am I going to get through the next seven months?

  Punishing

  “I need to use the bathroom,” I say, making a hasty exit.

  “Okay,” Liam answers nonchalantly.

  I rush up the stairs taking two steps at a time. All the while, my heart’s drumming against my ribcage. I’m still clutching the chemist bag close against my chest as I shut the door and lock it behind me. I lean up against the door and take a deep breath. I close my eyes trying to calm my ever-beating heart and when I open them that’s when I get to work pulling the test out from the bag. I have to be quick. Otherwise, Liam will get suspicious and come calling for me.