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I was gonna lose it, right here in front of all these families.

  I was gonna give it all away, my feelings for this gorgeous, intelligent woman out in the open.

  But nothing happned because upon seeing his daughter, Patrick scampered over, skidding to a halt in the grass.

  And right in front of everyone, he began berating her, one finger wagging in the air, his face a mask of righteous fury.

  It didn’t look good. Minnie had her head bowed, those curls drooping as Pat went on and on, mouth moving like a motor. What the fuck. I couldn’t hear what he was saying, but from the looks of surrounding people, it was bad.

  Real bad.

  Probably pure poison pouring from his vocal cords.

  I strode over, big form about to bust in and make things right. But as I neared, two figures popped up in front of me.

  “Mr. Thorn!”

  It took me a moment before I could register who had stopped me. They were Keira Crest’s parents. I smiled and shook both of their hands eve if my brain was somewhere else.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Crest. Hello, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”

  Mr. Crest had a huge smile on his face. “Not as pleased as we are to see the man who has changed our daughter.”

  I smiled and nodded. I always made it a point to get to know my students, no matter how brief the meeting might be. And it helped because whenever a pupil improved, I made sure to compliment them. That’s why I knew Keira well. She’d done a bang-up job of bringing her grades from F’s up to C’s.

  “Your daughter’s changed for the best,” I said with a courteous nod. “But it’s not me or Forest Hills. The change came from within,” was my reply. “Keira desired it, and so it happened.”

  The Crests nodded and cooed, beaming at their daughter proudly.

  “Keira, you’ve done great honey,” praised Mrs. Crest, stroking her daughter’s hair. “We couldn’t be happier.”

  “Absolutely fantastic,” boasted her dad. “I dare any other parent to match our daughter’s achievement.”

  And this is why I became an educator. Because it gives me pleasure to bring out the best in an individual to help them achieve their greatest. And frankly, the contrast between the Crests and Pat Evans couldn’t be more distinct. On the one hand, Mr. and Mrs. Crest were elated about their daughter, wishing Keira the best. On the other, Pat Evans was belittling his daughter the would-be salutatorian right now.

  But this wasn’t the time to get into it. The ceremony began and parents and teachers took their seats. We watched as graduates filed to the front of the field, decked in black gowns and silver caps. Sure enough, there was Minnie, beautiful as always, smiling that gorgeous smile. But I could see that it didn’t reach her eyes.

  I made a mental note to fucking kill Patrick later. He’d done this to her, and my heart ripped in two.

  Suddenly, a voice intruded.

  “Let’s all give a warm round of applause for the headmaster of this school, Grayson Thorn!” boomed the announcer.

  That was my cue to stand up and I did, making my way to the stage and to the podium. I was to give a speech for the graduates. I’ve been doing this since I founded my academies, so public speaking came easy.

  Without thinking, I launched into my usual inspirational homily:

  “The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you. I quote that from B.B King. And I want you all to remember,” was my intonation, looking at the crowd in front of me. “You started in this school as a troubled kids, with a long list of mistakes and expecting a dark future to swallow you whole. You used to skip school and do drugs, or maybe party until the sun came up. But then, things changed. You changed. You wanted something different. So you came to Forest Hills to find that change. Our mission is to turn you into model citizens of this country equipped with a solid, supportive education. Because an education is something that others can never take away.”

  I surveyed the crowd, gazing over the students who looked back with bright, beaming faces. My heart warmed. This was my goal. To make sure that the troubled youth knew they still had a rosy future.

  And the speech continued:

  “You are no longer the kids that showed up years ago. As you graduate from Forest Hills, that is the very part of yourself that you will leave here. A troubled youth who made the wrong decisions. Instead, you are now fearless women, ready to face a brand new adventure. This is not the end of your story. This only the beginning of another chapter and may you make the right choices this time.” I smiled at them. “Congratulations. Graduates, I quote St. Ignatius of Loyola here: Go forth and set the world on fire. ”

  The students cheered and clapped as I made my way back to my seat. Oh shit, there were even some girls sobbing with emotion, tears streaming down their faces. I knew what it felt like to graduate high school. I knew the warm feeling that filled your heart because you have achieved something in life. But still, it was just the beginning and life had a long ways to go yet.

  I came back to the stage when it was time to hand students their diplomas. Each of them stood up as their name was called, the girls striding across the stage one by one. And soon, it was time.

  “Minnie Evans!”

  Minnie came up to the stage, a tight smile plastered on her face as she shook my hand, reaching for her diploma with the other. Unfortunately, I could tell the bomb had been dropped. Those green eyes were slightly glassy, her smile wavering beneath a frozen facade.

  This was Pat’s fault.

  He ruined her shining moment.

  When the ceremony ended and pictures were being taken, I searched the crowd for Minnie. I didn’t care if people saw us; I just wanted to make sure that she was alright. From the corner of my eye, I saw the redhead slip inside the school, a heavy metal door shutting softly behind that curvy form.

  She probably wanted privacy.

  But this was a tough time. Better to be together. So ambling casually, I let myself into the building as well. And sure enough, there she was, standing to the side in a dark corner.

  “Hey sweetheart,” I greeted her, my hands stuffed inside my pockets. “Congratulations on your big day.”

  The girl turned slightly, eyes watery, a weak smile on her lips.

  “Thank you, Grayson,” she said quietly, head bowed.

  Her choice of address was interesting. When we were in the throes of sex, she called me Master. But lately, we’d been having more and more conversation, and the girl’s started calling me Thorn only, or even using my first name, Grayson. Frankly, it felt good. No one addresses me as Gray or Grayson, and it was right that this special girl used my given name.

  “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” I inquired again. Of course, it had to be Patrick. I already knew, but didn’t want to let on.

  After all, it wasn’t Minnie that was the problem. It was her dad.

  But the redhead didn’t answer my question; she just looked down and stammered some more. I tilted her head up with firm, strong fingers, and oh shit, but those eyes glistened with unshed tears. My heart went out to the female. This was supposed to be one of the happiest days of her life, and instead she was losing her home.

  “Did he kick you out?” were my gruff words.

  Her eyes widened and she took a step back, surprise written in her eyes.

  “How did you know?” she stuttered uncomfortably.

  I sighed and stuffed my hands back into my pocket, shooting her a grim look. “Pat called me. It was a few months ago but he let loose on the phone, saying he was gonna send you on your way. I didn’t think that he’d actually go through with it,” were my reflective words. “But clearly, I was wrong.”

  “You certainly don’t know my father,” she replied bitterly, anger starting to replace the hurt that she felt. “You don’t know what he’s capable of.”

  Oh shit, oh shit. I hated to see my girl like this, torn up and abused. So I did the only thing that made sense.

  “Do you need a place to stay sweethear
t? You know you can always crash at mine.”

  What a dumb question. Of course she needed a place to call home. Her only one had been yanked out from under her feet.

  But still, I knew the offer was something that Minnie needed to hear, a bulwark against the rising tide.

  She swallowed heavily before looking up at me.

  “Would you Mr. Thorn?” she asked quietly, words slow. “Would you do that for me? I don’t have any money,” she said softly. “So I can’t pay. But maybe I could do some work around Forest Hills? The dishes? Work in the kitchen? I don’t know,” she said, face falling. “This is all so sudden.”

  I cut in.

  “Sweetheart, no,” was my rough growl. “You don’t need to earn your keep. No need to sing for your supper. Just stay and recover, you already have the key to my cabin.”

  But Minnie’s chin jerked up then, eyes suspiciously bright.

  “I can’t Thorn,” she said, shaking her head furiously, tears beginning to pour. “I can’t just stay here for nothing. It’s not right. You know that,” she said in a whisper.

  But my heart wouldn’t relent. The redhead needed me. My sweet girl was in distress and hell if she wasn’t gonna take my help.

  “Baby,” I growled. “Move your stuff into my cabin tonight. No ifs, ands or buts. Tonight,” was my rough command.

  Because the truth was clear in my mind now, pulsing like a throbbing heartbeat. I wasn’t doing this because I pitied her. I wasn’t doing this because she had no place to go. I was doing to this so I could keep the sweet girl.

  I wanted that curvy body.

  That intelligent mind.

  The sweet, sensitive soul.

  And in my heart, this wasn’t just about sex anymore.

  Minnie had done a number on me, and shit, but I was willing to do anything to get her to stay.

  “Please,” I growled low, my voice almost a whisper. The redhead’s face lifted slowly, eyes wide and innocent, still shining with tears. Because I don’t exactly say please and thank you very often. And yet I’d just uttered the word, begging her to stay. Oh shit, oh shit. My heart felt like it was ready to pound out of my chest.

  “I’m sorry?” she managed on a shaky voice. “Master?” her sentence left off on a question.

  I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to get my bearings. This was new for me for sure. Women declaring themselves, throwing their bodies at my feet? Par for the course. But me doing the same? Never. Not once. This was completely new. So I took a deep breath, trying to calm my heart so that it wouldn’t explode from my rib cage.

  “I want you to stay, Minnie,” came the low growl. “Here, at Forest Hills. With me.”

  “Thorn,” she began, her eyes shining with tears. Oh god, say yes. Please say yes, sweetness. I can’t bear it if you don’t.

  But she shook her head, looking down.

  “I can’t. You know that.”

  What the fuck? No, I didn’t know that at all. Why the hell not? So I demanded.

  “What’s going on?” I ground out, chest tight. My heart was slowly coming to a stop. At any moment the pieces would shatter completely, and I’d be a broken mess.

  Minnie sniffled before looking up.

  “You’re only offering a place because you pity me,” she said in a low voice, caramel eyes brimming. “I don’t need that. And I definitely don’t want it.”

  But the girl was wrong. This wasn’t about pity at all, and I told her so.

  “Sweetheart, it’s not that. I don’t pity you, not at all,” were my raspy words. An edge of desperation laced the sentence, my need obvious. “I want you to stay, Minnie. You need someone right now and I can be that person for you.”

  She swallowed heavily, unable to meet my eyes. But then something brave and bold took hold in her heart. The girl looked up at me, eyes shining before taking a deep breath.

  “Why then, Thorn?” she asked quietly. “Why do you want me to stay?”

  And suddenly, I realized the moment had come. This was it. Sink or swim, the turning point for us both. And I couldn’t lie. The air my chest grew tight, everything but the female going out of focus, disappearing into a haze.

  And shit, but I said words I never thought I’d hear.

  “Because I need you, baby,” were my raspy words. “Stay with me. Make me happy. Make us happy,” came my growl.

  And those innocent eyes flooded with tears once more, but they were joyous tears this time. Eyes shining, Minnie grasped my big fists in her small hands, squeezing me tight.

  “Yes Grayson,” was her soft reply. “Yes, I’ll stay with you then.”

  And oh shit, but my heart burst open then. Never has something like this happened before. I’ve had dozens of women throw themselves at my feet, declaring their love. Young and old, rich and poor, the females come in droves and I never feel anything. It’s pretty fucking unreal, how the situation plays itself over and over again, like Groundhog Day on repeat.

  But this time it was different. This time, there was hope soaring in my soul, bursting boundaries so that I could breathe deeply for the first time in my life. A weight that I didn’t even know existed lifted from my shoulders, the sun and its warm rays breaking from the clouds.

  Because this is my woman. Minnie belongs with me, and I belong to her. And incredibly, she recognized it too.

  So I stepped closer and tilted that beautiful chin with my thumb. My eyes searched her chocolate ones, those eyes luminous and glowing. Oh god, she was so beautiful, natural and innocent. The girl didn’t need an ounce of make-up. Nor was there an ounce of artifice in her heart.

  And that was what I loved most about her.

  Slowly, I leaned in and captured her lips with mine. We often share fiery, passionate kisses, ones that are a prelude to a hot session, my hands stroking over her curves, delving into every secret crevice while making her moan.

  But this one was different. This one was a meeting of the souls, a touch of the lips that was a promise. Because my mouth memorized hers, tasting the sweetness and submission. This female was everything to me, intoxicating and addictive. I could feel our hearts merging together, creating a new symphony, something rising where there had been nothing before.

  Is this love?

  Is this what it feels like to fall in love with an innocent nymph?

  Because it felt like it for sure. I was literally dizzy, the air burning in my lungs, heart about to explode from my chest. This moment was perfect, encapsulated in time as our souls touched, minds becoming one.

  And when I pulled away, our foreheads rested against each other, both of us breathed hard. Oh shit. There had been nothing nasty going on, just the mere touch of our lips. And yet I felt drugged, a junkie on a high from a kiss that was pure kryptonite.

  It had to be love.

  What else feels like this?

  And fortunately, I wasn’t alone.

  Because Minnie looked back at me, those chocolate eyes filled with hope, renewal, longing, and yes, the flash of something deep and profound.

  In that moment, I knew.

  I wasn’t in this alone, and neither was she.

  We were two people bound together, our emotions strong and true.

  Nothing could be better, more sweet, or more satisfying. Yes, we started as a headmaster and student at a reform school. But now the relationship was changing, merging and morphing, becoming something new. Minnie was still eighteen. I was still forty-five. And yeah, our beginning was sordid, possibly even illegal and definitely amoral.

  But it’s in the past now because we’re about to explore new territory, becoming a couple in full. And shit, but after decades, it was right. It felt one hundred percent on target, a new hope lifting my heart and expanding it in ways that were incredible and unexpected. Because I have my beautiful girl … and Minnie’s everything to me.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Minnie

  Today was the day that I would end a chapter in my life.

  I’ve always dreamed
of graduation, of me and my classmates tossing our caps in the air and hollering and then suddenly breaking out into a song. But this wasn’t High School Musical , this was real.

  I was closing a chapter and moving forward into my future.

  And it was scary as hell.

  But the thing is, graduation was supposed to be a momentous occasion. An event in your life that you were going to remember and treasure forever. A happy memory.

  But my father made sure he ruined mine.

  When he stepped in front of me, Pat wore no smile, only a grim expression. And his words tore my soul, echoing in my ears: “You’re no longer welcome in my home, Minnie. You’re no daughter of mine.”

  I couldn’t believe what I’d heard.

  “What?” was my inaudible gasp.

  But what he said next confirmed everything. “You heard me,” came that cruel voice. “I am no longer welcoming you in my home.”

  I gaped, eyes wide. What options did I have? I’m eighteen with no job, no connections, and only a high school degree.

  “Where will I go?” was my floundering question.

  Pat stared at me with utter disdain before turning away brusquely.

  “That’s your problem, not mine.”

  I couldn’t even beg him to let me stay for just a week. A grace period of some sort, to figure things out. No, Pat Evans was totally done. He sat in his seat, expression blank, staring straight ahead. I gaped at him more, but then the music began playing and it was time to sit with the other students.

  Needless to say, my mind wasn’t focused on the ceremony. It was spinning out of control, trying to survive in the churning seas. I didn’t know what I was going to do. I had nowhere to go. My mother was out of the picture. She had stopped talking to me years ago. I had no other relatives to ask for help because my father never allowed me to get to know any of them.

  I had no one.

  I wanted to cry.

  No one would ask why. They’d only think I was crying because of this joyous event.

  God, what did I ever do to deserve this?

  After the ceremony ended, I bolted from the stage and hurried to the main building. Fortunately, it was empty and cool inside, the gym floor shiny, the nets dangling limply. As soon as I got inside, I walked to the wall and leaned my forehead against it, cheeks flushed even as my temperature went hot, then cold, then hot again. What was going on?