“No one has before,” I admit, then hate that it’s true. “I don’t mean that. I do, but not how it sounds. It’s hard to explain. I hate sounding weak.”
“You don’t sound weak. There’s nothing weak about feeling unsure, but it’s also okay to be weak sometimes. We all are. We’re only human. You haven’t had many people prove themselves to you before, but I will. I’ll prove I want you, but only you can make yourself see you’re worth it.”
I let out a humorless laugh. “You can’t like, boss me into that? Fuck it into me?”
He chuckles. “No…but we can keep trying.”
I smile, rest my head against his shoulder. “I want you too.” I’ve never wanted anything in my life the way I want him.
“Then we’ll try it. And we’ll take it slow. I understandwhat’s at risk.”
“I’m not sure I’m ready to tell the kids. I don’t want to rush things with them, to throw too many things at them at once. Hell, they don’t even know I’m gay. Plus, there’s school, and you’re still in my class, and—”
“Shh.” He kisses my forehead. “You’re officially mine now. We’ll take it slow and figure out the rest.”
I nod, then let myself enjoy him for a few minutes before I say, “I should go. I don’t want the kids to wonder what we’re doing out here.”
“We definitely don’t want that.” He snickers. “Good night, James.” He grabs my face and kisses me sweetly before climbing out of my car and walking away.
I sit there dumbfounded, trying to figure out what the hell just happened, what it means, and how for the first time in my life, I might be truly happy.
*
I slap myhand over the box, closing it quickly and tucking it against my body as if anyone can see me. Holy shit. Holy fucking shit. Along with my lunch, Colton left a little something special for me today—and texted to tell me to open it alone, in my office. Which is exactly where I am and why it’s so strange for me to behave as though there are people hiding out behind me, peeking over my shoulder, or tucked behind my bookshelf to see what he gave me.
I open it again, and yep, it’s still there—a clear-plastic cock cage.
My cell rings, and I know without looking that it’s him. My heart speeds up when I answer. “Oh my God. I can’t believe you left me this.”
Sir chuckles. “Then you’ll be even more scandalized whenI tell you to put it on. I want you wearing it in class today. I want you to stand in front of me, lecturing me on government—which is boring, by the way—while wearing a cock cage for me.”
I swallow thickly, but my skin prickles with excitement. “Government isn’t boring.”
“That’s what you’re focusing on?”
“Well, it’s a lot easier than the rest of it. And do you really think my class is boring?” We don’t talk about it often. Mostly, we try to pretend he’s not in my class at all…well, unless he’s talking about fucking me in a room full of people. God, we’re so dirty.
“Your class isn’t boring. You’re a good teacher, and people enjoy it. They enjoy you. I’m not sure you realize you come alive when you teach, James. It’s what you were meant to do, but the subject…let’s just say it’s a good thing I don’t need any more poli-sci credits.”
That’s fair, and I do like hearing I’m good at what I do. “You can tell I love it?” Because I really, really do, which is why I can’t believe I’m risking it like this.
“Yes. I like watching you. I fall for you a little more each lesson.”
I grin, then suck my bottom lip into my mouth, wishing he could see me.
“Are you going to wear the cage for your Sir?”
“You know I am.”
“Switch to video call. I want to watch you put it on.”
Goose bumps pebble along my skin. The nerves are there, of course. It would be impossible for them not to be, but they’re buried under my excitement, under this feeling of being alive, really living, that Sir brings out in me.
“Okay.”
A moment later, his perfect fucking face appears on thescreen. He’s so handsome, his dirty-blond hair mussed and his eyes playful and confident.
“Set the phone against something so I can see you. Take off your pants and put it on.”
