She nods once. "I'll think about it." We step out of Sarah's suffocating office, and I exhale heavily, my shoulders sagging with exhaustion. "That was easy," Jace remarks, his hand still wrapped around mine. I shake my head silently. Easy for him. I'm ready for a warm bath and an even warmer blanket. At the hallway's end, Jace halts me. His expression shifts to something practical, focused. "We need to go. Li, you take the Aston Martin. It's parked at the back," he says, handing me the key. I nod, confused but compliant. "Am I going to your house? When is ours ready?" I ask, glancing at Mason, who stays silent. Jace shifts slightly, his tone measured. "Yes, you're staying at mine. Cleaning up the mess in your house takes time, and I want it done right." I nod again, though my stomach churns. I haven’t even talked to Mason about Mason. I glance at him, seeking reassurance, but his guarded expression gives nothing away. "Can Hannah come over?" I ask Jace hesitantly. His brow arche
"The house is still being cleaned. And Humphrey is still at the vet," I finally say, my voice low. The girls remain quiet. I glance at Esme. She’s staring at her full cup of tea, which Hannah has just refilled. She takes a shaky breath before looking up, her voice trembling as she begins. "He came the evening after you left." My throat goes dry, and I swallow heavily. "We had the garden door open. It was warm, and Mason kept going outside to smoke every fifteen minutes," she says, a faint, bittersweet smile tugging at her lips. She glances at me, a slight twinkle of humour appearing. "He was worried and angry, you see." I bite my lip, guilt weighing heavy in my chest. Esme’s expression darkens as she continues. "Mitch just walked into the house—like he owned it. He appeared in the living room, holding a machete, and asked for you, Nora." My stomach churns, a sickening knot forming inside me. "Mason lost it. He started pushing him out, yelling at him to leave, but Mitch..." He
"Dude, come on, not in front of me," Mason groans from the other side of the car, throwing us an exaggerated look of irritation. I quickly set my feet down onto the large stones of the driveway, feeling a rush of heat bloom in my cheeks. My bikini-clad body suddenly feels too exposed as I glance at the other teachers stepping out of their cars. Some give me fleeting looks, but most are too preoccupied with the grandeur of Jace's house to notice. "Just celebrating her grades," Jace says nonchalantly, sliding an arm around my waist and pulling me close. It's strange—being so open about us. Really, really strange. I'm openly touching my teacher. "This is some spot," Simon says, appearing beside us and giving me a teasing smirk. "Hi, Nora. Who knew you could be such a rule-breaker?" I shrug, matching his smirk with one of my own. "It's always the innocent ones," Alex points out with a grin as he stands next to Jace. Jace doesn’t miss a beat. "Not that innocent anymore," he remarks,
Mason tenses slightly at the mention of Mason but continues pouring his drink, pretending not to notice. Jace is silent behind me, his presence steady. "But he didn’t know? About the two of you?" Alex asks, frowning as he takes another sip. "You seem pretty in love." “No," I say immediately, shaking my head. "Why would he date me if he knew?” Alex hums thoughtfully, nodding. "Hmm... makes sense." I shift my hips slightly beneath the bubbling water, pressing my ass back into Jace. His warmth against me is distracting, but my attention flickers to the sound of approaching voices. A group of teachers gathers on the lounge couch nearby, the faint chocolate stain still visible on the fabric. But it isn’t them that catches my attention—it’s Sarah, holding up a bottle of expensive-looking alcohol. Her husband trails behind her, already pulling everyone into hugs. “Any room for more?” Sarah asks, her smile wide. Her gaze flickers to me and Jace, her eyebrows arching knowingly. “Jace. No
As soon as the words leave his mouth, Grace suddenly takes off her bikini top. Before I can process what's happening, the red bikini top sails past me, landing in the grass behind us. Her bare breasts bounce as she downs vodka straight from Simon's bottle, her laughter echoing over the music. Charlie cheers wildly, a bottle of wine in her hand, and climbs onto the table between the jacuzzi and the couch, swaying her hips in a drunken dance. Tim joins her, his face stretched into a carefree, drunken grin. I grip Jace’s arm tightly, ensuring he doesn’t let me go, my body pressing further into his as the chaos unfolds. Beside us, Sarah straddles her husband, giggling uncontrollably. “Jace,” Mason calls out, his tone laced with warning. “I can’t lock her in the bedroom, dude,” Jace shoots back. Grace leans toward us with a seductive smile, her eyes locked on Jace. “So, where IS your bedroom, Jace? A little tour?” “Not happening,” Jace responds instantly, his voice firm. “If anyone w
“Time to go!” Jace barks, his voice cutting through the drunken haze like a whip. “No!” “I don’t want to go!” “You can’t do that!” The chorus of protests fills the air, but Jace stands up in the jacuzzi, commanding silence and demanding attention. All eyes fixate on him. His half-naked body glistens in the soft light, water streaming down his chest, making every muscle look almost carved. My breath catches in my throat. The sight of him is devastating. His skin gleams, his broad shoulders rising and falling with restrained authority. He’s utterly magnetic, and it takes everything in me to stay upright. I want to lick him. I’m not the only one affected. Charlie and Grace visibly lose themselves in the moment. Their stares are shameless, their reactions betraying exactly what they’re thinking. Their nipples are hard. Jace clears his throat, breaking the spell. “I don’t want vomit in my house,” he says firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Besides, I want to go to bed
"He's just so hot. I can't concentrate when he talks to me," Lina whispers next to me.I roll my eyes. I really wish they’d stop talking about my brother. Mason had walked past us a few minutes ago, sternly telling us to be quiet while we waited for our next class. Or as everyone else knows him, Mr. Jackson. No one knows he’s my brother, except a few teachers and my best friend, Hannah—who also happened to have a secret crush on him. She is cured, thankfully. Mason teaches Business English and is in a loving relationship with my other best friend, Esme."You think so? He's got nothing on Mr. Adkins. I’d eat him for breakfast," Charlotte chimes in.Okay. I’d rather hear about my brother than Mr. Adkins. And speak of the devil—here he comes.Mr. Adkins, the teacher who hates me the most. I honestly have no idea why. Sure, I’m failing his class, and maybe I don’t cower under his death glare, but other than that, I’m clueless. Still, I can’t stand his voice, and I’m sure the feeling is mu
He ignores my comment and turns his attention back to the class. Without explaining the answer, he carries on as if nothing happened. Another hour passes, and I rest my head on my hand, barely holding myself up, eyes fixed on Mr. Adkins as he talks.He might be an asshole, but at least he's a good-looking one. I wouldn’t call him hot, like my classmates do—his awful personality drops his attractiveness by about 80%. But that remaining 20%... His dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and sharp features are reminiscent of Peter Badenhop and Sahib Faber.He’s always in a black business attire, hiding his build but not the fact that he’s athletic. His muscles flex whenever he writes, and the stubble on his jaw is always perfectly trimmed.The worst part? He knows he’s attractive. That just makes him more unbearable.When the bell rings, the whole class stays seated. They always do with him. He gives an order, and everyone follows.He turns to face us, scanning the room with a sharp gaze. Lina sits
“Time to go!” Jace barks, his voice cutting through the drunken haze like a whip. “No!” “I don’t want to go!” “You can’t do that!” The chorus of protests fills the air, but Jace stands up in the jacuzzi, commanding silence and demanding attention. All eyes fixate on him. His half-naked body glistens in the soft light, water streaming down his chest, making every muscle look almost carved. My breath catches in my throat. The sight of him is devastating. His skin gleams, his broad shoulders rising and falling with restrained authority. He’s utterly magnetic, and it takes everything in me to stay upright. I want to lick him. I’m not the only one affected. Charlie and Grace visibly lose themselves in the moment. Their stares are shameless, their reactions betraying exactly what they’re thinking. Their nipples are hard. Jace clears his throat, breaking the spell. “I don’t want vomit in my house,” he says firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Besides, I want to go to bed
As soon as the words leave his mouth, Grace suddenly takes off her bikini top. Before I can process what's happening, the red bikini top sails past me, landing in the grass behind us. Her bare breasts bounce as she downs vodka straight from Simon's bottle, her laughter echoing over the music. Charlie cheers wildly, a bottle of wine in her hand, and climbs onto the table between the jacuzzi and the couch, swaying her hips in a drunken dance. Tim joins her, his face stretched into a carefree, drunken grin. I grip Jace’s arm tightly, ensuring he doesn’t let me go, my body pressing further into his as the chaos unfolds. Beside us, Sarah straddles her husband, giggling uncontrollably. “Jace,” Mason calls out, his tone laced with warning. “I can’t lock her in the bedroom, dude,” Jace shoots back. Grace leans toward us with a seductive smile, her eyes locked on Jace. “So, where IS your bedroom, Jace? A little tour?” “Not happening,” Jace responds instantly, his voice firm. “If anyone w
Mason tenses slightly at the mention of Mason but continues pouring his drink, pretending not to notice. Jace is silent behind me, his presence steady. "But he didn’t know? About the two of you?" Alex asks, frowning as he takes another sip. "You seem pretty in love." “No," I say immediately, shaking my head. "Why would he date me if he knew?” Alex hums thoughtfully, nodding. "Hmm... makes sense." I shift my hips slightly beneath the bubbling water, pressing my ass back into Jace. His warmth against me is distracting, but my attention flickers to the sound of approaching voices. A group of teachers gathers on the lounge couch nearby, the faint chocolate stain still visible on the fabric. But it isn’t them that catches my attention—it’s Sarah, holding up a bottle of expensive-looking alcohol. Her husband trails behind her, already pulling everyone into hugs. “Any room for more?” Sarah asks, her smile wide. Her gaze flickers to me and Jace, her eyebrows arching knowingly. “Jace. No
"Dude, come on, not in front of me," Mason groans from the other side of the car, throwing us an exaggerated look of irritation. I quickly set my feet down onto the large stones of the driveway, feeling a rush of heat bloom in my cheeks. My bikini-clad body suddenly feels too exposed as I glance at the other teachers stepping out of their cars. Some give me fleeting looks, but most are too preoccupied with the grandeur of Jace's house to notice. "Just celebrating her grades," Jace says nonchalantly, sliding an arm around my waist and pulling me close. It's strange—being so open about us. Really, really strange. I'm openly touching my teacher. "This is some spot," Simon says, appearing beside us and giving me a teasing smirk. "Hi, Nora. Who knew you could be such a rule-breaker?" I shrug, matching his smirk with one of my own. "It's always the innocent ones," Alex points out with a grin as he stands next to Jace. Jace doesn’t miss a beat. "Not that innocent anymore," he remarks,
"The house is still being cleaned. And Humphrey is still at the vet," I finally say, my voice low. The girls remain quiet. I glance at Esme. She’s staring at her full cup of tea, which Hannah has just refilled. She takes a shaky breath before looking up, her voice trembling as she begins. "He came the evening after you left." My throat goes dry, and I swallow heavily. "We had the garden door open. It was warm, and Mason kept going outside to smoke every fifteen minutes," she says, a faint, bittersweet smile tugging at her lips. She glances at me, a slight twinkle of humour appearing. "He was worried and angry, you see." I bite my lip, guilt weighing heavy in my chest. Esme’s expression darkens as she continues. "Mitch just walked into the house—like he owned it. He appeared in the living room, holding a machete, and asked for you, Nora." My stomach churns, a sickening knot forming inside me. "Mason lost it. He started pushing him out, yelling at him to leave, but Mitch..." He
She nods once. "I'll think about it." We step out of Sarah's suffocating office, and I exhale heavily, my shoulders sagging with exhaustion. "That was easy," Jace remarks, his hand still wrapped around mine. I shake my head silently. Easy for him. I'm ready for a warm bath and an even warmer blanket. At the hallway's end, Jace halts me. His expression shifts to something practical, focused. "We need to go. Li, you take the Aston Martin. It's parked at the back," he says, handing me the key. I nod, confused but compliant. "Am I going to your house? When is ours ready?" I ask, glancing at Mason, who stays silent. Jace shifts slightly, his tone measured. "Yes, you're staying at mine. Cleaning up the mess in your house takes time, and I want it done right." I nod again, though my stomach churns. I haven’t even talked to Mason about Mason. I glance at him, seeking reassurance, but his guarded expression gives nothing away. "Can Hannah come over?" I ask Jace hesitantly. His brow arche
"Why? She's the principal, and your employer. She could fire you or expel me. Don’t you think it’s best to keep this hidden as well as we can?" I demand, unease crackling through me. The thought of people finding out sends a shiver of fear down my spine. We need to be more careful—this could ruin everything. "We don’t know what she’ll say. You’re presuming things," Jace replies, arching an eyebrow at me. "I’m presuming things because we’re teacher and student. We’re not allowed to be together. How is this not making sense to you?" My voice edges into a snap, frustration bubbling over. My life could be over. What if she goes to the police? What if she notifies the parents of all the students? Mason cuts in before Jace can respond. "She should know, Li. She has a right to. It’s better if she hears it from us before any gossip gets to her. If she knows, she can control the narrative." I look between them, incredulous. Mason and Jace—united in their stubbornness. Of course. "Fine,"
"He probably ran away the second you broke up with him," Hannah says, loud enough for everyone to hear. "You broke up with him?" Brent asks, narrowing his eyebrows. His gaze shifts briefly to Ryker, who’s watching the exchange like a hawk. "Yeah," I answer, keeping my tone casual. "It didn’t work out." "Fuck me, the guy is weird," Charlotte calls out, loud enough to carry across the room. "Psychopath. Wouldn’t surprise me if he ran away. School’s better off without him." Charlotte, I love you so much. "He wanted to rape the girls that were with us on the night out," Brent says, his eyes flicking to Ryker. The room falls silent, everyone hanging on the words. A few girls gasp in disgust. Even Jace doesn’t stop it—he watches, letting this unfold for our benefit. My benefit. After all, Mitch was killed in my house. By my brother. "Yeah," Ryker agrees from a few seats down. "There’s something wrong with him, man. He reminds me of a serial killer—the kind where you’re not even surpri
"I have to tell you guys something," I sigh, exhaling slowly, a few days later. We’re all sitting outside beneath the sprawling branches of an old tree, my back pressed against the trunk. A fresh bandage wraps snugly around my waist—a reminder of recent events. Doctors have been in and out of Jace's house daily, checking up on Mason, Esme, and me. They finally cleared me, declaring I was fine, though not without protest. Jace and Mason practically yelled when I told them I was returning to school. Those two are best buddies again, much to my annoyance. Their overprotectiveness has reached new heights. They even drove me to school this morning, taking the entire car ride to lecture me on safety—who to call, what to watch out for, what to do in every conceivable situation. They didn’t notice the earbuds I’d discreetly popped in halfway through their sermon. My fingers trace the fabric of my blue dress absently. Mason and I haven’t been home yet. We’ve been staying at Jace’s house, w