Chapter 4

The library was quiet, the soft hum of the overhead lights a welcome contrast to the chaos of the student hall. I sighed, sinking into one of the plush armchairs near the back. Bookshelves loomed all around me, tall and shadowed, and the faint scent of old paper filled the air.

This was what I needed—a chance to catch my breath and drown out the strange, disturbing thoughts that had plagued me since I stepped onto campus. Being surrounded by books was like slipping into a cocoon, a protective barrier against the outside world.

I pulled out the novel I’d tucked into my bag—a well-worn copy of Wuthering Heights—and let the familiar words soothe my racing mind. I’d always loved losing myself in other worlds, in stories that made my own problems seem small and insignificant.

But no matter how hard I tried to focus, I couldn’t shake the memory of Darius’s touch. His hands on my waist, his breath against my skin… it had been too intense, too much. And yet, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. About him.

A shiver ran down my spine, and I shifted uncomfortably, shaking my head. “Stop it, Viv,” I whispered fiercely. “He’s just some arrogant jerk trying to mess with you.”

But even as I muttered the words, the image of his dark, mocking eyes flashed in my mind. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to banish it, and forced myself to focus on the book in my hands.

I cannot live without my soul…

The words blurred on the page, and I frowned, leaning in closer. No matter how hard I tried, the sentences refused to make sense, twisting and distorting until they were nothing but meaningless squiggles.

“Do you always frown like that when you read, darling?”

The voice was low, dark, and so close that it sent a jolt of shock through me. I nearly dropped the book, my heart leaping into my throat as I looked up—

And found myself staring into Darius’s smirking face.

“What the hell?” I gasped, my pulse pounding as I clutched the book to my chest. “What are you doing here?”

He raised an eyebrow, sliding into the seat beside me with the kind of effortless grace that made my stomach twist. Up close, he was even more overwhelming—bigger, darker, his presence almost suffocating. He leaned back casually, one arm draped over the back of the chair, his eyes never leaving mine.

“I should be asking you that,” he murmured softly. “It’s a little late to be wandering around campus alone, isn’t it?”

I bristled, glaring at him. “I’m not wandering. I’m in the library. Reading. You know, like normal people do.”

“Normal?” His lips twitched, amusement flickering in his eyes. “Is that what you call it?”

“Yes,” I snapped, holding his gaze stubbornly even as my cheeks heated. “I’m trying to focus, so if you don’t mind—”

“Trying,” he echoed, his smirk widening. “I see.”

I grit my teeth, anger sparking through me. Why did he have to be so infuriating? And why did my stupid heart keep skipping every time he so much as glanced my way?

“Are you always this much of a pain?” I shot back, my voice sharper than I intended.

But Darius just chuckled, the sound low and dark. “I suppose that depends on who you ask.”

I narrowed my eyes, my grip tightening on the book. “Well, I’m asking, and—”

“Are you always this tense?” he murmured, leaning closer. “Or is it just when I’m around?”

My breath caught, the world narrowing to the dark heat in his gaze. I wanted to slap him, to tell him to get the hell away from me. But instead, I found myself frozen, trapped by the weight of his stare.

“Stop it,” I whispered, hating how weak I sounded. “I’m trying to read.”

“Is that what you call it?” he murmured again, his lips curving into a wicked smile. “Because from where I’m sitting, it looks like you’re just begging for a distraction.”

My cheeks burned, and I shook my head quickly, looking away. “You’re insane.”

“Am I?” His voice was a soft, dangerous purr. “Or am I exactly what you need right now?”

Before I could respond, his hand moved under the table, fingers brushing against my knee. I sucked in a sharp breath, my entire body going rigid.

“What—”

“Keep reading,” he murmured softly, his gaze locked on mine. “Every time you stop, I’ll stop.”

A shudder ran through me, my heart slamming against my ribs. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Read,” he ordered, his voice low and unrelenting. “Out loud.”

I stared at him, my pulse racing, but his expression didn’t change. Slowly, hesitantly, I glanced down at the book in my hands, the words swimming in front of my eyes.

“I—I don’t—”

“Go on,” he murmured, his fingers sliding higher up my thigh. “I’m waiting.”

A strangled sound escaped my throat, and I tried to focus, tried to breathe. My entire body was trembling, every nerve screaming at me to push him away, to run. But instead, I licked my lips, forcing myself to look at the book.

“Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

“Louder.”

Heat flooded my cheeks, but I swallowed hard, raising my voice slightly. “If all else perished, and he remained—”

“Good girl,” he murmured, his fingers pressing lightly against the sensitive skin of my inner thigh.

My voice hitched, and I nearly choked on the words. “He—he remained—” But the sentence died in my throat as his thumb traced a slow, deliberate circle, sending a jolt of heat racing through me.

“Don’t stop,” he warned softly, his eyes dark and burning. “Every time you stop, I’ll stop.”

I sucked in a breath, struggling to focus. The words blurred, and I could barely remember how to breathe, let alone read. But I forced myself to keep going, my voice trembling as I stuttered through the next few sentences, my entire body thrumming with mortification and something far more dangerous.

And the worst part?

I couldn’t tell if I was more mortified… or aroused.

I managed to get out a paragraph from my book, my voice trembling as I read aloud. Darius’s eyes gleamed with dark satisfaction, and before I could react, he slid down to the floor, positioning himself between my legs. I gasped in shock as he hooked his fingers under my panties and slowly pulled them down my legs, lifting my skirt up to my hips.

My heart pounded in my chest as I stared down at him, completely mortified and utterly turned on. He took a slow, deep sniff, groaning in pleasure before diving in. His tongue traced a path up my inner thigh, making me squirm in my seat. I let out a squeak of surprise, and he paused, looking up at me with a wicked grin.

“Keep reading,” he ordered, his voice low and husky.

I swallowed hard, my cheeks burning with embarrassment as I looked back down at my book. I managed to get out a few more sentences, my voice shaking as Darius went back to work. His tongue flicked against my clit, sending a jolt of pleasure through me. I bit my lip, trying to focus on the words in front of me, but it was impossible.

Darius’s hands gripped my hips, holding me in place as he devoured me. I could feel myself getting wetter, my body responding to his touch despite my mortification. I let out a moan, and he growled in response, his fingers digging into my skin.

“You taste so fucking good,” he murmured, his breath hot against my skin.

I whimpered, my hips bucking involuntarily as he sucked on my clit. I could feel myself getting closer, my body trembling with need. I tried to focus on the book, tried to keep reading, but it was no use. I was completely lost in the sensation of Darius’s mouth on me.

He slid a finger inside me, curling it upwards to hit my g-spot. I cried out, my entire body shaking as I came. Darius groaned, his tongue still working against my clit as I rode out the waves of pleasure.

When it was over, I slumped back in my chair, completely spent. Darius sat back on his heels, a satisfied smirk on his face. He licked his lips, his eyes still burning with desire.

“You’re so fucking sexy when you come,” he murmured, his voice low and husky.

I blushed, unable to meet his gaze. I couldn’t believe what had just happened. I had never been so turned on, so completely consumed by pleasure. And yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had just made a huge mistake.

But as I looked up at Darius, his dark eyes filled with lust and desire, I knew that I was in way over my head. And I wasn’t sure if I wanted to find my way out.