25. Quinn

25

QUINN

I 'd forgotten what the whole gods-and-goddesses campaign was like. When I'd campaigned the first time when I was younger, it had been something new and exciting. Now, though, it seemed like it was taking up precious time that I needed to spend studying or even hanging out with my friends…not to mention my stolen moments with Roman. So many stolen moments. We'd become even closer than we had been the first time around. I couldn't believe how quickly it had happened, but at the same time, it felt inevitable. He'd always known me so well. Our connection now was solid, growing deeper and stronger every day.

The campaign itself had officially begun with posters of the potential candidates being plastered all around the school, as well as on the school intranet and our various group chats. We'd all had to submit a campaign video—non-negotiable. Some people—Freya, Penelope, Tristan, and a few of the others—had actually booked professional videographers to put together aesthetic montage videos of themselves, complete with music and slo-mo clips. I'd been with Elena when the first one was revealed, and her jaw had dropped, complete with disbelieving head shaking. I couldn't blame her. People here went over the top. Very over the top.

As for my video…I'd gone for a more laid-back approach and put together a slideshow of selfies, photos with my friends, images I'd dug out from my younger days, back when I had no cares and no idea of what awaited me.A few of the other candidates had created videos along the same lines as me, too.

Roman, on the other hand, had gone for a different approach to everyone else. His video was mostly footage alluding to his various pranks, some of which had been serious enough for him to be suspended or even expelled, if he hadn't been lucky. Everything was hinted at, so there was nothing actually incriminating, but everyone in the school knew his reputation and had at least a general idea of the things he'd done. Interspersed with the footage were clips of him on the swim and dive teams, his powerful body so at home in the water, so strong and sexy and…well. It was impossible that people wouldn't vote for him after seeing that, whether he'd been one of the elite or not.

Unreasonable jealousy rushed through me. I didn't want to feel this way. I knew he wanted me, but…it was hard. Hard when I couldn't touch him in public. Hard when I couldn't tell the world I was his and he belonged to me.

Straightening my shoulders as I entered the library, I told myself to forget about everything. The only thing that mattered right now was completing my history assignment so I could give my hoped-for future career the best chance possible.

I lost myself deep in the stacks, the dust motes dancing around me as I carefully paged through old books, some written before my great-grandparents had been born. Yellowed pages, faded with age, bound within cracked leather covers. Most of my research had been compiled via more modern books, but now I'd selected my final subject and had it approved, I wanted to be able to compare and contrast it with this older view of history, before modern technology was able to uncover so many of the things we now knew. I'd had to get special permission from my history teacher to be here because some of the books were so valuable and so fragile I had to wear protective gloves to handle them. The oldest books were kept in a locked glass cabinet with special lighting. It was amazing to think I was looking at words that were written so long ago, and it gave me a thrill. There was no doubt in my mind that this was what I wanted to do with my future.

But before I could think about that, I needed to get this project done.

When I'd replaced the books, I headed back into the main library. I could make out the low hum of conversation from a distance, but there was no one around me.It was out of hours, so that was most likely why, and I was thankful for my more comfortable and casual jeans and sports top instead of my perfectly pressed uniform. Somehow, when I was out of my uniform, I felt less pressured. Less stressed.

Placing my things down on a small table, I made my way back into the stacks to gather up a few copies of The Historical Review so I could see how the research papers were presented. This could be the key to ensuring the academics looked more closely at my work, and maybe…if I were incredibly lucky, I'd even be published. If not with this paper, then maybe with another, one day.

Turning a corner, my mind focused on the journals I needed, I ran straight into a firm torso. With a cry, I jerked backwards, but an arm came out to steady me. I looked up, seeing tousled raven hair, deep blue eyes sparkling down at me, and a mouth curving into an amused smile.

"You should watch where you're going, Quinn." Roman backed me into the stacks with his body, caging me in with his arms.

"Should I?" I ran my hand up his chest, watching his eyes darken. His tongue swiped across his lips, his gaze fixed on my mouth, and when he lowered his head, we were both on the same page. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer, swept away in the feeling of his hot mouth on mine and his body, so strong, holding me securely in place. Protecting me.

"Fuck, Quinn," he muttered, kissing down the side of my throat. "We shouldn't be doing this here."

"I know."

Neither of us stopped.

I lost track of time, my whole world narrowed down to this tiny corner of the library, where we were the only two people to exist.

Until we weren't.

The distinct sound of a sharp intake of breath, immediately stifled, had me shoving Roman backwards, panicked. From the side of the stacks, there was a flash of movement.

"Stay here," Roman growled, stalking to the end of the aisle. He glanced around him, tense and alert, listening. Eventually, though, his shoulders lowered, and he shook his head as he returned to where I was slumped against the stacks, my heart still racing. He spoke in a whisper. "I don't see anything. Whoever was here is gone, but you should leave."

"I…I can't. I need to look at some journals. We're not allowed to take them out of the library, and I have to submit the first draft of my assignment tomorrow."

He shook his head again, his eyes hard and his jaw clenched. "No. We can't be seen alone together, and I'm not leaving you alone in here. Fuck the rules—take the journals with you and bring them back tomorrow, early. It's late now, and no one's gonna notice they're gone. Keeping you safe is the most important thing."

"Do you really think anything would happen to me in here?" Even as I said the words, doubt crept into my mind. Suddenly, the warm, welcoming library seemed ominous, full of dark shadows and hidden corners where anyone could— "Ugh. Shut up, brain," I hissed.

"I'm not taking any risks, not when it comes to you. I shouldn't have even kissed you, not here, but…" His lips curved into a wry smile. "You're impossible to resist, Quinn Farrow."

I melted. "Likewise." With a sigh, I straightened up. Turning to face the shelves, I hesitated. "Um. I…I'll take a couple with me, only because I really want to produce the best paper I possibly can. I never really understood why the research journals weren't allowed to be taken out of the library. I'll take good care of them."

"It sounds like you're trying to convince yourself," Roman commented. He dipped his head to my ear. "Don't change, Quinn. Your conscience is one of the things I lo—like about you. But in this instance, you don't need to feel guilty. You're only borrowing them for a few hours, for a good cause."

"When you put it like that…" I did need to submit the first draft of my paper in the morning. Swallowing down my guilt, I quickly scanned the shelves, pulling out the journals I needed before I could change my mind. Roman remained in the stacks as I made my way back to the table where I'd left my things. I wished things were different, but they weren't, and there was nothing I could do about it. Patience. That was what I needed. One day, we wouldn't have to hide. One day, I could love Roman Cavendish in the way he deserved.

When I reached the library doors, the borrowed journals sitting heavy in my bag, I saw Roman lounging around the small sports section, talking to one of the lacrosse team guys. As I pushed the doors open, he shot me a wink, and I ducked my head to hide my smile.