Sinful Affairs With My Stepbrother 4

Sinful Affairs With My Stepbrother 4 

The Library Project

Diana’s POV

The next morning, I tried to avoid Elijah. I left the Steels house early and took the bus to campus. I didn’t want to be in his truck. I didn't want to smell his rain-and-wood scent.

I spent my morning in the nursing lab, focusing on my work. It was the only part of my life that felt normal. I had a plan  study hard, get my degree, and move out of that mansion.

But my plan hit a wall in the afternoon.

"Class, listen up," my English professor said. "For the mid-term paper, you will work in pairs. I have already picked the partners."

My heart dropped when he read the names.

"Elijah Steels and Diana... I’m sorry, what is your last name now? Diana?"

"It's just Diana," I said, my face turning red.

The whole class turned to look. I saw Elijah sitting in the front row. He was wearing a dark blue sweater and looking at his laptop. He didn't even turn around.

"Elijah and Diana," the professor finished. "You will research the history of the Steels Library. It’s fitting, isn't it?"

A few students whispered. They knew the library was named after Elijah’s grandfather. It was his family's pride.

After class, the campus king was surrounded by people again. I tried to walk past him, but he stepped in my way. His friends were watching.

"I’ll meet you in the archives at seven," he said. His voice was cold and loud. "Don't be late. I have a reputation for getting top grades. I won't let a beginner ruin my GPA."

"I'm not a beginner, Elijah," I snapped.

"Seven o'clock," he repeated. He didn't even look at me. He just walked away with his friends, laughing at a joke I couldn't hear.

At seven o'clock, the library was nearly empty. The archives were in the basement. It was quiet and smelled like old paper. I found him sitting at a large wooden table. The lights were low.

"You're two minutes late," he said without looking up.

"The bus was slow," I said, sitting across from him.

We worked in silence for an hour. He was fast and smart. He knew everything about his family history. But I could feel the tension. Every time I reached for a book, his eyes followed my hand.

Suddenly, the lights flickered and went out. The basement was pitch black.

"Great," I whispered. "Again?"

"The storm must have hit the campus power," Elijah’s voice came out of the dark. It sounded closer than before.

I felt a chair move. Then, I felt the heat of his body. He was standing right behind me.

"Elijah, stay back," I said. My heart was thumping against my ribs.

"Why?" he whispered. I could feel his breath on my neck. "There are no cameras here, Diana. No friends. No father. No reputation to protect."

He turned my chair around. In the dark, I couldn't see his face, but I could feel his hands on my shoulders. They were heavy and warm.

"At school, I have to be the perfect Steels son," he growled. "I have to act like I don't want to touch you. It’s a performance. And I’m getting tired of acting."

He pulled me up. He pushed me back against the cold metal bookshelves. The books rattled.

"You're a distraction," he said. His voice was low and dangerous. "I try to study, and I see your face. I try to talk to my friends, and I wonder what you're doing. I’m obsessed, Diana. And it’s your fault."

He leaned in. His nose brushed mine. I should have pushed him away. I should have run. But the desire was too strong. I was tired of being a ghost, too.

"Then stop acting," I breathed.

The silence in the library was broken by the sound of his heavy breathing. He hasn't kissed me yet. He just stood there, holding me in the dark,