Unspoken Feelings

Emma’s POV

I wasn’t supposed to enjoy his presence outside of sex.

But here I was.

Lying next to Killian Thomas in the middle of the abandoned library, the first rays of morning light filtering through the high windows. His breathing was slow and even, his chest rising and falling steadily. He looked… peaceful.

It was infuriating.

Because for the first time since this ridiculous arrangement started, I wanted to stay here a little longer.

I wanted to just exist with him.

And that was dangerous.

I turned my head slightly, taking in his features—his sharp jawline, the faint shadow of stubble that made him look less like the perfect student and more like the man who had spent the night dragging me through every sinful act imaginable.

Last night had been different.

It wasn’t just sex.

It felt like something more, something that lingered even after the pleasure had faded.

Something that made my chest tighten in a way I did not like.

I forced myself to sit up, pulling the librarian’s old sweater around my bare shoulders. My clothes were scattered across the room—a clear reminder of the things we had done.

Killian stirred beside me, a slow groan leaving his lips as he stretched. “You’re awake early,” he murmured, his voice rough with sleep.

I shrugged, feigning indifference. “We should probably go before someone finds us.”

He blinked at me, his gaze still hazy from sleep. “Are you actually worried about getting caught for once?”

“No,” I lied. “I just don’t want to be late for class.”

Killian smirked, sitting up and resting his arms over the back of the couch. His gaze flickered over me, lingering a little too long. “Right. Because you’re so responsible.”

I scoffed, tossing one of the discarded books at him. He caught it effortlessly, that smug grin never leaving his face.

God, he was insufferable.

And the worst part?

I liked it.

I turned away quickly, pretending to be busy as I gathered my clothes. My hands shook slightly as I buttoned up my blouse, which only made me more frustrated. I wasn’t nervous. I wasn’t shaken.

This was just another morning after another night of using each other.

That was all.

So why did it feel different?

Killian’s POV

Something was off with Emma this morning.

Usually, she’d still be tangled up with me, pressing lazy kisses against my skin, teasing me until we started all over again.

But today?

She was distant.

Distracted.

Almost like she wanted to leave before she did something reckless.

Like admit this wasn’t just about sex anymore.

Not that I would say it out loud either.

Because I wasn’t supposed to want her past this arrangement.

I wasn’t supposed to care about whether she left early or stayed a little longer.

But as I watched her get dressed, her movements a little too rushed, a little too careful—something in my chest tightened.

And I fucking hated it.

I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply. “You running away or something?”

Emma froze, just for a fraction of a second.

Then she turned, flashing me that signature smirk of hers. “Please. Don’t flatter yourself, Thomas.”

I leaned back against the couch, watching her carefully. “You sure about that?”

She rolled her eyes, shoving a hand through her hair like she was trying to shake something off. “I just don’t want to get caught doing the walk of shame through campus.”

It was a weak excuse.

But I let it slide.

Because I didn’t know what was worse—her pretending last night hadn’t meant something or the fact that I was too much of a coward to call her out on it.

Instead, I just stood up and grabbed my shirt, slipping it on slowly. “Fine. But don’t think you’re getting out of this that easily.”

She raised a brow. “Out of what?”

I took a step closer, my fingers brushing along the side of her jaw. “This,” I murmured, leaning in. “You and me. Whatever the hell this is.”

Emma’s breath hitched.

And for a second—just a second—I saw something flicker in her eyes.

Something that looked a lot like fear.

But then she shoved me away with a laugh, shaking her head. “You really think this is something?”

I smirked. “You tell me.”

She stared at me for a long moment, her expression unreadable.

Then she scoffed, grabbing her bag. “See you in class, Thomas.”

And just like that, she was gone.

But for the first time since this whole thing started, I wasn’t just left thinking about the next time we’d fuck.

I was thinking about her.

And that was fucking terrifying.

Emma’s POV

I didn’t go straight to class.

I needed air.

I needed to breathe.

So I walked, letting my feet take me anywhere but near him.

I ended up at the small campus café, ordering a black coffee even though I hated it. I just needed something bitter, something to distract me from the lingering heat on my skin, from the memory of his fingers brushing my jaw like I was something to him.

I wasn’t.

I couldn’t be.

I sat by the window, sipping my coffee and staring blankly at the students walking by. A few of them glanced at me, some whispering, some just watching.

People always stared at me.

I was used to it.

But today, it felt suffocating.

“Rough night?”

I glanced up, startled, as Eloise slid into the seat across from me. My best friend smirked, eyeing me over the rim of her caramel latte.

I forced a smirk. “Define rough.”

Eloise tilted her head, her golden curls bouncing. “Well, you either spent the night drinking, fighting, or—” Her eyes gleamed knowingly. “—fucking.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re disgusting.”

“You love me.” She sipped her latte, studying me. “So. Who was it this time?”

I shrugged. “No one interesting.”

It wasn’t a lie.

Killian wasn’t interesting.

He was infuriating, arrogant, and so damn persistent.

And yet…

Eloise raised a brow. “Liar.”

I sighed, taking a long sip of my coffee.

Eloise had known me for years. She could read me better than anyone.

But she didn’t know about Killian.

And she never would.

Because whatever this was—it would end.

It had to.

I wouldn’t let myself want him.

Because wanting someone meant they had power over you.

And I refused to give Killian Thomas that kind of power.