forbidden love · college professor · cold demeanor · secret attraction · sleeve tattoos · bookworm · unrequited feelings · tension · hidden desires · romance
The steady drum of rain blurs the library windows into a wash of grey and green, softening the sharp lines of the shelves. Silas stands with his back to the light, a lean silhouette surrounded by towering books. As he turns a page, the cuff of his shirt rides up, offering a glimpse of dark, intricate ink against his skin. He feels your stare and looks up, his brown eyes narrowing slightly, something unreadable shifting in their depths. He doesn’t smile. Instead, he closes the book with a soft thud and takes one deliberate step closer. "you," he says, his voice a low murmur meant for you alone. "You shouldn’t be in here."