Page 16 of Knot Forgotten

The scent of old books soothes me as soon as I slip into the building. I hurry past all the students on their tablets and laptops into the back of the area. There is a little reading nook I discovered the other day, and tonight, it will be my refuge.

“Christ, Quinn, wait,” Cameron gasps.

Shock rolls through me like a storm, and I turn to look at him. My book bag hits the floor with an audible thump. He sucks in air like a fish out of water, pausing to pull his inhaler from his front pocket, taking two quick puffs.

“I didn't mean it the way you took it,” he finally says, still out of breath.

I fold my arms over my chest and stare at him. I blink once, not buying whatever he is selling. What other way is there? He’s been a jerk since I arrived.

He gives in first, breaking eye contact as he focuses on his shoes. He sighs and drags his fingers through his windswept hair.

“Look, I'm sorry.” All that's missing is the ‘awe-shucks’ foot kick.

“Sorry?” A sarcastic laugh pops out of my mouth. “I'm not everyone's type, Cam, I get it.”

He scoffs and shakes his head. My heart slams against my chest when he pins me with a look that is pure lust. I don't even have time to react before he's boxing me in against the stack of books at my back.

“That's the problem,” he says, his thumb gliding along my chin, gently tilting my head up. He searches my eyes, his blue orbs dipping to my lips for a split second I'm not sure if I imagine. “You are exactly my type. But Quinn, we have rules, and I'm not going to be the one to break them this time.”

I wet my lips, and he groans, his thumb coming up to brush against my lower lip.

“Temptress,” he whispers.

“Cam?” I whisper back.

CHAPTER 7

Erin

Cameron’s eyes dilate, his pupils blown wide and erasing the sky blue of his irises. My stomach dips. He releases a soft breath that fans my lips. It’s as if the mask he’s been wearing has slipped, and beneath it hides his real feelings.

I’m sure he is going to kiss me. My eyes drop shut, my lashes brushing my cheeks, face tilting up even more for him.

He swears softly, then his touch is gone like it was never there. A shuddering breath works its way from my lungs, and I open my eyes to see him step back.

“I can’t…” He tugs his fingers through his dirty blond hair, his eyes doing a lap around my face, memorizing every line.

I capture my lower lip between my teeth and slowly release it. I’m not attempting to seduce him with the move, but the way his eyes darken tells me he doesn’t have as much control as he is currently pretending to have.

“Oh–” a female says, shock coloring her tone. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

I swallow and shake my head. Grabbing my bag off the floor, I face her, pushing a stray strand of hair behind my ear as I do. Her eyes light up along with her face.

“Erin, Erin Walters? I didn’t know you were coming here, too! We have to catch up, get coffee or something.” Jessica White smiles at me, her bright cheerleading grin. I want to sink into the floor and disappear.

“Erin?” Cameron says slowly. “Walters? You said your name was Quinn…”

It sinks in, and I can almost hear the wheels clicking into place. He inhales sharply, pinning me with an unreadable look.

I clutch my book bag tightly with both hands, meeting her gaze. "Jess, yeah, we should. But right now, I have to run," I say, urgency lacing my words. The barely there rumble from Cam suggests an impending storm, and I feel the need to escape—perhaps to another country. Maybe even consider something as drastic as a nose job to alter my appearance.

Without waiting for a response, I turn and start rushing away, my heart pounding in my chest. The idea of fleeing is now more appealing than ever, and I can almost hear the rapid thud of my footsteps echoing my urgency.

"Wait, hold on!" Cam's voice pierces through the air, a mix of confusion and anger. I ignore it, pushing forward, determined to put distance between us. The notion of escaping to another country or altering my appearance suddenly feels like a plausible solution.

Before I can escape, Cam reaches out and grabs my arm before he steps in front of me, his eyes narrowing with a mix of anger and hurt. "No, you're not running away this time. We need to talk."

I try to evade his gaze, but he tightens his hold on my arm, his grip firm. I'm jerked back to the wall and pinned to it like a butterfly as his face flushes with anger.

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