Root stopped in the doorway to the library's reading room, coat hanging over one arm, and adjusted the strap of her messenger bag. She rubbed her bare legs together as she looked around the room. New York City in Early October was colder than she liked and even the stockings shed warn, and removed in the bathroom, had not stopped the chill.

She was on the offensive today and her outfit was a part of her plan. The black dress she was wearing had thin spaghetti straps, showing off her collarbone, and was tight to her waist, accentuating what little cleavage she had. The skirt flowed loosely to mid-thigh, providing easy access. The metal detectors at the library entrance may have kept her from bringing guns inside, but that didn't mean Root was totally unarmed.

Spotting Shaw at the table next to the stacks, Root grinned and moved to the row of hooks on the wall to hang her coat. Shaw was sitting with that huge boy who always followed her around. She'd seen him at a party a few days ago. John had been much easier to hack than Shaw, but provided little insight. They were both mysteries.

Root started toward them, weaving through tables and trying to look confident. Her sweaty hands wrapped around her bag's strap gave her away. Root could cut a man's finger off with out blinking, but the possibility of Shaw's touch made her nervous. She fixed a cool look on her face and stopped next to the chair beside Shaw.

"This seat taken?"

Shaw's head jerked up, her phone slipping from her hands to clatter onto the table. Her eyes took in Root's dress, nostrils flaring, before lingering on long, pale legs. Root tried to keep her breathing steady as Shaw's pupils widened and her tongue darted out to lick her lips. Root wanted to push everything off the table and let Shaw take her right here.

As if she'd heard Root's thoughts, Shaw's eyes snapped back up. She glared at Root, her eyes deep and mesmerizing. "Sit somewhere else," she bit through clenched teeth.

Pouting, Root turned to John. "There isn't anywhere else."

John and Shaw looked around the library, seemingly surprised that the whole room was full of students. Dark and angry eyes stared up at Root's and she opened her mouth. John cut her off before she could speak.

"Shaw," he said softly, voice full of meaning, "let her sit. We're just studying."

Her eyes thunderous, she turned her gaze to John. Root could see the muscles in her jaw working. Of course, Root knew that they were meeting someone tonight, a man in a tan jacket that had been lingering on the steps. She had smiled at him as she passed and he had flinched like she'd shot him. If Root sat, that meeting was off.

"Fine," Shaw spat. She picked up her phone, typing furiously. "Sit."

Smiling in victory, Root pulled the chair out. She hung her messenger bag from the chair, on the outside, not between them, and dropped delicately down. As she adjusted herself, she brushed her leg against Shaw, saddened to see that Shaw was wearing jeans. Her touch still had an effect, though.

Shaw tensed, her hands white around her phone. Root pretended not to notice. Instead, she leaned her elbows on the table and looked at the open textbook in front of Shaw.

"What are you studying?" she asked, leaning her arm against Shaw's. "It looks interesting."

Shaw closed her book, making Root jump. Her phone disappeared and she turned to glare. "Did you just come here to chit chat?"

Grinning, Root dropped an arm beneath the table, sliding it over Shaw's muscular thigh. "I think we both know I'm not here to study."

She felt Shaw move, heard a dull thud, and then John was coughing loudly. Root chuckled, pulling her hand off Shaw's thigh and back onto the table. Across from them, John was wincing, his body leaning to the side as he rubbed his shin. Root's nervousness was melting away, eased by the knowledge that Shaw was just as affected as she was.

"So, John," Root said casually, pressing her knee into Shaw's, "what are you studying?"

John looked surprised. His eyes jumped between Root and Shaw. "Uh, you know my name?"

Shaw snorted, crossing her arms. "Of course she does. She's too nosy for her own good."

"It's my best quality," Root said proudly. She pushed her hair behind her ear, looking at Shaw with wide eyes. "You'll learn that."

Shaw rolled her eyes, but her knee finally pushed back into Root's. Her rough, denim-clad leg scrapped softly against Root's skin, sending heat spreading through her body. Shaw was strong, her muscles clear even through her long-sleeved sweatshirt. Root leaned back in her seat, stretching an arm across the back of Shaw's seat.

"John?" Root asked again. "What are you studying?"

Looking down at his notes, John spread his hands. "I don't know. I think this is history, but I couldn't tell you. I'm not a reading guy."

Root picked at Shaw's sweatshirt with gentle fingers, the fabric soft and still a little cold from the night air outside. Shaw sat almost perfectly still, hands clasped on the table and face blank. Root wondered what she was thinking. Was she imagining herself between Root's legs? Because that's what Root was thinking about.

"My major is economics right now, but I'm not sure it's a good fit," John continued. "I might switch to pre-law or political science. What about you?"

Root dipped her head towards Shaw's hair, nose brushing against soft, black strands. Shaw smelled like honey and chamomile and Root was surprised by the feminine shampoo choice. It could haveclashed with her masculine cologne, but it didn't. The combination mixed to make Root lightheaded.

Shaw pushed Root's face away with a rough hand. "He asked you a question."

"Did he?" Root mumbled against Shaw's fingers. "I missed it."

"Christ," Shaw muttered. She dropped her hand into her lap and the hair on Root's neck stood as she noted its proximity to her skin. "He asked what you were studying." She looked at John. "She's studying Computer Science."

Root grinned, heart skipping a beat. "You remembered! Someone's been thinking about me."

The hand in Shaw's lap crept to the side and warm fingers pressed into Root's bare legs. Shaw's lips were parted when Root looked at them. It took everything she had not to launch herself at Shaw. Shaw's phone beeped and Root jumped.

Shaw didn't. She turned away, using her free hand to pull her phone out again. The hand on Root's leg squeezed, strong fingertips pushed into soft skin and Root had to stifle a gasp.

"Computer Science is cool," John tried, though the slight waver in his voice to indicated that he knew it was a lost cause. "Are you good with hacking? That's how you knew my name."

The warm hand slid down between Root's legs and she sucked in a shaking breath, leaning forward. "I'm pretty good," Root confirmed. Her voice was steady. "You don't have a huge internet presence, but I know my way around the back channels."

Shaw's fingers were loud against her phone as she texted. Her other hand slowly scratched the sensitive inside of Root's thighs. Her textbook was still closed and Root was willing to bet that she was done studying for the night. Root hadn't even bothered pulling her books out.

"I hadn't realized that Shaw had a…" John's voice trailed off at Shaw's sharp look. "I mean, how do you know each other?"

"We watch The Bachelor together," Root answered, all of her attention on the heat between her legs. "In our dorm."

Nails dug into fragile skin and Root knew that Shaw could rip her open, if she wanted to. Root could spread her legs, exposed beneath her skirt, and let Shaw bleed her dry. It made Root feel hot to think about being vulnerable beneath Shaw's watchful eye and she wondered if Shaw would ever let her return the favor. She had never touched Shaw.

"I didn't watch The Bachelor," Shaw said, bringing Root out of her thoughts. "I sat on a couch, flirted for a while, and then we left."

John raised his eyebrows, mouth lifting in the ghost of a smile. "Oh, you're that girl. Bite-Mark Girl."

Root grinned as Shaw groaned. "She talks about me?" Root turned to Shaw, making her pull her hand away. "You talk about me."

"I couldn't avoid it," Shaw grumbled, too focused on her phone. "You left a huge bruise on my neck."

Root glanced at John, feeling a blush spread across her cheeks, and moved close to Shaw. "I remember the way your hands wrapped around my neck," she murmured, voice low. Her lips brushed against the ridge of Shaw's ear as she spoke and she pressed her chest into Shaw's tense arm. "I thought you were going to kill me. I can't stop thinking about it. I want you inside me again, and I want you to hurt me."

Shaw's chair was loud as she pushed back from the table, springing for her feet. She glared down at Root for a moment before grabbing her backpack off the floor and shoving her books inside.

"You talk too much," Shaw growled as she zipped her backpack shut. She looked at Root again, face unreadable. "That mouth is going to get you in trouble."

Root grinned. "It usually does."

Shaw rolled her eyes and stomped off towards the stacks, disappearing between tall bookshelves. Licking her lips, Root stood up, taking her bag from where it hung and pushing her chair in. She smiled at John.

"It was nice to meet you."

John shrugged helplessly. "You, too. I guess I'll just…go."

Root started walking before he finished his sentence. She'd get to know him later, but right now, all of her attention was focused on Shaw and the aisle where she'd disappeared. She knew that people rarely used the first floor stacks because it was mostly old theology periodicals and newspaper clippings.

Shaw wasn't in the aisle anymore and Root stood in the narrow hallway between shelves for a moment, listening. The soft thud of a backpack hitting the ground made her turn left and head further into the library. These shelves were almost empty, periodicals and newspapers placed sporadically, and she squatted slightly to see through them.

Shaw was in the farthest corner of the library, looking at a stack of magazines with the names faded off. Root stopped at the end of the aisle, leaning against steel shelving and looking out a small window set into the wall at the other end. She couldn't see anything out the window, it was too dark, so she turned her gaze on Shaw, who was still ignoring her.

"I'm not here on business, you know," Root said. She dropped her bag onto the floor. "Just pleasure."

Shaw didn't look at her, but her back stiffened and she crossed her arms. "I don't care."

"Well, we both know that isn't true." Root pushed off the shelf and walked into the aisle. "You've been looking into me."

Her dark ponytail swung as Shaw snapped her head around to look at Root, eyes just wide enough to show surprise. "How do you know?"

Root chuckled dryly and leaned on the shelf opposite Shaw. "I'm good with computers, Sameen. You know that. You think I can't tell when someone sniffs around?"

Shaw faced her fully and Root shivered in anticipation. When Shaw looked at someone, really took them in, her body was completely still. She seemed like she wasn't even breathing. Root felt her stomach grow hot as Shaw's unwavering gaze drank her in.

"Search me all you want," Root said, knowing that her voice was quivering. "I'm mysterious. Dangerous."

Shaw snorted, the spell broken and closed the distance between them in two short steps. "You aren't dangerous. You're just a puppy."

Licking her lips, Root ran her palms over her breasts, the soft touch making her gasp. Being this close to Shaw made her dizzy, her whole body on a sustained high alert. Maybe that's what made her so interested in pursuing her enigmatic lover. She dragged her hands down over her stomach, the backs brushing against Shaw's sweatshirt.

Root opened her mouth to talk, but couldn't think of anything cool to say, so she just bit her lip, hard enough to make her moan. Her hands reach the bottom of her dress and she wrapped her fingers around the hem. What would Shaw do if she started touching herself right now?

Shaw's eyes were glued to Root's mouth, her own mouth slightly open. That was the only sign that Root's display was affecting her. She looked completely calm, hands hanging loosely at her side as Root pulled up her skirt and slid pale hands up slender thighs. When Root brushed her fingers over her underwear, a soft groan escaping her lips, Shaw's eyes moved down to Root's breasts.

The way her eyes burned holes through the thin fabric of Root's dress made her press her fingers against the soft cotton of her underwear. She wanted Shaw to touch her, but her hands by her sides.

"You can touch me," Root breathed, sliding her fingers under her waistband. "I want you to."

Shaw placed her hands on Root's stomach, spreading her fingers across the black fabric. Her face was guarded, but her hands were hot and Root could feel herself sweat. She ran her fingers through wetness and moaned. She licked her lips. Shaw was so close to her, but Root needed more.

She spread her legs and her stomach clenched as her fingers dipped inside. Root closed her eyes, leaning her head back on a shelf and focused on hot hands trailing up her to scrathed across Root's breasts and up to her shoulders. Shaw tugged the dress' straps down her arms, trying to pull the top down.

"Hold on," Root gasped, pulling her hand out of her underwear and pulling her arms through the straps. "There."

Shaw grabbed her hips, spinning her away from the bookshelf and pushing her onto the windowsill. Her face looked determined, like Root was something to be done and conquered. It turned her on as much as it made her aware of their casual arrangment. Root couldn't even call it an arrangment. Shaw didn't care about her, she just liked the sex.

Shaw pulled the top of Root's dress down, exposing her breasts to the cool library area. Root drew a shuddering breath as her nipples tightened in the sudden chill. She moaned as Shaw's head dipped to lick the goosebumps on Root' breast and Root's hands flew up to grab Shaw's head.

They still hadn't kissed, but Root didn't care. She was fine with the casual hook-up. Shaw didn't need to baby her this time, the way she had their first time. Root was just looking forward to future encounters and orgasms.

Shaw's hands clutched Root's hips beneath her dress and Root felt her heart race. Hot hands squeezed her thighs and she couldn't take it anymore. She lifted Shaw's head from her chest and crashed their lips together. Shaw's mouth fit against her own perfectly and Root wrapped her arms around Shaw's neck, keeping them close.

One of the hands on her hips moved under a leg and lifted it, holding Root's legs apart, the other slipped around underwear and pushed inside Root without warning. It surprised her, and she gasped in surprise against Shaw's mouth. Her head fell back against the window and she wondered if anyone outside could see them fucking in the library. They were on the first floor.

Shaw pulled her head back, staring at Root with black eyes. "Touch your breasts," Shaw ordered. She licked her lips. "Now."

Root nodded, hands releasing Shaw's head to move to her breasts, squeezing hard enough to hurt. Shaw's fingers were rough inside her, moving quickly and confidently. Her calm façade had slipped and Root could see the desire on her face, lips parted and eyes fixed to Root's hands.

Root closed her eyes, losing herself in Shaw's touch. She hated how good it felt, how much she thought about it Shaw's hand was holding her leg in a bruising grip and Root hoped she'd have a mark tomorrow. Something to remember Shaw by.

"Why are you stalking me?" Shaw asked suddenly, in time with her movements.

Root lifted her head from the window to stare at Shaw with half-open eyes. "What?"

She couldn't believe Shaw would bring this up now, but then again, she remembered the party. If she didn't talk, Shaw could leave her high and dry again. If she did, Root would stop her stalking; she liked the sex, but she wasn't going to sacrifice her dignity.

Shaw curled her fingers inside Root and she gasped, her legs shaking. She was already so close and they'd barely done anything. She needed to learn how to last longer if they were going to keep this up. Root moaned loudly, the sound almost echoing in the empty aisle, and tried to focus on Shaw.

Shaw leaned forward to nip at Root's lips. "Why are you stalking me, Root?" She trailed her lips along Root's jaw. "The party? Tonight?" Her tongue pressed into Root's jugular. "What's going on?"

Root gasped, her heart racing. She could feel the familiar warmth spreading through her stomach, telling her she was close. Shaw's fingers inside her felt so good and the hand crushing her leg felt so good and the teeth sinking into her neck felt so good. Root tried to breath as she neared her orgasm.

"You're really hot," Root breathed. Her eyes drifted shut and her head dropped back again. "So hot."

Shaw snorted into Root's neck. "Of course. You don't have a sinister bone in your body."

Root couldn't reply. Her body was shaking as Shaw pushed her to the edge. She came with a gasp, Shaw's grip on her leg the only thing keeping her on the windowsill. Gasping again and again, she jerked against Shaw, her orgasm drawn out as Shaw kept moving inside her.

Finally, after what felt like forever, Root's body started to relax, muscles unclenching and breathing slowing. Shaw took her hands away and Root lifted her head, opening her eyes. Shaw looked awkward now in the harsh light of the library, like she wanted more, but was holding herself back. She stood just out of reach and Root slid off the windowsill to stand in front of her.

She wondered if she should be modest, cover herself again and pretend she didn't just get fucked in the periodical section. Her body felt good and she couldn't bring herself to care about defiling the librry. She lifted an arm to reach for Shaw's sweater, but Shaw took a step back.

"No," Shaw mumbled, holding her hands up. "I'm fine."

"Sameen," Root cooed, tilting her head, "I see that look in your eyes. You want it and I want to give it to you. Whatever you want, I'll do it."

The offer seemed to tempt Shaw, a hand drifted up to touch her neck. Suddenly, something changed and her face became guarded. Her head shook sharply and she spread her hands in front of her.

"No, thank you." Shaw smirked, walking backwards. "Maybe next time."

Root grinned as Shaw turned around to pick up her bag. "I'll take you up on that. Oh, and Sameen?"

Shaw looked over her shoulder, slinging her backpack over her shoulder. "Yes?"

"When you masturbate later," Root traced her fingers under her breasts, "think about me."