Sorry, this one is slow to come out, but that will probably be how it is from now on.

I will be working on this story first, then Vampires! Oh My!, and then Warrior of His Heart. Not sure when I will be posting those though.

I'm going to try to update on my days off. I hope you enjoy :)

Rose POV

The library was imposing; the towering structure was foreboding rather than welcoming. I hadn't spent much time there in the past, but it was neutral territory to meet Dimitri and work on the dreaded group project.

I considered asking Stan to switch partners, but I believed his threat of failing me if I did. Granted, a part of me would take the fail over having to spend the next four weeks working with Dimitri.

So much for going back to what we were.

We didn't exchange numbers, that felt strange, and I was still annoyed with him. I gave him my email at the end of class and told him to send me his schedule.

When I told Lissa we were working together, she squealed and said it was perfect—she didn't understand.

Dimitri didn't want me as a soulmate.

And I didn't need one either.

I marched into the library, determined to just get it over with. It wasn't even like we had to talk a lot; we just had to decide on a topic and research. Barely even had to speak. I don't even have to look at him.

Just get it over and done with.

Dimitri was already at a table; because of how packed the library was, he could only get us a space on the end of the table, the chairs beside each other. I tried to keep the grimace off my face and scolded the part of me that felt excited to be so close to him.

It sucked that I had feelings for him despite knowing he didn't want to be with me. I still imagined what it would be like to kiss him; wondered how it would feel to be held in his arms again.

I slowed as I approached him, schooling my features so I didn't show that I was attracted to him. Honestly, Dimitri had no right to look as good as he did. He looked amazing in the suit, but seeing him in fitted dark jeans and a moss-green shirt with the sleeves pushed up to his elbows made my mouth go dry. He had pulled his hair back into a ponytail at the nape of his neck, it was a style that I doubted too many guys could pull off, but he did.

This man could wear a potato sack, and I'm sure I would still drool over him.

I dropped my bag on the desk and took the seat, angling it so I was more on the table end than beside him. His eyes met mine, and there was a spark between us.

Since our candle lit, I had been more aware of the energy between us, wondering how I had missed it before. At the party, I figured it was just my crush on him, but now I realised it was because we were soulmates—with a very strong connection.

My parents had both encouraged me to talk to Dimitri, claiming that a connection like ours shouldn't be disregarded. Now I just ignored their calls.

"I can only stay for two hours," I told him as I retrieved my textbook and notepad, "I figured we just decided on the topic for now."

"Right. Sounds good," Dimitri agreed, eyes down on the assignment instructions in front of him. "Do you have any ideas?"

When he looked at me again, I found myself focused on his lips. I looked away. Stop it, Rose. It was going to be harder than I thought. I kept my replies short and tried not to look up at him too often. The time passed quickly, and yet it felt like an eternity.

"Did you want to get any books for now? Or would you rather wait until later?" Dimitri asked, watching me with a tilted head. When I didn't respond, he continued, "I know where some good ones are that would be relevant."

His fingers kept tapping on his notebook, the other hand spinning his pen; I wondered if he was annoyed or nervous. It had to be the former…right?

Even though I tried to keep my eyes off him, I was drawn to him. Now I felt the connection, I couldn't ignore it. My fingers itched to reach forward, and words were on the tip of my tongue; both an apology and a question if he did want me.

What if it was all a misunderstanding?

"Rose?"

I blinked, mortified when I realised I had been steadily leaning closer to him. I pulled back and scrambled to gather my things and shove them back into my bag. "I don't care. I can always grab them later." I had to get away before I just started making out with him.

"It's on the way out," he explained, gathering his belongings, "it won't take long."

I relented and followed him to the stacks. I stayed a step behind him, eyes firmly at my feet and not at his muscular back. I swore he wore those tight shirts just to torture me—practically painted on–

I collided into his back, jerking back quickly and muttering a short apology. I needed to stop getting distracted by him.

Dimitri was a little startled when I ran into him, but quickly schooled his features and pointed to the top shelf.

"These are good," he offered, the beginning of a smile on his face that he quickly dropped. Clearing his throat, he looked back at the books and grabbed one. "I'll get this one, and this," he took another and held them in one hand. He looked at me and waited for me to make my choice.

I had to push all of my feelings down and focus, needing a moment to remember what exactly our paper was on. Though I had been part of the conversation earlier, I realised that I wasn't really paying attention to what I had been agreeing to. I panicked and went for the two books that were next to what he had taken.

The only problem was it was on the top shelf, and I was just a little too short.

"Fuck," I cursed, searching the aisle for a stool.

I felt his presence behind me; the hairs on the back of my neck stood up when he brushed against my shoulder. Dimitri easily reached for the books and handed them to me. It was like a scene from a movie, our fingers touching when I took the book.

It was like the ceremony again; everything stopped for a moment, and our eyes locked.

Dimitri broke the contact first.

"Let me know when you are free to meet again. We can compare what we have," he told me, backing up a step so there was space between us again—space that I wished wasn't there.

"Sure," I frowned and dropped my eyes.

I was an idiot to think it was a misunderstanding. Dimitri doesn't want a soulmate, and I had to accept that. I turned and began to walk away.

"Roza…"

I halted and spun back around, a burst of hope in my chest.

Dimitri was still, lips parted as if he was about to speak, but then he gave a slight shake of his head. He rubbed the back of his neck with his hand, eyes avoiding mine, "Never mind."

The disappointment was crushing. "Whatever," I snapped and stalked away.

I needed to stop hoping for what wasn't going to happen.

The beginning of class was the safest time to give him my notes; it was time-limited, so I wouldn't be pulled into awkward small talk, and it gave me a reason to give him the notes and walk away to find a seat.

Limited conversation and no chance of touching.

Why did my plans never work?

Dimitri was late, and when he finally sat down, he was distracted, not realising I was standing there for a minute.

He winced, "Damn," he cursed, "I left mine at home." His fingers dragged through his still damp hair.

I didn't respond at first because I was too busy wondering what made him so late and look so out of sorts. "Are you okay?" The question out of my mouth before I could stop myself.

Dimitri looked up at me, and there was a flicker of emotion on his face that I couldn't decipher. Whatever it was, I felt my heart clench at how overwhelmed he appeared. "I–"

"Class is starting. Sit down, Hathaway!" Stan's voice scolded from behind me, and I panicked.

I sat down right next to Dimitri.

Stan launched straight into his lesson, and I was stuck beside Dimitri questioning how I managed to end up here. Dimitri's distress continued to draw my attention, watching as he searched for a pen, only to mutter softly in Russian and rub the bridge of his nose with his fingers.

I reached into my bag and retrieved my spare, passing it wordlessly to him. Our fingers didn't brush this time, but I felt a burst of joy at the ghost of a smile I received.

The day of the soulmate ceremony continued to play on a loop in my head, constantly second-guessing everything he said and every time we touched. The more I thought about it, the more I realised I might have been wrong.

After the almost non-existent moment we shared at the library, I couldn't stop wondering.

What would Dimitri have done if I didn't run off?

There had to be something there—right?

"I'm really sorry." Dimitri's voice broke me from my thoughts, noticing I had been staring at him again.

I looked around and realised that I had been so lost in thought that I hadn't listened to anything Stan said. Now, we were halfway through the class and on a small break. I focused on Dimitri again and cocked my head to the side. "What about?"

"The notes," he replied and released an irritated sigh, hand dragged through his hair. "They are finished. But I left them on my desk."

"It's okay," I assured him, but I could see he was still agitated. "I can drop by yours and get them if you want."

Dimitri's eyes snapped to mine, and then his brows drew together, "I didn't think you had a car?"

Shit. "I don't," I confirmed, my cheeks heating in embarrassment. "I can ask Lissa or something."

"If you don't have work, I can drive you home and get the notes on the way?"

My heart stuttered to a stop, and I laughed nervously. "On your bike?" Memories of being pressed close to Dimitri's back and my arms wrapped around him made my body flush.

"I have my mother's car today, actually."

"Oh," I tried to keep the disappointment from my voice, but I barely achieved it. "Sure, whatever. Anything to get this project finished quicker." I pretended to be nonchalant, but all I could think of was—I was going to Dimitri's house.

It was just for the project, but I wondered if it would be the best chance to ask him. It had been three weeks since the ceremony; since I lost something I didn't even realise how much I wanted.

I just had to get the courage to say it.

XxX

Dimitri POV

I couldn't believe I offered to take Rose to my home. I couldn't believe she agreed.

Maybe it was the fact we were soulmates.

I wanted her near me.

I was just so angry. Viktoria's tear-stained face would flash in my mind, and my fists would clench. The knuckles still stung where I had split them. I kept my hand hidden, a weak attempt at avoiding more rumours going around.

My temper was the reason I should stay far from Rose, but she brought me a calm that I desperately craved. The moment I realised she was beside me, I felt myself relax for the first time since the night before. When she sat next to me, I wanted to reach for her hand.

I hadn't intended to invite her to mine, and I doubted she would want to be there for long. It was just to get the notes—nothing else.

Rose was silent after class, eyes unfocused, and I wondered what she was thinking about. She didn't pay much attention to Stan, and neither had I.

I only thought about her—it was a welcomed distraction to what else plagued my mind.

Anger flared again at thoughts of what that bastard did to Viktoria and Sonya. How could they both have been caught up in something with a man like him, and I didn't notice?

When Sonya first got pregnant, I told myself it wasn't my place. Who Sonya chose to be with was her decision, even if I hated that he had practically abandoned her when she found out she was pregnant.

But then he had the nerve to attempt the same play with Viktoria.

"Where did you park?" Rose asked, shocking me back to myself.

I forced my fists to unclench and looked at her. What if someone tried to hurt Rose the same way?

My fury returned, and I felt like I would be sick. The thought of anyone hurting Rose in such a way was too much to bear.

Nathan would hurt her.

I hated that the kind of person Rose was expected to be with in her world was the very person she shouldn't have to be near.

I stalked to the car. I decided it was better to drive the car today rather than the bike, and my mother agreed. When I reached for the passenger side door for Rose, she gasped, and her hands landed on my forearm.

"What happened?" she asked, wide eyes locked on mine. But all I could think of was how much I enjoyed her touch.

Electricity shot through me, travelling through every nerve until all I could focus on was the feel of her fingers brushing my skin. It took me a moment to realise she was asking about the torn and bruised sight of my knuckles.

I withdrew my hand with shame and opened the door with the other hand. I regretted having to pull away from her. "It's nothing," I replied, holding the door open until she climbed in.

Again, all Rose saw of me was the violence I was capable of, and it tore me up inside.