Kathrine's pov My backside was soaked and freezing, but sitting on top of Henry, I felt oddly warm and cozy. His smoldering gaze told me he wasn’t exactly cold either. Still, I couldn’t help but think the ice beneath him was melting, soaking into his clothes. Carefully, I climbed off him and followed his earlier advice to stand up. Squatting like a frog on the ice, I slowly straightened my legs, wobbling until I found my balance. Once upright, I shuffled my way back to the safety of the wall, gripping it like a lifeline.Too focused on staying upright, I didn’t see Henry peel himself off the ice. But a moment later, he was gliding beside me again, his hand gripping mine through my thick glove. He coaxed me away from the wall, encouraging me to venture further out onto the ice. Time seemed to melt away as I got the hang of skating. It was challenging at first, but under Henry’s patient guidance, I learned to push myself forward, make slow turns, and even stop without toppling over. I
Noah’s povI was sitting in my truck outside the Tokyo House restaurant, tapping my fingers on the steering wheel, feeling restless. The sky had an unusual orange glow as dark storm clouds began to cover the setting sun. The air felt thick, like rain was about to fall any moment, and I could sense the shift in the weather. I hoped Henry and Kathrine would arrive before the downpour started. Thankfully, I had thought to bring an umbrella, just in case.I glanced at my phone again, but there were still no messages from either of them.Just as the first heavy raindrops began to hit my windshield, I noticed the Impala pulling into the gravel parking lot. I quickly grabbed my umbrella and hurried over to hold it above the passenger door for Kathrine as she got out.She stepped out carefully, offering a small smile, though it seemed a bit forced. "Oh, Noah! Hi," she said.I wanted to kiss her, but something about the way she carried herself made me hesitate. I glanced at Henry over the car
Kathrine’s POVThe Grand was a fancy hotel on top of the mountain, mostly for rich skiers and socialites from out of town. It looked like a giant Swiss chalet, but with a ballroom, a conference center, and five floors. Everyone knew about it, but locals hardly ever went there because it was too expensive. I didn’t even want to ask how much Henry had paid for a room for the night.As we walked into the lobby, it felt like stepping into another world. A huge stone fireplace sat in the middle, though it wasn’t lit. Cozy chairs were arranged around it, and I could almost imagine coming back from skiing and warming up by the fire. To one side, there was a bar and a restaurant, and a grand staircase leading up. Henry went to the front desk, signed some papers, and got the key.“All set,” he said with a smile before leading me, not to the stairs, but to an elevator. That meant our room was on a higher floor. When we got in, Henry pressed the top button. It wasn’t numbered, just marked with a
Kathrine's POVMy heart pounded as my gaze darted between Henry, Noah, and the delicate pendant in his hand. A lump formed in my throat.I had never thought about anyone else outside the two of them. Why would I? Henry and Noah were already more than enough. Polyamory meant multiple lovers, sure, I understood that in theory. But in my world, it was just them. Just us. I already had my hands full. So why would I ever look elsewhere?But then, was I ready for a real, committed relationship? I had told myself this was supposed to be light, fun, just an experiment. No strings, no deep emotions, no heartbreak. That way, when these two playboys inevitably moved on, I wouldn’t be left shattered.I should have said no to the necklace. I should have laughed it off, made a joke, or even called for a timeout. But I didn’t. Instead, I stood up, my hands trembling as I brushed aside the paper wrappings. I didn’t say a word. My body moved on instinct as I turned my back to Noah, knelt before him, an
Kathrine’s PovHenry and Noah awakened a part of me I didn’t even know was there. Who was this bold, teasing version of myself? Yet, slipping into that role felt as natural as breathing whenever things turned intimate between us. Pushing their buttons, especially Henry’s, gave me a thrill I couldn’t resist.“So, who’s going to take this off me?” I asked, my voice low and teasing, my hands gliding down my body as I held Henry’s gaze. He was the one in charge, the alpha. I thought stripping him of his clothes might have dimmed some of his power, but he still sat there like a king, composed, unshakable. My skin prickled as his eyes roamed over me.“Noah,” Henry said, a slow, confident smile spreading across his face. “You’ll undress her, but not with your hands. Use your teeth.”Noah’s eyes sparkled with excitement. He moved onto the bed, hovering above me on all fours, his body enclosing mine. He leaned down, catching the thin strap of my top between his teeth and tugging it off one
Henry’s PovSeeing Kathrine like that was the most stunning thing I’d ever experienced. It wasn’t just about the physical part, it felt bigger, more meaningful, like it reached a part of me I didn’t even know was there. I won’t lie, I felt a little jealous that Noah was the one to be with her first, even though we’d planned it that way. Noah is calmer and softer than I am, and we wanted her first time to be so good that she’d want to keep going. I didn’t mind sitting back and watching, though. Well, not too much. I barely noticed Noah, my eyes were locked on Kathrine, watching every move, every reaction, every little sound she made. When she started asking for more intensity, I almost couldn’t hold myself together. If she liked it a little wild, then I knew she could handle me. But I could tell she wasn’t ready for me tonight, not after what Noah had just done. I’d have to wait my turn. I was also really proud of her for using her safe word when Noah did something she didn’t lik
Kathrine's povI was incredibly sore, to the point where walking seemed impossible. My body had never experienced anything like that before. Slipping into the hot water was pure bliss, and the jets massaging my muscles? Incredible. But when I opened my eyes and looked at Henry, a different kind of ache filled me. His physique was unlike Noah's, taller, slimmer, and with more hair on his chest.I never thought I’d find body hair attractive, but... I liked the way it felt under my fingertips. It was so tempting that I moved closer, sliding over his legs to get near him. Reflecting on our time together so far, it felt like Noah and I had been the focus, while Henry had been overlooked.No one had touched him yet. That didn’t seem fair.My Henry, always so giving, so reserved, so disciplined. Now, all I wanted was to break through that control. For some reason, the thought of pushing his limits thrilled me.My soreness faded as the warm, swirling water worked its magic. "Henry?" I placed
Noah's POV:“Hey, Noah, a little help?” Henry’s voice broke through the quiet, strained and impatient. “The water’s turning into ice here.”I moved quickly, snatching a towel from the vanity before scooping Kathrine into my arms. She felt light, almost weightless, her body limp but still warm. For a second, I worried she’d completely blacked out, but then she let out a faint murmur and nestled her face into the crook of my neck. I left Henry to deal with the tub, trusting him to drain it and clean up the mess, while I carried Kathrine to the bed. She was my priority now, my responsibility.Laying her down gently, I began to dry her off, the towel moving in slow, careful strokes. She stirred slightly, her lips parting as she mumbled something incoherent. Her hands fumbled weakly for the comforter, trying to pull it over herself. I couldn’t help but smile as I continued to towel her hair, which clung to her skin in damp strands. Her body was a canvas of faint marks, love bites on her ne
Kathrine’s POVI felt so dizzy I might have collapsed if I hadn’t been sandwiched between Henry and Noah, their strong bodies holding me up. The kitten, tired of being squished, had climbed onto my shoulder, her tiny claws pricking my skin.Was this real? Had I slipped into some alternate reality? Maybe the almond milk my mom gave me had sent me into a coma, and this was all just a dream. Because who in the world gives their girlfriend a house for her nineteenth birthday?But it wasn’t the price tag or the extravagance of the gift that hit me the hardest. It was the understanding.Henry and Noah knew. They knew that for the past three and a half years, my life had been nothing but temporary, unstable, unreliable, and downright terrifying. When I lost my dad, I lost my home, my safety, my security. I’d followed my mom from one boyfriend’s place to another, always feeling like an unwanted third wheel, always at the mercy of strangers. I thought I’d built up a tough shell, that I was str
Kathrine’s POVI wasn’t expecting any more gifts from the Robert brothers. They’d already spoiled me with flowers, a fancy stainless steel water bottle, an incredible dinner on the gazebo, and those stunning rings. I couldn’t stop twisting the rings on my finger, just to remind myself this was real. This wasn’t some scene from one of my romance novels—this was my life.But when they drove me out to the waterfall, I almost melted. It was such a sweet, romantic gesture, taking me back to where it all kind of began. Okay, technically, it started at the Professor’s house, but our first real date was here, at the swimming hole under the man-made waterfall. That was the moment I started to believe I could actually be with both of them.When we arrived, there was a blanket laid out on the grass, scattered with rose petals. A vase of fresh flowers sat beside a white box tied with a big red bow. They sat facing me, their eyes full of anticipation, like they were waiting for something huge. It
Henry’s povI woke up before the sun even started to rise, the sky still dark over the mountains. Kathrine was curled up next to me, our legs tangled together with Noah’s. My brother was on the other side of her, holding her close while she faced me. At some point during the night, we’d kicked off the blankets, but the three of us together kept the bed warm and cozy.When Noah and I planned her late birthday dinner, we never imagined it would end the way it did, with the most incredible, unforgettable night of my life. Maybe even our lives. I reached for her hand in the dark, my fingers brushing over the ring she now wore. She’d accepted it. She’d accepted us.Kathrine stirred, stretching with a soft groan. “Oh my God,” she mumbled, her voice still heavy with sleep. She threw a leg over mine and sighed. “I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus. No, make that two buses.”I smiled, brushing her hair back from her face. Even in the dim light, I could see how beautiful she looked. “I’m sorry,
Kathrine’s POVI should have done this a long time ago. Sliding behind the wheel of my new car, I gripped the steering wheel a little tighter than necessary, just to remind myself that it was real, this was real. The scent of pine-tree air freshener mixed with the sharp, chemical tang of whatever they used to polish the interior at the dealership. It wasn’t exactly pleasant, but it smelled like freedom. Like a fresh start.No more asking for permission. No more borrowing keys. No more waiting for some taxi driver to show up at his own pace. This was my car, and I could go anywhere I wanted, whenever I wanted.It should have been a good feeling, liberating, even but there was a dull ache gnawing at the back of my mind.My mother wasn’t speaking to me.Late last night, I’d heard her voice sharp and angry, drifting from the other end of the house. I couldn’t make out every word, but I didn’t have to. I knew exactly what the argument was about.She must have gone to Weah, her voice rising
Noah’s PovEven though Kathrine was trying to hide it, I could see she was upset. When I got to the dojo, she was already there. She had taken off her jacket, put on boxing gloves, and was hitting the heavy bag hard. She wasn’t just practicing, she was putting all her strength into every punch and kick. I could almost feel the force of her hits. Her face was red, her breath was sharp with each strike, and sweat was running down her neck.It was impressive and attractive, but also a little scary.I wouldn’t want to be that bag, but that wasn’t what worried me. It was the way she was fighting, so intense, so focused, so fierce. It was like she was fighting for her life. Or maybe she was punishing herself.After what Henry told me about her meeting with her mom, I thought it might be a mix of both. I wasn’t sure if I should stop her or let her keep going. Since we were in the dojo and she was higher-ranked than me, I felt unsure of what to do.Luckily, Clement noticed something was wrong
Kathrine’s Pov“Time to face the executioner,” I muttered under my breath as I opened the door and headed downstairs to confront my mother. My purse was slung over one shoulder, and I could hear the keys to my new car jingling inside, almost as if they were taunting me. I kept my face calm and composed, but inside, my stomach was churning with nerves. I had no idea how my mother was going to react, and I really didn’t want Henry to witness it if she completely lost it.I found her pacing back and forth between the living room and the kitchen. She had kicked off her heels by the back door and I mean kicked. One of them had flown halfway across the room. Her hair, which had been neatly tied up, was now loose and floating around her flushed face. Her pupils were tiny pinpoints, and she was shaking with anger. She was furious, and it showed in every movement.I took a deep breath, trying to detach myself from her emotional state. It wasn’t easy. Her stress and anxiety felt like invisible
Kathrine's povBuying my own car might have been a little impulsive, but I didn’t regret it. Well, not entirely. The process wasn’t exactly smooth, though. I had to visit three different dealerships before I found a salesman who actually took me seriously. The first one looked me straight in the eye and told me to come back with my parents. Can you believe that? The second one laughed in my face when I said I wasn’t interested in financing and planned to pay in cash. It was frustrating, to say the least. But at the third dealership, I finally found a guy who treated me like an adult. We talked about the pros and cons of different cars within my budget, and after some back-and-forth, I settled on a modest, older Toyota with low mileage. It wasn’t flashy, but it was reliable and affordable.I paid for the car in full and drove it off the lot, feeling a mix of pride and guilt. This was my first car, and it should’ve been a happy moment, but instead, I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling in
Henry’s POV“How much longer?” I barked into the phone, my patience hanging by a thread.“We’ll wrap up by Tuesday,” said Guy Wilson, the contractor I hired to handle the asbestos cleanup at the old factory. “After that, you’ve got to wait at least 48 hours for the air to clear. Honestly, with a job this big, I’d give it a full week before we run the final tests to make sure it’s safe.”I rubbed my eyes, frustration gnawing at me. A week shouldn’t feel like a lifetime, but with the chaos at home, it felt like an eternity.I always knew Kathrine’s mom wouldn’t be on board with us, but I didn’t expect her to go full attack mode. The way she tore into Kathrine was disgusting, shaming her, calling her awful names. It made me sick.That morning at breakfast, Clara dropped the bomb. “You’re grounded,” she announced, her tone dripping with superiority. “And you’re not touching your car. Got it?”Kathrine didn’t even blink. She just raised an eyebrow, squeezed a lemon into her water bottle li
Kathrine's POVThis wasn’t going to blow over. I could feel it in my bones, like the ache of a storm before it hits. The tension in the house was thick enough to cut with a knife, and I knew it was only a matter of time before everything came crashing down. Unless I walked away from whatever this thing was between the Robert brothers and me, my mom and Weah would keep pushing. And I’d be the one caught in the crossfire.I was the odd one out here. The outsider. The girl who didn’t belong in the Robert’ world. And honestly, I could see why my mom was so uncomfortable. Weah, her professor boyfriend, was all about appearances. He was the kind of guy who ironed his socks and probably had a spreadsheet for his grocery list. I could practically see him breaking things off with her if I caused too much of a scene. The thought made my stomach twist.Even if I ignored my mom and Weah, this thing with the twins was a risk. A huge one. Relationships were messy enough, but with two brothers? It w