Amara's POV The mansion was quiet, the kind of stillness that only came when the world outside was asleep. The dim glow of the bedside lamp cast long shadows across my room as I lay beneath the covers, staring at the ceiling. My mind was restless, replaying every touch, every stolen glance from earlier. Caden. The way he held me. The way he looked at me like I was something precious. A soft knock at my door pulled me from my thoughts. I knew who it was before I even answered. Caden. He leaned against the doorway, his golden hair tousled from running his hands through it, his black t-shirt hanging loosely over his toned frame. His eyes, however, were focused—on me. “You’re still awake,” he murmured. “So are you.” A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he stepped inside, closing the door behind him. “Couldn’t sleep.” I sighed, sitting up against the headboard. “Me either.” Without hesitation, Caden crossed the room and slid into the bed beside me. His warmth instantly su
Amara's POV The mansion was quiet, save for the soft crackling of the fireplace and the distant rustling of the trees outside. The night air was cool, but inside, the warmth from the fire wrapped around me like a blanket. I was curled up on the couch, a book resting open on my lap, though I wasn’t paying much attention to it. My mind was too preoccupied. With him.Caden.I could still feel his touch from earlier—the way his fingers had brushed against my skin, the way his lips had lingered against my shoulder. It was different with him. It always had been.A creak from the doorway made me glance up, and there he was, leaning against the frame with that signature smirk tugging at his lips. He was dressed casually—gray sweatpants and a fitted black shirt that did nothing to hide the way his muscles flexed beneath the fabric. His golden hair was tousled like he’d just run his fingers through it.“You’re still awake,” he mused, stepping into the room. His voice was a soft rumble in the q
Amara's POV The SurpriseBy the time I had finished eating, showered, and dressed, Caden was nowhere to be found.I searched the entire house. No sign of him.Where was he?Just when I was starting to get frustrated, my phone chimed with a text.Come outside.Caden.I slipped on a pair of shoes and headed out the front door, curious.My jaw dropped.A horse-drawn carriage was parked in the driveway, decorated with a garland of flowers. Caden stood next to it, dressed in a suit and tie. He held a bouquet of roses in one hand and a picnic basket in the other.My face grew hot.He was insane. Absolutely, utterly insane.I marched up to him, crossing my arms.His eyes sparkled with amusement.I shook my head.He grinned.I sighed.Then, I grabbed the roses and kissed him.After All...It was a perfect day—blue skies, gentle breeze, the smell of fresh earth and blooming flowers. We strolled through the town, stopping for a bite to eat, admiring the architecture. He held my hand the entire
Amara's POV The days passed in a blur, each one filled with moments that chipped away at the walls I had built around my heart. Caden, Ryder, and Jaxon were proving themselves in ways I hadn’t expected. They were changing—slowly, steadily—but undeniably.Every morning, one of them would wake me up with breakfast, though it usually ended up being a playful argument over who would get the honor.“I made it first,” Caden would grumble, holding out a plate of toast and eggs.“Yeah, well, I made pancakes,” Ryder would counter, flipping one onto a second plate.Jaxon, always the wildcard, would slide a cup of coffee in front of me with a lazy smirk. “And I made sure you get caffeine before dealing with these two idiots.”I’d roll my eyes, but deep down, the warmth of their efforts settled in my chest like a quiet comfort.Throughout the day, they went out of their way to make sure I felt safe, taken care of—even cherished. Ryder would insist on driving me anywhere I needed to go, opening d
Amara’s POVThe morning sun streamed through my bedroom window as I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my sweater. My hair was still damp from my shower, and I was debating whether to leave it down or tie it up when I felt a warm presence behind me.Before I could react, strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me against a familiar, solid chest.“Morning, princess,” Jaxon’s deep, teasing voice murmured against my ear.I rolled my eyes but didn’t pull away. “You do know there’s this thing called personal space, right?”Jaxon chuckled, his breath warm against my neck. “Never heard of it.”His arms tightened slightly, holding me close as he dipped his head. Before I could protest, I felt the sharp nip of his teeth against the sensitive skin of my neck.I gasped. “Jaxon—”He pulled back just enough to admire his work, a smug grin tugging at his lips. “There. Now everyone knows you’re mine.”I spun around, narrowing my eyes at him. “You marked me?” I reached up, touching the tend
Amara’s POV The familiar scent of ink and paper filled the air as I pushed open the heavy doors of the school library. The quietness here was a reprieve from the chaos of the hallways, where girls swooned and giggled, whispering excitedly about the triplet brothers. Ryder, Jaxon, and Caden had enrolled in my high school a few days ago, and their arrival had turned my world upside down. Despite everything we had been through together, I couldn’t shake the tension that followed me like a shadow. The triplets were used to being the center of attention, their powerful presence drawing people toward them like moths to a flame. The girls at school were no exception. They fawned over the brothers as if they were celebrities. But I hated it. I hated the way the girls hung on their every word, and more than that, I hated the way they always seemed to find me, even when I tried to stay far away. Today, I had a free period and all I wanted was to escape to the library, bury myself in books,
Amara's POV The rest of the day blurred into a haze of pain. My tears had dried, but the ache in my chest only grew heavier with every passing second. The stares, the whispers, the laughter—it all haunted me, replaying in my mind like a broken record. Every time I thought of Ryder’s mocking voice and the way Jaxon and Caden had laughed at my misery, my hatred for them deepened. I hated them. I hated how they made me feel so small. How they made me feel like I didn’t belong, even after everything we’d been through. The weight of their cruelty crushed me, and all I wanted to do was disappear. I felt dirty, humiliated. My face was sticky with tears and my throat raw from holding back sobs all day. Needing a moment of privacy, I decided to head to the girls' bathroom to wash my face and try to collect myself. Maybe if I splashed some cold water on my face, I could numb the pain—if only for a little while. I pushed open the bathroom door and stepped inside, the cold, sterile smell o
Amara's POV I was sitting on the cold steps outside the school building, my heart still racing from the encounter in the bathroom. My face throbbed from Stephanie’s slap, and my mind was spinning with everything that had happened. I could still hear her hateful words echoing in my head, making the anger and hurt swell in my chest until I thought I would explode. Tears blurred my vision, but I stubbornly wiped them away, refusing to cry any more than I already had. I had cried enough. I was done being weak, done letting them get to me. Suddenly, a shadow fell over me, and a hand appeared in front of my eyes, holding out a water bottle. "Drink it," Caden’s voice was soft but firm. I blinked up at him, startled. His expression was unreadable, but there was a gentleness in his eyes that I hadn’t expected. For a moment, I just stared at him, unsure of what to do, but my throat was dry, and my head was pounding, so I reluctantly took the bottle and drank. "Thanks," I muttered, handin
Amara’s POVThe morning sun streamed through my bedroom window as I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my sweater. My hair was still damp from my shower, and I was debating whether to leave it down or tie it up when I felt a warm presence behind me.Before I could react, strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me against a familiar, solid chest.“Morning, princess,” Jaxon’s deep, teasing voice murmured against my ear.I rolled my eyes but didn’t pull away. “You do know there’s this thing called personal space, right?”Jaxon chuckled, his breath warm against my neck. “Never heard of it.”His arms tightened slightly, holding me close as he dipped his head. Before I could protest, I felt the sharp nip of his teeth against the sensitive skin of my neck.I gasped. “Jaxon—”He pulled back just enough to admire his work, a smug grin tugging at his lips. “There. Now everyone knows you’re mine.”I spun around, narrowing my eyes at him. “You marked me?” I reached up, touching the tend
Amara's POV The days passed in a blur, each one filled with moments that chipped away at the walls I had built around my heart. Caden, Ryder, and Jaxon were proving themselves in ways I hadn’t expected. They were changing—slowly, steadily—but undeniably.Every morning, one of them would wake me up with breakfast, though it usually ended up being a playful argument over who would get the honor.“I made it first,” Caden would grumble, holding out a plate of toast and eggs.“Yeah, well, I made pancakes,” Ryder would counter, flipping one onto a second plate.Jaxon, always the wildcard, would slide a cup of coffee in front of me with a lazy smirk. “And I made sure you get caffeine before dealing with these two idiots.”I’d roll my eyes, but deep down, the warmth of their efforts settled in my chest like a quiet comfort.Throughout the day, they went out of their way to make sure I felt safe, taken care of—even cherished. Ryder would insist on driving me anywhere I needed to go, opening d
Amara's POV The SurpriseBy the time I had finished eating, showered, and dressed, Caden was nowhere to be found.I searched the entire house. No sign of him.Where was he?Just when I was starting to get frustrated, my phone chimed with a text.Come outside.Caden.I slipped on a pair of shoes and headed out the front door, curious.My jaw dropped.A horse-drawn carriage was parked in the driveway, decorated with a garland of flowers. Caden stood next to it, dressed in a suit and tie. He held a bouquet of roses in one hand and a picnic basket in the other.My face grew hot.He was insane. Absolutely, utterly insane.I marched up to him, crossing my arms.His eyes sparkled with amusement.I shook my head.He grinned.I sighed.Then, I grabbed the roses and kissed him.After All...It was a perfect day—blue skies, gentle breeze, the smell of fresh earth and blooming flowers. We strolled through the town, stopping for a bite to eat, admiring the architecture. He held my hand the entire
Amara's POV The mansion was quiet, save for the soft crackling of the fireplace and the distant rustling of the trees outside. The night air was cool, but inside, the warmth from the fire wrapped around me like a blanket. I was curled up on the couch, a book resting open on my lap, though I wasn’t paying much attention to it. My mind was too preoccupied. With him.Caden.I could still feel his touch from earlier—the way his fingers had brushed against my skin, the way his lips had lingered against my shoulder. It was different with him. It always had been.A creak from the doorway made me glance up, and there he was, leaning against the frame with that signature smirk tugging at his lips. He was dressed casually—gray sweatpants and a fitted black shirt that did nothing to hide the way his muscles flexed beneath the fabric. His golden hair was tousled like he’d just run his fingers through it.“You’re still awake,” he mused, stepping into the room. His voice was a soft rumble in the q
Amara's POV The mansion was quiet, the kind of stillness that only came when the world outside was asleep. The dim glow of the bedside lamp cast long shadows across my room as I lay beneath the covers, staring at the ceiling. My mind was restless, replaying every touch, every stolen glance from earlier. Caden. The way he held me. The way he looked at me like I was something precious. A soft knock at my door pulled me from my thoughts. I knew who it was before I even answered. Caden. He leaned against the doorway, his golden hair tousled from running his hands through it, his black t-shirt hanging loosely over his toned frame. His eyes, however, were focused—on me. “You’re still awake,” he murmured. “So are you.” A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he stepped inside, closing the door behind him. “Couldn’t sleep.” I sighed, sitting up against the headboard. “Me either.” Without hesitation, Caden crossed the room and slid into the bed beside me. His warmth instantly su
Amara's POV I leaned in, my lips barely a whisper away from his. “Then take me,” I murmured. Caden’s breath hitched, and then— His lips crashed against mine. The kiss wasn’t slow this time. It wasn’t teasing or hesitant. It was raw, hungry, filled with everything we had been holding back. His hands roamed up my back, pulling me closer, pressing me flush against him as if he couldn’t bear even an inch of distance between us. I gasped into his mouth, and he took advantage, deepening the kiss, his tongue sliding against mine in a way that sent shivers down my spine. His grip on my hips tightened, grounding me as heat flooded my entire body. My fingers tangled in his hair, pulling slightly, and he let out a low, satisfied groan that sent warmth pooling deep in my stomach. God, this man was dangerous. We broke apart just enough for me to catch my breath, but Caden didn’t let me go. His lips trailed down my jaw, pressing soft, open-mouthed kisses along my neck, lingering at the sens
Amara’s POVThe fire crackled softly in the massive fireplace, casting a warm glow throughout the dimly lit living room. Caden and I had somehow shifted from lounging on the couch to lying on the thick, plush rug in front of the hearth. His arm was lazily draped around my waist, his fingers tracing light circles against my hip. It should have felt strange—being this close to him after everything—but instead, it felt… natural. I stared up at the ceiling, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest behind me. “You’re quiet,” I murmured. Caden chuckled, his breath fanning against the back of my neck. “Just enjoying the moment.” I turned slightly, resting my head against his shoulder, my fingers absentmindedly tracing the hem of his hoodie. “That’s new. You usually don’t shut up.” His golden eyes gleamed with amusement. “Are you saying you don’t enjoy my charming commentary?” I smirked. “I’m saying I enjoy the rare moments when you’re not talking.” Caden let out a dramatic sigh,
Amara’s POVThe warmth of Ryder’s body against mine, the slow rise and fall of his chest, the steady rhythm of his breathing—it was grounding. It had been so long since I felt this… at peace. But I knew better than to trust it completely. I pulled away slightly, tilting my head up to look at him. “Why are you doing this, Ryder?” My voice was quiet but firm. He turned his head, his green eyes locking onto mine. “Doing what?” “This.” I gestured between us. “Sitting here with me. Saying all these things. Trying so damn hard to fix something that’s already shattered.” Ryder sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “Because I don’t believe it’s shattered,” he said. “Cracked? Yes. Broken? Maybe. But destroyed?” He shook his head. “Not a chance.” I exhaled sharply, my heart warring with my mind. “I don’t know if I can forgive you.” His jaw clenched, but he nodded. “I know.” “I don’t know if I can forgive Jaxon or Caden either.” He hesitated before replying. “I know that too.” “Then why
Amara’s POVThe drive back was quiet, but not in an uncomfortable way. Jaxon’s hand rested lazily on the gearshift, his fingers occasionally grazing my thigh, sending small shivers up my spine. The radio played softly in the background, an old rock song that he hummed along to under his breath. I stared out the window, my mind still spinning from what had just happened. From that kiss. I had told myself I wouldn’t fall back into this—not with him, not with any of them. And yet, here I was, sitting in his car, my lips still tingling, my heart still racing. “You’re thinking too hard,” Jaxon murmured, glancing at me. I exhaled, shaking my head. “No, I’m not.” “You are,” he countered, smirking. “I can practically hear the gears turning in that pretty little head of yours.” I rolled my eyes, but a small smile tugged at my lips. “Maybe I just like thinking.” “Or maybe you’re just trying to find a reason to run,” he said, his voice softer this time. I stiffened slightly, my fingers t