Amara’s POVAfter dinner, I stood in the middle of my old room, staring at the familiar space that had once been mine. It was exactly how I had left it—a mix of warm and cool tones, books neatly stacked on the shelves, and a massive bed that once felt too big for just me. I ran my fingers along the desk, remembering the nights I had spent here—nights filled with laughter, anger, love, and heartbreak. A soft knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts. Before I could answer, Ryder stepped inside. He looked hesitant, like he wasn’t sure if he was allowed to be here. “I figured you might need some blankets,” he said, holding out a thick, folded throw. I raised a brow. “I have blankets.” “I know,” he murmured, his lips twitching with something close to amusement. “But I wanted an excuse to check on you.” My heart stuttered, but I kept my face neutral. “I’m fine.” He took a few steps closer, his piercing blue eyes searching mine. “Are you?” I swallowed, looking away. “I don’t know,
Amara’s POVBreakfast at the mansion was something I never thought I’d experience again. Yet, here I was, sitting at the long wooden table, a plate of pancakes in front of me, while the triplets bickered like nothing had changed. Except everything had changed. Caden was sitting next to me, his body angled toward mine as if he was afraid I’d disappear. Ryder kept sneaking glances at me between bites, as if reassuring himself I was really there. Jaxon, as usual, tried to keep things lighthearted, but even he wasn’t hiding the way his golden-brown eyes lingered on me longer than necessary. The weight of their attention was suffocating. I cleared my throat, pushing my plate away. “So,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “Now that I’m here… what happens next?” The room fell silent. Ryder set his fork down and met my gaze head-on. “Whatever you want to happen.” Jaxon snorted, leaning back with his coffee mug. “Translation: we’re walking on eggshells here because we don’t want to piss
Amara’s POVThe night felt different. Warmer. Safer. Caden’s arms were wrapped around me as we lay on the bed, our bodies tangled together in a way that felt both foreign and natural at the same time. My head rested against his chest, rising and falling with every deep breath he took. His fingers traced slow, lazy circles on my back, sending small shivers through me. “Are you okay?” he murmured into my hair. I closed my eyes, letting myself drown in the comfort of his warmth. “I don’t know,” I admitted. “But this… this feels nice.” He let out a slow exhale, his grip on me tightening for a moment. “I never thought I’d get to hold you like this again.” I felt a pang in my chest. “Neither did I.” Caden shifted, gently tilting my chin up so I could meet his gaze. His golden eyes were filled with something raw, something vulnerable. “I meant what I said, Amara,” he whispered. “I will spend the rest of my life proving myself to you.” I swallowed, my fingers gripping the fabric of his
Amara’s POVThe rest of breakfast passed in a lighthearted, almost surreal kind of way. We joked and laughed as if the last few weeks of tension and broken trust hadn’t existed. It felt like a fragile bubble, one that I wasn’t sure I wanted to pop, but I couldn’t deny the feeling that was creeping into my chest—a feeling of warmth, of longing for something I wasn’t ready to confront.As we finished up, Ryder pushed his chair back and stood, stretching. His broad shoulders tensed beneath his shirt as he yawned. “We need to talk later,” he said, his voice dropping to a more serious tone, but his gaze lingered on me. “About everything. I know there’s still a lot to sort out.” I nodded, but something twisted in my stomach. I didn’t want to talk about everything—not yet. Not when I wasn’t sure of my own emotions. Caden was the first to get up, his gaze sweeping over me as he leaned in close, his breath warm against my ear. “You’re quiet today,” he murmured, his voice low, teasing. I gla
Amara's POVAs I walked down the hallway, I could feel the weight of their eyes on me, each step feeling heavier than the last. Caden, Jaxon, and Ryder stood there, all of them waiting—waiting for me to make a decision, waiting for me to decide how much of my heart I was willing to give back. The tension in the air was palpable. It felt like the very walls of the mansion were holding their breath, waiting for something to crack. But despite the anxiety twisting in my stomach, there was something else, too. A flicker of hope. Hope that maybe, just maybe, I could trust them again. I stopped in front of them, my gaze flitting from Caden to Jaxon, and finally to Ryder. There was a brief moment of silence before Jaxon broke it, his usual cocky smile replaced by something softer, more vulnerable. "You okay?" His voice was laced with concern, his dark eyes studying me carefully. I nodded, not trusting my voice just yet. It felt like I was standing at the edge of a precipice, and any wro
Amara’s POVThe night had fallen quietly around us, the soft hum of the mansion’s grand chandelier overhead the only noise in the otherwise still room. Everyone else had retreated to their own spaces, leaving me alone with my thoughts—thoughts I hadn’t been able to escape all day. The weight of everything, the new beginning I was being offered, the uncertainty in my heart… It was all too much.I wasn’t used to feeling so vulnerable. And yet, here I was, standing on the edge of something I couldn’t quite name, staring into the unknown. My chest felt tight, but strangely, there was a comfort in that. A reminder that I was still here, still fighting for something, even if I wasn’t sure what.A soft knock at the door pulled me from my reverie.“Amara?” Jaxon’s voice came through the door, low and quiet, like he was afraid of disturbing the fragile peace between us.I took a deep breath and walked over, opening the door just enough to peer out at him. His tousled hair and the slight glint
Amara’s POVThe car was still, the air inside thick with an emotion I wasn’t ready to name. Jaxon’s forehead rested against mine, his breath warm and unsteady, matching the erratic pounding of my heart. His words lingered between us, unspoken promises woven into the silence. He wouldn’t give up on us. I wanted to believe him. I wanted to believe that the man holding me now was different from the one who had hurt me before. That this moment wasn’t just another fleeting thing. But a part of me, the part that had been broken and left to pick up the pieces alone, still held onto its doubt. I pulled back slightly, just enough to put a small distance between us. Jaxon let me go, but his hands stayed on either side of my face, his thumbs brushing against my skin like he wasn’t ready to lose contact. “You’re quiet,” he murmured, studying me. “What’s going on in that beautiful but complicated head of yours?” I exhaled shakily, my eyes flickering away from his intense gaze. “I don’t know h
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
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
Amara’s POVThe car was still, the air inside thick with an emotion I wasn’t ready to name. Jaxon’s forehead rested against mine, his breath warm and unsteady, matching the erratic pounding of my heart. His words lingered between us, unspoken promises woven into the silence. He wouldn’t give up on us. I wanted to believe him. I wanted to believe that the man holding me now was different from the one who had hurt me before. That this moment wasn’t just another fleeting thing. But a part of me, the part that had been broken and left to pick up the pieces alone, still held onto its doubt. I pulled back slightly, just enough to put a small distance between us. Jaxon let me go, but his hands stayed on either side of my face, his thumbs brushing against my skin like he wasn’t ready to lose contact. “You’re quiet,” he murmured, studying me. “What’s going on in that beautiful but complicated head of yours?” I exhaled shakily, my eyes flickering away from his intense gaze. “I don’t know h
Amara’s POVThe night had fallen quietly around us, the soft hum of the mansion’s grand chandelier overhead the only noise in the otherwise still room. Everyone else had retreated to their own spaces, leaving me alone with my thoughts—thoughts I hadn’t been able to escape all day. The weight of everything, the new beginning I was being offered, the uncertainty in my heart… It was all too much.I wasn’t used to feeling so vulnerable. And yet, here I was, standing on the edge of something I couldn’t quite name, staring into the unknown. My chest felt tight, but strangely, there was a comfort in that. A reminder that I was still here, still fighting for something, even if I wasn’t sure what.A soft knock at the door pulled me from my reverie.“Amara?” Jaxon’s voice came through the door, low and quiet, like he was afraid of disturbing the fragile peace between us.I took a deep breath and walked over, opening the door just enough to peer out at him. His tousled hair and the slight glint
Amara's POVAs I walked down the hallway, I could feel the weight of their eyes on me, each step feeling heavier than the last. Caden, Jaxon, and Ryder stood there, all of them waiting—waiting for me to make a decision, waiting for me to decide how much of my heart I was willing to give back. The tension in the air was palpable. It felt like the very walls of the mansion were holding their breath, waiting for something to crack. But despite the anxiety twisting in my stomach, there was something else, too. A flicker of hope. Hope that maybe, just maybe, I could trust them again. I stopped in front of them, my gaze flitting from Caden to Jaxon, and finally to Ryder. There was a brief moment of silence before Jaxon broke it, his usual cocky smile replaced by something softer, more vulnerable. "You okay?" His voice was laced with concern, his dark eyes studying me carefully. I nodded, not trusting my voice just yet. It felt like I was standing at the edge of a precipice, and any wro