Because I'm not letting you go.

Because I'm not letting you go.
Ryder’s POV

I hated this.

Watching Jaxon pull Amara into his lap, watching Caden’s hand brush against hers—watching her respond to them. It killed me.

She was mine just as much as she was theirs. I knew that. But every time I saw her melt under Jaxon’s touch or soften when Caden whispered something to her, a sharp, burning feeling twisted in my chest.

Jealousy. Possessiveness.

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay still.

But when Jaxon leaned in, his lips hovering dangerously close to Amara’s ear, I snapped.

“Amara,” I called, standing from my chair. “Come with me.”

She blinked, looking up from where she sat curled up between them. “What?”

I didn’t ask again.

I held out my hand, waiting.

She hesitated but finally took it, letting me pull her up. Jaxon raised an eyebrow, smirking like he knew exactly what was going on. Caden just watched silently, his gaze unreadable.

I led Amara out onto the balcony, closing the door behind us. The cool night air did nothing to calm the storm inside me.

She frowned. “Ryder, what’s—”

I caged her against the railing, my arms on either side of her. “Do you like watching them touch you?” My voice was lower than I intended, rough with emotion I couldn’t contain.

Amara’s eyes widened. “Ryder—”

I leaned in, my breath brushing against her lips. “Because I hate it.”

She froze.

“I hate seeing Jaxon kiss you,” I murmured, my fingers trailing up her arm, feeling the way she shivered under my touch. “Hate seeing Caden whisper things that make you smile.”

Her breath hitched. “Ryder, it’s not like that—”

I growled. “Don’t lie to me, sweetheart.”

She swallowed hard, her back pressing against the railing. “I—I don’t know what to do.”

I cupped her chin, tilting her face up to mine. “Then let me show you what you do to me.”

Her lips parted in a soft gasp, her heartbeat wild against my chest.

I leaned closer, my nose brushing hers, my fingers slipping around her waist, holding her against me. “Tell me to stop,” I whispered. “And I will.”

Silence.

Then, so softly I almost missed it—

“…Don’t stop.”

That was all I needed.

My lips crashed into hers, fierce and claiming, pouring every ounce of jealousy, every burning need into that kiss.

She whimpered against me, her hands gripping my shirt as I pressed her closer, deepening the kiss until she was breathless.

And in that moment, I knew.

I wasn’t letting her go.

Not to Jaxon. Not to Caden.

Not to anyone but me.

Amara’s POV

I was breathless.

Ryder's kiss was nothing like Jaxon’s teasing or Caden’s quiet intensity. It was fierce, possessive—like he was staking his claim on me.

And the worst part?

I liked it.

My fingers tightened in his shirt as his hands traced fire along my waist, pulling me flush against him. His lips moved against mine, slow but demanding, coaxing me into responding.

I should have pulled away. Should have told him we needed to talk about this first.

But the second his tongue brushed against mine, I melted.

He groaned against my lips, tilting my chin up to deepen the kiss. I gasped, and he took the opportunity to slip his fingers into my hair, holding me exactly where he wanted me.

His lips left mine only to trail hot, open-mouthed kisses down my jaw, lingering against the sensitive spot just below my ear.

“Ryder…” I whispered, my voice barely there.

He let out a low growl, his grip tightening. “You drive me insane, Amara.” His breath was warm against my skin. “Watching them touch you. Watching you let them.”

I shivered. “I—I don’t—”

He pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes, his blue gaze dark with something dangerous. “Tell me,” he murmured. “Do you want me the way you want them?”

My heart stopped.

I couldn’t lie.

Not when he was looking at me like that, like I was the only thing that mattered.

“…Yes.”

Ryder cursed under his breath before kissing me again, this time slower, deeper—like he was memorizing me.

His hands roamed over my back, pressing me against him, making sure I felt every inch of him.

And I did.

I felt everything.

When he finally pulled away, I was dizzy.

He leaned his forehead against mine, breathing hard. “You’re mine too, sweetheart. Just as much as you are theirs.”

I swallowed, my fingers still tangled in his shirt.

“…I know.”

His lips curved slightly. “Good.”

Then, with one last lingering kiss to my temple, he whispered, “Because I’m not letting you go.”

And I knew—

He meant every word.