You love this attention, don't you??

You love this attention, don't you??
Amara’s POV

The warmth, the closeness, the utter mess of tangled limbs—it was the perfect morning until I tried to move.

The moment I attempted to wiggle free, Ryder groaned dramatically, tightening his arm around my waist. “Where do you think you’re going, sweetheart?”

I huffed, trying to pry his grip off. “I need to get ready for school, Ryder.”

Jaxon stretched beside me, blinking lazily. “Or… you could stay right here.” His smirk was wicked as he trailed a slow hand down my thigh. “I can think of much better ways to spend the morning.”

Caden, always the responsible one, ran a hand through his messy hair, sighing. “She has to go, Jaxon.”

Jaxon groaned, rolling onto his back. “Fine. But only because I hate school, and I refuse to relive that nightmare with you.”

Ryder muttered something under his breath but finally loosened his grip. I took my chance and bolted, laughing as I escaped the bed before any of them could pull me back.

I grabbed my bag and rushed to the bathroom, feeling their gazes follow me. The moment I shut the door, I leaned against it, pressing a hand to my chest.

This is real. This is happening.

I was still buzzing from last night, my body still feeling claimed in the best way possible. But reality was setting in—I had a life outside of this… whatever this was.

And they were a part of it now.

\---

Jaxon’s POV

Getting Amara ready and out the door was a damn battle, but somehow, we managed.

I snagged my keys before Ryder could, shooting him a smug grin. “I’m taking her today.”

Ryder rolled his eyes but didn’t argue. Caden just sighed, clearly used to our nonsense by now.

Amara stood by the door, arms crossed, giving me a pointed look. “You guys do realize I can drive myself, right?”

I smirked, tossing an arm around her shoulders and guiding her toward my car. “Not a chance, princess.”

She huffed but didn’t fight it.

The moment we were on the road, I cranked the music up. She groaned. “Jaxon, it’s too early for this.”

I only grinned, turning it up louder.

She reached for the volume dial, but I caught her wrist midair, pulling her hand toward me. “Ah-ah,” I tsked, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “Let me take care of you, princess.”

She rolled her eyes but blushed, looking out the window. “You’re impossible.”

“And irresistible,” I added.

She smacked my arm.

The drive was filled with playful banter, stolen glances, and the undeniable pull between us.

When we finally pulled into the school parking lot, I turned to her, my expression serious for once. “You know we’re not letting you go through this day alone, right?”

Her brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

I reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Ryder, Caden, and I—we’re with you. Always.”

She exhaled, something softening in her eyes. Then she smirked. “So, what? You guys gonna fight my battles for me?”

I leaned in, my lips just barely brushing hers. “Nah, princess. We’re gonna make damn sure no one dares to fight you at all.”

Before she could respond, I pulled away, hopping out of the car and rounding to open her door with a mocking bow. “After you, my queen.”

She rolled her eyes but smiled, stepping out.

And as we walked toward the school, her between us, I knew one thing for certain—

She was ours.

And we weren’t letting her go.

\---

Amara’s POV

Walking into school with Jaxon beside me was like stepping into a storm.

People stared. Whispered.

I could feel their eyes on us, could practically hear the murmurs spreading like wildfire.

Jaxon, of course, looked completely unbothered. He threw an arm over my shoulder like he owned me, his signature smirk firmly in place. “Damn, princess. Didn’t realize we were this popular.”

I elbowed him. “It’s because you’re loud.”

He laughed, completely ignoring the attention we were getting.

But then, I saw them.

A group of girls near the lockers, watching us with open jealousy. One of them—Vanessa—crossed her arms, her gaze narrowing. “Wow, Amara,” she sneered. “Didn’t take you for the type to throw yourself at Jaxon like that.”

Before I could even react, Jaxon’s grip on me tightened, his entire demeanor shifting. “And I didn’t take you for the type to be so fucking bitter, Vanessa.”

Her mouth fell open.

The hallway went silent.

I swore I heard someone choke on their drink.

Jaxon smirked, pulling me even closer. “Jealousy doesn’t look good on you, sweetheart,” he taunted. “Might wanna work on that.”

Vanessa fumed, her face turning red as her friends grabbed her arm, whispering for her to drop it.

I glanced up at him. “Did you have to do that?”

He grinned. “Absolutely.”

Before I could respond, I heard another familiar voice.

“Amara.”

I turned to find Caden and Ryder approaching—both looking less than pleased.

Ryder’s jaw was tight as his eyes flickered between Jaxon and me. “You could’ve waited for us.”

Caden’s gaze lingered on Jaxon’s arm around me, but he didn’t say anything about it. Instead, he tilted his head toward the hallway. “Let’s go.”

I sighed, but followed.

Jaxon leaned in as we walked, whispering near my ear, “You love this attention, don’t you?”

I pinched his side.

And for the rest of the day, I couldn’t shake the feeling that things were only going to get more complicated.

The day dragged on, but the tension between the guys was impossible to ignore.

Ryder was watching me more than usual, his jaw tight every time Jaxon so much as breathed in my direction. Caden was calmer, but I noticed the way his fingers flexed whenever Jaxon got too close.

And Jaxon? He lived for it.

During lunch, he practically draped himself over me, his smirk widening every time Ryder clenched his fists.

At one point, he leaned in, voice low. “I think Ryder’s going to snap soon, princess.”

I shot him a glare. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

Jaxon’s grin was wicked. “Every damn second.”

Ryder, who had been silent for too long, suddenly grabbed my wrist and pulled me up from the table. “We’re talking.”

Jaxon laughed. “Oh, this should be good.”

Caden sighed but didn’t stop him.

I barely had time to react before Ryder was leading me outside, his grip firm but not painful. The second we were alone, he turned to face me, his blue eyes burning.

“You let him touch you like that?” His voice was sharp, edged with something dangerously close to jealousy.

I raised a brow. “Excuse me?”

Ryder ran a hand through his hair, exhaling hard. “Amara… I hate seeing him all over you.” His voice dropped, rougher now. “I can’t stand it.”

My heart skipped.

He stepped closer, his fingers brushing my waist. “I know we’re all your mates,” he said quietly, “but I need to know… do I matter to you?”

The pain in his voice made my chest ache.

I reached up, cupping his face. “Of course you do, Ryder.”

He leaned into my touch, his hands sliding around my waist, pulling me flush against him. “Then tell me I’m not just watching from the sidelines.”

I swallowed hard. “You’re not.”

His lips parted, his breath shallow. “Prove it.”

I didn’t hesitate.

I pulled him down, pressing my lips to his in a slow, deep kiss. Ryder groaned against my mouth, his grip tightening as he kissed me back with barely contained need.

For once, I wasn’t thinking. I wasn’t second-guessing.

I was his, in this moment.

And by the way he kissed me, I knew he wasn’t planning on letting me go anytime soon.