Eat up, Princess. You're gonna need your energy.

Eat up, Princess. You're gonna need your energy.
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 quiet space.

I shrugged. “Couldn’t sleep.”

Caden walked over and plucked the book from my hands, snapping it shut. “Because of me?”

I scoffed. “You wish.”

His grin widened as he tossed the book onto the coffee table and sank onto the couch beside me, his thigh pressing against mine. He stretched an arm across the back of the couch, trapping me in the space between him and the cushions. My breath hitched when he leaned in, his face inches from mine.

“Tell me the truth,” he murmured. “Were you thinking about me?”

I rolled my eyes, but my traitorous body betrayed me—my pulse quickened, my breathing shallowed. He noticed, of course. He always did.

“You’re awfully quiet, Amara.”

I turned my face away, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a response. But then, his fingers brushed my chin, gently coaxing me to look at him. His touch was warm, electrifying, and when our eyes met, the playful glint in his gaze softened into something deeper.

“Come outside with me,” he said suddenly.

I blinked. “What?”

“Come on.” He stood, grabbing my hand and pulling me to my feet. “It’s a nice night. Let’s go.”

I hesitated. “Caden, it’s late.”

“So?” He grinned, his fingers lacing through mine. “Live a little.”

I sighed, knowing I was already lost to him. “Fine.”

Under the Stars

The backyard stretched wide, bordered by towering trees that swayed gently in the night breeze. The air smelled of pine and fresh earth, crisp and cool. The sky above was a deep velvet, speckled with a million stars.

Caden led me to the wooden swing bench near the garden, the one I had always admired but never actually used. He sat down first and pulled me onto his lap before I could protest.

I gasped, squirming. “Caden—”

“Shhh.” His arms wrapped around my waist, securing me in place. “Just relax.”

I huffed, but my body betrayed me again, sinking into him. His warmth, his scent—a mix of cedar and something distinctly Caden—wrapped around me, soothing in a way I hadn’t expected.

We rocked gently, the only sounds being the distant chirping of crickets and the rustling leaves. After a moment, he spoke, his voice quieter than before.

“I like this.”

I tilted my head to look at him. “Like what?”

“This. Us. You, here with me.” He met my gaze, and for once, there was no teasing in his expression. Just sincerity. “I never get tired of it.”

My heart clenched, an unfamiliar warmth spreading through me. “Caden…”

He smiled, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “What?”

I opened my mouth, but no words came. So instead, I leaned in, pressing my forehead against his. He stilled, his arms tightening around me.

“I don’t know what to do with you,” I admitted softly. “With any of this.”

His fingers traced slow circles against my back. “Then don’t think so much. Just feel.”

And so, I did. I closed my eyes, let myself sink into his warmth, let myself believe—just for tonight—that this was enough.

His lips found my temple, feather-light, lingering. Then, the curve of my cheek. My jaw. The corner of my mouth.

My breath hitched.

“Caden…”

“Hmm?”

I turned my face just slightly, and suddenly, our lips were brushing. Just the barest touch, hesitant, charged.

His breath mingled with mine. “Say the word, Amara, and I’ll stop.”

But I didn’t.

Instead, I closed the distance between us.

The kiss was slow at first, exploring, savoring. His lips were soft, coaxing mine to move with his. But then, he deepened it, his hands sliding up my back, pulling me impossibly closer. A soft moan escaped me, and I felt him smile against my lips.

He kissed me like he had all the time in the world. Like he wasn’t afraid of losing me. Like he had already decided that I was his.

When we finally pulled away, I was breathless, my fingers clutching his shirt as if to ground myself. His forehead rested against mine, his lips curling into a satisfied smile.

“I’ve been wanting to do that all day,” he confessed.

I bit my lip, still dazed. “You’re insufferable.”

He chuckled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “And yet, here you are.”

I sighed, shaking my head. “Yeah. Here I am.”

The Next Morning

I woke up feeling strangely light. The events of last night replayed in my mind—the swing, the stars, the kiss.

The kiss.

I groaned, burying my face in the pillow. What had I done? What did it mean? And why, despite everything, did I feel so damn happy about it?

A knock at my door made me jolt upright. “Amara?”

Caden.

My heart stuttered. “What?” I called out, scrambling to fix my hair.

He chuckled. “Open the door.”

I hesitated before finally swinging it open. He was standing there, grinning like he knew every thought racing through my mind. He held up a tray of food.

“Brought you breakfast.”

I eyed him suspiciously. “Why?”

He smirked. “Can’t a guy take care of his girl?”

I choked on air. “Excuse me?”

His grin widened. “Eat up, princess. You’re gonna need your energy.”

“For what?”

He winked. “You’ll see.”

And with that, he strolled off, leaving me flustered, confused, and undeniably intrigued.

Damn him.