Let's continue this in the bedroom!

Let's continue this in the bedroom!
Amara's POV

I didn't realize I was leaning back against Ryder's chest until his arms tightened around me, his lips still brushing over my ear.

Jaxon smirked, his fingers trailing along my jaw. "You're not running this time, princess."
"Not sure I could," I breathed.

"Good," Caden said, his grip tightening around my waist.

"I like you right where you are." His voice was low, possessive, and I shivered in response.

Caden's fingers traced a path from my hip, slowly, deliberately, up the center of my stomach, between the valley of my breasts. He paused, his hand resting just over my heart.
I swallowed, my body trembling. His gaze locked onto mine.

“Let's continue this in the bedroom.” Ryder said.

"Okay," I whispered.

Before the word was even out of my mouth, Jaxon's arm looped around my waist, lifting me off my feet.

I gasped.

Ryder chuckled, his breath hot against my neck. "Someone's eager."

"Don't have to tell me twice," Jaxon said, carrying me into the hallway.

Caden followed, his eyes never leaving mine.
Ryder closed the distance between us, his hands sliding around me as Jaxon set me on my feet again. I could feel him everywhere, pressed against my back, his fingers tracing along the curve of my ass.

"What's the plan, sweetheart?"

My heart was pounding, my breaths uneven, and I had no idea how we'd made it here, but—
"Everything," I breathed, leaning back against him. "I want everything."

Caden exhaled, his jaw clenching. Jaxon cursed under his breath, his gaze dark. And Ryder—

He gripped my chin, turning my face up to his.

"Then fucking kiss me."

Before I could respond, his lips crashed into mine, rough, desperate. One hand tangled in my hair, the other gripping my waist as he pulled me even closer.

Jaxon's hand landed on my neck, tilting my head back. "You have no idea how bad I want you, princess."

"Show her," Ryder murmured against my lips.

Jaxon didn't need any more encouragement.
His grip tightened, and then his lips met mine, claiming, hungry.His kiss was a different kind of wild—like he was trying to prove something.
I heard a low groan, and I knew without looking that it was Caden, watching from the doorway.

Ryder's lips brushed over my ear. "We're going to ruin you, sweetheart."

He was right.

I was already shaking.

Caden's fingers slid around my wrist, and then I was being tugged away from them, pulled back toward the center of the room.

Ryder huffed. "Can't let anyone else have their turn, huh?"

Caden's gaze flicked over me, his golden eyes dark. "I'm only giving her a second to breathe."

A second.

That was all I needed.

"I'm okay," I said, the words shaky.

He hesitated, his grip loosening.

Before he could say anything, Jaxon pulled me away from Caden, his hand sliding around my throat. "You have no fucking idea how bad I want to make you come," he murmured.

Caden shot him a look. "Jaxon."

Jaxon just smirked. "Oh, relax. She can handle it."

Caden opened his mouth, but I didn't give him a chance to respond.

"I can," I said, my cheeks flushing.

Ryder's fingers slid up my arm. "That's our girl," he said, his lips brushing over my shoulder.

Our girl.

Something about the words made my heart clench.

Caden watched me, his expression serious. "We need to stop long enough to talk about this.”

Jaxon groaned. "For fuck's sake, man. She's not some random—"

"We're not rushing into this."

"Caden," Ryder sighed, his tone bored.
"We need rules," Caden insisted.

"Fuck the rules."

"He's right," I said, before the two of them could argue anymore.

All three of them turned to me, surprised.
I licked my lips, hesitating. "There should be rules."

I didn't miss the flash of relief in Caden's eyes, or the way Jaxon's grip tightened. But it was Ryder's soft laugh that made me shiver.

"What do you want, sweetheart?"

I swallowed.

I had no idea.

I just knew I wanted to keep going.
Caden must have sensed my hesitation, because he stepped closer, his hands finding my waist. "We can stop here, Amara."

"No." The word was out before I could stop it, and Jaxon groaned, burying his face against my neck.

"You're going to kill me," he murmured.

Caden exhaled, his thumb brushing over my cheek. "Okay. No rushing."

Ryder hummed. "But there has to be a little bit of rushing. It's been months, and we're not getting any younger."

Caden shot him a look, and Ryder held up his hands, grinning. "I'm kidding. Jesus.”

Jaxon rolled his eyes.

"Just a few rules," I said, swallowing. "Nothing serious. Nothing complicated."

Caden nodded, his grip tightening. "Okay."

Ryder tilted my chin back. "First rule, sweetheart. You tell us if this gets to be too much."

I swallowed, nodding. "Okay.”

"And what if we need to slow down?" Jaxon asked.

Caden hesitated, then sighed. "Red. Yellow. Green. Use them however you need."

I frowned, confused. "Like a traffic light system?"

Jaxon grinned. "See, she's perfect."

Caden just shook his head.
"So, what are the rules?” I asked.

Ryder tilted his head, his gaze sliding over me. "No kissing on the lips."

I blinked. "Really?"

Jaxon smirked. "I've kissed you enough tonight."

Caden shrugged. "It's too personal."

"But, it's just kissing," I said.

Ryder raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying you're not enjoying this, sweetheart?"

"I am," I said, my face flushed. "I just..."

"You're already overwhelmed," Caden said gently. "And you're not even undressed yet.”

"Yet," Ryder repeated, grinning.

"That's the next rule," Jaxon said. "You strip."
Caden rolled his eyes. "No, we strip you."

Jaxon smirked. "Well, yeah, but—"

"Strip me?"

Caden nodded, his eyes meeting mine. "At your pace, Amara.However long you need."

My heart was racing.

"And the third rule?"

Caden smiled.

And then he pulled me closer, his voice husky in my ear. "We're taking care of you tonight."

"Oh."

I barely had time to register what he'd said before Ryder's hands slid up my sides, his fingers finding the zipper on the back of my dress.

He pulled it down, slowly, deliberately, until it came undone, and then his hands were on my hips, tugging the fabric down.

I swallowed, my stomach fluttering as the material slid to the floor, leaving me in just a bra and panties.

"Damn," Jaxon whispered.

Ryder groaned. "Fucking hell, sweetheart.Look at you."

They were staring at me like I was something precious, and for the first time, I didn't feel self-conscious.

Instead, I just felt warm.

Wanted.

Loved.

Caden's fingers traced a path down my side, following the line of my hip. "You're beautiful."
His words made my heart clench.

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could, Jaxon's hand landed on my shoulder, tilting me back toward him. His gaze swept over me, hot and intense. "Fuck," he murmured, then leaned in, his lips brushing over mine.

It was a soft kiss—one that didn't linger, but it still made my head spin.

"What did we say about the rules?" Ryder huffed, pushing him away.

Jaxon just grinned. "She's worth it."

Caden sighed, then brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "Ready?"

I took a slow, shaky breath, my heart hammering. "Yes."