“They’re all what?”
“More experienced. Older. Probably better at… everything.”
“Everything?”
His cheeks flame. “You know what I mean. Axel probably has a whole repertoire of crazy moves. Ethan’s probably studied techniques. Hudson could just command you to come. And Damien…” he trails off. “I’m just me. Awkward, inexperienced, and I’m probably terrible at it.”
“First of all,” I say, counting on my fingers, “That was also my first kiss. Axel’s ‘moves’ would probably involve that stupid axe somehow. Ethan would bring charts. Hudson barely talks to me. And Damien actively hates me.”
“He doesn’t—”
“Second, the arrangement is what it is, but I’m not a toy to be passed around. I choose who and when and how.”
“You choose me?” he asks, his voice cracking. My chest aches, because how could I not?
“Yes, I choose you.”
His smile broadens, and those endearing dimples deepen. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” I breathe, tugging him closer for another kiss.
This time, it’s deeper, more confident.
A moan escapes me as my hands tangle in his hair.
He pulls me closer, his arms solid and warm, encircling me in a cocoon of safety and desire.
The kiss is everything. My body hums with excitement, but it intertwines with a darker sensation.
Fear. Doubt.
A quiet voice stirs in the back of my mind.
What if he changes his mind? What if one day he looks at me the way Conrad did… and decides I’m not worth it?
16
Luna
Notebook: The more savage the beast, the softer the cuddle. Who knew?
My days have settled into a routine over the past few weeks.
Mornings are spent helping Oli with chores around the house; afternoons are dedicated to training sessions with Ethan and usually a few of the guys, while the others are busy doing…whatever it is they do here. Evenings are filled with group dinners where conversation flows easily. Well, most of them, anyway—Damien is still as sullen and withdrawn as ever.
Not that I care…
Yeah, that’s a lie.
I’m finding myself more comfortable around these males.
I’m still guarded, like something in me doesn’t believe this can be true, that this could be my home. That these males might like me, for me.
And if I’m being honest… I’m starting to like them back.
Oli, with his goofy jokes. Ethan, with his kindness. And even Axel, despite all his wild unpredictability, has moments of surprising gentleness.
Hudson is polite but mostly keeps his distance, which feels… strange.
