“We were just talking,” he says. “About what’s going on between all of us.”
He looks from me to Reid, then to Dakota. Reid crosses his arms, a slight frown pulling at his lips. There’s a flicker in his eyes. Something almost competitive.
I glance back at Dakota. She looks exhausted, but there’s a flicker of more in her eyes, a mix of confusion and concern. She’s caught between us, and I know damn well that’s not fair to her.
“Guys, what the hell is going on?” I finally demand, frustration creeping into my voice.
This is not how I wanted to do this. Not like this, with them already on edge, acting as damn wolves circling the same piece of meat. I’m no saint, but I don’t need to be drawn into some silent war over Dakota.
“Dakota,” Reid starts. “I care about you.”
The words hang in the air, and the silence stretches too long.
“I care about you, too,” Sawyer adds quietly, his usual calm demeanor shaken.
Dakota’s eyes flick from me to them, her brow furrowing, as if she’s just now realizing what they’re admitting. Her breath catches, and I see it all settle in on her shoulders.
“You…” She cuts herself off, taking a step back, holding up a hand. “Stop,” she says, trembling just slightly. “This isn’t… I didn’t ask for this.”
But there’s no denying it now. Both of them have made their feelings known, and I know, deep down, that I’m in this.
I always have been, even if I’ve been running from it.
I take a deep breath, feeling it all in my chest. This isn’t about pride anymore. This isn’t about being too stubborn or holding back.
I can see it in the way she’s standing. Nervous, unsure of where to go next. She’s not just caught between the three of us—she’s unsure of what this means for her, too.
And I get it.
“I care about you, too, Dakota,” I say. I meet her gaze and hold it, trying to let her see just how much those words mean. “And I’m not going to pretend I don’t. I should’ve said something sooner, but I’ve been afraid. Afraid of pushing you too hardwhen you’ve been through so much. But I’m not backing down now.”
There’s a moment of silence before Reid speaks up. “So, what? Now we just… act like it’s all fine and dandy?”
I turn toward him, meeting his gaze head on. “No. But we stop pretending it’s not there, either.”
Reid’s eyes lock on mine, his jaw tight. He’s just as aware of the undercurrent between us as I am.
“Yeah, we need to stop pretending,” he mutters. “We’ve been circling this long enough.”
Sawyer shifts beside him, his gaze moving slowly over Dakota, trying to figure out where this could go, where they could go.
There’s something about the way he watches her, intense but soft. That quiet longing I can see in the curve of his lips.
And then, we’re all pulling toward her. This pull that’s magnetic, undeniable.
“Dakota,” I growl, taking a step closer. “I’m not backing down from this. Not anymore. Not after everything that’s happened. But just so you know, this isn’t something you have to choose. You could have all three of us.”
I see the glint in Reid’s eyes. It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve shared a woman like this, although it’s always been a physical thing before.
This definitely feels like more emotions are on the line, but why should that stop us?
I lean in, and this time, it’s not just about words. My lips find hers, and it’s an explosion. Hot, fierce, needy. She doesn’t fight it.
Her hands tangle in my hair, pulling me closer as if trying to meld us together, body and soul. It’s not just a kiss, it’s a claim. It’s everything I’ve been holding back for too damn long.
Reid reaches for her, too. His kiss makes her sigh—a soft, breathless sound that makes every nerve in my body light up. The tension between us is a fire now, and every kiss, every touch, fans it higher.
Sawyer moves in as well, his hands sliding over her shoulders, down her arms, pulling her into him with a slow, possessive kiss.
