Page 11 of Their Wicked Secrets: Untouched, Vol 5 of 6

I shrug, because I don’t know what can fix any of this. It seems hopeless.

“You did say that Sunday you’d decide who would win the boyfriend of the week award.” Jack’s voice makes me turn.

“I’m holding you to the group date, sunshine, but it can be after Homecoming.” Nico smiles.

“Yeah, who did the best this week, kitten?”

Caden turns me to sit on his lap, so I can see everyone waiting for me to judge. I draw in a breath and let the worries slip away for now. This is something I can focus on.

“Is this really going to be a thing?” I arch an eyebrow.

“Of course, princess.” Luke flashes me a smirk. “We need to know who’s being the best so we can beat them next week.”

“Hey, I could win twice in a row.” Nico gives me a fake pout and gestures toward his knee. “After all, I got hurt.”

“At least this week none of us did anything to make Harper angry.” Eli winks at me. “I did enjoy sleeping with her, and we’re definitely still taking our night with her. Jack and I.”

Luke shakes his head. While I worked on college applications, he went and took a shower. He sits in the chair, leaning back like he doesn’t have a care in the world. I can’t imagine having just one of these guys or even a few of them. I love that they all support me and want me.

But the one who made the biggest stride forward this week is...

“Luke.”

His eyes widen like he honestly didn’t think I’d choose him.

I lean forward, and Caden holds my hips steady. “It takes a lot of courage to be the first to say I love you. And I know you haven’t always had love in your life. You respected my mom enough to admit it to her freely, without anyone forcing you.”

Tears fill my eyes, but they aren’t choking me this time. I didn’t know how much knowing they loved me would change everything. “You all really have been the best this week. I’ve needed you, and you showed up. I love you all.”

CHAPTER 4

Duty Status – Whereabouts Unknown

Caden

I glance over at Harper beside me on the couch. She stopped spiraling and settled back into college applications, but she’s been quiet for the past ten minutes. She’s asleep, and her laptop is on the verge of careening to the floor. I grab it and look at the guys on the screen. We’re still not good to have this on all night. Jack might be able to secure it, but there’s a possibility someone could get in. I’m not risking our girl like that.

“See you in the morning.” I close the laptop and shut down mine.

Harper slumps against me. If it were up to me, every night would be like the past weekend, where we could all spread out in the bed and be there for Harper when she woke. Tonight she’s all mine. While I’d love to sleep buried deep inside her, she has to be sore from the amount of times we fucked her.

For now, she’s staying with me. Meaning I’ve got time. I draw her into my arms and stand. She curls in against me, so fucking trusting in her sleep. I turn off the lights, reluctant to have her out of my arms for even a moment. But I need to get undressed to sleep. When I climb into bed with her, she huffs out a breath and smashes herself to my side.

I chuckle and brush her hair away from her face. The way my heart feels when I’m near her is stupid and big and too much to take in. But she makes everything worth it.

I hold her close as my breathing evens out. At some point, I must fall asleep listening to her breathing.

She jerks against me. I wake, suddenly alert to the dark room around me. There are no additional shadows in the room. We’re alone.

Her throat makes noises like she’s trying to speak aloud but can’t. I turn on the low light, and she jerks again like something has her. She doesn’t normally have nightmares. Not when she’s sleeping with us, but with everything we’ve learned and everything she’s been through, I’m not surprised.

“Harper,” I say softly, stroking my hand down her back gently. “I’ve got you.”

She wakes on a gasp, her eyes wide and panicked before they focus on me. She relaxes into me.

“Caden.” Her voice is small as she nuzzles into my chest.

I draw her closer. “Bad dream?”