Page 50 of Branded Hearts

Harrison jokes, “So, does that mean we can start calling you Daddy Xavier?”

“Absolutely not. His head’s big enough already,” Isla teases, and behind her, Xavier nods, mouthing the wordyes,making everyone laugh.

As the jokes fly, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of warmth. Their news brings a surprising lightness to the evening, underscoring the raw, real joys of family and the tight-knit bonds we’ve got.

I shift my gaze to Amelia, catching her staring at me. Her cheeks flush as our eyes meet, and she quickly looks away, but not before I see that shy smile. It’s a fleeting moment, but it tugs at something deep inside me. In her presence, I feel a flicker of something unfamiliar, something that chips away at my guarded exterior. Maybe it’s her genuine nature or the way she brightens a room—at least, for me.

As the group sorts out the rooming arrangements, I find myself in a familiar tug-of-war. My eyes keep drifting toward her, no matter how hard I try to resist. It’s like they have a mind of their own, drawn to her like a magnet.

This is exactly what I’ve been trying to avoid, but here I am, struggling to tear my gaze away.

Grabbing my bag, I use the excuse of needing to settle into myroom to escape this internal battle. As I make my way down the hall, I try to focus on the task at hand, but thoughts of Amelia linger, stubborn and relentless. Isla, Xav, Michael, and Harrison are taking the upstairs bedrooms, leaving Liv, Amelia, Imogen, and me on the ground level—and thank fuck, I end up with my own room.

The place is spacious, with well-laid-out rooms and wide corridors. It’s a relief, considering we paid just shy of two-thousand dollars. Split between the eight of us, it was affordable. The house itself is a classic Australian riverfront property, with large, tall windows letting in plenty of natural light. Floor-to-ceiling curtains offer privacy when needed.

As I start to settle in, Liv comes barreling into my room, breaking my concentration.

“Oi, we’re heading down to the river for a quick dip. You coming?” I ponder the thought. The river outside looks inviting, and a swim sounds refreshing.

“Sure. I’ll be down in a minute.”

“Righto!” Liv chirps before heading out, leaving me to finish unpacking before joining the others.

After a while, I make my way down to the river. The group has dispersed—Liv, Harrison, and Imogen are splashing around, their laughter echoing across the water. Isla’s lounging on a towel while Xav fusses over her, making sure she’s got enough sunscreen. Michael kicking back in a foldable chair, soaking up the sun.

The scene should feel peaceful, but my thoughts are a storm. Amelia’s presence stirs something in me, something I’m not readyto face. I don’t do feelings. I don’t do complications.

But here I am, caught in the undertow of emotions I can’t control, all because of one woman.

I notice Amelia sitting on her towel next to Michael, a book in hand. Something about seeing her lost in a book warms me in a way I can’t explain. It’s simple, but it makes her more endearing. As I approach, I lay my towel down next to Michael and glance at Amelia, curiosity getting the better of me.

“What are you reading?” I nod toward her book.

She closes the book, answering vaguely, “Uh, it’s, uh, a romance book.”

Michael smirks. “What she means to say is that it’s porn on page.”

“What! Uh, no, it’s just a light romance,” she stammers.

“Mhm,” Michael hums, not sounding convinced.

“How would you even know that?” I ask, raising my brow.

“Dude, it’s what every chick reads these days.”

I’m curious about how Michael knows about romance novels, but I don’t care enough to question it. Instead, I raise an eyebrow. “What’s it about? The book, I mean.”

Amelia hesitates for a moment. “It’s about a woman who finds love in a small, charming town. It’s... it’s kind of like those cowboy romances, but not as... dramatic.”

“Interesting,” I reply, nodding slowly.

Harrison yells for us to get in the water, cutting off the conversation. Imogen squeals when he splashes her, and we all laugh.

“Ugh. I fucking hate you,” she yells, trying to splash him back.

Xav and Isla join the chaos, their laughs ringing out. Xav slaps Isla’s ass, and she shoves him hard. Grinning, he picks her up and splashes into the water.

I stand, stretch, and yank my shirt off, tossing it onto my towel. As I turn, I catch Amelia’s gaze fixed on me, her mouth slightly parted in surprise. Her staring doesn’t go unnoticed, and it gives me a jolt. There’s a primal satisfaction in knowing she’s looking. Her shy smile and blush stir something I’ve tried to bury—an attraction I can’t shake. And the fact that she’s never been kissed still replays in my mind, bothering me to my core. Ever since she blurted it out, it’s been gnawing at me.

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