The way they were practically competing for my focus, each one trying to outdo the others.

It was insane. It was overwhelming.

And it was intoxicating.

I was in trouble.

I should have said no.

I should have walked away while I still had the sense to.

But the drinks were flowing, my head was buzzing, and the weight of their attention had wrapped around me like a warm, lazy haze.

Somewhere between Mason’s teasing, Owen’s quiet intensity, and Ethan’s smooth confidence, I stopped thinking about what was right and started thinking about what Iwanted.

So when Ethan leaned in, his voice thick with whiskey and something else I wasn’t ready to name, and said, “Come back to my place. Just for a little while,” I didn’t even hesitate.

Samantha shot me a look, her expression half giddy, halfI told you so.

Morgan just grinned. “Go have fun, babe. We fully expect details.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t fight my smile as I let Ethan take my hand, guiding me through the bar. Mason and Owen flanked me, their warmth pressing close as we stepped out into the cool night air.

The short walk to Ethan’s house was a blur.

Maybe it was the alcohol. Maybe it was the anticipation coiling low in my stomach.

Maybe it was justthem.

But by the time we arrived at Ethan’s place, my mind was a scrambled mess.

The house was dark except for the porch light, casting long shadows over the gravel driveway.

I hesitated for a second, glancing between the three of them, my nerves catching up to me.

But then Ethan reached for me, his fingers brushing mine, grounding me.

“Come on,” he murmured. “Promise we don’t bite.”

Owen let out a low chuckle. “Unless you want us to.”

Mason just smirked. “Don’t scare her off, dumbass.”

I swallowed hard, my pulse pounding as I let them lead me inside.

The door shut behind us with a soft click, sealing us in.

And just like that, the night was nowhere close to over.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Aurora

The airinside Ethan’s house was heavy with anticipation.

My pulse thrummed in my ears as I stepped further inside, hyperaware of the three men closing in around me.

Mason was the first to touch me, just a ghost of his fingertips against my lower back, the warmth of his palm seeping through the thin fabric of my dress.