11

Lilith’s POV
“You sure?” Briar whispered, tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear.
The simple touch sent an electric tingle racing down my spine. And damn, she still smelled as intoxicating as ever. Her lingering scent wrapped around me like a memory I couldn’t quite let go of. Yet, even as my body reacted to her, I felt it-two pairs of eyes burning into me from across the field. Their heat was palpable, their irritation nearly a physical force.
“Yeah, I think I’ll… take your advice,” I managed, awkwardly shifting as my hands fumbled with invisible distractions.
“All right, go get ’em, girl,” she said with a grin before turning to leave.
Of course, I watched her as she jogged away, her toned legs and barely-contained curves in those scandalous shorts drawing my attention despite myself.
“Hey, 27! Got a minute?” Briar called, her voice cutting through the tension in the air.
I took a deep breath and looked back toward the twins. They were watching me with a focus that made my pulse quicken. Amongst a sea of pigskin groupies scattered across the field, their attention remained locked on me.
It was unnerving. Thrilling.
*Seen. They see us,* Rose murmured in my mind, her tone reverent.
*Seen.* That word hit me like a thunderclap. Damn it all. Was that what this was? Was that why their gaze felt so… consuming?
I forced myself to move, my steps slow and deliberate as I crossed the field toward them. Their stares didn’t waver for a second.
“So… that was some good, uh, running?” I blurted, gesturing vaguely.
Their laughter rang out, deep and unrestrained.
“Baby, you didn’t learn *anything* out here?” Caden teased, stepping closer, his voice smooth and laced with amusement.
*Baby!* Rose practically purred, swooning like a lovesick fool.
“I didn’t realize there’d be a quiz, Professor,” I retorted, trying to sound unimpressed, though my gaze betrayed me as it raked over their sweat-slicked arms and damp shirts clinging to their sculpted torsos.
“And what were you and your friend giggling about up there?” Caleb asked, his tone curious but carrying a hint of mischief. “It was a nice change, seeing you relaxed.”
They stepped closer, their presence overwhelming. The air between us thickened, charged. I swallowed hard as the scent of their exertion-spiced and intoxicating-enveloped me. My pulse roared in my ears.
“Just… how silly this all is,” I stammered, instantly regretting the words.
“Silly, huh?” Caden’s brow quirked, a dangerous glint in his eyes as he moved even closer. “So all those years of blood, sweat, and tears-hours spent perfecting our craft, dominating it-are just ‘silly’?”
Before I could respond, his hands found my hips, anchoring me in place. My breath hitched, my thoughts scrambled.
*Kiss them! Kiss them now!* Rose demanded, her voice fervent in my mind.
Instead, lips brushed against my cheeks, light and teasing, and I froze. Hands-strong and possessive-found my back and waist, holding me in place as their warmth seeped into my skin.
“If I don’t look, it’s not real,” I whispered to myself, squeezing my eyes shut.
“And if you don’t look, what happens next?” Caleb murmured in my ear, his voice a low, tantalizing growl.
Lips trailed the curve of my neck, and my body betrayed me, leaning into their touch. My hands moved of their own accord, seeking something solid to anchor me as I felt a tongue-Caden’s-glide along my skin.
“You smell so damn good, Lily,” he rumbled, his breath hot against my ear. “But how do you taste?”
A whimper escaped me before I could stop it.
“That’s right, baby,” Caleb whispered, his hand lifting my chin with a gentle, commanding touch.
And then his lips claimed mine.
The world tilted. I couldn’t tell if my knees buckled or if I simply forgot how to stand, but their hands kept me upright, their touch both grounding and electrifying.
My eyes flew open, catching Caleb’s long lashes fluttering as he kissed me with a tenderness that left me reeling.
“You always kiss with your eyes open, beautiful,” Caden teased, his lips brushing the shell of my ear.
Reality snapped back into focus.
“Wait!” I gasped, pushing them both back with trembling hands.
Caleb frowned, arms crossing over his chest as he watched me, his muscles flexing in a way that made my traitorous heart stutter.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, his tone soft but laced with curiosity.
I straightened my shirt, trying to regain some semblance of control.
“Date,” I blurted, my voice embarrassingly loud.
“Date?” Caleb repeated, his brows lifting in confusion.
Suddenly, a hard force pressed into my stomach, and the world spun as I was lifted into the air.
“Put me down, caveman!” I shrieked, pounding my fists against Caden’s back as he carried me off, his laughter booming in my ears.
“Who the hell are you going out with?” Caden growled, his voice full of irritation.
“You’re not dating anyone, that’s not happening,” Caleb snapped.
Oh great. Here we go again. These two never fail to remind me just how primitive they can be. Welcome back to reality.
“Alright, folks, the show’s over,” I muttered, sarcasm dripping from my tone. “This is Lilith Emory, signing off from her lovely little cave, deep in Barbarian villa.”
I couldn’t help but exhale in relief as I watched them head toward my apartment, not their place. Their house? Probably as dangerous as it gets. You could probably get pregnant just by sitting on their couch-unless the cleaning lady had been there this morning. Then it seemed somewhat… tolerable.
Caden, though, was too absorbed in his phone to even notice where he was walking. Whatever was so damn important? Caleb, on the other hand, slowed his pace as we reached the bottom of the stairs.
“Thanks for the ride home. Now, I’m pretty sure I can handle it from here,” I said, resisting the urge to slap Caleb’s ass. Not that I didn’t find the idea tempting, but things had already gone way too far.
“Not so fast,” Caleb growled, the words dripping with possessiveness. “You’re ours, remember?”
I groaned, rolling my eyes. “What the hell?” I muttered. “I’ll scream if you don’t let me go.”
Caden chuckled darkly as my body lurched backward. Finally, my feet hit the ground, but before I could adjust, I was lifted again-swept up in Caden’s arms. My face was now inches from his, and we were climbing the stairs, his grip like iron.
“I’m not some foosball you can toss around,” I shot back, trying to steady myself by grabbing his chin, making him look at me.
“Oh yeah?” Caden’s voice was challenging as he turned his face away sharply, making my hand fall away. Before I could react, my finger ended up in his mouth. He sucked it hard, sending a rush of heat straight through me-then… teeth.
“Ow! What the hell?!” I yelped, jerking my hand away.
“Serves you right, tease,” Caden smirked, his eyes gleaming.
“Guess it’s time for a lesson,” Caleb said, his voice from behind us thick with warning.
I sighed, frustrated. Why was I even surprised by this macho nonsense? This wasn’t confidence-it was insecurity with a side of aggression. If I really had a date, I’d be elsewhere, not on this goddamn bench, pretending to be fine while my ass went numb.
“Where’s your key?” Caleb asked, stepping to my side when we reached my door. I reached into my bra, pulled it out, and handed it to him. He grinned as he took it.
“I didn’t invite you in,” I said, trying to sound firm.
“Good thing we’re not vampires,” Caden teased, lifting me effortlessly as if he owned the place.
The door swung open, and they marched in with me still in Caden’s arms. My bed, unmade and messy as usual, greeted me.
“Jesus, how lazy can you get?” Rose chided me in my head.
“Yeah, no one ever comes here,” I muttered under my breath as I wriggled, desperate to get free.
I wasn’t about to let these wannabe Casanovas make me their plaything.
*I’ll be your treat,* Rose purred, clearly far too excited for my liking.
*I thought you were supposed to be helping me,* I snapped back. *We’re supposed to be in this together, remember?*
“Oh, how the tables have turned!” Rose laughed. “Now *you’re* the nun and I’m the slut.”
I felt my body drop onto the bed with a bounce. I tried to scramble up, but Caden’s weight came down on me instantly. His heat radiated through me as his dark eyes held mine. I tried to push against his shoulders, but he didn’t budge.
I felt the bed dip again, and then Caleb had my hands pinned to the bed, his body hovering over mine.
“Shit,” I cursed. This was bad, so, so bad.
“Get the fuck off me!” I shouted, trying to remain calm. “I’ll scream. There’s a security guard next door.”
“Oh, Kris? Yeah, I tutor him. We’re tight,” Caleb said with a smirk, clearly enjoying the discomfort he was causing.
I tried to shift my legs, to knee Caden where it would hurt, but his grip was like iron. I was stuck. I had no intention of being anyone’s submissive at this moment, not like this, and certainly not with them.
I felt my resistance fade as I went limp, my mind screaming at me.
Caden’s eyes softened a little, but I knew it was just a brief flicker. They’d only grab me again in a second.
“What’s the deal with this date, huh?” Caleb demanded.
I rolled my eyes. “What I was trying to say before you both went full-on caveman was that I was going to offer you both a date,” I said, making a face.
“Offer us? You want to *date* us?” Caden laughed, disbelief written all over his face.
Knock, knock, knock.
“What the hell?” I muttered. “Are they just letting anyone into my place now?”
“Don’t worry about it,” Caleb said, licking his lips. “It’s just our roommate bringing some fresh clothes… so we can, uh, shower.”