Lilith’s POV
Two hours into the party, and I was well on my way to being buzzed. Okay, maybe more than buzzed. A few body shots off Briar and a chugging contest with Caden-one he easily won-had seen to that. Still, I was determined not to get completely wasted. It was past time to pump the brakes.
I’d been scanning the room, searching for my chosen “victim”-the one I’d confess my dirtiest fantasy to. Only one problem: I hadn’t actually decided on a fantasy yet. If I’d ever had a wild idea I wanted to try, I’d already done it. No point lingering on *what ifs* when college is supposed to be all about diving into the unknown, right?
Sure, I could take the easy route and spill my secret to Briar or one of the twins, but where was the fun in that?
Caleb had been avoiding me, or at least it felt that way. Caden had to have noticed, even if he pretended otherwise. The hollow ache in my chest was hard to ignore, and I didn’t know how to fix it.
*You do know,* Rose, my wolf, insisted. I let out a quiet sigh.
The truth? I was giving Caleb a hard time because we were too much alike. I’d always been the dominant one in any relationship, but with him, it was a constant tug-of-war. It was maddening, knowing the only resolution might involve my submission. And where was the fun in *that*? Backing down just wasn’t in my nature.
*You’ve met your match, and you can’t accept it. Get over it and embrace it,* Rose said, her voice dripping with smugness. Damn wolf always saw right through me.
“Who’s ready to turn up the heat?” someone shouted over the music.
I glanced around and nearly laughed out loud. Between the casual nudity and people practically going at it in plain view, the party was reaching new heights-or lows, depending on your perspective. If this turned into an orgy, I was *out.* Wild and confident I might be, but even I had my limits.
Cheers erupted as Caden appeared behind me, his hands gripping my hips, his lips brushing over my shoulder. I leaned into him with a smile. Being close to him felt… natural, comforting.
“Never have I ever kissed a stranger after just meeting them!” someone called out, kicking off the game.
My grin widened. *Game on.* I raised my cup and took a sip, as did the twins. From the corner of my eye, I noticed Caleb edging closer. I tried not to let it distract me, but I couldn’t help it.
“Never have I ever kissed someone of the same sex,” another voice shouted, accompanied by exaggerated laughter. A girl kissed her friend to punctuate the point. Smiling, I raised my cup and took another drink.
“You’re going to be wasted soon,” Caden murmured against my ear, nibbling gently. “And for the record, you’re staying with us tonight. Non-negotiable.”
The warmth of his breath sent a shiver down my spine. My hand found his, resting on my hip, and he laced our fingers together.
*Oh, he’s perfect! So happy!* Rose practically squealed in my head.
“Never have I ever done it outside and gotten caught!” a guy yelled.
I didn’t drink, but both twins did. Amateurs.
Before I could tease them, Briar appeared, dragging me away from Caden with a grin so wide it was practically blinding. She was utterly trashed, her movements sloppy but full of confidence.
“Never have I ever had a threesome!” she declared.
I burst out laughing, but before I could react, she grabbed my face and kissed me. Her lips were soft, and her weight pressed against me, anchoring us both as we swayed. One arm wrapped around her waist for balance. Beautiful and intoxicating, she was impossible to resist in that moment.
When she finally broke the kiss, I raised my cup and took a drink, earning cheers from the crowd. Laughter and clapping echoed around us, but as I steadied myself, my gaze landed on the twins.
They were furious.
Standing together, their matching expressions radiated pure rage. If looks could kill, the entire party would have gone up in flames.
Rose huffed, clearly unimpressed. She nudged me to notice the way several males were ogling me, their gazes lingering far too long. My arm dropped from Briar’s waist as unease crept in.
I scanned the room, following the stares. My chest tightened as the weight of their attention settled over me. Normally, I’d enjoy the looks, sizing up potential conquests. But now?
Now, I felt exposed.
For once, Lilith Emory was shaken by the very thing she usually thrived on. My skin prickled, my heart raced, and the alcohol in my stomach churned unpleasantly. Without another thought, I set my drink down and slipped away. I needed air.
Making my way through the house, I ignored the buzz of conversation and the occasional groping hands. I passed Quinley, her smug face standing out among a group of males. She didn’t matter. Not tonight.
Finally, I found an open bathroom. But as I stepped inside, I nearly gagged. A couple stumbled out, clearly finishing something far less than romantic. The smell of sweat and sex clung to the air.
I locked the door, cracked the window for fresh air, and leaned against the sink, willing the nausea to subside.
The door clicked behind me.
I turned, my senses immediately filled with the smoky, campfire scent that could only belong to one person.
“Are you proud of yourself?” Caleb’s voice was low, his breath warm against my neck as he moved my hair aside.
I met his gaze in the mirror, his hands already roaming, anger and arousal warring in his expression. My body responded instinctively, leaning into him, craving his touch.
“Lily,” he murmured, his voice a growl, “you’re going to apologize to Caden.”
Caught off guard, I blinked. “Just to Caden?”
“Let’s just say I had certain expectations for tonight,” Caleb murmured, his voice low and deliberate. “Maybe I hoped you’d surprise me, prove me wrong. But you couldn’t resist, could you? Because you’re a naughty girl.” His words were laced with a mix of admonishment and heat that sent a shiver down my spine.
His hands gripped my hips as he leaned in, brushing his lips against my ear. “Maybe you wore that dress for us-wanted to see us burn with jealousy. You knew exactly what kind of attention you’d get. You wanted it. Didn’t you?” His breath was hot, stirring something deep and primal within me. “You wanted them to stare.”
I felt the tie around my neck tug gently as his teeth caught the edge, and my top slipped down, baring my skin to the cool air. His hands were immediately on me, rough and possessive, kneading my breasts with unrelenting pressure. My knees weakened, and I clutched at his hips for support, my eyes locking onto his reflection in the mirror. He trailed slow, deliberate kisses down my shoulder and arm, the sharp contrast of his grip and tenderness setting me ablaze.
My body thrummed with sensation, hyperaware of every touch. I couldn’t help but wonder if this was the fantasy I didn’t even know I craved-Caleb claiming me in anger, fueled by raw, unbridled need.
I let out a shaky breath as my head rolled to the side, giving him full access to my neck. His lips found the sensitive spot there, and I arched into him, pressing back against the hardness of his arousal. A low growl escaped him as his fingers slipped beneath the hem of my dress. When they brushed against the strings of my panties, he stopped, leaving me teetering on the edge of frustration.
*Please, just let him take us!* Rose’s plea echoed in my mind, but I held my ground, unwilling to surrender completely.
Caleb’s hand came into view, one finger extended as it shifted into a claw. Our gazes met in the mirror, and I felt no fear-only trust and anticipation. Slowly, with deliberate care, he hooked the string of my panties, slicing it with ease. The second string followed, the shredded fabric falling away as his hand skimmed my hip, leaving a trail of heat in its wake.
“You see, Lily,” he murmured, his voice a low growl as he slid his claw down my skin before retracting it. “The difference between my brother and me is simple. Caden will try to shield you, tell you to cover up because he can’t stand the idea of another man looking at what’s his. But me? I won’t tell you how to dress.” He leaned closer, his lips brushing my ear. “I’ll show you how it makes me feel. What it does to me to see every man in this room want what they can never, ever have.”
His hand slipped between my legs, one finger teasing my core with maddening precision. A moan escaped my lips as my body melted against him. He pushed deeper, and I couldn’t stop the whimper that followed, my knees buckling as his arm tightened around my waist to hold me upright.
“Do you know what drives me wild, Lilith?” he continued, his voice a dangerous whisper. “It’s knowing you do this on purpose-dress like this to rile me up, to make me jealous. Admit it. You love the thought of me losing control, of me ripping the throat out of some idiot who dares to stare too long.”
His words were fire, scorching through my veins. Each stroke of his fingers sent me spiraling closer to the edge, my body no longer my own but his entirely. I gasped, the pressure and intensity unbearable yet perfect.
“Say it, Lily,” he demanded, his voice rough and commanding. “Say my name. Scream it for me.”
When he plunged deeper, hitting a spot that sent shockwaves through my entire body, I broke. My release tore through me like a tidal wave, my head falling back onto his shoulder as I cried out, “Caleb! Oh, goddess, Caleb!”
He held me firmly as my legs gave out, his touch relentless, dragging every ounce of pleasure from me until I was trembling in his arms. My chest heaved, and my head lolled against his as his hand slid to my throat, his grip firm and unyielding.
“Listen to me, Lilith,” he growled, his eyes dark and intense as they met mine in the mirror. “We both hold power here. But don’t ever pull that stunt again with Caden. You save this-” his hand flexed possessively against my skin- “for me. Do you understand?”
My breath hitched as his next words came, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Now, you’re going to be a good girl and show him exactly what he’s been missing while I watch.”
A knock at the door shattered the tension, but his gaze never wavered. My heart pounded as I waited for what would come next.