Hailee’s POV
My heart stopped the mont I heard his na. Dane.
I froze completely, my body stiffening against Nathan’s warmth as the soft knock echoed again in the room. My breath caught in my throat, and I could feel Nathan’s arm tighten around my waist protectively.
Why was he here? Right now?
I pulled back slightly to look at Nathan, but his expression was unreadable, his jaw tight, his dark eyes locked on the door like it had personally offended him. I could feel the heat of his irritation rolling off him.
"Hailee," he murmured, his voice low, as though warning not to move.
But I couldn’t help it—I shifted slightly under the blanket, my nerves fraying. Dane was standing on the other side of that door, and sothing inside ... broke.
I didn’t want him to see like this.
I didn’t want him to see us like this.
Nathan noticed. He always noticed. His grip tightened on my hip, pulling back into his chest like he was staking his claim without words.
"Who told him he could co here?" Nathan growled under his breath, more to himself than to . He tilted his head toward the door. "What do you want, Dane?"
There was a pause. Then Dane responded. "I need to talk to Hailee. It’s... important."
My stomach twisted. My pulse was so loud in my ears I could barely hear anything else.
Nathan slowly shifted upright, the blanket slipping from his shoulders. The air around him was darker now, heavier. He looked down at , his jaw hard.
"Do you want to tell him to leave?" he asked quietly, but there was a steel edge to his voice, like the answer he wanted was already clear.
I bit my lip, my hands twisting in the sheets. Part of wanted to say yes, to let Nathan chase Dane away and stay here in the safety of his arms. But another part of —the sa part that had been tearing for days—felt a painful pull at Dane’s words.
"I..." My voice ca out shaky. "I don’t know what he wants, Nathan. Maybe it really is important."
Nathan’s eyes hardened at that.
"Important to him," he muttered. "But is it important to you, Hailee?"
I looked away, my chest aching. I didn’t have an answer.
The knock ca again, softer this ti. "Hailee? Please."
Nathan didn’t take his eyes off as he reached for my shoulders, pulling gently upright.
"You can get dressed and leave," he said firmly, his voice low. More like he was being forced to say it. He stood and pulled on his sweatpants, his broad back tense as he raked a hand through his hair.
"Nathan—"
"Hailee," he cut in, turning his dark gaze on . "Please. Just get dressed."
I nodded silently.
He walked to the door and cracked it open, stepping out into the hallway before I could say another word.
I scrambled off the bed, clutching the blanket around as I searched for my clothes. My heart was racing so fast I could barely think straight. Dane was here. Dane wanted to talk to . And Nathan... Nathan was right outside with him.
I slipped into my shorts and tugged my shirt over my head, smoothing the fabric down with trembling hands. My legs felt unsteady, but I forced myself to move.
When I opened the door, the hallway felt colder than the room had.
Nathan was standing there, his tall fra blocking most of the narrow space, his arms folded tightly across his chest. He looked like a storm contained in human form, and Dane stood just a few feet away from him, his expression unreadable.
Nathan turned his head slightly when he saw , his jaw tightening as his eyes swept over —making sure I was properly dressed. Then, softer than I expected, he said, "See you later."
I swallowed hard, nodding.
Dane’s gaze flicked to mine, and he gave a small motion with his hand. "Co with ," he said quietly.
I glanced up at Nathan, searching his face. He didn’t say anything at first. He just held my stare, his expression blank. Then he stepped back, allowing to pass.
I walked past him, my shoulder brushing his arm, and I could feel the tension radiating from his body. My heart felt heavier with each step, but I followed Dane down the hall without looking back.
Even as I did, I could feel Nathan’s eyes on .
Dane didn’t speak as we walked. The silence between us was thick, awkward, and tense.
By the direction he was leading, I could tell he was taking to his room. When we reached his door, he paused for half a second—just enough for to realize I hadn’t taken a full breath since I left Nathan’s room.
Then he opened it.
Before I could blink, he pulled inside and slamd the door shut behind us.
"Dane—"
My words were cut off as he grabbed my waist and spun around, pinning gently but firmly against the door. His mouth crashed into mine, raw and possessive, and all the air rushed out of my lungs.
The kiss was nothing like Nathan’s.
It wasn’t soft or questioning; it was possessive. Fierce. Like he was claiming all over again. His hands cupped my face, then tangled in my hair as his lips moved over mine like he was starving.
My fingers gripped his shirt out of instinct, clinging to him, because everything in felt like it was unraveling.
He pulled back just enough to speak, his breath hot and uneven against my lips. "I’m sorry... I was jealous."
His voice was low, rough, wrecked.
I tried, Hailee," he murmured, pressing his forehead against mine like he was clinging to the last bit of control he had left. "You have no idea how long I stood outside Nathan’s door... listening to your moans."
A tortured groan rumbled from his chest as his fingers tightened possessively on my waist, dragging closer.
"I need to hear you moan like that for ," he whispered, his voice thick with hunger.
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