"Just so you know, we’re about five minutes from my place, sweetheart," Stephen said gently, though his hand stayed warm and possessive on my thigh.
His thumb drawing maddening circles that scrambled every rational thought in my head.
"You're not making this easier," I muttered, shooting him a glare.
The streetlights outside cast shifting shadows across his annoyingly perfect face, and God help me, he was even more attractive when he wasn’t hiding behind his usual charm.
"That’s the point," he said, voice dropping to a near growl. "I don’t want to make it easier. I want you to choose us. Because you can’t imagine walking away. Because the thought of going back to your neat little life makes your skin crawl."
Titus’s grip on my waist tightened, grounding and firm. His voice, usually cutting, was surprisingly soft near my ear.
"We’ve been watching you for weeks, Dakota. The way your pen taps your thigh when you're stuck on a design. That little sound you make when you stretch after sitting too long."
"That’s... creepy, no?" I said, though I didn't even sound convinced.
"Is it?" Raphael’s voice cut through from the front. His eyes met mine in the rearview mirror, dark and knowing. "Or is it exactly what you've been doing to us? Watching. Following. Finding excuses to stay late just to be near us."
My face ignited. There was no point in denying it. They’d found my Reddit post, for God’s sake. The pretending game was over.
"Fine," I said, lifting my chin. "You caught me. I’m into all of you. Happy now? But that doesn’t mean—"
"It means everything," Stephen murmured, leaning closer. I could feel his breath at my neck. "It means you've been denying yourself long enough. You've been too busy being the perfect daughter, the perfect professional, to remember how to be you."
The car slowed, gliding into an underground garage. My pulse skittered. This was it. Decision time.
"If I do this," I said, steadying my voice, "we do it my way. You found my post, congratulations. But this only happens because I want it to. Not because you backed me into a corner."
Silence, taut and charged.
I mention how Raphael’s hands tightened on the wheel. I felt the shift in the air. How Stephen’s thumb stilled and even Titus’s grip grew more protective.
"Deal," Stephen said into my ear. "Your rules."
"I mean it," I pressed. "This changes nothing at work. This... whatever this is... stays separate."
"Agreed," Raphael said, pulling into a parking spot. "Your professional standing is safe."
"And if I want to leave? I leave. No questions. No guilt."
"Of course," Titus said quietly. "We're not here to trap you, Dakota. We just want you. More than we should…"
That sent a shiver through me, one that had nothing to do with the car’s AC. I inhaled, heart pounding. Safe and dull—or wild and unforgettable?
When I put it that way, the choice was obvious.
"Okay," I whispered. "Let’s do it."
The decision was made. Reckless. Liberating. My pulse was still fluttering as we stepped into the elevator, anticipation building with each floor.
Confidence carried me all the way up—until the elevator doors opened.
The penthouse screamed money. Floor-to-ceiling windows showed off the city like it belonged to them. Leather and chrome glinted under warm lights. The whole place reeked of power and precision.
And suddenly, I felt like I was playing dress-up in someone else’s fantasy.
My nerves crept back in, sharp-edged and unwelcome.
"Drink?" Stephen asked, already behind the bar that looked like it served billionaires.
"Desperately," I muttered. "Something strong."
"My specialty’s called 'Courage.'" He winked. "Seemed fitting."
"Subtle," I said, cracking a small smile.
Titus wandered to the windows, a shadow in the glass. "View’s better from the balcony, if you want space."
I knew what he was offering—a way out.
But when I looked at them, really looked, I didn’t see danger. I saw desire. Raw and unfiltered.
Stephen’s mask had dropped. Titus’s edges had softened. Even Raphael watched me like he could read my every thought.
"I’m good here," I said, accepting the drink. It burned beautifully, anchoring me.
"Flirting now?" Stephen teased.
"Trying something new."
"I like it," Raphael said, undoing his tie. "Finally, the real Dakota."
The tension surged. Titus moved behind me, his hand grazing my spine. Stephen leaned in, eyes dark with promise. Raphael unbuttoned his shirt slowly, deliberately.
"Last chance," Stephen said. "Walk away, and we forget this happened. Stay, and we rewrite the rules."
I drained my drink, placed the glass down, and looked each of them in the eye.
"Fuck it," I said. "I’m done running from what I want."
Titus’s hand tangled in my hair. Stephen closed in with a smirk. Raphael’s gaze pinned me in place.
"Good girl," Stephen whispered. "Now let us show you what you’ve been missing."