The laughter at the far end of the pool began to fade as Kadin and Kadeem splashed each other near the steps. Kaylee was still facing Kayden, her pulse racing faster than she wanted to admit.
He tilted his head slightly, studying her face — not smiling, not frowning, just looking. The kind of stare that felt like it saw through layers.
"Why do you always do that?" she asked softly.
He blinked once. "Do what?"
"Look at me like you're trying to read a secret."
A faint smirk ghosted over his lips. "Maybe I am."
The sound of laughter filled the pool again as Kadin and Kadeem wrestled each other in the water, sending waves splashing toward Kaylee and Kayden.
"Hey! You guys are going to drown us!" Kaylee laughed, shielding her face as another wave hit.
"That's the point!" Kadeem shouted, diving under before Kadin could grab him.
Kaylee turned back to Kayden, shaking her head. "They're crazy."
He gave a faint smile. "You're just realizing that now?"
"I thought you were the calm one," she teased.
"I am," he said — and before she could react, he leaned forward and sent a playful splash right into her face.
"Kayden!" she gasped, wiping her eyes as he chuckled under his breath.
"Couldn't resist," he said simply.
Kadin swam closer, grinning. "You're in trouble now, bro. She's about to start a war."
"Oh, I'm way ahead of her," Kadeem said, sending another splash her way.
Kaylee screamed, laughing as she ducked underwater, resurfacing behind Kadeem. Before he could turn, she climbed onto his back and shoved him down playfully. "That's what you get!"
Kadin's laughter echoed through the pool. "You messed with the wrong girl, man."
Kadeem emerged, wiping his face dramatically. "Okay, that's it. You're done for, princess."
"Come on then," she dared, grinning.
But before he could move, Kaden had already swum behind her and hooked an arm around her waist. "Got her," he announced.
Kaylee squealed, kicking lightly as Kadin joined to "help" and soon, three pairs of strong hands had her trapped between them.
"Let me go!" she laughed breathlessly.
Kadeem shook his head, smirking. "Nope. You started this."
"Okay, fine, fine— I surrender!" she said, giggling.
Kayden, still quiet, was the last to release her. "You sure?" he asked softly, his voice close to her ear.
She looked up at him, eyes bright from laughter and the shimmer of the water. "I'm sure."
"Good," he said — and before she could react, Kayden bent slightly, caught her by the waist, and swung her over his shoulder in one smooth motion.
"Kayden!" she squealed, pounding lightly on his back as the others burst into laughter.
"She's light as a feather," Kadeem said, following him out of the pool.
"More like a soaked kitten," Kadin added.
"Careful with her," Kaden said with a grin. "She might slip."
"I've got her," Kayden replied calmly, carrying her toward the house.
Kaylee rolled her eyes, still laughing softly. "You guys are unbelievable."
Kadeem doubled over laughing. "Oh, he's had enough of your sass, princess!"
Kadin whistled. "That's one way to end a pool war."
Kaylee's laughter broke through her protest. "You're impossible!"
Kayden only gave a low chuckle. "Told you not to start what you can't finish."
He carried her straight through the hallway, ignoring her half-hearted protests. Water dripped from her hair onto his back, leaving a trail across his shirt.
"Kayden, I swear— put me down already!" she laughed, hitting his shoulder again.
"Keep talking," he said without slowing his pace. "You'll stay up there till you learn some manners."
"Unbelievable," she muttered — but there was a smile in her voice.
The others' laughter faded as he turned the corner, heading for the stairs that led to the private wing.
When he finally stopped, the air changed — quieter, cooler, touched with the faint scent of cedarwood and soap. He pushed the door open with one hand and stepped inside.
His room was different from the one she'd stayed in before — darker tones, soft lighting, shelves lined with books and a large glass window overlooking the garden.
He set her down gently, and she stumbled a little, steadying herself before glancing around.
"This is different," she said, still catching her breath. "It's not the room I slept in before."
Kayden straightened, running a towel through his hair. "That was Kadeem's room," he said simply.
She turned to him, raising a brow. "And this?"
"My room."
Her gaze flicked around again — the space felt… more him. Everything was neat, controlled, quiet. The walls carried a faint hum of his presence.
"You brought me to your room?" she asked softly, half-teasing, half-curious.
He met her eyes. "Should I have left you dripping all over the hallway?"
She smiled, shaking her head. "You could've just handed me a towel, you know."
"I did one better," he said, tossing another towel toward her.
She caught it, still smiling. "You're ridiculous."
"Maybe," he said, leaning against the desk, "but you're smiling again."
That made her pause. The playfulness in her eyes softened, and she looked down, pressing the towel to her face.
"Yeah," she murmured, almost to herself. "I guess I am."
Kaylee dropped the towel onto the bed, her hair still damp as she turned to face him. The soft lamplight made everything feel slower — quieter — like the whole mansion had paused just for them.
"You really don't talk much, do you?" she said, trying to fill the silence.
Kayden looked up from where he stood near the desk. "I talk when there's something worth saying."
"And now?" she asked, stepping closer.
He met her gaze. "Still deciding."
She smiled faintly. "You're impossible to read."
He tilted his head a little. "Maybe you're just not trying hard enough."
That made her stop — right in front of him now, barely a breath apart. The warmth from his skin mixed with the scent of his cologne, fresh and heavy all at once.
Her pulse fluttered. "And what if I am trying?" she whispered.
His eyes dropped to her lips. For the first time, he didn't look away.
For a heartbeat, neither of them moved — the air between them thick and quiet. Then Kaylee stepped closer, sliding her hands up his chest and around his neck, drawing him down to her level.
He didn't resist. His breath brushed against her face, slow and unsteady, their eyes locked ,his steady, hers uncertain but daring.
She didn't know why she did it — maybe because he always made her feel safe, maybe because his silence said everything words couldn't.
Her lips were just an inch from his when….
The door suddenly swung open.
"Yo, princess— oh, damn," Kadeem blurted, freezing at the doorway. Her phone dangled from his hand.
Kaylee jumped back, startled.
Kayden's jaw tightened instantly. "Kadeem."
Kadeem raised a brow, grinning. "Relax, bro. She left this in my room. Thought I should return it before she starts screaming that I stole her phone."
Kaylee's face flushed hot. "You could've knocked!"
"Didn't know I was walking into a movie scene," Kadeem teased.
"Kadeem," Kayden warned, his tone low.
"Alright, alright," Kadeem said, hands raised. "Phone delivered. Carry on with your… conversation."
He smirked as he stepped out and shut the door behind him.
The silence that followed was heavy — the kind that made Kaylee's heart race for all the wrong reasons. She sat slowly on the edge of the bed, her fingers tightening around her phone.
Kayden's gaze stayed fixed on the closed door for a moment before he finally looked back at her.
He stepped closer, his voice low. "You think I'm just going to walk away after that?"
His voice came low, almost a warning.
"Kadeem cannot stop what you started."
Before she could find her words, he took her hand and pulled her up. She stumbled forward, close enough to feel his breath, her pulse wild.
He pulled her up, and she wrapped her legs around him and her hands got tangled in his hair. While he wrapped his hands on her ass, as their lips met in a heated kiss.