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For now, I’ll keep this secret from my brothers, protect them as best I can. They deserve better than to be caught up in this twisted game. And once I have answers, I’ll make damn sure we never fall for Harper’s charms again.
Deep down, a small part of me wants to cling to the hope that there’s an explanation for all of this—that maybe, just maybe, Harper isn’t the mastermind behind the arson.
But until I have concrete proof, I can’t afford to let my guard down.
16
HARPER
The bags of new clothes beside my bed are a constant reminder of the whirlwind I’ve found myself in—the tangled web of desire and guilt, woven by my relationships with Antonio, Benedict, and Hudson. I feel conflicted as I trace my fingers along the smooth fabric of a blouse, wondering how I let myself get caught up in this mess.
It had felt good, I can’t deny that, but since when am I the kind of person to sleep with my roommate—and not just one of them but all three of them? But let’s be honest, what woman would be able to resist three seriously hot firefighters?
“Harper, you need to get your head on straight,” I whisper to myself. I take a deep breath and walk toward the ensuite bathroom, determined to wash away everything. I’m sure when I walk out they’re all going to be sitting there, ready to tell me that I need to move out.
And then I’ll have to find somewhere else to go.
As I step into the shower, I turn the faucet and let the hot water cascade over my body. The steam rises, enveloping me in a warm embrace, and I close my eyes, trying to focus on the sensations. I lather shampoo into my hair, massaging my scalp as the rich scent of vanilla and jasmine fills the air. My thoughts drift back to Antonio, his strong hands running through my hair, and the way he whispered sweet nothings into my ear. A shiver runs down my spine, both from pleasure and guilt.
“Stop it, Harper. This isn’t helping,” I scold myself, rinsing the shampoo out of my hair. I grab the loofah and pour body wash onto it, the tangy citrus scent filling my nostrils. As I scrub my body, I try to cleanse myself of the lingering memories of Hudson’s touch—his lips on mine, the possessive grip he had on my hips, and the fiery heat in his gaze that made me feel like I belonged to him.
I desperately wipe away the water that clings to my skin along with the memories. The steam surrounds me, making it difficult to breathe, and I realize that it’s not just the physical sensations I need to wash away—it’s the emotions that are suffocating me, especially the heavy thoughts of what I’m going to do next.
I won’t let anything like this happen again.
I shut off the water, my heart still pounding from the emotional turmoil I’ve just experienced. Wrapping a plush white towel around my body, I step out of the shower and grab my toothbrush. As I brush my teeth, I catch a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror—eyes bloodshot, cheeks flushed from the hot water, and dark circles underlining the weight of my emotions.
I straighten my shoulders before opening the bathroom door. The moment I step back into the room, I freeze.
There, leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed and an infuriating smirk on his face, is Hudson. My breath catches in my throat, and I instinctively pull the towel tighter around me, trying to shield my vulnerable state from his prying eyes.
Although it’s not like it’s anything he hasn’t seen before.He’s just not the most recent person to see it.
“Enjoy your shower, sweetheart?” His voice drips with amusement, and I can’t help but notice the way his eyes flicker up and down my barely covered form. I grit my teeth, fighting back my embarrassment and irritation.
“Ever heard of knocking?” I snap, attempting to regain control of the situation. But as his gaze locks onto mine, I feel that familiar tug in the pit of my stomach, reminding me of our passionate encounter.
“Where’s the fun in that?” he teases, pushing himself off the doorway with a lazy grace. “Besides, I thought we were past formalities.”
“Clearly you thought wrong,” I retort, my cheeks warming despite my best efforts to hide my discomfort. I cross my arms over my chest, doing my best to appear unfazed by his presence. “What do you want, Hudson?”
His smirk widens, and for a moment I swear I see a glint of something predatory in his eyes. “Harper, don’t bother covering yourself,” Hudson says casually, a knowing glint in his eyes. “I’m well aware of your little…rendezvous with Antonio and Ben.”
My face feels like it’s on fire as I blush furiously, clutching the towel tighter around my body. The way he speaks about our encounters makes me feel exposed, vulnerable—a feeling I despise. “Who told you?” I demand, trying to sound indignant rather than embarrassed.
He waves off my question dismissively. “Does it really matter? The point is, I know.” His smirk grows wider, accentuating the sharp angles of his jawline and the mischievous glimmer in his eyes.
Hudson’s footsteps echo softly on the hardwood floor as he approaches me, his smirk unwavering. “You know, Harper,” he drawls, sarcasm dripping from every syllable, “I thought we had something special.”
I roll my eyes, refusing to let his words get under my skin. The scent of his cologne fills my nostrils, and it takes everything in me not to lean into his warmth. Instead, I lift my chin defiantly, meeting his gaze head-on.
“Really?” I retort, my voice edged with bitterness. “Funny how you went on a date right after our little rendezvous, then.” The memory of hearing about him with another woman sends a pang of jealousy through me, though I’m loath to admit it.
“So you fucked my roommates?” He chuckles, the sound low and rich, and my heart skips a beat. “Don’t worry, I’m not upset.”
“It wouldn’t matter to me even if you were,” I state, although I feel like I’m trying to convince myself more than I’m trying to convince him.
Hudson’s laughter fills the room like a velvet ribbon, wrapping around me and binding me to him. “Feisty as always, Harper,” he teases, his eyes dancing with amusement.
