Are you jealous?

Amara’s POV

After the kiss, an unspoken silence hung heavy between us, the air thick with tension neither of us could break.

I shifted in my seat, my heart still racing, and turned my face toward the window, hoping the passing scenery would distract me. "What was I thinking?" I cursed myself inwardly. I’d kissed him—Ryder, the man I despised most in this world. I hated the way my heart betrayed me, still pounding with the memory of his lips against mine.

As we pulled into the school parking lot, I tried to slip out of the car quickly, desperate to put some distance between us. But Ryder was at my side in a flash, his presence a constant, unwavering reminder of the tangled mess I now found myself in.

As we walked toward the school, I could hear the murmur of voices as heads turned our way, girls casting glances toward Ryder, their eyes wide with admiration. The whispers grew louder, full of excitement and envy.

“Is that Ryder?” one girl gasped, her voice full of awe.

“He looks like he stepped right out of a movie,” another one whispered, her gaze fixed on him.

And it was true. Ryder looked impossibly perfect, like some untouchable Greek god brought to life. The morning sun highlighted his sharp, chiseled jawline, the planes of his face hard and refined, as if carved from stone. His dark hair, tousled in a way that looked effortlessly attractive, fell across his forehead, drawing even more attention to his piercing blue eyes.

Eyes that could see right through you, as if he held secrets he’d never share. His lips, the ones that had just kissed me, were a shade too inviting, twisted into a smirk that made it hard to look away.

“Are you done staring?” His voice was low, tinged with amusement.

I blinked, heat rising to my cheeks. “I wasn’t staring,” I lied, averting my gaze.

He chuckled softly, the sound too rich, too smug. “Sure, keep telling yourself that.” He leaned down, close enough that only I could hear. “You can hate me all you want, but that kiss… you didn’t pull away.”

“That kiss…” I trailed off, clenching my fists as I struggled to keep my voice steady. “That kiss was a mistake.”

Ryder’s smirk deepened, his gaze locked on mine. “Maybe. But it’s a mistake I wouldn’t mind repeating.”

I glared at him, hoping he couldn’t see the way my heart betrayed me, hammering in my chest. “You’re unbelievable.”

“And you’re stubborn,” he replied, his voice softer, his eyes darkening as he held my gaze. “But that’s what makes this… interesting.”

Just then, a group of girls passed by, their attention fully on him, whispering and giggling. One of them even managed a coy, “Hi, Ryder,” batting her eyelashes, practically melting as he offered her a polite nod.

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes, and he caught it, raising an eyebrow. “Jealous, Amara?”

I shot him a cold look. “In your dreams.”

As we walked through the throngs of students, I felt the heat of their stares burning into me. The whispers grew louder, and I could hear the soft gasps as people recognized Ryder.

I tried to create some distance between us, wanting to slip into the shadows and avoid their scrutiny. I didn’t want to be their target, especially not when the three brothers were the center of attention.

But just as I thought I’d successfully moved away, Ryder’s hand shot out, grabbing my wrist with a firm grip. He pulled me back abruptly, drawing me closer to him.

“What the fuck are you doing, Ryder?” I snapped, my heart racing. His touch sent a shiver down my spine, the warmth of his skin igniting something inside me that I didn’t want to acknowledge.

“I’m just keeping you close,” he replied casually, his blue eyes glinting with mischief. The way he looked at me felt almost predatory, and I couldn’t help the way my breath caught in my throat.

“Let go of me!” I begged, my voice barely above a whisper. Panic bubbled within me as I realized just how many eyes were on us now. The students around us were wide-eyed, some whispering harshly under their breaths.

“Why would I do that?” he asked, his voice low and teasing, as if he was enjoying this far too much. “I don’t give a fuck, sweetheart.”

His words sent another wave of fear rushing through me, and I tried to tug my arm free, but he only tightened his grip, pulling me even closer until our bodies were pressed against each other. I could feel the heat radiating from him, the intoxicating scent of his cologne enveloping me, making it hard to think straight.

The crowd around us began to murmur, a mixture of jealousy and disdain. I could hear the venom in their whispers, girls glaring daggers at me, some even muttering curses.

“Look at her, clinging to him like a leech,” one girl spat. “She doesn’t belong with him.”

“Someone should tell her that she’s just a distraction,” another sneered.

Each word felt like a knife in my chest. I hated being the center of attention for the wrong reasons, and I hated even more that Ryder didn’t seem to care.

“Ryder, please,” I said again, my voice strained. “Let me go.”

His gaze flickered down to my lips, and for a moment, the world around us faded. “Why are you so afraid of what they think?” he asked, his voice suddenly serious. “You shouldn’t care what they say. You’re better than them.”

“Better than them?” I scoffed, struggling to maintain my composure as my heart raced. “You think I want to be known as the girl who’s with the infamous Ryder Blackwood? They hate me, and I can’t handle this right now!”

“I’m not letting go of you, Amara. Not now, not ever,” he replied, his tone a mix of determination and something softer, deeper. I could feel the pulse of energy between us, crackling like static in the air, and it terrified me.

The heat of the moment drew us closer, and I could feel the intensity of his stare. My heartbeat quickened, and despite the chaos around us, all I could focus on was him. The way his thumb brushed over my wrist, the warmth of his body so close to mine—it stirred something deep within me, igniting feelings I was desperate to deny.

“Ryder,” I whispered, my voice shaking, caught between anger and an unexpected thrill. “You’re making this worse.”

He leaned in, his breath hot against my ear. “I don’t care. You’re mine now, whether you like it or not.”

The weight of his words hung in the air, and I felt the ground shift beneath me. I wanted to protest, to push him away, but the magnetic pull between us was undeniable. Just then, the bell rang, and the spell broke.

“Let’s get to class,” he said, finally releasing my wrist but not stepping back. He held my gaze, a smirk playing on his lips as if he knew the effect he had on me.

As we made our way through the hallway, the stares of my classmates felt even more piercing. I wanted to disappear, to fade into the background, but Ryder was right there beside me, a constant reminder of the chaotic web we were both entangled in.

“Are you going to be okay?” he asked, his voice lowering as we walked past the lockers, the crowd parting for us.

“I don’t know,” I replied honestly, feeling the weight of his presence beside me. The day felt long ahead, filled with potential encounters that could unravel everything.

As we approached the classroom door, he stopped, turning to face me. “You’re stronger than you think, Amara. Don’t let them get to you.”

I looked into his eyes, searching for sincerity, and found it there—beneath the layers of arrogance and charm, there was something real. A part of me wanted to believe him.

“Maybe,” I murmured, my resolve softening just a bit.

He nodded, a knowing smile playing on his lips. “Good. Now, let’s see how the day goes, shall we?”

With that, he opened the door, ushering me inside, and I felt the weight of his gaze on my back as I stepped into the classroom. The fear and uncertainty remained, but so did that inexplicable pull between us—stronger and more electric than ever.