Carter's pov

All day, I had only been thinking of one thing: having some quiet, alone time with my girl.

So when we finally got to her bedroom and she headed into the bathroom, I gave the guys a look. They all knew exactly what I was feeling and responded with supportive smirks and nods.

I followed her in and closed the door partway. While a bit of privacy was needed, the bond between us five and Lia was so strong that there were no secrets among us—only a shared devotion to her happiness.

Being alone with her felt like stepping into another world. The air was charged with a sweet, undeniable tension. As I held her close, I was struck once again by how lucky I was. Every touch, every soft breath she drew, felt like a gift.

I could feel her trust in me growing, her body relaxing against mine as our lips met in a heated, passionate exchange. It was more than just physical; it was the sound of her heart beating against mine, the way she whispered my name with such genuine affection. To me, that was the most beautiful music in the world.

"May I take the next step, baby?" I asked her softly. I wanted her to know that there was no pressure, no rush. I would never do anything to make her feel uncomfortable or scared.

She looked up at me with a radiant smile that made my heart skip a beat. "Yes, please, Carter. I want this... I want all of us," she said, her voice filled with a sweet sincerity that touched my soul.

In the warmth of the shower, with the water cascading around us, we shared a moment of profound intimacy. It was a dance of shadows and light, of whispered promises and soft, breathless sighs. I held her steady, my hands tracing the curves of her body with a reverence that bordered on worship. Every groan and every soft sound she made was a testament to the connection we were building—a connection rooted in love and mutual respect.

"Let me know if you need to stop," I whispered, resting my forehead against hers.

"Don't stop, baby. This is perfect," she breathed back.

When the world finally settled again, we stayed there for a long moment, leaning against each other under the warm spray. I felt a deep sense of peace wash over me.

"Thank you, baby. That was amazing," I said, tucking a wet strand of hair behind her ear.

"No, thank you, Carter. It was perfect," she replied, her eyes shining with love.

After helping her dry off, I lifted her onto the counter while I finished my own routine. I watched her start her skincare, but then I leaned in close, whispering in her ear so only she could hear.

"I think there are a few guys out there who would love to help you with that lotion," I said with a wink, sneaking one more quick kiss.

She nodded with a bright smile. I helped her into the closet to find her strawberry-scented lotion and some comfortable sleeping clothes. After I changed into my own sleeping shorts, I carried her back out into the bedroom.

While we were occupied, the other guys had taken their turns to freshen up as well. When we emerged, I sat on the bed with Lia on my lap. The moment the others walked back into the room, their eyes lit up seeing her.

She looked breathtakingly beautiful and completely at ease with us. A playful smirk crossed her face.

"So, would anyone like to help me with this lotion?" she asked sweetly, holding up the bottle.

The guys didn't need to be told twice. Their eagerness brought a chuckle to my lips.

"Of course we will help you, babe," Kayden said, stepping forward to take the lotion from her.

"You never have to do anything like that by yourself again, amore," Levi added, gently lifting her and settling her comfortably against the pillows.

"Tesoro, looking after you is our favorite job," Ezra said, giving her a quick, tender kiss on the forehead.

"Love, just relax and let us take care of you," Kai added, his voice soft as he began to massage her hand.

It was a beautiful sight: Kayden focusing on her back, Kai and Ezra taking her arms, and Levi and I focusing on her legs and feet. We worked together to massage the lotion into her skin, our touches light and filled with care. Lia just sat there, giggling at our collective eagerness, the sound of her laughter filling the room with warmth.

Once she was relaxed and glowing, she pulled on one of Kai’s oversized t-shirts.

"Love, I truly love seeing you in my clothes," Kai admitted, pulling her into a passionate but sweet kiss.

She made her rounds, giving each of us—Levi, Ezra, Kayden, and finally me—a goodnight kiss filled with the promise of a bright future. We all lay down together, a tangle of limbs and shared warmth, and it wasn't long before we all drifted off into a peaceful, contented sleep.