**Sandra's POV**
I woke up with a pounding headache, rubbing my forehead in a futile attempt to wipe it away. What had happened last night? I struggled to open my eyes against the bright light flooding the room. When I finally managed to focus, I was met with a figure lying beside me. Panic surged through me as I raised the duvet, realizing I was only in my underwear.
The person next to me didn't resemble Ethan at all. My shifting must have stirred him, and to my shock, Tyler sat up, rubbing his eyes. "You're awake, princess," he said, a hint of relief in his voice.
"Tyler," I gasped, my heart racing.
"You must be thirsty. Let me get you a glass of water." He stood up, and I took a moment to appreciate that he was shirtless but thankfully still in his pants.
He returned with a bottle and handed it to me. I took a sip, feeling the cool water soothe my dry throat. "What am I doing here?" I finally asked, my mind racing.
"I saved you last night," he replied, his expression serious.
"Did we have sex?" I blurted out, not fully processing his words.
"If I'm going to make love to you, I don't need to drug you to make you mine," he answered confidently, prompting me to roll my eyes.
"What do you mean?" I questioned, confusion washing over me as emotions swirled within me.
"Don't you remember anything from last night?" he asked gently.
"I remember going to my boyfriend's party, and he invited me to a room where he had plans for me," I explained, my heart sinking.
"Stop calling him your boyfriend, Sandra," he groaned, frustration evident in his tone.
"What did you do to him? Did you kidnap me?" I shot up, panic rising again, only to remember I was in my underwear. I quickly sat back down, pulling the duvet around me.
"I did not kidnap you; I saved you from being raped," he said firmly.
Raped. The word echoed in my mind. Why would someone want to do that to me? "You're lying. You're just bitter because I have a boyfriend," I retorted, unsure why I felt the need to defend Ethan.
"He drugged you; he wanted to take advantage of you," Tyler insisted.
Memories of the previous night flooded back. I groaned in frustration, recalling how Ethan had handed me a drink and how hesitant he had been when I mentioned meeting Avery. She must be worried sick about me. "Have you seen my phone?" I asked Tyler, my anxiety rising.
"It should be in the living room," he replied.
"And my clothes?" I needed to get out of here. Why had he brought me here?
"They're beside you," he said, and I realized my clothes were indeed within reach. Stupid me for not checking sooner.
I hurried to get dressed, ignoring the fact that he was watching. I couldn't believe Ethan had the audacity to drug me. I should be thankful to Tyler, but anger bubbled beneath the surface. It was because of him that I had been with Ethan in the first place. "Why bring me here?" I asked once I was properly dressed.
"Sandra, I want us to talk," he replied, his tone earnest.
"Have you come here to seek my blessing to marry my sister?" I asked, disgust lacing my words.
He growled lowly, the sound sending a shiver down my spine. If I hadn't been so angry, I might have jumped into his arms. "I am not here because of Riley," he responded.
"What do you want then? Have you come to hurt me again?" Tears threatened to spill as I fought to maintain my composure.
"She told me about what you wanted to do on your birthday," he said, his voice softer now.
Fuck. He knew about my plans. It was because he didn't want me that he had kissed my sister. My heart shattered all over again. "That was a long time ago," I managed to say.
"Sandra, I'm sorry," he apologized, his eyes filled with regret.
"Can I go now?" I asked, desperate to escape the tension.
"Can we just talk?" he pleaded, his gaze intense.
Feelings began to unravel within me, and I didn't want him to see me cry. "There's nothing to talk about," I replied, moving toward the door.
"I love you too," he suddenly said, causing me to freeze.
I turned back to look at him, and I could tell he meant it, but why was he saying this now? "Did my sister ask you to say that? Where is she? Tell her to come out now."
He stepped closer. "This is between you and me; it has nothing to do with your sister."
"You expect me to believe you and jump right into your arms?" I scoffed.
"It has always been you, Sandra."
"I saw you kiss her," I reminded him, the image flashing through my mind.
"I can't deny that. I regret ever doing that to you," he said, his eyes darkening with emotion.
"What do you want from me?" I asked, not wanting him to think I was easy to get. I couldn't bear the thought of him leaving me again.
"A second chance is all I'm asking for," he said, touching my shoulder. A spark ignited between us, and my stomach fluttered at his touch.
"What changed all of a sudden?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"I was scared to accept you because you are the same age as my daughter."
Speaking of Hannah, I missed her so much. I wanted to ask about her, but now wasn't the time. "I'm still the same age as her; nothing changes. I didn't age overnight," I retorted.
"I was foolish to think that was a problem, but seeing how vulnerable you were yesterday changed everything," he replied.
I stared blankly at him, feeling as if I were in a dream. He was ready to accept and love me despite our differences. I crossed my arms over my chest, unintentionally accentuating my cleavage. "Tyler," I managed to call his name.
"I'm not saying you should accept me immediately; all I'm asking is for you to give me a chance to prove my love to you," he said, his gaze lingering on my body.
"I have a boyfriend now," I reminded him, anger bubbling beneath the surface. I was going to kill Ethan when I saw him.
He clenched his jaw, leaning closer as he growled in my ear, "You are mine, Sandra." His words ignited a fire within me.
I loved the way he claimed me, and I bit my lip in anticipation. Then, without warning, his lips crashed against mine.
It was a kiss I had never imagined-fierce and demanding, yet hot and gentle all at once. I wrapped my arms around his neck as the kiss deepened. I opened my mouth, and his tongue swept in, pulling me closer. My body brushed against his, and I felt how needy he was. "You see what you did to me," he murmured, and I gasped.
A knock on the door startled me, causing me to push him away, making him stumble back. Fear gripped me as I remembered his earlier words. "My sister is here with him," I said, panic rising.
"Yes, I couldn't leave her behind. She means everything to me," he replied, his expression earnest.
"You lied to me! I thought you said it was me you wanted and not my sister," I accused, anger and hurt flooding my voice.
"Of course, I never lie, and I will never lie to you," he insisted.
"You're unbelievable, Tyler! Bringing my sister here just to rub it in my face again." I could no longer hold back the tears as they streamed down my cheeks.
"Hold on, you're talking about Riley. I want nothing to do with her," he said, stepping closer to console me. "Please, I hate seeing tears in your eyes and knowing I'm the cause of them." He brushed my tears away with his thumb.
Oh my God. In that moment, we forgot about the knocking as he kissed my neck, and I melted into his touch. But we were abruptly interrupted when someone opened the door.
"Is she awake?" the person said, jolting me back to reality. "Oh, no wonder," she exclaimed.
"Hannah!" I screamed, seeing her standing there, and I jumped out of Tyler's arms to hug her tightly.
