Chapter Two: Finally Alone
The reception was over. The laughter, the teasing, the clinking of glasses — it all faded as the car pulled away, leaving the noise behind.
Jay leaned back in the seat, still in her gown, her head buzzing from the chaos. For the first time all day, it was just her and him.
Keifer sat beside her, his tie already undone, his jacket tossed carelessly on the seat. His eyes never left her — dark, heated, a storm barely contained.
"What?" she asked, flustered under his gaze.
"You're really mine now." His lips curved, slow and dangerous. "Mrs. Watson."
Her heart thudded. She should've been used to his cockiness by now, but tonight, it felt different. More real. More… consuming.
"Don't get used to saying that," she muttered, though her cheeks were warm.
"Oh, I'm more than used to it." He leaned closer, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I've been waiting to say it. Waiting for tonight."
The car stopped in front of the apartment they'd move into together. Jay's stomach twisted — nerves, excitement, everything tangled at once.
Inside, it was quiet. Too quiet. No Section E barging in, no Percy making inappropriate comments, no brothers threatening him. Just them.
Jay slipped off her heels with a sigh, her gown swishing as she stepped further inside. "Finally, peace."
But before she could say more, Keifer was behind her, his hands sliding to her waist, pulling her back against him.
"Not peace," he murmured into her ear, his voice low, husky. "Not tonight."
Her breath caught.
"Keifer…"
"You have no idea," he whispered, turning her gently to face him. His thumb traced her jaw, his eyes drinking her in like he'd been starving. "I've been holding back all day. Smiling, playing nice, letting everyone else have your attention. But now?" His forehead pressed to hers. "Now you're mine. And I'm not letting go."
Her heart raced. The way he looked at her — like she was both the fire and the fuel — made her knees weak.
"Cocky as always," she whispered, though her voice trembled.
"Not cocky," he smirked, lips brushing hers. "Certain."
And then his mouth was on hers, no hesitation, no restraint. A kiss that wasn't for show, wasn't polite, wasn't careful. It was raw, hungry, filled with everything he'd been holding back.
Jay clutched at his shirt, her mind spinning, every ounce of stubbornness melting under the weight of his touch.
When he finally pulled back, both of them breathless, he grinned against her lips.
"Told you, Mutya. You can't run from me." His hands slid to her back, steady, grounding. "And tonight… I don't plan on letting you go. Not even for a second."
Jay swallowed hard, her pulse racing. And though she could've teased him, could've pretended she wasn't just as undone, she didn't.
Because she didn't want to run anymore.
Not from him.
Not from love.
Keifer's kiss deepened, his hands sliding to the small of her back, pulling her flush against him. Jay gasped into his mouth, her fingers curling into his shirt like she needed him to steady her.
When he pulled away, his lips trailed down her cheek, brushing the corner of her jaw. "God, you're beautiful," he whispered, his breath warm against her skin. "I've been staring at you all day, waiting for this moment."
Jay's cheeks burned, but she refused to let him win that easily. "You're unbelievable."
"Mm, no," Keifer smirked, eyes glinting as he pressed her gently against the wall. "I'm yours. And tonight, you're mine."
Her breath hitched as his fingers found the tiny buttons at the back of her gown, his touch lingering but careful, as if asking for permission even when his eyes burned with need.
Jay met his gaze, her lips curving stubbornly. "And if I say no?"
"Then I'll wait," he said instantly, his voice firm, certain. His forehead pressed to hers. "I'll never take anything you're not ready to give, Jay. But if you say yes…" His lips brushed hers again, teasing, coaxing. "Then I'll spend all night proving just how much I love you."
Her heart clenched. The boy she once swore she hated, the rival she thought she'd never love—now the man who could unravel her with just words.
Her lips quirked, defiant even as her cheeks flushed. "You talk too much."
Keifer chuckled low in his chest, scooping her into his arms in one swift motion. Jay let out a startled yelp, smacking his shoulder. "Keifer!"
"Shhh, Mrs. Watson," he teased, carrying her toward the bedroom, his grin wicked and boyish all at once. "You'll wake the neighbors."
She buried her face in his neck, half embarrassed, half giddy, her laughter muffled. "I can't believe I married you."
"You'd better believe it," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple. Then, softer, more reverent: "Because I'm never letting you go."
He laid her gently on the bed, hovering above her, his smirk returning as he whispered the words that made her entire body flush.
"Can't wait to unwrap my wedding gift tonight."
Jay rolled her eyes, but her lips trembled with a smile as she pulled him down into another kiss.
And the rest of the night belonged only to them.