Sunlight hit my face before I even opened my eyes.
I frowned, turning slightly, trying to escape it—only to realize something warm was wrapped around me.
An arm.
Heavy. Secure.
Familiar.
My eyes snapped open.
Keifer.
Sleeping peacefully beside me like this was the most normal thing in the world.
My heart did something stupid.
Again.
"Why are you staring?"
I froze.
His voice was rough with sleep, eyes still closed, but the corner of his lips lifted like he already knew.
"I'm not staring," I muttered.
"Mm," he hummed, pulling me closer without even opening his eyes. "Liar."
My breath hitched slightly at the sudden closeness.
"This is illegal," I said weakly.
"What is?"
"This," I gestured between us. "You being this comfortable."
He finally opened one eye, looking straight at me, completely unbothered.
"You didn't complain last night."
My face burned. "Shut up."
He laughed softly, low and warm, and tightened his hold for a second before finally letting go.
"Stay," he said casually, stretching. "I'll make breakfast."
"You always say that like it's a bribe."
"It works, doesn't it?"
…
It did.
The kitchen was a disaster within ten minutes.
"Don't touch that—"
"I'm helping!"
"You're ruining it."
"I am not—"
"Jay," he grabbed my wrist gently before I could flip another pancake, pulling me closer to stop me.
We froze.
Too close.
Again.
My heart raced like it hadn't learned anything.
"You're doing it on purpose," I accused.
"Doing what?"
"This," I whispered, suddenly very aware of how little space there was between us.
His eyes dropped to my lips for half a second.
Then back up.
"No," he said softly. "But I'm not stopping either."
Heat rushed to my face.
"Keifer—"
"Relax," he smirked, stepping back just enough to breathe again. "I said I wouldn't rush you."
"You're very close to crossing that line."
"And you're very close to letting me."
…
I hated that he was right.
By noon, we somehow made it out of the apartment.
We walked through a small café nearby, the kind with soft music and too many people for my liking.
"Sit," he said, pulling a chair out for me.
"Wow," I raised an eyebrow. "Such a gentleman."
"I have my moments."
I rolled my eyes but sat anyway.
A few minutes later, while Keifer went to order, I felt it.
A presence.
"Hey," a stranger's voice said. "Are you alone?"
I looked up.
He wasn't bad-looking. Polite. Smiling.
But—
"I'm not—"
"Actually, she's not."
The voice behind me was calm.
Too calm.
I didn't even need to turn.
Keifer.
The stranger glanced between us. "Oh—sorry, I didn't know—"
"You didn't," Keifer said simply, placing my drink in front of me.
Not rude.
Not aggressive.
Just… clear.
The guy left quickly.
Silence settled between us.
I slowly looked up at him.
"Possessive much?" I teased.
His jaw tightened slightly.
"I wasn't being possessive."
"Oh?" I leaned back. "Then what was that?"
He met my eyes, steady, unflinching.
"I don't like people thinking you're available."
My breath caught.
"…I am available," I shot back, but softer this time.
He leaned closer, voice dropping just enough.
"Are you?"
The question wasn't playful.
It wasn't teasing.
It was real.
My heart started racing.
I didn't answer.
But I didn't look away either.
The walk back was quieter.
Not awkward.
Just… full.
Heavy with something unspoken.
When we reached my door, I turned to him.
"Keifer."
"Yeah?"
I hesitated.
Then stepped closer.
Not thinking.
Not overanalyzing.
Just… feeling.
"I'm not going anywhere," I said softly.
Something shifted in his expression.
Relief.
Hope.
Something deeper.
"Good," he said, just as quiet. "Because I'm not letting you."
I smiled slightly. "That sounds like a threat."
"It is."
I laughed under my breath.
Then kissed him.
Soft at first.
Then real.
His hand came up to my waist, steady, grounding, like he'd learned exactly how to hold me without pushing too far.
When we pulled back, my forehead rested against his.
"No more almost," he murmured.
I closed my eyes for a second.
"No more almost," I repeated.
And this time—
It didn't feel fragile.
It felt certain.
💖 End of Bonus Chapter