Jay's POV
The cabin was silent.
Too silent.
Her lips were still burning from the kiss. Her back still pressed lightly against the wall where he had pinned her just minutes ago. Her heart refused to calm down.
Keifer hadn't stepped away yet. His hand was still on her waist — not gripping now… just resting there like he didn't want to let go.
She looked up at him.
For the first time since she'd known him, his eyes weren't dark with anger or jealousy.
They were intense. But softer.
"Jay," he said quietly.
Not "Jasper Jean Mariano."
Not "Come. My. Cabin."
Just… Jay.
Her breath trembled. "Yes… Keifer?"
He exhaled slowly, as if steadying himself. Which shocked her. Mark Keifer Watson didn't steady himself. People steadied themselves around him.
"I don't like losing control," he admitted.
Her heart skipped.
"I don't like feeling jealous. I don't like caring enough for it to matter." His jaw tightened slightly. "But when I saw him laughing with you… I hated it."
She swallowed.
"I hated that he thought he could stand that close," he continued, voice low. "I hated that you were smiling at him."
His fingers tightened slightly at her waist — not hurting, just emphasizing.
"And I realized something."
She looked up at him, nervous. "What?"
He stepped back just a little — enough so she wasn't trapped anymore, enough to show this wasn't force. This was choice.
"I don't want to be just your boss."
Her heartbeat echoed in her ears.
"I don't want to steal moments in my cabin and pretend it's nothing," he said. "I don't want to act like that kiss didn't change something."
It had changed everything.
His eyes locked onto hers.
"I want you."
Her breath caught.
"Not secretly. Not temporarily." His voice lowered. "I want you with me."
Her fingers curled slightly into his suit jacket.
"Be my girlfriend, Jay."
The words hung in the air between them. Heavy. Real.
She stared at him, searching his face for teasing — for arrogance — for that usual smirk.
There was none.
He was serious. Completely.
"You're… asking me?" she whispered.
A faint smirk appeared, but softer than usual. "I don't ask often."
Her lips trembled into a small smile. "You're scary when you're jealous."
"And?" he raised a brow slightly.
"And I kind of liked it," she admitted shyly.
Something dark and pleased flickered in his eyes.
"So?" he pressed, stepping closer again — but this time slow, giving her space to choose.
Jay took a breath.
"Yes."
He didn't move. "Yes…?"
"Yes, Keifer," she said properly this time, her voice stronger. "I'll be your girlfriend."
For a split second, he just looked at her. Like he was memorizing the moment.
Then his hand slid from her waist to her cheek, thumb brushing gently across her skin.
"You're sure?" he asked quietly.
She nodded. "I've been sure for a while."
That was all he needed.
He pulled her into him — firm, secure — one hand at her waist, the other at her jaw, tilting her face up.
This kiss wasn't aggressive like before.
It was slow. Deep. Certain.
Claiming — but not out of jealousy.
Out of choice.
Her hands wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer as if she was afraid he'd disappear. He kissed her like he meant it. Like this wasn't just passion. Like this was the beginning of something dangerous and permanent.
When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads touched again.
"You have no idea what you've just agreed to," he murmured.
She smiled softly. "Being with you?"
He nodded slightly.
"I'm not easy, Jay."
"I'm not leaving," she replied.
For the first time, truly, he looked affected.
And then he whispered — low, certain, possessive but calm —
"Good. Because you're mine now."
And this time… it wasn't a threat.
It was a promise.