JAY'S POV
The mall was louder than usual.
Or maybe it just felt that way because of how aware I was of him.
Keifer walked beside me, one hand casually in his pocket, the other occasionally brushing against mine like it was nothing—but it wasn't nothing. Not when he looked like that.
Black leather coat. Dark shirt. Jeans.
Effortless.
Dangerous.
I forced myself to focus.
"We're here for Grazel Jay, not you."
He glanced down at me, a small smirk playing on his lips.
"You're the one distracted."
I rolled my eyes and walked ahead toward the kids' section, trying to ignore the way his presence followed so closely behind me.
The kids' section was softer. Brighter. Full of small clothes, toys, and tiny shoes that made everything feel lighter.
I picked up a small outfit, holding it up.
"This is cute."
Keifer stepped closer behind me, his voice low near my ear.
"Yeah."
But he wasn't looking at the outfit.
I could feel it.
I quickly placed it in the basket.
We moved through the aisles like that—me picking things, him following, occasionally adding something, but mostly just watching me like I was the only thing there.
By the time we were done, the basket was full.
Perfect.
Mission accomplished.
Or so I thought.
KEIFER'S POV
It wasn't the mall.
It wasn't the shopping.
It was her.
That dress.
Short.
Soft.
Moving every time she walked.
I had been holding it together all day.
Barely.
Every time she bent slightly to grab something, every time she turned, every time she stepped ahead of me—
It got worse.
Way worse.
By the time we stepped into the elevator, I already knew I was at my limit.
The doors closed.
Silence.
Just us.
And then—
The elevator jerked.
Stopped.
Jay froze instantly.
JAY'S POV
My stomach dropped.
The lights flickered slightly as the elevator came to a sudden stop.
No movement.
No sound.
Just stillness.
My heart started racing.
"Keifer…"
He didn't answer immediately.
I looked at him, panic starting to rise in my chest.
"It's not moving."
My breathing picked up slightly as I pressed the button again.
Nothing.
The space suddenly felt too small.
Too closed.
"I don't like this…"
KEIFER'S POV
She was panicking.
I could see it in the way her hands moved, the way her breathing changed.
But all I could think about—
Was the fact that we were alone.
Finally.
No interruptions.
No distractions.
Just her.
I stepped closer.
She backed up instinctively—
Until her back hit the wall.
My hand pressed beside her, blocking her in without fully touching her.
Her eyes met mine.
Wide.
Breath uneven.
I lowered my voice.
"We're finally alone."
JAY'S POV
My breath caught.
That tone.
That look.
Everything from the past few days hit all at once.
"Keifer…"
But I didn't move.
Didn't push him away.
Didn't stop him.
He stepped closer.
Too close.
My heart was racing for a completely different reason now.
His hand moved to my waist, steady, firm, pulling me just enough to close the distance.
I swallowed.
"The elevator…"
"Let it stop."
My mind went blank.
And then—
He kissed me.
Not soft.
Not hesitant.
Intense.
Like he'd been holding back all day and finally stopped trying.
My hands gripped his shirt instantly, pulling him closer without thinking. The world outside disappeared—the stuck elevator, the panic, everything—gone.
Just him.
Just this.
His hand tightened slightly at my waist, grounding me as the kiss deepened for a second longer—
Then—
A loud noise.
Voices.
The elevator jerked again.
We pulled apart instantly.
My cheeks burned, my breathing uneven as I looked away quickly.
The doors slid open.
Workers stood outside.
"Are you both okay?"
I nodded too fast.
"Yeah—we're fine."
I stepped out immediately, not daring to look back.
KEIFER'S POV
She walked ahead quickly, flustered.
Avoiding me again.
I stepped out after her, watching the way she tried to compose herself.
A small smirk formed on my lips.
Because that wasn't over.
Not even close.