Two days after the conference, the gala was grand.
Crystal chandeliers shimmered above.
Soft music floated through the ballroom.
The most powerful names in the industry filled the room.
And at the center of it all stood Mark Keifer Watson.
Untouchable.
Controlled.
Magnetic.
Beside him stood Jay.
In a stunning deep blue gown that hugged her perfectly, elegant and effortless. Her hair fell softly over her shoulders, her presence calm but powerful.
She looked unreal.
And Keifer had noticed the moment she stepped out of the car.
But someone else noticed too.
A woman.
Confident. Stylish. Bold.
She approached Keifer with a bright smile.
"Mr. Watson," she said smoothly, extending her hand.
Jay watched politely at first.
Business events meant networking.
It was normal.
Until it wasn't.
The woman stood a little too close.
Laughed a little too freely.
Her fingers brushed his sleeve when she spoke.
Jay's jaw tightened slightly.
Keifer remained composed.
Professional.
But he didn't step back.
And that was enough.
Jay turned her gaze away.
Picked up a glass from the passing tray.
Pretended she wasn't paying attention.
But she was.
Every second.
The woman leaned closer again, saying something softly that made her smile widen.
Jay's grip tightened around the glass.
That's it.
She stepped away from them without a word.
Toward the balcony doors.
Cool air hitting her face.
She didn't want to cause a scene.
But she didn't want to stand there either.
A few moments later—
Footsteps.
"You left."
She didn't turn.
"You seemed busy."
"I wasn't."
"You looked entertained."
He stepped closer.
"I was being polite."
"She was touching you."
"It meant nothing."
"She was standing too close."
"I didn't move closer."
That made her turn.
Their eyes locked.
"You didn't move away either," she said quietly.
Silence.
He studied her face.
"You're jealous."
She scoffed lightly. "I'm not."
"You are."
"I just don't like women acting like you're available."
There it was.
Honest.
Unfiltered.
His gaze softened slightly.
"I am not available."
"You didn't say that there."
"I don't need to announce it."
The music from inside drifted out to them.
The tension thickened.
He stepped closer.
"You walked away from me."
"You didn't need me there."
"I always need you there."
That made her heart stutter.
But she stayed silent.
He exhaled quietly.
"Let's go."
The Car
The driver shut the door.
The city lights blurred past the tinted windows.
Silence filled the backseat.
Jay sat beside him.
Arms crossed.
Looking out the window.
"You haven't said a word," he said calmly.
"Maybe I don't want to."
"You're angry."
"Maybe."
He shifted slightly toward her.
"She meant nothing."
"You didn't look bothered."
"I wasn't."
"Really?"
Silence.
Then suddenly—
She moved.
Without warning.
She climbed onto his lap.
His breath caught instantly.
Her knees on either side of him.
Her hands grabbing his collar firmly.
"Jay—"
But she didn't let him finish.
She pulled him forward and kissed him.
Hard.
Jealous.
Possessive.
Her fingers tightened in his collar as she deepened the kiss.
Like she was claiming him.
Like she was erasing every woman who had dared to stand close to him tonight.
His hands immediately found her waist, holding her firmly against him.
The kiss wasn't soft.
It was heated.
Full of everything she refused to say at the gala.
When she finally pulled back, breathing uneven, she looked straight into his eyes.
"You're mine."
Her voice low.
Certain.
"Only mine."
For a second—
He just stared at her.
Then his hand tightened slightly at her waist.
"You were jealous."
"Yes," she admitted softly.
A slow, dangerous smirk touched his lips.
"I liked it."
She narrowed her eyes slightly. "You liked watching her flirt?"
"No."
His gaze darkened.
"I liked knowing you care."
And before she could respond—
He pulled her back down to him.
This kiss was different.
Still intense.
But controlled.
Deep.
Confident.
Like reassurance.
Like ownership in return.
When he finally pulled away, his forehead rested against hers.
"No one else gets my attention," he murmured.
"No one else gets this."
His hand slid slightly along her waist.
"And no one else gets you."
Her jealousy melted instantly.
Satisfied.
Claimed.
Certain.
The car continued through the city night.
But inside—
The air was still burning.