Keifer POV
Eman was cooking.
Which meant Section E was loud.
Ci-n was trying to steal garlic mid-sauté.
Blaster was singing a dramatic cooking anthem called "Salt My Wounds."
Felix and Drew were arguing over who got the bigger plate.
Kit and Mayo were setting the table like it was a royal banquet.
David brought snacks. Again. To the kitchen.
Jay?
Jay was sitting beside me.
Close.
Warm.
Wearing my hoodie like it was a second skin.
I was trying not to combust.
Dinner was chaotic and perfect.
Eman made something spicy.
Jay stole half my plate.
I let her.
Because I'm weak.
Because she smiled.
After dinner, Section E scattered — some to clean, some to plot dessert sabotage, some to start a beach bonfire that would probably end in emotional damage.
Jay grabbed her towel and disappeared into the bathroom.
I stayed in the room.
Sat on the bed.
Tried to breathe.
Tried not to think about her in the shower.
Failed.
The water ran.
Steam curled under the door.
I blinked.
Panicked.
Then she walked out.
Towel wrapped around her.
Hair damp.
Skin flushed.
Eyes locked on me.
I forgot how to breathe.
She didn't speak.
Just crossed the room.
Sat beside me.
Close.
Too close.
I looked away.
She didn't.
"Keifer," she said, voice low.
I turned.
She leaned in.
Kissed me.
Slow.
Then not.
Her towel slipped.
My restraint did too.
She pulled me closer, fingers tangled in my shirt, breath hot against my neck.
"Don't hold back," she whispered.
I blinked.
"Jay—"
"I want you," she said. "All of you."
My heart stuttered.
My hands shook.
She kissed me again.
Harder.
I kissed her back.
She gasped.
"Harder," she said.
I did.
She arched into me.
I lost track of time.
Of sound.
Of everything but her.
Her skin.
Her voice.
The way she said my name like it was the only thing keeping her grounded.
We didn't rush.
We didn't speak.
We just moved.
Together.
Breathless.
Real.
After?
She curled into me.
Still warm.
Still mine.
I kissed her shoulder.
She smiled.
"I love you," I whispered.
"I know," she said.
And me?
I was undone.
Rebuilt.
Chosen.
And somehow?
Still hers.