The door was already closed.
The noise of the house faded into something distant and soft.
Jay was still pretending to be offended.
Arms crossed. Lips pushed out.
Keifer watched her for two quiet seconds.
Then—
He stepped forward and gently took her wrists.
Uncrossed her arms.
Slowly.
"Stop."
She blinked.
"…stop what?"
"Being far."
That was it.
He pulled her into him.
Not sudden.
Not dramatic.
Just warm.
Real.
Jay's cheek pressed into his chest.
His hand slid to the back of her head, fingers threading into her hair like he had been waiting all evening to do exactly that.
And honestly—
He had.
He rested his chin on her head.
Didn't speak for a moment.
Just breathed.
Jay smiled softly.
"This is your… kidnapping reward?"
His chest moved under her laugh.
"No."
A small pause.
"This is my time."
She tilted her head up a little.
"Your what?"
He lowered his face until his lips brushed her temple.
Once.
Light.
Careful.
"My boyfriend time."
Her heart absolutely melted.
He guided her backward toward the bed and sat down, pulling her with him so she ended up between his knees.
Not lying.
Not rushed.
Just close.
His hands settled on her waist.
Firm.
Anchoring.
"You disappear into everyone," he murmured quietly.
"You disappear into Mama. Into the house. Into conversations. Into helping strangers."
She leaned back against him.
"But you like that about me."
He didn't deny it.
"I love that about you."
Then, softer—
"I just don't want to lose my part of you."
Her fingers found his hands.
Held them.
"You don't lose me, Keifer."
He pressed his lips into her shoulder.
Slow.
Lingering.
"I know."
A pause.
Then—
"But I still want you."
That made her breath hitch.
He turned her gently so she was facing him now, sitting sideways on his lap.
One hand came up to her cheek.
Thumb brushing the softest line under her eye.
"You know what I wanted the whole evening?"
She shook her head.
His voice dropped.
"Your attention."
She laughed quietly.
"That's all?"
"That's everything."
He leaned in and kissed her.
Soft.
Unhurried.
No claiming.
No showing-off.
Just his mouth moving against hers like he finally didn't have to hide how much he needed this.
When he pulled back, their foreheads stayed together.
His nose brushed hers.
"You give everyone your kindness," he whispered.
His thumb pressed gently at her waist.
"But right now…"
A tiny pause.
"…you're mine."
Her hands slid up into his hair.
Just a little.
Testing.
He closed his eyes at the touch.
Completely undone.
"Such a jealous boyfriend," she teased softly.
A corner of his mouth lifted.
"I warned you."
She smiled.
And leaned in again.
Because this—
This quiet, possessive, soft Keifer…
Was only for her.