The lights were off.
But sleep didn't come.
I lay stiff on one side of the bed, staring at the ceiling, painfully aware of how close he was. Not touching. Not even moving. Just… there.
The mattress dipped slightly as he shifted.
"You're still awake," he murmured.
"So are you," I replied quietly.
Silence settled again.
The kind that presses against your chest.
"I can take the couch," he said after a moment.
I turned my head toward him. In the dim light, I could just make out his profile. Tired. Guarded. Still angry at himself.
"No," I said before I could overthink it. "Stay."
He froze.
"You're sure?" he asked, carefully. Like one wrong word would break everything.
I nodded, even though he probably couldn't see it. "Just… don't make this weird."
A soft huff of breath. Almost a laugh.
"Too late."
Despite myself, my lips twitched.
Minutes passed. Maybe more.
Then I felt it—his hand brushing mine. Barely there. Like an accident.
Neither of us pulled away.
"Jay Jay," he whispered, voice low. "About earlier… I crossed a line."
I swallowed. "You scared me."
"I know." His voice cracked. "And I hate that."
His fingers curled slightly, not grabbing—just holding on.
"I don't want to be someone you're afraid of," he said. "Even on my worst day."
I turned onto my side, facing him now. Our faces were close. Too close for comfort. Too close for safety.
"You're not a monster," I said softly. "But you have to learn to stop before you lose yourself."
His eyes searched mine.
"I'm trying," he whispered.
The honesty in his voice undid me.
I hesitated—then rested my head against his chest.
His breath stuttered.
He didn't move.
Didn't touch me.
Just stayed still, like he was afraid the moment would disappear if he breathed wrong.
After a while, his arm slowly wrapped around me. Loose. Careful. Giving me space to pull away.
I didn't.
"Sleep," he murmured, pressing his chin lightly against my hair. "I'll be right here."
For the first time that night—
I believed him.
And with his heartbeat steady beneath my ear,
I finally closed my eyes.
I woke up warm.
Too warm.
For a second, I didn't understand why—until I shifted slightly and felt an arm tighten around my waist.
I froze.
Slowly, carefully, I became aware of everything.
The steady rise and fall of his chest beneath my cheek.
His leg tangled with mine.
My hand fisted in the fabric of his shirt like it belonged there.
Oh.
My.
God.
I lifted my head just enough to look at him.
Keifer was still asleep.
His face was softer like this. No tension in his jaw. No anger. Just… him. Vulnerable. Human.
My heart did something stupid.
I tried to move.
Bad idea.
He stirred, his grip tightening instinctively, pulling me closer with a low sound that sent heat straight to my face.
"Keifer—" I whispered.
His eyes fluttered open.
For half a second, he looked confused.
Then he looked down.
Then realization hit.
We both went still.
"Oh," he muttered.
"Oh," I echoed.
His arm loosened immediately. "Sorry. I—I didn't mean to—"
"It's fine," I blurted out too fast. "I mean, it's not like you—did anything. We were asleep."
Awkward silence.
Our eyes met.
Still too close.
Too intimate.
"You drool when you sleep," he said suddenly.
I blinked. "What?"
He smirked faintly. "Just a little."
"I do not!" I protested, shoving his shoulder.
He laughed—actually laughed—and the sound did something dangerous to my chest.
Then he sobered.
"Are you okay?" he asked quietly.
I nodded. "Yeah. I just… wasn't expecting to wake up like this."
"Me neither," he admitted. "But I didn't hate it."
My cheeks burned.
"I should get up," I said, even though I made no move to do so.
"Yeah," he agreed.
Neither of us moved.
Seconds passed.
Then—reluctantly—he untangled himself, sitting up and running a hand through his hair.
I missed the warmth instantly.
Which was a problem.
A big one.
"Jay Jay," he said softly, not looking at me. "About tonight… about us—"
"I know," I cut in gently. "We'll talk. Just… not yet."
He nodded. "Whenever you're ready."
I slid out of bed, heart racing, pretending not to notice the way his eyes followed me.
As I reached the door, I paused.
"Keifer?"
"Yeah?"
"…Thanks for stopping when it mattered."
He met my gaze.
"Always," he said. "For you."
And that—
That was the most dangerous part of all.
The kitchen smelled like coffee.
And tension.
I stood by the counter, pretending to be very interested in a slice of toast while Keifer moved around behind me like a ghost I was trying not to acknowledge.
Every sound felt louder than it should've been.
The clink of a mug.
The scrape of a chair.
The quiet hum of the fridge.
"So," he said casually. Too casually. "Do you want sugar?"
I glanced at him. "You know I do."
He nodded, adding it without another word.
That made my chest tighten.
He knew my habits.
My mornings.
The little things.
He placed the mug in front of me, careful not to touch my hand.
"Thanks," I murmured.
Our fingers brushed anyway.
Just for a second.
We both flinched.
I pulled back first, wrapping my hands around the mug to ground myself. "We should probably talk about… last night."
He leaned against the counter across from me, arms crossed. Guarded again.
"Yeah," he said. "We should."
Silence.
Again.
God, why was this harder than fighting?
"I didn't plan on staying," I admitted. "Or sleeping in your bed."
"I didn't plan on waking up wishing you hadn't moved," he replied honestly.
I looked up at him.
He met my eyes—no teasing this time. No arrogance. Just raw truth.
"That's not fair," I whispered.
"I know," he said quietly. "I'm not asking you for anything."
"That's worse," I muttered.
His lips twitched slightly. "Figures."
I took a sip of coffee, nearly burning my tongue because of course I did.
"Idiot," I hissed.
He stepped closer immediately. "You okay?"
"I'm fine," I said quickly. "Just—too many things at once."
He hesitated, then nodded, stepping back again. Respecting the space.
I noticed.
I always noticed.
"You're trying," I said softly.
He blinked. "Trying?"
"To not cross lines," I explained. "To not control everything."
A slow breath left him. "Because I don't want to lose you."
My chest ached.
"That doesn't mean you get to keep me," I said gently.
"I know," he replied. "It just means I'll wait."
The words settled between us—heavy, dangerous, sincere.
I finished my toast, suddenly very aware that this morning felt like a turning point.
Not a beginning.
Not an ending.
Just… a pause before something inevitable.
I grabbed my bag and turned toward the door.
"Jay Jay," he called.
I looked back.
"Be careful today," he said. "And text me when you get there."
I hesitated—then nodded.
"I will."
As I stepped outside, I realized something terrifying.
Walking away from him
felt harder
than staying.
Guyss im so sorry i complete forgot abt this book i thought i schedule this but i didn't 😅
And i might not able to post another chap ter soon bcs i have board exam so that why and another reason that im not getting any response so i thought this book is boring/yiu Guy's don't like it.
please share you thought on comment it motivate me to write 💗
And those who support me and ahow me love thank you so much 💗😭