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Chapter 30 - Keifer giving Jay a hickey?!

Jay's POV

I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the straps of my beautiful black short dress. The fabric hugged my curves perfectly, and I couldn't help but admire how the color highlighted my skin. Tonight was a night of freedom—a chance to escape the chaos of school, the teasing from Kiefer, and the weight of my secrets....and most importantly....the jealousy builded into my body due to honey and keifer...like seriously HONEY?!!...

Even the name was irritating.

Who names someone Honey?

What's next? Sugar? Maple syrup?

But deep down, I knew I was also ready to confront my feelings. I couldn't shake off the memory of Kiefer's smile, the way he looked at me, and the lingering warmth of our accidental kiss when I was dressed as Jayden...I had to find a way to clear my head, and what's better place than King's Ground?

As I arrived at the club, the pulsating music and vibrant lights enveloped me. I spotted Jonathan immediately, waving excitedly from the bar. He stood there, looking handsome in a fitted shirt and jeans, with a grin that could light up the entire room.

"Jay!" he called, his voice cutting through the crowd. "You look amazing!"

"Thanks!" I replied ..... "You too!"

Jonathan gestured for me to come over, and I made my way through the throng of people, my heart racing. As I reached the bar, he handed me a drink—something brightly colored and bubbly.

"Cheers to a night of fun!" he exclaimed, raising his glass.

"Cheers!" I smiled, clinking my glass against his before taking a sip. The drink was sweet, almost too sweet, but it felt good to let loose. I could already feel the tension of the week slip away with each gulp.

"Let's get this party started!" Jonathan shouted, and I couldn't help but laugh at his enthusiasm. But as I took another drink, I couldn't shake the thought of Kiefer. I cursed under my breath, wishing he wasn't so present in my mind.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Jonathan asked, noticing my sudden change in demeanor.

"Nothing, just...thinking about someone," I replied, trying to brush it off.

"Ah, a romantic interest?" he teased, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Something like that," I muttered, taking another sip...

Jonathan stared.

"You okay?"

"Perfectly fine."i murmured...

"You look like you're planning a crime."

"Relax," I said sweetly. "I'm only considering minor violence."

But as the alcohol began to kick in, my thoughts turned hazy, and I found myself wanting to dance. I needed to clear my head, to forget about Honey and Kiefer for a while. I set my drink down, grabbed Jonathan's hand, and pulled him toward the dance floor.

Kiefer's POV

As I entered King's Ground, the thumping bass and flashing lights hit me like a wave. I was there for one reason only: to keep an eye on Jay. After our last encounter, I felt a fierce protectiveness over her. I spotted her immediately across the room, wearing that stunning black dress, making my heart race with a mix of admiration and frustration.

She looked happy, laughing with Jonathan, it twisted something deep inside me...Because now I had to stand here and watch another guy make her laugh while pretending it didn't bother me... I watched as Jonathan handed her a drink, and the sight made my blood boil....

"What's he doing?" I muttered under my breath, fists clenching at my side.

 I was watching every move Jay made, and with every laugh she shared with Jonathan, my jealousy grew.

As the music pulsed around me, I made my way through the crowd, keeping her within my sights. It felt like a mission. I was on high alert, waiting for any sign that she was in trouble.

Suddenly, I saw her on the dance floor, swaying to the beat. She was lost in the music, and I couldn't help but admire the way she moved. But then I noticed something that made my stomach drop. She was dancing with several guys—too many guys.

I felt jealousy surge within me. There was no way I could stand by and watch her flirt with them, even if it was all in good fun. I pushed through the crowd, intent on reaching her.

Jay's POV

I felt free as I danced, the music washing over me and the worries of the day fading away. I twirled, laughed, and sang along to the lyrics, forgetting all about my insecurities and the jealousy that had built up inside me.

But then I noticed Kiefer standing at the edge of the dance floor, watching me. His expression was intense, and my heart raced.... wait !!! What the FUCK he is doing here???..Did he see me dancing with the other guys? Did he care?... maybe not ...

Before I could ponder further, one of the guys leaned in, whispering something in my ear. I laughed, feeling bold and carefree. But just as I was about to respond, I felt a familiar grip on my wrist.

"Kiefer!" I gasped, surprised as he pulled me away from the dance floor.

"Let's talk," he said, steering me toward a quieter area of the club.

"What are you doing?" I protested, trying to keep my cool. "I was dancing!"

"Kiefer?" I said again.

He looked down at me with an expression that was half annoyed... half relieved.

"You're slipping."

I blinked slowly.

"Am not."

"You nearly fell twice."

"That floor attacked me."

"The floor?"

"Yes."

He sighed.

"You've been drinking."

"Only a little."

"You can barely stand

"I am standing perfectly."

To prove my point, I stood up straighter.

Immediately the world tilted again.

I grabbed his shirt.

"...Okay maybe slightly imperfect."

His lips twitched.

Then he muttered, "Unbelievable."..

I was going to say something but then I remembered my dance floor...

Jay : you idiot..you just ruined my dance..I was dancing happily...

"Exactly," he said, his voice suddenly ..low and serious. "You were dancing with them."

I rolled my eyes. "So what? We're just having fun."

"Fun?" he echoed, jealousy flaring in his eyes. "It didn't look like just fun. You were practically all over them."

My heartbeat quickened. "I was having a good time, Kiefer... And what are you doing here? "

Kiefer looked slightly taken back...and said.." I just came to have fun here ..why only you can come?? "

Jay : STALKER!!!

Kiefer frowned slightly annoyed.." that's rude!"

After a paused silence finally he spoke..." You still didn't answer me ..why were you dancing with strangers? Especially when they are males "..

I said voice hoarse from rising stiffness..." And why do you care? "

"Because..." he paused, and for a moment, I could see the conflict in his eyes. "Because I don't want you to get hurt."

I stared at him, taken aback. "Hurt? By who?"

"By them," he said, gesturing toward the dance floor. "And..( voice low but containing unspoken softness) ...I don't want to see you with anyone else."

His admission caught me off guard. "You don't get to tell me who I can dance with," I shot back, my irritation rising.

"I'm not trying to control you, Jay..." he said, softly ..stepping closer. "I just want what's best for you."

I leaned against the wall, trying to catch my breath. "And what's best for me is to have fun! You can't just decide what's best for someone else."

"Then why the hell were you flirting?" he shot back, frustration evident in his voice.

"I wasn't flirting!" I argued, but I could feel my heart racing under his intense gaze.

"Then what was it?" He moved closer, invading my personal space, eyes locked onto mine.

I had to think fast through my drunken mind. "It was just a bit of harmless fun, Kiefer. Stop being so overprotective!" I attempted to sound confident, but my voice betrayed me.

He narrowed his eyes, disbelief written all over his face. "Harmless? You dancing with other guys all night? You know it's more than that."

I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks. "I don't owe you an explanation."

He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You're right. You don't owe me anything... but ...you do owe me the truth jay ...."

The tension was thick between us, and I could see the determination in his eyes.

Before I could respond, he leaned in, brushing his lips against my neck slightly, sending shivers down my spine.

"Stop," I breathed, my heart racing.

Kiefer didn't stop. Instead, he pulled me flush against him, one hand gently gripping the curve of my waist while the other caught my left hand, holding it firmly to stop me from pushing against his chest.

My breath hitched as the distance between us disappeared completely. I could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat through his shirt, and it only made the heat rush to my face faster...

"K-Kiefer..." I tried to protest, but the words came out weaker than I intended...my body arched back into his touch while my mind was going wild...

He didn't listen. Or maybe he simply chose not to.

His grip remained steady as he continued what he was doing, completely unfazed, while I stood there trapped between his arms, my cheeks burning and my heart racing uncontrollably.

Within seconds his soft lingering kiss turned to a fierce one ...his teeth grazed my skin at my sensitive spot...I gasped...as the small tingling sensation hovered me ..his soft warm lips instantly soothed it with soft wet kisses...

He pulled back slightly, his gaze dropping to my neck as he checked the mark he had left behind.

A faint smirk appeared on his lips when he saw the hickey forming there.

Meanwhile, I could feel my entire face burning with embarrassment as I realized exactly what he had done....

 He finally looked into my eyes with an intense gaze, as if he was searching for something deeper. "You have to be honest with me."

I swallowed hard. "Kiefer... I—"

But before I could finish, the loud music blared again, bringing me back to reality.

Kiefer stepped back, again that small smirk on his face. "See? This is why I can't let you dance with other guys. You don't know how to handle yourself."

I stared at him, breathless. "You're infuriating."

"And you're adorable when you're angry." He grinned, stepping back just enough to give me space, the teasing glint in his eyes returning.

I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure. "You can't just corner me like that."

His smile widened. "But I can, and I will. Until you spill the truth."

I clenched my fists, my mind racing. "I'm not hiding anything!"

He raised an eyebrow. "You're hiding a lot, Jay...."

I backed away, needing the distance. "You're crazy if you think I'm going to just tell you everything."

"Challenge accepted," he said, clearly relishing the game.

Kiefer's POV

I could feel the tension in the air, electrifying and charged. Jay was playing hard to get, but now the challenge was on.

I watched as she walked away, her cheeks flushed with emotions I couldn't quite decipher.

And as she turned, I couldn't help but admire her.

She was Jay.

My childhood friend...my crush...

But she was also Jayden.

And I was determined to make her spill the truth herself..

The night was still young.

And I had a plan.

Jay's POV

I stormed back toward the dancing floor..., my heart racing. I had no idea what was happening with Kiefer, but I couldn't deny the chemistry between us.

But I was playing a dangerous game.

How long could I keep hiding who I really was?

I had to think of a plan.

But for now, I needed to focus on surviving this evening without revealing my secret.

As I joined the chaos again' under the supervision of kiefer..I decided one thing.

I wouldn't back down.

Not now.

Not ever.

And most importantly...

Not to Honey! 

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