(Keifer's POV)
Her fingers were still gripping my shirt when the kiss ended.
Barely.
Like she didn't realize she was holding on.
I didn't move away.
Didn't want to.
My forehead rested against hers, breathing heavier than before.
She swallowed.
"…Keifer."
The way she said my name — soft, unsure — did something dangerous to my patience.
A low sound escaped my throat.
Almost a groan.
"You keep saying my name like that," I murmured, voice rough, "and I'm going to misunderstand your intentions."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"I didn't—"
My hand tightened around her waist.
Not enough to hurt.
Enough to stop her from stepping back.
"I know," I said quietly.
"But it still affects me."
Her breath brushed my lips.
Warm.
Shaky.
She tried to look away.
I caught her chin gently, guiding her gaze back.
"Don't hide now."
"I'm not hiding—"
"You are."
My thumb traced slowly along her jaw.
She inhaled sharply.
A faint growl slipped from my chest when her eyes fluttered closed.
"…You react too easily."
"That's your fault," she whispered.
I huffed a quiet laugh.
"Yeah. I figured."
Silence settled between us again.
Heavy.
Charged.
My gaze dropped to her lips.
Still slightly swollen from before.
Something possessive stirred in my chest.
I leaned closer.
Close enough that my voice brushed her ear.
"You know," I murmured huskily, "I tried really hard to behave today."
She shivered.
"…Tried?"
"Mhm."
My arms slid fully around her waist from behind, pulling her gently back against me.
Her back met my chest.
She froze.
My chin rested on her shoulder.
I exhaled slowly near her ear.
"And then you looked at me like that."
Her fingers curled over my arms instinctively.
"…Like what?"
"Like you missed me."
A quiet sound left her lips.
Not denial.
Not agreement.
Just honest.
My grip tightened slightly.
A soft groan escaped me before I could stop it.
"…You have no idea what you do to me."
Her breathing turned uneven.
"Keifer…"
"Hm."
"You're being unfair."
I smiled faintly against her hair.
"Probably."
My nose brushed her temple.
"If you cry again," I murmured, voice low and teasing-dark, "I might not let you go home tonight."
She turned her head quickly.
Eyes wide.
"You wouldn't."
I met her gaze.
Slow.
Certain.
"…Try me."
Her cheeks flushed instantly.
She pushed lightly at my arms.
"You're impossible."
I didn't let go.
Instead, I turned her gently back toward me.
My hand slid to the back of her neck.
Careful.
Possessive.
I searched her face for a second.
Then kissed her again.
This time deeper.
Slower.
A quiet sound left her when I pulled her closer.
Our breaths mixed.
The world faded again.
When I finally pulled back, my voice came out rougher than before.
"…Yeah."
I brushed my thumb over her lip.
"I definitely missed you."
I uploaded the wrong chapter sorry guys.