Keifer took Jay to the office with him that morning.
Not because he had to.
Because he wanted to.
Jay realized it the moment his fingers laced with hers in the elevator, firm and quiet, as if letting go of her for even a few minutes would feel wrong.
"You'll get bored," he murmured, eyes fixed on the glowing numbers.
Jay smiled softly.
"With you? Never."
He glanced at her then.
Just one look.
The kind he never gave anyone else.
When the doors slid open, the world shifted.
Phones rang.
Soft chatter floated through the corridor.
Keyboards clicked in distant rooms.
And in the middle of it all… was Jay.
Keifer slowed his steps unconsciously, guiding her beside him, his palm resting at the small of her back.
It was subtle.
Protective.
Instinctive.
A few heads turned.
Not because of Jay's clothes.
Not because she looked out of place.
But because Keifer never brought anyone here.
"Good morning, sir."
He nodded once, as always.
But his hand never left hers.
Jay leaned closer and whispered, half-teasing,
"You know… everyone is staring."
"They can," he replied quietly.
Then, softer—only for her.
"I brought you. That's all they need to know."
Her heart stumbled.
His office was just the way she imagined.
Clean.
Minimal.
Cold.
Until she stepped inside.
The moment the door closed behind them, the air changed.
Keifer dropped his bag on the chair and turned to her.
For a second… he only looked.
Like he had been holding himself together all morning.
"You okay here?" he asked.
Jay nodded.
But before she could answer properly, his thumb brushed her knuckles.
"You don't have to stay the whole day," he added.
She tilted her head.
"And if I want to?"
A corner of his mouth lifted.
"Then I'll work better."
She laughed quietly.
He pulled her closer—not fully, not enough for anyone outside to notice if the glass wall betrayed them.
Just close enough.
Her forehead touched his chest.
"You're nervous," she whispered.
He exhaled against her hair.
"I don't like you in places I can't control."
Jay smiled into his shirt.
"You control me now too?"
He didn't joke.
"No."
He lowered his voice.
"I protect you."
Her fingers curled around his jacket.
"I don't need protection from the world, Keifer."
She looked up.
"I only need you."
That…
made him still.
For a long second, he said nothing.
Then he bent slightly, resting his forehead against hers.
"Stay," he murmured.
Not as an order.
As a need.
So Jay stayed.
She took the chair near his desk, curling her legs up, opening a small notebook she had brought only to pretend she had something important to do.
Every few minutes, she'd glance at him.
Focused.
Sharp.
Controlled.
But whenever their eyes met…
The world softened.
At one point, a file slipped from her lap and hit the floor.
She bent to pick it up.
At the same time, he leaned down from his chair.
Their heads almost collided.
Jay froze.
He froze.
Their faces were suddenly too close.
In the quiet of his office, her breath brushed his cheek.
"You're distracting," he whispered.
She smiled.
"You brought me."
He straightened slowly, jaw tight.
Yes.
He did.
And he would do it again.
Because even in a room full of power, pressure, and responsibility…
Keifer worked best with Jay right there.
In his sight.
In his space.
In his life.