𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦

BOOK 2: ALMOST YOURS

—

Not empty—

just wrong.

—

Jayna felt it before she saw him.

That shift.

That pull.

Like something had already decided where she was going to stop.

—

And then—

she did.

—

He was there.

—

Leaning slightly against the wall—

like he’d been waiting.

—

Like he knew she’d come.

—

Her steps slowed.

—

Then stopped.

—

Silence stretched between them.

—

Heavy.

—

“You’re starting to make this obvious.”

His voice cut through it—

low—

steady—

—

Too familiar.

—

Jayna exhaled softly.

“Or maybe you are.”

—

A pause.

—

His head tilted slightly—

studying her—

—

And then he moved.

—

Not rushed.

Not hesitant.

—

Certain.

—

Each step closed the distance like it didn’t belong there.

—

Jayna didn’t move.

Didn’t step back.

—

Even when her breath started to betray her.

—

“You don’t stay away,” he said.

—

“Neither do you.”

—

That was all it took.

—

He was right in front of her now.

—

Too close.

—

His hand wrapped around her wrist—

firm—

unquestioning—

—

Holding.

—

Her pulse jumped under his touch.

—

“You keep coming back to me.”

—

Her breath caught.

—

“You follow me.”

—

A pause.

—

“Yes.”

—

No denial.

—

No hesitation.

—

Her chest tightened.

—

“That’s not normal.”

—

His grip tightened—

just enough.

—

“I don’t care.”

—

And then—

—

his gaze dropped.

—

Slowly.

—

Hungrily.

—

To her lips.

—

Soft.

Perfect.

That delicate, heart-shaped curve—

—

His jaw clenched.

—

Not restraint.

—

Need.

—

Like he was seconds away from closing the distance—

from taking what he was already looking at like it belonged to him.

—

His thumb shifted against her wrist—

—

his other hand lifting—

hovering—

—

like he was deciding if he’d touch her face—

or just pull her closer.

—

“You don’t pull away,” he murmured.

—

Her breath was uneven now.

—

“Neither do you.”

—

That snapped something.

—

His hand moved—

—

fingers sliding into her hair—

gripping lightly at the base—

—

tilting her head—

—

bringing her closer.

—

“Say it,” he said.

—

His gaze dropped again—

—

fixing on her lips—

—

intense—

possessive—

—

like he’d already decided how it would feel.

—

“I don’t want you to stop.”

—

Silence.

—

Heavy.

—

His grip tightened—

—

and for a second—

—

he didn’t hide it.

—

That hunger.

—

That intent.

—

He leaned in—

—

close enough that her breath hitched against his—

—

close enough that it would’ve taken nothing—

—

“Liam.”

—

The moment shattered.

—

They pulled apart instantly.

—

Too fast.

—

Too obvious.

—

Kylie stood there.

—

Watching.

—

Her eyes moved between them—

slow—

sharp—

—

Taking in everything.

—

The distance that had been too small.

The tension still clinging to the air.

—

Her expression hardened.

—

“Wow.”

—

Quiet.

—

Too quiet.

—

“You really don’t even try to hide it.”

—

“Drop it, Kylie.”

—

Her eyes snapped to him.

—

“Don’t tell me to drop it.”

—

She stepped forward—

deliberate—

controlled—

—

Inserting herself between them.

—

Her gaze dragged over Jayna—

lingering—

cold—

—

Jealousy flickering through it.

—

“Did he tell you?” she asked.

—

Jayna frowned. “Tell me what?”

—

Kylie smiled.

—

Sharp.

—

Possessive.

—

“That he’s mine.”

—

The word landed heavy.

—

Jayna’s chest tightened.

—

Her eyes flicked to Liam—

—

He didn’t deny it.

—

Didn’t confirm it.

—

Worse.

—

Kylie saw that.

—

“Oh, don’t look at him like that,” she said softly, stepping closer to Jayna.

—

“He doesn’t correct things when it benefits him.”

—

“Kylie.”

—

A warning.

—

Ignored.

—

“He walks in with me,” she continued.

“He leaves with me.”

—

A pause.

—

“And he doesn’t get to act like that means nothing.”

—

Silence tightened.

—

Then—

her tone shifted.

—

Smoothed.

Controlled.

—

“Lira’s looking for you,” she added casually.

—

Too casual.

—

Jayna blinked. “She is?”

—

A small nod.

—

“Yeah. Said it couldn’t wait.”

—

A faint smile.

—

Almost convincing.

—

“You should go.”

—

A beat.

—

Jayna hesitated.

—

Her gaze flicked to Liam—

—

He was already watching her.

—

Not Kylie.

—

Just her.

—

Still.

Focused.

—

Like he hadn’t let go.

—

Like he wasn’t finished.

—

Jayna swallowed.

—

Then stepped back.

—

Once.

—

Twice.

—

Creating space that didn’t feel real.

—

She turned—

—

and walked down the hallway.

—

But she could still feel it.

—

His gaze.

—

Lingering—

—

on her lips.

—

Like he hadn’t stopped thinking about it.

—

Like next time—

—

he wouldn’t.

—

Behind her—

silence stretched.

—

Then—

—

“She’s not with Lira.”

—

Liam’s voice.

Flat.

Certain.

—

Jayna slowed—

just slightly—

—

didn’t turn.

—

“I know,” Kylie replied.

—

A pause.

—

“You don’t get to look at her like that.”

—

Silence.

—

“And you don’t get to tell me what to do.”

—

A step echoed behind Jayna.

—

Then another.

—

Her pulse spiked.

—

Because she knew—

—

he was coming after her.

—

And whatever almost happened—

—

wasn’t over.

—

Not even close.