The sun rose slowly, painting the sky in pink and gold.
Jay Jay stirred under the fragile shelter, feeling something heavy and warm wrapped around her.
Keifer.
He was half-asleep, one arm draped over her waist possessively, his face buried in her hair like he couldn't get close enough.
Jay Jay barely dared to move.
She could feel the slow, steady beat of his heart against her back.
When she shifted a little, Keifer's hold tightened.
"Don't even think about it," he murmured, voice low and husky with sleep.
"I'm not letting you go."
Jay Jay rolled her eyes — but her heart fluttered wildly.
"You're unbelievable," she whispered.
Keifer finally opened one eye, grinning lazily.
"And you're beautiful first thing in the morning. Unfair."
Jay Jay flushed scarlet.
"You're ridiculous."
"Ridiculously into you," Keifer said smoothly, pressing a teasing kiss to her shoulder.
"And getting worse every day."
Jay Jay twisted to face him, about to fire back something sarcastic — but the words caught in her throat.
Keifer was looking at her like she hung the stars themselves.
His gaze dropped to her lips.
Slowly, deliberately, he brushed his knuckles along her cheekbone.
"I swear," Keifer said softly, "even if a rescue boat showed up right now, I'm not leaving without you."
Jay Jay's throat tightened.
There was nothing casual in the way he said it.
It was a promise. A confession. A thousand emotions packed into a single breath.
"Keifer," she said shakily.
"Say you'll stay with me," he whispered. "Even after we get back. Say you're mine."
Jay Jay's pulse thundered in her ears.
Before she could second-guess herself, she leaned forward — and kissed him.
Not shy.
Not hesitant.
A real kiss.
Keifer groaned softly, cupping the back of her head, kissing her back like he'd been dying for this.
Their mouths moved together in a desperate, tender rhythm — months of tension finally breaking like a wave.
When they finally pulled apart, both breathing hard, Keifer rested his forehead against hers.
"You have no idea," he whispered, voice wrecked with feeling.
"How long I've been waiting for you."
Jay Jay smiled — a real, unstoppable smile.
"I think I do," she said.
Keifer laughed, pure and boyish and wild, and then he kissed her again — quick, sweet, addictive.
"You're in trouble now, Jay," he teased against her lips.
"Now that I have you… I'm never letting you go."
And somehow, stranded on a deserted island with nothing but each other,
Jay Jay realized —
she didn't want him to.