Chapter 16: Jason's Claim

A tall, handsome man appeared in front of us without warning.

Jason was every bit as striking as I remembered—broad shoulders, blue jeans hanging just right, a worn concert tee stretched over his chest. He filled the doorway with easy confidence.

Broad shoulders, narrow waist, tall and lean—he was practically walking testosterone!

The sight of him there, casual and self-assured, sent a jolt of electricity through me. I could feel Derek’s gaze burning into the side of my face.

He reached out his long arm, pulled me into his embrace, and said, “Took you long enough, babe. Missed me?”

His voice was low and teasing, every syllable laced with affection. The possessiveness in his touch made my heart stutter in my chest.

As he spoke, he leaned in to kiss me.

His lips brushed mine—a quick, proprietary gesture meant for an audience as much as for me.

Just as his lips brushed mine, Derek’s angry voice rang out behind us:

Derek’s voice was sharp, almost a growl. "What are you doing?!" The tension crackled like static in the hallway.

But the man didn’t stop at all—he gave me a deep kiss, then held me lazily and looked at Derek.

Jason’s eyes never left Derek’s, a silent challenge flickering between them. He wore his confidence like armor, daring anyone to question it.

But he spoke to me: “How long was I gone, and you’ve already found someone new? I really can’t let my guard down with you~”

His teasing tone was meant to defuse the situation, but I could feel the jealousy simmering just below the surface. His jaw ticked, but his eyes stayed soft—like he wanted to be mad, but couldn’t quite pull it off.

I tried to push him away, but he wouldn’t budge.

I shot him a warning glance, but he only grinned wider, reveling in the moment.

I had to look at Derek. “If you have something to say, let’s talk another time.”

I tried to keep my tone calm, but my heart was pounding in my ears. Derek looked as though he’d just been sucker-punched.

Derek’s hand at his side clenched into a fist, his lips pressed tightly together.

He always did that when he was about to lose his temper—his silent tell. For a moment, I wondered if he would actually say what he was feeling.

That was always a sign he was about to lose his temper.

The tension in the air was almost suffocating. It felt like the beginning of a storm.

But before he could explode, I was carried inside.

Jason swept me into his arms, kicking the door shut behind us. The sound echoed through the hallway, shutting out the past for good.

The door closed.

The lock clicked, sealing us off from Derek—and from everything that came before.