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"How much space are y'all trying to add?" Jalen asked, running a hand along one of the shelves, testing its stability.

Kristen blinked. Right. The project. "Oh--uh, we're looking to maximize vertical space while also making room for larger medical devices that we're planning to purchase." She said hastily.

Jalen turned to her, nodding as he listened. Kristen's heart skipped as their eyes met--his dark, focused gaze locking onto hers. "Why does he have to look at me like that?" She thought, exhaling slowly, shifting her stance, feeling suddenly warm despite the cool air conditioning.

"And, um... we also need better climate control in here," she added quickly, looking anywhere but at him.

Jalen didn't seem to notice her flustered state. Or if he did, he wasn't letting on. He remained completely professional, taking mental notes, asking all the right questions, nodding in understanding as she walked him through the issues. Kristen tried to mirror his professionalism, but it was getting harder and harder to ignore how drawn she was to him. She found herself watching his hands as he measured out distances, imagining how strong they must be. She caught herself staring at his lips when he spoke, wondering how they would feel against...

"STOP IT, Kristen. You have a FIANCÉ." She thought, swallowing hard, shifting on her heels.

Jalen finished looking around, turning to her with that same calm, unreadable expression. "I've got a good idea of what needs to be done," he said. "I'll put together a proposal and send it over in a few days."

Kristen nodded quickly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "That sounds great! Um... thank you, Jalen. Really looking forward to seeing what you come up with." She smiled a little too brightly, hoping it masked the fact that she had been anything but focused during this walkthrough.

Jalen smirked slightly but remained all business. "Of course. I'll be in touch." And with that, he turned to leave, leaving Kristen standing in the middle of the storage room--flustered, hot, and more confused than ever.

*********************************

Later that day, Kristen returned home from work. She pulled into the driveway of the townhouse she shared with Rob, her mind still lingering on Jalen Moss as she cut the engine. She had spent the entire drive home trying to shake the feeling that had settled in her chest since leaving Wellness Georgia. It wasn't just about how attractive Jalen was--though, God, he was. It was something else. Something about the way he had looked at her when he listened, the way he carried himself with quiet confidence, the way his presence felt strong, steady, and... alive. She sighed, running a hand through her dark waves before grabbing her bag and stepping inside.

"Hey," Rob called from the kitchen. "How was your day?"

Kristen set her bag down and kicked off her heels. "Good. You?"

"Same."

That was it. The same halfhearted exchange they had every night--like an obligation rather than an actual conversation. Rob was standing at the counter, still dressed in his work attire, scrolling through his phone as he stirred something in a pan. Kristen went to freshen up, washing her hands, reapplying her red lipstick out of habit. When she came back, dinner was already plated and waiting at the table--simple, practical, unremarkable. Rob and Kristen had been engaged for over a year, but they still hadn't set a date for their wedding. Before their engagement, they'd been together for three years prior to that. They ate in near silence, the occasional clink of utensils against their plates the only real sound between them. Kristen tried to engage.

"So... any update on that project you were excited about?" she asked.

Rob barely looked up from his plate. "Yeah, it's coming along. Probably gonna have to fly out next week for some meetings."

Kristen nodded, taking another bite. "Where to?"

"New York. Maybe L.A. after that." He replied.

Kristen had heard this before. Another trip. Another week of him being gone. Another excuse to push back setting a wedding date. She didn't press him. After dinner, Rob migrated to the living room, turning on the TV, settling into his usual spot on the couch with a beer. Kristen stayed at the table for a while, absently scrolling on her phone, not even sure what she was looking for. Maybe something--anything--that didn't feel so lifeless. Her mind kept drifting back to Jalen. The way he had moved. The way he had looked at her. The way he had made her feel something real, even if it was fleeting. She shook her head, pushing the thoughts away. This was just one of those nights where she had to wonder...Is this really it? Kristen wasn't going to sit in silence tonight. She wasn't going to let another evening drift by without feeling something. So, as Rob sat glued to the TV, nursing a beer, she took a deep breath and made a move she hadn't made in a long time.

She walked over to him, climbed into his lap, and straddled him. Rob's body tensed in surprise, his hands instinctively coming up to rest on her hips, but his eyes never left the damn screen. Kristen slowly rolled her hips, her hands sliding up his chest, her lips just inches from his jawline.

"Hey, baby," she whispered, trying to sound sultry, teasing, inviting.

Rob blinked, finally tearing his eyes away from the show. "Whoa, what's this about?" he asked, half-laughing, but not in the way that made her feel desired. More like... confused.

Kristen bit her lip, holding back frustration. "Just thought we could... change up the routine a little."

Rob exhaled through his nose, glancing back at the TV. "Babe, this is a really good episode," he muttered. "Can we do this later?"

Kristen froze. The rejection hit her like a slap. It wasn't even just about sex. It was about the fact that he barely looked at her anymore. That he barely wanted her. That she had just put herself out there, only to get brushed off for some stupid show. Her face burned, not with embarrassment, but with anger. Without another word, she pushed herself off of him and stormed upstairs, her heels clicking against the wooden steps with sharp finality. Rob didn't even call after her. Didn't even pause his show. By the time she reached the bedroom, her hands were shaking. She yanked off her blouse, tossing it to the side, and sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor. Her heart was pounding, but not in the way she had wanted. She felt rejected. Unwanted. Stupid for even trying. And before she could stop herself, she grabbed her phone and opened Facebook. Her fingers hovered over the search bar. This was stupid. She shouldn't do this. And yet...

Jalen Moss.

The second she typed in his name, his profile popped up. His profile picture was a casual shot of him in a black t-shirt, arms crossed, standing in front of a renovation project. Strong. Confident. Capable. Everything Rob wasn't. Kristen bit her lip, her pulse picking up as she scrolled. His photos weren't flashy--mostly work-related, a few candid shots of him with friends, a couple of old basketball pictures from back in the day. And then, one that made her pause. It was him in a fitted white dress shirt, standing at what looked like a formal event, holding a glass of whiskey. He looked damn good. Kristen swallowed hard, her thumb lingering over the picture. Before she even fully registered what she was doing, she clicked on his "Add Friend" button. The second it sent, her stomach dropped.

"What the hell am I doing?" She thought to herself.

She quickly turned off her phone, tossing it onto the nightstand, and laid back against the bed, staring at the ceiling. Her body was still burning--but for an entirely different reason now. Because for the first time, she wasn't just disappointed in Rob. She was actively seeking out someone else. And deep down? She knew exactly what that meant.

Kristen lay flat on her back, still in her pencil skirt, her blouse discarded somewhere on the floor, her body burning with frustration. Her breath was shallow, her skin still tingling from the rejection downstairs, from the way Rob had barely even looked at her, from the way she had put herself out there--only to be ignored. Her fingers tightened in the sheets, her thighs pressing together. But she didn't want to feel frustrated anymore. She wanted to feel something else. Something deeper. Hotter. Real. Her hand slid down her stomach, slipping beneath the waistband of her skirt, finding her vagina--already wet, already aching for touch. And as she exhaled sharply, she let her mind wander. Not to Rob. Never to Rob. Instead, she saw Jalen. She pictured him standing in front of her, just like he had earlier that day--his broad shoulders stretching against that fitted polo, his strong, calloused hands running over the shelves in the storage room. She imagined what those hands would feel like on her, gripping her hips, pulling her close, making her feel claimed. Her fingers moved slowly, teasing herself, her lips parting in a soft, desperate sigh. She imagined Jalen's dark eyes locked onto hers, his voice low and commanding in her ear.

"You need me to take care of you, don't you?"

Kristen let out a quiet moan, her back arching slightly, her hips rolling against her own touch. She thought about how his hands would feel, sliding up the inside of her thighs, parting them, his breath warm as he kissed a trail up her stomach...

"You feel so damn good, Kristen."

Her pace quickened, her breaths coming faster, heavier, her body trembling as she imagined Jalen between her legs, his mouth on her, his tongue teasing, stroking, sucking.

Oh God.

Her vagina was now soaking wet. She thought about how deep he would feel, how he wouldn't hesitate, how he wouldn't ignore her, wouldn't ask to finish watching some stupid show first. No. Jalen would have dropped everything and taken her right there in the living room. The thought alone sent a surge of pleasure rushing through her, her body tensing, tightening, her toes curling as her climax crashed over her. She bit her lip, muffling her moans, her heart pounding as her body shook beneath her own touch. And as the waves of pleasure slowly faded, her chest rising and falling rapidly, reality came creeping back in. Her fiancé was downstairs. Clueless. Uninterested. Meanwhile, she had just gotten herself off thinking about another man. Kristen stared up at the ceiling, still breathless, still dazed. She knew what this meant. This wasn't just frustration anymore. This was desire.

*********************************

By Wednesday afternoon, Kristen felt stupider for sending Jalen that damn friend request. She had checked more times than she cared to admit, but there was still no notification that he had accepted it. And with every passing hour, her regret grew stronger. Maybe he had seen it and ignored it. That thought alone made her stomach twist with embarrassment. She tried to shake it off, but when Jalen's email came through, all those thoughts were shoved aside by something else entirely... His proposal.

Kristen and Jim sat together in the conference room, both of them pouring over Jalen's email. The proposal was detailed, precise, and thorough. Jalen had thought of everything--from storage optimization to climate control adjustments to maximizing efficiency for medical supply access. It was ambitious and modern, and it was clear he had put serious thought into it. Kristen had expected to be impressed, but this was... beyond that. This was someone who actually cared about the work he was doing.

Jim leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin. "I gotta say, Kristen, this is one of the best proposals we've seen in a long time."

Kristen nodded, still scanning through Jalen's breakdowns. "I agree. It's really well put together. The pricing is a little higher than we expected, but... the quality of the vision speaks for itself."

Jim exhaled. "Exactly. I think we need to bring him back in, have him talk us through the details so we fully understand the costs."

Kristen's stomach flipped. Seeing Jalen again. She had been dreading it and anticipating it at the same time.

"Thursday?" Jim suggested. "We can do late morning, around eleven?"

Kristen swallowed, trying to keep her expression neutral. "Yeah, that works," she said smoothly, even though her pulse had just kicked up a notch.

Jim typed out the meeting request and sent Jalen a reply, officially inviting him to come in for a walkthrough of his proposal. Kristen sat back in her chair, tapping her fingers against the table.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow, she would be face-to-face with Jalen again. And after everything--after that night in bed, touching herself to the thought of him, after sending that stupid friend request, after waiting and waiting for him to accept it-- She had no idea how to act around him.

*********************************

The next day, Jalen pulled into the parking lot of Wellness Georgia, shutting off his truck and exhaling slowly. This was just another meeting. A normal walkthrough of his proposal. But something in the air felt... different. Maybe it was because of Kristen. She had been a little flustered the last time they met--professional, sure, but he had caught the way she looked at him when she thought he wouldn't notice. And if Jalen had learned anything over the years, it was how to read people.

He stepped inside, and before he could even fully scan the front lobby, a cheerful voice greeted him. "Well, you must be Jalen Moss!"

Jalen turned toward the front desk, where an older white woman with short, curled gray hair and bright eyes was already beaming at him. She had the warm, welcoming presence of someone who had been the heart of an office for years.

Jalen smiled. "That's me."

Betty clapped her hands together, clearly delighted. "Oh, honey, I've heard all about you! Kristen and Jim have been talking nonstop about your proposal."

Jalen chuckled, shaking his head. "Hopefully, they were saying good things. "Oh, only the best!" Betty assured him.

Then she leaned in slightly, lowering her voice as if telling him a secret. "And between you and me, I think Kristen was extra excited about you coming in today."

Jalen raised an eyebrow, but before he could even process that, Betty had already grabbed her desk phone. "Let me call her and tell her you're here. Just a moment!"

Kristen had just finished fixing her lipstick in the bathroom when her desk phone rang. She glanced down and saw Betty Clover's name. She swallowed hard. Jalen. Kristen took a deep breath before picking up. "Hey, Betty."

"Morning, sweetheart! Your contractor is here! And my, oh my, is he handsome!" Kristen closed her eyes for a second, trying not to sound as breathless as she felt.

"Thanks, Betty. I'll be right there." Kristen responded.

She hung up, steadied herself, and grabbed her folder. Her heels clicked a little too fast as she made her way toward the front. And then... there he was. Standing near the reception desk, tall, broad, confident as ever, his dark eyes focused on something Betty was saying to him. Kristen's breath caught in her throat. He looked better than she remembered. His fitted button-up stretched across his muscular chest, tucked into dark slacks that sat just right on his frame. He exuded the kind of quiet confidence that made him even more attractive, calm, in control, completely unbothered. Meanwhile, Kristen felt like a mess. She smoothed down her blouse, ran a hand through her dark waves, and forced herself to step forward.

Jalen's eyes snapped to hers immediately. And when they locked gazes, she swore she saw something flicker in his expression. Like he knew. Like he could tell she had been thinking about him. Dreaming about him. Wanting him.

Kristen forced a smile and approached, her voice steady despite the rapid thudding in her chest. "Jalen. Good to see you again."

Jalen smirked, his handshake firm and warm as his dark eyes held hers just a second longer than necessary. "Good to see you too."

Kristen's stomach flipped. This was going to be a long meeting.

Later, Kristen sat across from Jalen and Jim in the conference room, her back straight, hands neatly folded over the project folder in front of her. She was trying her best to stay focused. Jalen sat calm and composed, exuding his usual quiet confidence as he spoke with ease. Meanwhile, Jim was hanging on to his every word--nodding, asking follow-up questions, completely absorbed in Jalen's expertise and vision. And Kristen? She was barely holding it together. She was stuck staring at him, pretending to take notes, pretending that she was as engaged in the discussion as Jim was. But her thoughts were betraying her. Jalen's sleeves were rolled up, exposing his strong forearms, the veins in his hands visible as he gestured. His voice was deep, steady, smooth as silk, and every time he said words like "sturdy foundation" or "reinforced structure," Kristen found her mind going places it definitely shouldn't. She clenched her thighs together beneath the table.

"God, get a grip, Kristen!" She thought to herself.

Jalen, of course, was completely composed. If he noticed how flustered she was, he didn't show it. His focus remained on the proposal, breaking down his pricing, the construction timeline, the efficiency of his designs.

Jim, enthralled, leaned forward. "Jalen, I gotta say, you clearly know your stuff. Everything you're proposing makes a lot of sense. The cost is a little higher than we anticipated, but after hearing your breakdown, I can see why."

Jalen nodded. "I understand the budget concern, but the quality of materials and the additional storage optimization will ensure this space is not only functional but built to last."

Kristen was barely keeping up with the conversation at this point. She had the numbers in front of her. She had gone through them last night. She should be asking questions. She should be engaged. But instead, all she could focus on was how effortlessly Jalen commanded the room.

Jim, completely oblivious to Kristen's internal struggles, kept talking. "Kristen, what do you think? This all looks solid, right?"

She snapped out of it, forcing herself to sound normal. "Uh--yes. Yes, I agree. The layout is excellent, and I like the long-term efficiency considerations."

Jalen smirked slightly, just barely. Like he knew. Like he could sense the way she was struggling. Kristen crossed her legs beneath the table, gripping her pen a little too tightly as she tried to rein in the storm inside her.

After nearly an hour, Jim finally leaned back, satisfied. "Alright, Jalen. I think this is exactly what we need. Let me run some final budget approvals, and we'll get back to you with an official go-ahead."

Jalen nodded, standing smoothly. "Sounds good. Take your time. Let me know if you need any adjustments."

Kristen stood as well, feeling lightheaded, relieved that the meeting was over but not relieved at all that she'd have to walk Jalen out.

Jim clapped Jalen on the shoulder. "Kristen, why don't you show Jalen out? I'll get started on finalizing the budget discussion."

Kristen forced a tight smile. "Of course."

As they stepped into the hallway, the air felt different. The tension between them was real now. And as they walked toward the entrance, Kristen could feel Jalen watching her. She had made it through the meeting. But now, alone with him, she wasn't sure she'd make it through this short walk without completely losing her composure. As they approached the lobby exit, Kristen thought she was in the clear. The meeting was over. She had survived an hour of barely holding herself together, flustered out of her mind while Jalen remained his cool, confident, completely unshaken self. All she had to do now was walk him to the door, and then she could finally breathe again.

But just as they neared the exit, Jalen suddenly stopped in his tracks. "Oh! Shoot, I almost forgot!"

Kristen's heart skipped a beat as she turned to face him.

Jalen pulled out his phone, casually unlocking it with his thumb. "Let me accept your friend request--my bad," he said smoothly. "I saw the notification, but I always forget to go into Facebook and accept those darn things. I definitely should've accepted yours right away."

Kristen felt her entire body freeze. Her breath caught in her throat. "Oh, God." She thought.

This is happening. Right now. Her stomach flipped, her hands suddenly clammy as she watched him tap through his phone with ease, completely unaware of the absolute spiral she was going through in real-time. He saw it. He saw the friend request. And now he was accepting it--right in front of her.

Kristen swallowed hard, trying to sound casual, trying not to look like she wanted to disappear into the floor. "Oh--uh--yeah, no worries. I, um, wasn't sure if you'd seen it."

Jalen glanced up from his phone, smirking slightly. "Of course I saw it. Wouldn't ignore you, Kristen."

Wouldn't ignore you. Why did that sound so much deeper than it should?

She forced out a small laugh, hoping it didn't sound as nervous as she felt. "Well, uh, thanks for accepting."

"Idiot. Why did you say thanks?" She thought to herself.

Jalen's smirk lingered as he slipped his phone back into his pocket. "Yeah, now I get to see what you're up to outside of work."

Kristen's heart pounded. "Oh, God." She thought again.

He's going to see everything. Not just the professional side of her, but her life. Her old photos, her posts, everything. Her fiancé. The thought hit her like a brick. Her fiancé. Rob. The man who had barely looked at her in weeks. The man she hadn't thought about once while pleasuring herself to the thought of Jalen Moss. And now? Now Jalen was about to see into the life she had been desperately trying to ignore.

Kristen forced a smile, stepping back, needing air. "Well, um--glad we got that settled." She let out a small, awkward laugh. "I'll let you know when Jim finalizes the budget discussion."

Jalen nodded, but his dark eyes lingered on her just a second longer, as if he could sense something shifting in the air. "Sounds good, Kristen."

Then, with one last look, he walked out the door. And Kristen? She just stood there, gripping the door handle, staring at her own reflection in the glass.

*********************************

Jalen sat in his truck, his hands pressed against his face, his mind racing. No. No, this can't be right. But he had felt it. That same pull. That same warm sensation deep in his chest. Just like with Sydney. The Beyonder had told him that when he met one of the eight, he would know. And just now--as Kristen walked him to the door, as their eyes locked for that fleeting moment--he had felt it. But this time? This time, it didn't make sense. Because Kristen Stanley was engaged. To a guy named Rob Patton. Jalen had seen it the second he accepted her friend request--her relationship status, clear as day.

"Engaged to Rob Patton"

Jalen let out a long breath, staring blankly out the windshield. "What the hell am I supposed to do?" He said to himself.

He wasn't a homewrecker. He wasn't some selfish asshole who went after engaged women, who tore apart relationships for his own benefit. This didn't feel right. There had to be some mistake. Maybe the Beyonder got it wrong. Maybe Kristen wasn't supposed to be one of them. Or maybe... maybe she was, but the timing was all wrong. Jalen rubbed his temple, his jaw tight. He had just gotten himself wrapped up in something big with Sydney Swanson. And now this? He needed to think. He needed to figure out what the hell to do next. Because if Kristen was truly one of the eight, and if fate was going to pull them toward each other anyway...Then how was this supposed to happen without him destroying her engagement in the process? Jalen exhaled sharply. He didn't have the answers. Not yet.

*********************************

Jalen spent the entire weekend trying to push Kristen out of his mind. Trying to convince himself that this was just business. That whatever pull he felt toward her was a mistake. That the Beyonder had somehow gotten it wrong. Because if he didn't believe that, then he had to face something far more dangerous. So, by Monday morning, Jalen had almost talked himself into walking away from the whole damn project. He'd tell them something came up. That his schedule was too packed. That he couldn't take it on after all. Because if he stayed in Kristen's orbit, if he worked closely with her every day, there was a chance that something could happen. Something that could turn everything upside down. Something that could pull him into a situation he wasn't ready to handle. But then...Monday afternoon. His phone buzzed with an email notification. He glanced at the screen.

From: Kristen Stanley CC: Jim Harbor Subject: Wellness Georgia Renovation Project -- Next Steps

Jalen's stomach tightened, his pulse picking up as he clicked it open. The email read:

Hi Jalen,

I'm pleased to inform you that after reviewing all the details of your proposal, we are officially moving forward with the renovation project. Jim and I both believe your vision is exactly what we need, and we're ready to sign off and begin.

Please let us know your availability this week to come in and go over final paperwork. We're excited to work with you!

Best,

Kristen Stanley Director of Outreach & Development Wellness Georgia

Jalen exhaled sharply, leaning back in his chair. "Shit."

It's official now. He could still back out. Still make up some bullshit excuse about scheduling conflicts or personal reasons. But the way Kristen had worded the email, professional, polished, nothing personal at all, made him hesitate. She was keeping it all business. Like nothing happened. Like nothing was happening. Maybe he was overthinking it. Maybe the attraction, the tension, maybe it was all in his head. And maybe, just maybe, he was about to throw away a damn good project over something that didn't even matter. Jalen ran a hand over his beard, debating. He had a choice. Either walk away now and never find out what fate had in store... Or step into the unknown into a situation that could turn into something far more complicated, intense, and inevitable. His fingers hovered over the keyboard, his stomach still tight. And then, finally... He started typing his response.

Subject: RE: Wellness Georgia Renovation Project -- Next Steps

Hi Kristen,

I'm happy to hear that you and Jim have decided to move forward with my proposal. I appreciate the opportunity and look forward to bringing the vision to life. I'm available to meet on Wednesday to execute the agreement. I'll also take measurements that same day so I can purchase the necessary materials and plan for construction to begin next Monday.

Let me know what time works best for you and Jim, and I'll be there. Best,

Jalen Moss

Jalen hovered over the send button, still feeling that slight hesitation in his gut. Once he hit send, there was no backing out. No more convincing himself this wasn't happening. No more avoiding Kristen Stanley. With a slow exhale, he clicked send and leaned back in his chair. It was done. Now, he just had to keep things professional. This was a job, nothing more. Kristen was his client. And no matter how attractive she was, no matter how strong the pull toward her felt, he wasn't going to let this turn into something messy. Something dangerous. Something he couldn't take back. For the next two days, Jalen tried to mentally reinforce the boundaries in his head.

It's strictly business. Just keep the conversations professional. No lingering thoughts about her lips, her eyes, or the way she looked at him. Simple. Easy. Right? But deep down, Jalen knew this was going to be hard.

*********************************

By the time Wednesday morning rolled around, Jalen had convinced himself he was ready. He pulled into the Wellness Georgia parking lot right on time, parked, and grabbed his work tablet.

The moment he stepped inside, Betty Clover greeted him with her usual warmth. "Jalen! Good to see you again! They're expecting you. Let me call Kristen."

Jalen nodded, keeping his posture relaxed, his expression neutral. But the second Betty picked up the phone to call Kristen, he felt it again. That low, warm tension humming beneath the surface. And just like that, he knew. This wasn't going to be easy. Not at all.

Kristen had spent the entire morning mentally preparing herself for this. She had told herself over and over, "Be professional. Act normal. Don't let him see how nervous you are."

And yet, as she walked down the hall toward the front desk, her stomach felt tied in knots. She hadn't seen Jalen since last Thursday. Since that moment at the door when he had casually, so effortlessly, accepted her friend request, completely unaware of the absolute panic it had sent her into. And now, he was here again. She took a deep breath before stepping into the lobby. Jalen stood there, talking with Betty Clover, looking just as calm and composed as ever. His button-up shirt fit him perfectly, his dark jeans hugging his muscular frame, his posture relaxed yet commanding.

The minute his eyes landed on her, Kristen had to force herself to breathe. "Jalen," she greeted, keeping her voice smooth, professional.

He nodded, flashing that easy, confident smile. "Morning, Kristen."

She turned slightly. "Jim is ready for us. Let's go ahead and get the paperwork signed."

Jalen nodded, falling into step beside her as she led him to Jim's office. She told herself to calm down. This was business. Nothing more. Inside Jim's office, the meeting went exactly as expected. Jim reiterated his excitement for the project, Jalen asked a few final questions, and then, the contracts were signed.

Official. The project was locked in. Jalen was now fully committed. As Jim shook his hand, Kristen could feel the tension in her own chest tighten. This meant she and Jalen would be working together closely for the next several weeks. Which meant more meetings. More one-on-one time. More opportunities for things to spiral into something she wasn't sure she could control. She needed to stay professional. She needed to hold it together. Even if every cell in her body was screaming that Jalen Moss was dangerous to her sense of self-control. After the meeting, Kristen led Jalen down the hall toward the storage space. Her heels clicked against the floor, her palms slightly sweaty as she struggled to act like this was just another routine workday. Jalen, as usual, was calm. Unbothered. Effortlessly in control. Or at least... he seemed that way.

Once inside the storage room, Jalen got to work, pulling out his measuring tape and jotting down notes on his work tablet. Kristen stood a few feet away, arms crossed, watching him with a practiced, professional neutral expression. At least... she tried to. But her eyes betrayed her. She couldn't help but notice the way his forearms flexed every time he stretched the measuring tape. Or how his dark eyes flickered with sharp focus, completely locked into what he was doing. Or how--damn it--he just smelled good.

She cleared her throat. "So... did you have a good weekend?" Small talk. Safe. Normal.

Jalen glanced up briefly, giving her a small smirk. "Yeah, it was solid. Got some work done, watched the Falcons game."

Kristen nodded, desperate to keep the conversation light. "Ah, and let me guess--you're one of those fans who refuse to give up on them?"

Jalen chuckled, his voice deep and warm. "Gotta stay loyal, even when they break my heart every season." Kristen laughed softly, grateful for the ease of the moment.

Jalen continued his measurements, but then he suddenly asked, "What about you? Good weekend?"

Kristen's stomach clenched. Because the truth? Her weekend had been spent overanalyzing everything. Overthinking that friend request. Wondering why he hadn't accepted it sooner. Wondering if he even thought about her at all. Wondering why she cared so much.

She kept her smile in place, tilting her head slightly. "Oh, you know. The usual. Spent time with Rob, ran some errands, caught up on some shows."

She had thrown Rob's name in there on purpose. To remind herself that he existed. To remind Jalen that he existed. To create distance. Jalen didn't react much.

He simply nodded, scribbling something onto his tablet before casually responding, "Sounds nice."

But the air between them? It shifted. Just slightly. Not enough for anyone else to notice. But enough for Kristen to feel it deep in her chest. Like she had just touched a live wire. Like she had just said something wrong. Or maybe... Like she had just confirmed something he already knew. The rest of the measurement process continued smoothly, but the underlying tension never disappeared. Kristen kept trying to act normal. Jalen kept trying to stay professional. But every time their eyes met, every time they exchanged a casual remark, every time she noticed something small about him that made her heart race. The air in the storage room had already been thick. Kristen had been struggling all morning to keep things professional, light, normal, anything but the overwhelming tension simmering between her and Jalen. And for the most part, she had held it together. Until she didn't.

Jalen was on one knee, stretching his measuring tape along the lower wall, his broad shoulders flexing, his fingers effortlessly handling the tool with practiced precision. Kristen watched him, trying not to. Trying not to notice the way his forearms flexed, or how focused he looked when he worked, or how damn good he smelled this close. She was just making small talk, anything to fill the silence.

But then, it slipped out. "You look good doing that."

Jalen froze mid-measurement. Kristen's stomach dropped instantly. "Oh my God. Did I just... did I really just say that?" She thought to herself mortified.

She felt the words hanging in the air, irreversible, undeniable, too damn obvious. Jalen slowly lifted his gaze to her, his expression unreadable, his dark eyes locked onto hers. Kristen's face burned hot. Backpedal. Now.

She let out a nervous laugh, waving a hand quickly. "I--I mean, uh--you're just really good at what you do. Like, it's impressive. Professionally. As a contractor."

Jalen raised an eyebrow, still watching her. A slow smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"Oh, he heard exactly what I said." Kristen thought to herself.

Kristen looked away, her heart hammering, pretending to examine a completely random shelf like it was the most interesting thing in the world. Jalen didn't say anything at first. He just went back to his work, but she could feel it. That small, almost imperceptible shift in the air. The unspoken acknowledgment that something had just changed. And Kristen? Kristen wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear. Jalen, still kneeling, finished his measurement and jotted something onto his tablet. But his mind wasn't on the numbers anymore. Kristen had been acting normal all morning. Too normal, like she was trying too hard to pretend there wasn't something between them. But now? Now, she had slipped. Now, she had let something true slip out. And even though she had backpedaled immediately, even though she had laughed it off, Jalen heard it. Felt it. That small, momentary crack in her composure. And it told him everything. Kristen felt it too. She was just fighting it. But how long was that going to last?

Jalen didn't press the moment. Didn't call her out on it. Didn't tease her--yet. Instead, he finished his measurements, stood up, and gave her a casual nod. "Appreciate that, Kristen."

Kristen swallowed hard, her hands gripping the edge of a nearby shelf, avoiding his eyes.

"Yeah. Sure. No problem." She sounded breathless. Jalen just smirked to himself.

Kristen was a mess. She barely made it through the rest of the afternoon, her mind completely stuck on what she had said. "You look good doing that."

The moment kept replaying in her head on a loop, each time worse than before. How could she have let that slip? How could she have been so obvious? She had tried to brush it off, tried to keep things moving, but the second it happened, she felt it. Jalen had heard it. Jalen had felt it too. And even though he played it cool, she knew. He knew. She avoided making too much eye contact for the rest of the measurements, hoping that maybe, just maybe, he would let it go. Maybe he wouldn't say anything. Maybe she could pretend it didn't happen. But of course Jalen wasn't going to let her off that easy. Once the measurements were finished, Kristen walked Jalen back toward the entrance, trying to keep it together. She was so close to making it out of this without further embarrassment. So. Close. Jalen stopped at the door, slipping his tablet into his bag before turning toward her.

"Appreciate you showing me around today," he said smoothly.

Kristen nodded quickly, eager to wrap this up before she accidentally made another career-ending slip-up. "Of course. Looking forward to seeing everything come together."

She went to open the door for him, but then... Jalen smirked. That slow, knowing, almost-too-amused smirk. And then, in that deep, teasing voice, he added, "And hey... glad you like watching me work."

Kristen's entire body went hot. She froze mid-step, her eyes snapping up to him in pure panic. "Oh my God. He did not just say that." She thought.

Jalen just flashed her that damn smirk again, giving her a casual nod before stepping outside. And Kristen? Kristen just stood there, completely flustered, speechless, and on the verge of a full-blown breakdown. He knew exactly what he was doing. And now, she was never going to live this down.

Later on, at home, Kristen had spent the rest of the evening replaying the moment over and over, cringing every time. She had tried to distract herself, putting on a show with Rob, pretending to be interested in whatever was happening on screen. But it wasn't working. Her mind was still on Jalen. On his voice. His smirk. His confidence. On how he had teased her like it was nothing like he was completely in control, while she was barely holding herself together. She needed to clear her head. So she did what any rational, completely-not-spiraling person would do. She opened Facebook. Scrolled through her notifications. And then... her breath hitched. Right there, under the "Recent Activity" section:

"Jalen Moss liked your photo"

Kristen's heart stopped. Her eyes widened as she clicked it, already feeling her stomach drop. And the picture? It wasn't new. It was from three months ago. A candid shot of her at an outdoor brunch spot, wearing a summer dress, sunglasses perched on top of her head, lips painted a soft red. It wasn't a work photo. It wasn't a recent post. He had scrolled. He had gone back and scrolled. Kristen's pulse raced. This wasn't random. This wasn't an accident. This meant something. And for the first time, she realized that she wasn't the only one spiraling. Jalen was thinking about her too. And that? That was even more dangerous.

*********************************

By 11 PM, Kristen was deep in the rabbit hole. She had gone through pretty much all of Jalen's photos. His work photos, casual photos, old basketball shots--she had seen them all now. And the worst part? Every single one made her want him even more. It was dangerous. The way he carried himself, the way his eyes always looked so steady, so in control. It was the kind of attraction that went beyond physical, though, let's be honest, the physical part was damn near overwhelming. She had debated for way too long whether she should like one of his pictures back. Something subtle. Nothing too obvious. But every time she hovered over the like button, she hesitated. It felt too obvious. Too thirsty. Too much like admitting the truth. And she wasn't ready to admit anything. Not to Jalen. Not to herself. So, with a frustrated sigh, she locked her phone, placed it face-down on the nightstand, and forced herself to sleep.

She didn't know how it started. All she knew was that she was back in the storage room. But this time, it wasn't like before. The lights were dimmer, the air warmer, the atmosphere charged with an unspoken promise. Jalen was standing close, closer than before, closer than he ever had. Kristen's back was against the shelves, her breath caught in her throat as his dark eyes bore into hers. "You look nervous," he murmured, his voice a deep, teasing whisper. Kristen swallowed, but she couldn't move, couldn't breathe. She wasn't nervous. She was burning. Jalen's hands came to rest on her hips, his grip firm, steady, like he already owned her body. Her pulse pounded as he leaned in, his breath warm against her skin.

"I told you," He whispered, his lips just inches from hers.

"I like knowing you watch me."

Kristen shivered, her lips parting--but she couldn't respond. Because Jalen's mouth was coming closer, closer, closer--And just as his lips were about to claim hers...

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Kristen jerked awake, her body on fire, her breath ragged and uneven. Her alarm was blaring, but she barely even registered it. She was too busy processing what the hell just happened. Her hands gripped the sheets, her skin still tingling from the phantom sensation of his touch. It felt so real. Too real. And now? Now, there was no denying it anymore. She didn't just want him. She craved him. And after that dream? It was only going to get worse.

**********************************

The following Monday, Jalen was scheduled to begin construction. Kristen had been dreading this day. And at the same time, she had been aching for it. Ever since that dream, she had been completely on edge. She had tried to shake it off, tried to pretend it was just a dream, just a manifestation of stress or curiosity or anything but what it actually was. But she knew better. She knew exactly what it was. She wanted Jalen. Desperately. And today? Today, she would have to spend time around him all over again. Because, as fate would have it, Jim had assigned her the task of overseeing the renovation process. Which meant she had to check in on Jalen. Which meant she had to watch him work. Which meant she was probably going to lose her goddamn mind.

Kristen arrived at Wellness Georgia a little before 9 AM, and the second she stepped inside, she could already hear the faint sounds of construction. Drills, movement, the deep murmur of Jalen giving instructions to his crew. Her stomach tightened. She told herself to calm down, but it was useless. She walked toward the storage room, forcing herself to breathe normally. And then--She saw him. Jalen stood in the middle of the room, his fitted black t-shirt clinging to his broad chest, his muscular arms flexing as he lifted a heavy wooden beam into place. His gray work pants hung low on his hips, his tool belt snug around his waist, emphasizing just how strong and built he was. He looked like something out of a damn fantasy. And for Kristen, it was a fantasy. One she had already indulged in way too many times in her head. Her breath hitched, but she quickly pulled herself together.

"Professional. Stay professional." She thought.

She cleared her throat and stepped inside. Jalen turned, and the second his dark eyes met hers--her pulse skyrocketed. Because there it was again. That same undeniable energy. That same pull. Like they were standing in a room on fire, and only they could feel the heat.

"Morning, Kristen," Jalen greeted smoothly, his voice deep and calm, as if he wasn't even affected.

Kristen forced a smile, hoping he didn't notice the way her knees nearly buckled. "Morning. Just checking in to see how everything's going."

Jalen wiped a bit of sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand, his strong arms flexing with the motion. "Everything's on schedule so far. We're just reinforcing this side before moving to the back wall."

Kristen nodded, pretending like she actually absorbed any of those words. In reality, all she could focus on was the way he was watching her. Like he could tell. Like he knew exactly what was on her mind. And the worst part? She wanted him to know. She wanted him to see just how badly she wanted him to wreck her. But she couldn't. She wouldn't. She was engaged. She was here to do a job. She was not here to fantasize about Jalen bending her over one of those workbenches and making her scream his name. Kristen swallowed hard, clearing her throat again.

"Good. That's--good. Keep up the great work," she said, a little too quickly, turning on her heel before she did something stupid.

But as she walked away, she heard it. That same deep, amused chuckle. She didn't have to turn around to know Jalen was smirking. Like he knew exactly what she was thinking. And the truth was? He probably did.

**********************************

Over the course of the week Kristen tried to avoid checking in too much. Kristen had told herself she was going to keep her distance. She wasn't going to let herself get caught up in whatever was happening between her and Jalen. She was engaged. She was a professional. She was just here to oversee the project. That was it. That was the plan. And by the end of Monday, she had already failed miserably.

By Tuesday morning, Kristen decided she was only going to check in once. A quick visit. Five minutes. That's it. She lasted until 10 AM before she found herself hovering outside the storage room. Just checking in. Just making sure everything's okay. She walked inside, expecting a brief update, but instead, she was met with Jalen, standing in front of the back wall, clipboard in hand, focused, confident, looking ridiculously good in his work gear.

"You need something, Kristen?" he asked smoothly, glancing up.

Kristen flushed, realizing she had been staring. "Uh, yeah. Just--wanted to see how things are coming along."

Jalen smirked, tilting his head slightly. "Still on schedule. Same as when you checked in two hours ago."

Kristen's face burned. Damn it. He noticed. She cleared her throat, forcing herself to act normal. "Right. Of course. Just, uh... making sure."

And then, like a total coward, she turned and left before she made it worse.

By midweek, she had fully lost control. She had told herself to limit check-ins to just once per day. That rule lasted until lunch. By 2 PM, she was walking toward the storage room again. She had a reason this time. A real reason. Or so she told herself.

She entered the room with forced confidence. "Hey, Jalen, I just wanted to go over..."

She froze. Jalen was standing near the supply table, his shirt off, sweat glistening on his chest, his muscles tight from lifting materials. Kristen's brain short-circuited. "Oh, God. Oh, God. Oh, God." Her mind said panicking.

Jalen turned, grabbing a rag to wipe his face, completely unbothered. "You wanted to go over what?" he asked casually, his deep voice too smooth, too knowing.

Kristen had no idea what she had come in here for anymore. Her eyes darted to the clipboard in her hand, as if it might remind her of a legitimate reason for being here. She had nothing. No excuse. No plan. Just a full-body meltdown. She forced herself to look at literally anything but him.

"Never mind," she blurted, spinning on her heel and rushing out before she embarrassed herself further.

By a certain point, it was official. Kristen had no self-control. At this point, Kristen wasn't even pretending. She kept finding reasons to stop by.

One time it was: "I just wanted to check if you need anything." Ridiculous. He was fully stocked.

Another time it was: "Oh, I forgot to ask about the timeline again." Lie. She had the full schedule in her email.

And another time it was: "Jim wanted me to follow up." Half-truth. Jim had mentioned it, but he never told her to do it immediately.

By now, Jalen had to know. And he was enjoying it. She could see it in his smirk every time she walked in and hear it in his voice when he said things like, "Didn't expect to see you again so soon, Kristen." Or, "You check on all your contractors this much?"

She hated him. And she wanted him. Desperately. And worst of all? She knew it was only a matter of time before she snapped.

That Friday, by 5:15 PM, the office was nearly empty. Most of the staff had already left, eager to start their weekend, and Kristen assumed Jalen had gone for the day too. She had been trying, desperately, to keep her distance, to limit her check-ins, to act like nothing was happening. But deep down, she knew she was failing miserably. So when she walked past the storage area one last time before heading out, she was genuinely surprised to see Jalen still there. Alone. He was wrapping up for the day, moving some tools aside, double-checking his plans on his tablet. Kristen hesitated in the doorway, unsure if she should say something, or if she should just keep walking. Before she could decide, Jalen glanced up and noticed her.

He gave her that easy, effortless smile, his deep voice warm. "Didn't realize I was keeping you waiting. My bad."

Kristen blinked, thrown off. "Oh... I wasn't waiting on you."

Jalen smirked slightly, his eyes too knowing. "You sure?"

Kristen flushed, immediately defensive. "Yes, I'm sure. I was just... heading out."

Jalen nodded, leaning casually against the workbench, crossing his arms over his broad chest. "Long week?" he asked.

Kristen exhaled, relaxing just a little. "Yeah. Pretty long."

She glanced around the half-finished storage room, then back at him. "You've been working hard too, though."

Jalen shrugged. "Comes with the job."

Kristen studied him for a moment, then made a split-second decision. Instead of leaving, she stepped further inside. "Do you ever get tired of it?"

Jalen raised an eyebrow. "Of what?"

"Your work. Construction. Renovations. Dealing with demanding clients like me." Kristen replied.

Jalen let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. "Nah, I love what I do. Always have. It's one of the few things in life that makes sense to me."

Kristen tilted her head, intrigued. "How'd you get into it?"

Jalen set down his tablet, surprised by her interest. "My dad was in the trade. Used to take me along when I was a kid, let me help out here and there. He passed when I was ten, but I guess I just... kept going with it. It felt right. Like something I was supposed to do."

Kristen's heart softened. She had never heard him talk about his father before. Something about the way he said it, matter of fact, but with a quiet weight beneath it, made her chest tighten. "I'm sorry," she said softly.

Jalen shrugged; his expression unreadable. "It was a long time ago."

Kristen hesitated, then decided to open up a little too. "My dad wasn't around much either. Not because he passed, but because he was always working. Climbing the corporate ladder. I grew up knowing that 'success' meant long hours and sacrifices. And I guess... I kind of followed that path too."

Jalen studied her, his dark eyes sharp. "And do you like it?"

Kristen paused. No one had ever really asked her that before. She was good at what she did--that much she knew. But did she actually love it? Did she wake up excited for the work she did every day? She swallowed. "I don't know."

Jalen nodded, as if he already expected that answer. There was a long silence. For the first time, their usual teasing and tension was replaced by something else. Something real. Kristen's chest felt tight as she realized--this was dangerous too. It wasn't just about physical attraction anymore. She was starting to care. And that might be even more dangerous than wanting him.

"Do you want to grab a bite or something? Or do you have to get home?" Jalen asks.

Kristen's breath caught in her throat. She hadn't expected that. She and Jalen had been talking, really talking, for the first time. No teasing, no tension-laced games, just an honest conversation about their lives. And now? Jalen had just asked her to dinner. Or at least, that's what it sounded like. Kristen forced herself to think rationally. Maybe it wasn't a big deal. Maybe he was just being polite, just offering a meal because they had been working late, because it was almost 6 PM and he probably hadn't eaten all day. But the way he had said it... "Do you want to get a bite? Or do you have to get home?"

It felt like more than that. And the worst part? Kristen wanted to say yes. So badly. But she was engaged. She had a fiancé waiting at home. She had a life that wasn't supposed to include Jalen Moss.

Kristen swallowed, trying to keep her voice steady. "I--um..."

Jalen watched her, calm and unreadable, like he could tell she was struggling, like he was waiting to see what she would do.

She had two choices. Say no, go home to Rob, pretend this conversation never happened; or... say yes, sit across from Jalen over dinner, and let this thing between them keep unraveling.

Kristen wet her lips, her pulse hammering. She knew what she should say. But instead... "Yeah. Sure. I could eat."

She heard herself say it before she even fully processed what she was doing. Jalen raised an eyebrow slightly, like he was surprised she actually agreed, but he didn't question it.

Instead, he just gave a slow nod. "Cool. I know a spot."

Kristen swallowed hard. "Cool," she echoed, pretending like this was normal. Like this wasn't a mistake. Like this wasn't the most dangerous thing she could possibly be doing right now.

Chapter 4

Jalen took Kristen to a small, relaxed spot, a bar and grill with a mix of booths and high-top tables, warm lighting, and a casual crowd. It wasn't fancy. It wasn't romantic. But somehow, that almost made it worse. Because it wasn't the place that mattered. It was him. Kristen told herself this was just dinner. Just two colleagues grabbing a meal after a long week. But the moment they sat down across from each other, menus in hand, she felt it. The same undeniable pull that had been following them all week. She needed to talk, about anything, before her thoughts betrayed her even more.

"So," she started, clearing her throat, "how do you usually spend your weekends when you're not working?" She asked.

Jalen leaned back slightly, his dark eyes flicking over her before he answered. "Nothing too crazy. I usually catch a game, maybe shoot some hoops, hang out with my boys. What about you?"

Kristen hesitated. What could she say? Should she tell him the truth? That most of her weekends consisted of boring, routine dinners with Rob followed by them sitting in the same room, barely talking, watching separate screens?

She went for a half-truth instead. "I don't know. I feel like most weekends just... blend together."

Jalen gave her a look like he knew exactly what she meant. "Yeah?" he mused, his tone just a little too knowing.

Kristen shrugged, staring at her water glass. "Yeah."

And then... He asked the question she had been dreading. "So what's the deal with you and Rob?"

Kristen's stomach tightened. She looked up, and Jalen was watching her closely now. Not teasing. Not smirking. Just watching. Waiting.

Kristen swallowed, forcing a small smile. "What do you mean?"

Jalen leaned forward slightly, resting his arms on the table. "I mean... do you ever talk about him? 'Cause I've been around you all week, and his name barely comes up."

Kristen's throat went dry. She hadn't even realized it until now. She had barely mentioned Rob at all. Kristen licked her lips, shifting in her seat. "We've just been busy. He travels a lot for work. It's fine."

Jalen raised an eyebrow. "Is it?"

Kristen's stomach twisted. She knew what he was doing. He was giving her a chance to be honest. A chance to admit that her relationship wasn't as solid as it should be.

Kristen exhaled sharply, looking away. "It's... complicated."

Jalen didn't push. But his silence said everything.

Later in the conversation Jalen was sharing his thoughts on relationships, making Kristen question her own even more. Kristen sat perfectly still, her fingers lightly gripping the edge of her water glass, trying not to let Jalen's words sink in too deeply. But it was impossible. Because every single thing he was saying was hitting home in a way she wasn't ready for. Jalen sat across from her, relaxed but intentional, his deep voice steady, his gaze locked onto hers like he wasn't just speaking--He was making a point.

"I just think..." Jalen started, swirling the ice in his drink before glancing back at her. "A relationship shouldn't feel like a job. It shouldn't feel like you're constantly convincing yourself you're happy when you're really not."

Kristen's stomach tightened. Jalen leaned forward slightly, resting his arms on the table.

"I believe that if you're with someone, you should feel loved. Completely. And if you ever stop feeling that way, you should be able to talk about it. If you can't? If the other person isn't willing to hear you out or give you what you need?" He shook his head, "Then they don't deserve you."

Kristen swallowed hard, looking away. Because the words felt like they were tailored for her. Like he had been watching her all week, reading every hesitation, every strained smile, every moment where she had held back the truth. She had spent so much time convincing herself that her relationship with Rob was fine. That the distance was just a phase. That the lack of passion was normal after being together for a few years. That it was okay to go days, sometimes weeks, without having a real conversation. But sitting here, listening to Jalen say it so plainly, so confidently. It made her feel like she had been lying to herself for a long time.

She forced a small smile, trying to deflect. "Sounds like you've got it all figured out."

Jalen gave a low chuckle. "Not at all. But I know what I want. And I know what I won't settle for."

Kristen bit the inside of her cheek, her heart pounding. Because if Jalen believed that... If he truly refused to settle for anything less than real love, real effort, real passion... Then what the hell was she doing? She glanced down at her phone, still in her lap, the screen dark. No texts. No missed calls. Rob hadn't even noticed she was gone. Jalen noticed. Jalen saw her. Jalen listened. Kristen inhaled sharply, blinking a few times to shake the weight of her thoughts.

"I should probably get going soon," she said quickly, feeling like she needed to run before she let this get any deeper.

Jalen didn't argue. Didn't push. Just nodded slowly, his eyes still watching her closely. "Alright."

But there was something in his tone. Something like he knew this conversation wasn't over.

Kristen went home. She walked into the house, her mind still tangled in the conversation she'd just had with Jalen. Her entire drive home, she had told herself that this wasn't about Jalen. This was about her relationship. This was about figuring out if she and Rob were even on the same page anymore. She had to talk to him. She needed to talk to him. She had been putting it off for too long. And after hearing Jalen say, so clearly, that a relationship should be about feeling loved, that partners should be able to communicate when they don't feel that way, Kristen knew she had to say something.

Because if she didn't? Then maybe Jalen was right. Maybe Rob really didn't deserve her.

Kristen found Rob in the living room, sitting on the couch, laptop open, barely acknowledging her when she walked in. Of course. She set her purse down and took a deep breath. "Hey, can we talk?"

Rob barely looked up, still typing something. "Yeah, give me a second. Just finishing this email."

Kristen swallowed down her frustration, waiting until he finally shut his laptop and turned to her.

"What's up?" he asked, as if this was just a normal night. As if she hadn't been sitting on something that had been eating away at her for months.

She crossed her arms, choosing her words carefully. "I just... I feel like we don't really talk anymore. We don't spend time together like we used to."

Rob sighed, already looking exhausted by the conversation before it even started. "Kristen, we've been over this. You know I've been busy with work."

Kristen's chest tightened. She wasn't going to let him brush her off this time. "I know you're busy, Rob. But I'm telling you that I feel like our relationship isn't getting the attention it needs. And if we don't put in the effort, it's going to--"

"Kristen, this is a crucial time in my career," he cut in, rubbing his temples like he was already tired of this. "I need to be hyper-focused right now because this could eventually set me up for a cushy position in the future."

Kristen stared at him. That's what this was about? He wanted her to just wait it out until he got some easier job in the future? "Rob, I get that your job is important. But our relationship needs attention too. Or it can die."

Rob shook his head, clearly not seeing it the same way. "No, what I need is for you to be more supportive during this time," he argued. "This isn't forever, Kristen. I just need you to hang on until I get to a better position."

Kristen felt a sharp pang in her chest. That was it? That was his solution? For her to just wait? For her to deal with the loneliness, the lack of connection, the emotional distance until some undefined point in the future when he finally decided to make her a priority?

Her fingers tightened into fists at her sides. "And what if I don't want to wait, Rob?" she asked quietly.

Rob finally looked at her, really looked at her, and for a split second, she saw it. The realization that maybe, just maybe, he was losing her. But instead of trying to fix it, instead of meeting her halfway, he just exhaled sharply. "Kristen, I don't have time for this conversation right now."

And with that, he grabbed his laptop, stood up, and walked toward their bedroom. Leaving her standing there alone. Again. Just like always. Kristen felt frozen in place, her mind spinning, her chest tight. He didn't get it. He wasn't even trying to get it. And maybe... Maybe that was the real problem. She had been fooling herself for months, pretending that things would get better, that this was just a rough patch. But what if it wasn't? What if this was just who Rob was? Someone who would always put work first. Someone who expected her to just wait around, hoping for scraps of his attention. She had been waiting for a sign. And now, she had it. Jalen's words echoed in her head.

"If the other person isn't willing to hear you out or give you what you need... then they don't deserve you."

Kristen blinked, her throat tight, her mind made up. She wasn't going to wait forever. She wasn't going to let herself disappear in this relationship. Because she deserved more. She deserved to be loved. And if Rob couldn't see that? Then maybe it was time to stop pretending this was something it wasn't. Kristen hadn't even thought to check her phone while arguing with Rob. She had been too caught up, too frustrated, too disappointed to even glance at it. But now? Now that she was alone, sitting on the couch in the dimly lit living room, her thoughts racing-- She finally picked up her phone and unlocked it. And that's when she saw it. A message from Jalen. On Facebook Messenger:

"Hey, thanks for having dinner with me. I know your schedule is busy. I hope your fiancé knows how awesome you are."

Kristen stared at the words, her breath catching in her throat. It wasn't flirtatious. It wasn't even inappropriate. But somehow, it still felt heavier than it should. Because Jalen had just done something Rob hadn't done in a long time. He had acknowledged her. He had appreciated her. And the worst part? She didn't even have an answer to the unspoken question in his message. Did Rob know how amazing she was? Because after the conversation she'd just had with him, the answer felt painfully clear. No. He didn't. Not in the way Jalen already seemed to. And that was the part that scared her the most. Kristen's fingers hovered over the keyboard. She wanted to respond. She wanted to say something. But what? What was there to say? She couldn't tell him about the argument she'd just had with Rob. She couldn't tell him how much his words had made her feel seen in a way she hadn't felt in so long. She couldn't tell him that she was laying here, heart pounding, knowing damn well that she was on the edge of something she wouldn't be able to come back from. So instead, she did nothing. She locked her phone and set it face-down on the couch, as if that would stop her from thinking about him. As if that would erase the fact that Jalen's words had lingered longer than Rob's ever did. As if she didn't already know, deep down, that her life was on the verge of changing. And it was only a matter of time before she stopped fighting it.

A few hours later, Kristen laid in bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind a war zone. Her body was exhausted, but her brain wouldn't shut off. Not after that conversation with Rob. Not after Jalen's message. Not after the way her heart had pounded when she read it, like her body already knew the truth before she was willing to admit it. She had set her phone down, convinced that ignoring it would make everything go away. But it didn't. The words were still there, playing over and over again in her head like a song she couldn't turn off.

"Hey, thanks for having dinner with me. I know your schedule is busy. I hope your fiancé knows how awesome you are."

Does he know? Does he even care? Kristen rolled onto her side, her fingers itching to pick up her phone again. She wanted to respond. She wanted to type something, anything, just to keep the conversation going. But she didn't trust herself. Not right now. Not when her emotions were too raw, too tangled up in everything that had just happened. She needed to be careful. One wrong move, and she was crossing a line. A line that she wasn't sure she'd be able to come back from. She stared at her phone, debating. She could say something polite and neutral.

"Thanks, Jalen. Dinner was nice." Safe. But too impersonal. Too much like she was ignoring what he had really said. She could be honest.

"Rob doesn't see me the way you do." Kristen's heart skipped a beat just thinking about typing that. Because if she said it out loud, then she couldn't keep pretending anymore. Then she would have to face the truth. That Jalen wasn't just some harmless distraction. That this wasn't just some passing moment of temptation. That there was something real between them. And if she admitted that... What would that mean for everything else?

*********************************

Kristen tossed and turned all night, her phone still sitting untouched on the nightstand. She would close her eyes, only to see Jalen's face in her mind. The way he had looked at her over dinner. The way he had talked about relationships, about love, about not settling. The way his voice had sounded so sure, so certain in what he wanted. And then she would think of Rob. How he had dismissed her. How he had basically told her to just wait. Wait to be loved. Wait to matter. Kristen's chest tightened. She turned over, staring at her phone one more time. The message was still there. Waiting. Just like her. But in the end? She didn't respond. She just let it sit there. And even though she never typed a single word back, she knew something had already shifted. And no matter how hard she tried to fight it... She wasn't sure she wanted to stop it anymore.

On Monday, Kristen hung back at the end of the day to talk to Jalen again. Kristen had been telling herself all day that she wasn't going to do this. That she wasn't going to linger when she didn't have to. But here she was. It was the end of the workday, and most of the staff had already left, leaving the building quiet. Jalen was still wrapping up in the storage room, looking over his notes, packing up his tools. And Kristen? Kristen was standing in the doorway. She didn't even remember how she got here. But the moment Jalen looked up and saw her standing there, she knew. She wasn't fooling anyone. Least of all, herself.

Jalen smirked lightly, tossing his gloves into his bag. "You checking on me again?" Kristen tried to play it cool, crossing her arms. "Someone's gotta make sure you're actually working."

Jalen let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "You really don't trust me, huh?"

Kristen hated how easily he could disarm her. How comfortable this felt. Like they were already more than they should be.

She exhaled, stepping further into the room. "I just... wanted to talk."

Jalen nodded slowly, leaning against the workbench, watching her. Not pushing, not teasing. Just waiting. And before she knew it, they were talking again. Really talking. About work. About life. About things they hadn't told anyone else. And then, the conversation landed on Rob. Kristen felt her chest tighten, but for some reason, it didn't feel as scary as it had before. Because Jalen wasn't asking her anything. He wasn't prying. He was just relating. She told him how she and Rob didn't feel close anymore and how their last conversation went.

"I get it," Jalen said, exhaling. "I mean, it's not the same, but me and my brother? We haven't been that close lately."

Kristen looked at him, surprised. "Really? What happened?"

Jalen hesitated, running a hand over his jaw. "It's not one big thing. Just... life. We grew up together, we were close, but after high school, we started going in different directions. And now?" He exhaled sharply. "Feels like we don't even talk anymore. And when we do, it's short. Surface-level. Like we're just going through the motions."

Kristen's stomach twisted. Because that sounded so familiar. It was like he was describing her relationship with Rob. The slow disconnect. The feeling of being around someone, but still feeling alone.

"That must be hard," she murmured.

Jalen gave a small, tired shrug. "Yeah. It is. But I've realized something."

Kristen tilted her head. "What's that?"

Jalen's dark eyes met hers. "Some things you can fix. Some things you can't. But either way, you gotta be real with yourself about which one it is."

Kristen swallowed hard, her heart pounding. Because the moment he said it, she felt a sinking feeling in her chest. Like she already knew the answer when it came to Rob. Like she already knew she had been lying to herself for too long. And Jalen? Jalen could see it in her eyes. And that scared her more than anything.

Kristen hadn't meant to say it. She hadn't meant to admit how bad things had really gotten. But once Jalen opened the door, she couldn't stop herself.

"Rob and I... we haven't had a real date in almost eight months."

Jalen's eyebrows lifted slightly, but he didn't interrupt. He just let her talk. Kristen let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through her hair.

"I can't even remember the last time I had a fun night out. Not one that didn't feel forced. Not one where I wasn't just... waiting for him to check his damn phone or stop thinking about work."

Jalen leaned against the workbench, arms crossed over his chest, watching her closely. And then... he smirked.

"Then maybe it's time you have one."

Kristen blinked. "What?"

Jalen shrugged casually, like it was the easiest thing in the world.

"I was already planning to hit up Dave & Buster's tonight. If you're free, you should come."

Kristen's stomach dropped. That was dangerous. That was so, so dangerous. She hesitated. "Jalen, I..." And then she remembered-- Rob wasn't even in town. She didn't have an excuse. She didn't have a reason to say no. Except for the one that really mattered. That this was a bad idea. That this was the kind of thing that could lead to something neither of them could take back. That she already wanted to say yes too much. Jalen must have seen the hesitation on her face, because he smirked again.

"Relax, Kristen. It's just games, drinks, and a good time. No pressure."

No pressure. That was such a lie. Because every time she was around him, it felt like the air was thick with pressure. But still... She wanted this. She wanted a night where she could just be herself. Where she wasn't waiting for someone to pay attention to her. Where she could actually have fun. And maybe, just maybe, she wanted to see what it would feel like to be out with Jalen. Just once. Kristen took a breath.

And then, before she could talk herself out of it... "Okay. I'll go."

Jalen's smile widened, slow and knowing. "Good choice."

*********************************

Kristen had spent the entire drive to Dave & Buster's giving herself a pep talk. "This isn't a date. This isn't a date. This isn't a date."

Kristen changed into more comfortable clothes. She changed into a grey tank top with a dark green jacket, black leggings, and New Balance sneakers. It was just a casual night out. A friendship thing. Something normal and harmless. But the moment she walked into the bar area and saw Jalen standing there, waiting for her, something in her chest tightened. Because he looked good. Too good. He wasn't in his usual work clothes. No worn-out T-shirt or tool belt. Instead, he was wearing a fitted black polo that clung to his broad chest and shoulders, paired with clean dark jeans and fresh sneakers. He looked casual, effortless... but still ridiculously attractive. And when he saw her? That slow, knowing smirk of his made her feel completely exposed. Like he already knew this wasn't just casual for her, no matter how much she tried to pretend. God, what was she doing here? They started with drinks at the bar, something light to ease into the night. Kristen kept telling herself that this was just hanging out--that this wasn't a big deal. And for a while, it worked. They talked, they laughed, the drinks flowed. But then they started playing the games. And that's when it really started to feel like something else.

Kristen hadn't been to Dave & Buster's in years. But Jalen? Jalen moved through the place like it was his second home. Skee-ball, basketball hoops, racing games--he was good at all of it. And the way he played? So relaxed, so confident, so effortlessly fun-- Kristen realized something. She hadn't felt this alive in a long time. She wasn't thinking about work. She wasn't checking her phone. She wasn't wondering if Rob was going to call. She was just in the moment. And with every game, every playful challenge, every little bit of teasing and laughter between them-- She could feel it. That undeniable pull. The way her body gravitated toward his. The way his hand brushed against hers, how her pulse jumped every time he leaned in close. At one point, they were at a basketball shooting game, and Jalen stood behind her, watching her take a shot.

"You got the form down, but your release is too slow," he murmured.

Kristen rolled her eyes, smirking. "Oh, so now you're a coach?"

Jalen chuckled. "I'm just saying, I could help." And before she could say anything else, he stepped behind her, hands lightly resting on her waist as he adjusted her posture.

Kristen's breath hitched. Because suddenly, she wasn't thinking about the game anymore. She was thinking about how close he was. How warm his hands felt. How every inch of her body was hyper-aware of his presence.

"Try now," he said, his voice close to her ear. Kristen tried. She missed.

Jalen laughed. "Yeah, no, that was worse."

Kristen turned, smacking him lightly on the chest. "You're terrible at this!"

Jalen grinned. "Or maybe you're just distracted."

And the way he said it, low, teasing, a little too knowing, made her feel completely exposed.

It wasn't until later in the night, when they were sitting at a high-top table, sharing a plate of fries and another round of drinks, that it really hit her. This wasn't just casual. This wasn't just fun. This felt like a date. And the worst part? It was the best date she'd had in years. She wasn't pretending to have fun. She wasn't waiting for Rob to engage. She wasn't feeling like an afterthought. She was just enjoying herself. Enjoying Jalen. And when she looked across the table at him, at the way his dark eyes were focused on her, the way his lips curled in that slow, easy smile. She knew this was dangerous. Because if she wasn't careful, she wasn't just going to like spending time with Jalen. She was going to start wanting more. And there was only so long she could lie to herself about that.

Kristen had been doing so well. She had been convincing herself all night that this was just casual. Just two people hanging out. Just something harmless.

But then Jalen said it..., "I didn't expect to like you as much as I do."

And just like that, the ground beneath her shifted. Kristen's breath caught in her throat. Her fingers tightened around her glass, but she didn't take a sip. She couldn't. Because he had just changed everything. Jalen wasn't smirking anymore. He wasn't teasing. He was just looking at her, calm and sure, like he had nothing to hide. Like he wasn't afraid to say what she was too scared to admit. Kristen swallowed hard, her heart pounding. She should have shut this down. She should have laughed it off, pretended like she didn't feel the exact same thing. But she couldn't. Because the truth was? She liked him too. A lot more than she ever expected to. And that? That was the scariest thing of all.

Kristen finally found her voice, but it was softer than she meant it to be. "Jalen..."

He tilted his head slightly, watching her closely. "What?"

Kristen inhaled sharply, trying to pull herself together. "We--this--" she hesitated, shaking her head. "This isn't supposed to happen."

Jalen didn't flinch. "Yeah....but it is."

His confidence rattled her. Like he wasn't confused about this at all. Like he already knew what he wanted. Kristen exhaled, finally tearing her eyes away from him.

"I have a fiancé," she murmured, as if she needed to remind herself.

Jalen let out a low chuckle, but there was no humor in it. "Yeah, Kristen. I know." And the way he said it--like it didn't mean what she wanted it to mean, like it didn't change what was happening between them. It sent a sharp, heated jolt through her chest. Because it didn't change anything. Not really. Not the way she felt sitting across from him. Not the way her pulse raced every time he looked at her like that. Not the way she had spent all night wanting more. Kristen could feel it. The moment hanging in the air. A moment where she had to choose. She could shut this down. Tell him it didn't matter. Tell him she didn't feel the same. Or-- She could be honest. And that? That would change everything.

Kristen's pulse was racing. Her body was too warm, her mind spinning, and she knew--She had to go. Now. Before she said something she couldn't take back. Before she did something she wouldn't be able to undo.

She pushed back from the table, trying to keep her voice steady. "I--I have to go."

Jalen's expression shifted, his smirk fading. For the first time tonight, he looked... disappointed. Not angry. Not frustrated. Just... Sad. Like he had been expecting this to happen but had hoped, even just a little, that she might stay. Kristen grabbed her purse, avoiding his gaze.

"Thanks for tonight," she said quickly, already turning away.

Already running. Because that's what this was. A retreat. A desperate attempt to get away from a feeling that was already sinking too deep. Jalen didn't stop her. Didn't try to change her mind. Didn't push. He just sat there, watching her go, his fingers drumming lightly against the table. But as she walked away, she could feel it, his eyes on her. That heavy, unspoken weight between them. And the worst part? She didn't want to leave. But she had to. Because if she stayed, she knew exactly what would happen. And she wasn't ready for that. Not yet. Kristen sat in her car, gripping the steering wheel, staring at the glowing city lights through her windshield. Her chest was tight, her thoughts racing. What the hell was she doing? What was she feeling? Why did leaving Jalen feel like she had just made the biggest mistake of her life? She had done the right thing. She had walked away. She had stopped this before it could go too far. So why did she feel like she had just lost something? Why did she feel like she had just broken something in him? She thought about his face. That moment of visible sadness. The way he didn't try to stop her. The way he let her go like he knew it was what she thought she needed. Kristen exhaled sharply, pressing her forehead against the steering wheel. Because the truth was? She didn't know what she needed anymore. But one thing was becoming painfully clear. She had never felt this way about Rob. And that? That scared her more than anything.

Kristen did exactly what she thought she needed to do. She stayed away. No check-ins. No lingering conversations. No casual "just passing by" excuses to see him. Nothing. Tuesday. Wednesday. Thursday. Three whole days. Three whole days of forcing herself to focus on work, forcing herself to pretend that nothing had happened, forcing herself to act normal. And yet... it didn't feel normal. Because the second she started avoiding Jalen, it was like she had switched off a light inside herself. Like she was going through the motions, but not actually there. And worst of all? She knew Jalen noticed. She didn't have to ask if he noticed. She could feel it. The absence of their usual banter. The way he didn't so much as glance in her direction when she passed by. The way he didn't reach out, didn't text, didn't even try to get her attention. It was like he was giving her exactly what she wanted. Or at least, what she said she wanted. And somehow, that made it so much worse. She sat in her office late Thursday afternoon, staring blankly at her computer screen, realizing that she had barely gotten anything done. Her mind kept wandering. Back to Friday night. Back to Dave & Buster's. Back to the way she had laughed so freely, smiled so effortlessly, felt so seen. Back to the way Jalen had looked at her when he said: "I didn't expect to like you as much as I do."

Kristen swallowed hard, shutting her eyes. She had been running all week. She had been trying to pretend like she wasn't feeling something. But now, she had to ask herself, did she really want him to stop trying? Because if she kept this up, if she kept shutting him out, eventually, he was going to believe it. That she didn't want him. That she was fine without him. That she wasn't falling apart inside every time she thought about him. And that? That scared her more than anything. Kristen had spent all week trying to push her feelings aside. Trying to convince herself that things would settle back into place. That if she just stayed away from Jalen, everything would go back to normal. That she and Rob would fall back into sync. That she wouldn't feel so alone in her own relationship. But when Rob walked through the door Thursday night around 7:45 pm, everything became painfully clear. She had been lying to herself.

Kristen was in the kitchen, sipping a glass of wine when she heard the front door open. She turned, watching as Rob dropped his bags by the entrance, loosened his tie, and let out a long sigh. He saw her. But he didn't smile. Didn't rush over to kiss her. Didn't even seem happy to be home.

"Hey," he muttered, rubbing his neck. "Long week."

Kristen set her glass down. "Yeah, I bet. How was the trip?"

Rob shrugged. "Fine. Tiring."

Kristen waited. She waited for him to ask how she was doing, to show some interest, to at least pretend that he cared about being back home with her. But instead he just exhaled, grabbed the remote, and turned on the TV. Like she wasn't even there. Like she was just part of the furniture.

Kristen felt a tightness in her chest, but she gave him one more chance. "Do you wanna sit and talk for a bit? Catch up?"

Rob didn't even look away from the screen. "Not really. I just wanna watch this and head to bed soon."

That was it. That was the moment. The final straw. Kristen stared at him, something inside her snapping. She had had enough. Kristen had spent so much time trying to make this work. Trying to convince herself that Rob would come around. That things would get better. That he would start seeing her again. But this? This wasn't love. This wasn't a partnership. This was a one-sided relationship where she was just supposed to sit and wait. Wait for attention. Wait for affection. Wait for permission to matter. And she was done waiting. She wasn't going to shrink herself anymore. She wasn't going to keep lying to herself. She was going to choose herself. Kristen picked up her phone, heart pounding. She didn't even hesitate. She knew exactly what she had to do. And she knew exactly who she wanted to see. She pulled up Jalen's name in her messages. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard for half a second. Then, before she could second-guess herself--She typed:

"Are you free?"

And hit Send.

*********************************

Jalen and Kristen meet at the office even though it's 8:30 pm. They meet in the storage room. Jalen is confused and asks what's going on and also asks why she bailed at Dave & Buster's, and why she's been avoiding him since. Kristen comes clean about her relationship with Rob, her true feelings for Jalen, and how close she came to acting on those feeling at Dave & Buster's which is why she left suddenly and has been avoiding him ever since. But now she is done pretending.

Kristen pulled into the office parking lot. It was 8:30 PM, and Kristen knew she had no business being here. She used her key to go inside and then disarmed the alarm system. The office was empty, the halls dark except for the glow of a few security lights. Even the cleaning crew had finished and left by now. But she had told Jalen to meet her. And now she was standing in the back of the storage room that was under construction, waiting, heart pounding so loud she could hear it in her ears. When the door finally opened, and Jalen stepped inside, his expression was unreadable. He shut the door behind him, looking at her with a mix of confusion and something else--something deeper.

"Kristen..." His voice was low, cautious. "What's going on?"

She inhaled shakily, trying to find the words. But before she could, he took a step closer. "And why did you bail on me Friday?" he added, his tone shifting slightly. "Why have you been avoiding me all week?"

Kristen's chest tightened. She knew this was coming. She knew she had hurt him, whether he wanted to admit it or not. And now? It was time to stop running.

She lifted her gaze to meet his. "Because I was scared."

Jalen's jaw tightened, his eyes searching hers. "Scared of what?"

Kristen let out a slow, shaky breath. "Scared of what I was feeling. Scared of what I almost did that night at Dave & Buster's. Scared of how much I wanted you."

Jalen exhaled sharply, running a hand over his beard. "Damn, Kristen..."

She shook her head, pressing forward. "I didn't expect any of this. I didn't expect to meet you and feel... this. I didn't expect to have fun with you. I didn't expect to want more. And I definitely didn't expect to realize just how empty my relationship with Rob is." Jalen's eyes darkened, his posture stiffening.

"You really about to say this to me right now?" he murmured, his voice unreadable.

Kristen swallowed hard, nodding. "I am. Because I'm done pretending." She stepped closer, closing the space between them. "Rob came back tonight," she admitted, voice shaking. "He walked through the door after four days away, and you know what he did? He sat on the couch, turned on the TV, and said he didn't want to talk. He didn't even care that he hadn't seen me since Sunday."

Jalen's eyes flashed, but he didn't say anything.

Kristen let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "And that was it for me. That was my breaking point. Because no matter how much I tried to convince myself that I was fine, that I should just keep waiting for things to get better... I realized something tonight." She met his gaze, heart racing. "I don't want to wait anymore. I don't want to settle. I don't want to feel invisible. And I don't want him."

A heavy silence settled between them. Jalen exhaled slowly, his eyes searching hers.

"So what do you want?" he asked, voice low, measured.

Kristen's throat tightened. Because she already knew the answer. She had known for weeks. She had just been too scared to say it. But now? Now, she had nothing left to lose. "You," she whispered. "I want you."

Jalen stared at her, his jaw tight, his body tense. He had been waiting to hear something like this from her all week. But now that she was saying it, now that she was standing in front of him, so close that he could feel her warmth--It felt too real. He let out a slow breath, shaking his head.

"I don't want to wreck anyone's relationship, Kristen."

His voice was low, firm, but there was something else there too. Something that betrayed how much he was fighting this. Kristen stepped closer. Until there was barely any space between them. Until she could feel his breath on her lips. Until she could see the way his dark eyes flickered with conflict.

"My relationship is already dead," she whispered.

Jalen swallowed, his fists clenching at his sides. But he didn't pull away. And that? That was all she needed to know.

Kristen raised a hand, resting it lightly on his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. "And now I see that it was dead before you even came along." She finished.

Jalen exhaled, his hand coming up, hesitating, like he wasn't sure if he should touch her. If he should let this happen.

Kristen's fingers curled against his shirt. "This isn't about Rob." She said. Her voice was barely above a whisper, but she saw the way Jalen's gaze darkened. She felt the way his body tensed under her touch. "This is about me," she continued. "And what I want."

Jalen's jaw clenched, his breath coming a little heavier. And then, slowly, he lifted his hand. It came up to the side of her face, his fingertips barely grazing her cheek. And Kristen? She leaned into it; her eyes fluttering shut for a second. Because this? This was the first time in so long that someone had actually made her feel wanted. The air between them was thick, electric, dangerous. Jalen was still fighting it. But Kristen? Kristen wasn't. Not anymore. She was done pretending. She was done waiting. So she did the only thing that felt right. She tilted her chin up and closed the distance completely.

Jalen held out for as long as he could. As long as any man possibly could. Kristen was standing so close, her body nearly pressed against his, her soft hand resting on his chest.

Her lips were so close he could feel the warmth of her breath, see the anticipation in her eyes. And when she tilted her chin up, closing the distance, that was it. Jalen finally gave in. His lips crashed onto hers in a deep, consuming kiss, releasing every ounce of tension they had been holding in for weeks. Kristen melted into him, her fingers curling against his shirt, clutching him like she had been waiting for this moment just as badly. Jalen's hands found her waist, pulling her flush against him, his grip firm, unyielding. Kristen let out a soft whimper, and that only made him hungrier. His lips moved roughly against hers, devouring her, finally allowing himself to feel everything he had been holding back. Kristen responded with just as much desperation, pressing herself even closer, as if she could mold herself into him. Jalen's hands slid down to her hips, gripping them possessively, feeling the way her body fit so perfectly against his. The kiss deepened. Grew hotter. More urgent. Kristen's fingers tangled into his hair, pulling just enough to make him groan. God, this was reckless. This was everything they weren't supposed to do. And neither of them cared anymore.

Kristen felt like she was on fire. Like she had been starving for this kind of passion and now she was finally being fed. Jalen kissed her like he had been waiting for this just as badly. Like he needed her. And it was the most intoxicating, electrifying thing she had ever felt. His hands gripped her tighter, his lips traveling from her mouth to her jaw, then to her neck. Kristen let out a soft, breathless moan, her head tilting back as his lips brushed against her skin.

"Jalen..." she whispered, her voice shaky.

Jalen exhaled sharply, his forehead resting against hers. His breathing was heavy, just like hers. Their bodies were still pressed together, their hands still clutching at each other. Jalen's breath hitched as he felt Kristen's hands move down to his belt, her fingers expertly working the buckle. She wasn't hesitating. She wasn't second-guessing. She was choosing this. Choosing him. Jalen's jaw tightened, his muscles tensing as the last shred of restraint started slipping away.

"Kristen..." his voice was low, a warning.

But Kristen just looked up at him, her green eyes darkened with something he had never seen in them before. "I don't care anymore," she whispered, her voice breathy, full of want.

She pulled the belt free, letting it fall to the floor with a soft clink. Jalen exhaled sharply, his fingers digging into her hips. His self-control was gone. Jalen grabbed the back of Kristen's neck, pulling her in for another hungry, searing kiss. Kristen moaned against his mouth, her body pressing against him with no hesitation, no fear. Her fingers were already moving lower, reaching for the button of his jeans. Jalen let out a low groan. He pushed her to the back of the room to the back wall. Kristen gasped as her back hit the wall, but she didn't stop him. If anything, she only pulled him closer. Jalen's lips moved from her mouth to her neck, sucking and teasing the sensitive skin. Kristen's fingers tangled into his hair, tugging slightly, which sent a sharp pulse of pure heat through him. Her lipstick was already smudged and left traces on his mouth. She was so damn beautiful. So damn confident in what she wanted. Kristen pulled his shirt up, running her fingers along his chiseled abs, the warmth of his skin sending a shiver through her. Jalen let her take control, his eyes locked onto hers, dark with hunger. Jalen's shirt was now long gone. Kristen unzipped her grey skirt and pulled it off, followed by her white panties, which she gracefully stepped out of as they hit the floor. She kept her blouse, bra, and black patent leather high-heeled pumps, but her lower half (besides her heels) was completely nude and now accessible. Jalen unbuttoned a few of Kristen's buttons on her blouse revealing her white bra underneath, and he smirked. He then pulled his boxers down and kicked them and his shoes and socks off so that he was completely nude now. Kristen looked down, saw that his gargantuan cock was now reviewed.

"Jesus Christ, Jalen," Kristen said as she looked at it for the first time. It was like a brown pipe swinging back and forth and was quickly hardening. Kristen wrapped both of her hands around it and began to stroke. Jalen closed his eye and leaned his head back, allowing himself to get lost in the sensation. Kristen has never seen a cock this big before and it was honestly a little intimidating, but not nearly enough to deter her from what she wanted. And that was to have Jalen absolutely fuck the shit out of her and claim her as his.

Jalen became fully hard in Kristen's hands. Kristen shifted the two of them over slightly so that some shelving was behind them. Jalen lifted Kristen up and she wrapped her legs around his waist, and placed her heels onto the shelving behind Jalen locking herself in place while having leverage now to thrust up into him. She knew that if she anchored her high heels on the shelf behind him, she could push up into him just as hard as he was thrusting into her. It would give her leverage, give her control, let her meet every deep, relentless stroke with equal force.

Kristen's breath hitched as Jalen's hands explored her curves, gripping her in ways that made her feel cherished and devoured all at once. His mouth trailed lower, teasing her, tasting her, making her whimper in ways she never had before.

"Jalen..." she gasped, her fingers tangling in his hair, urging him on.

He took his time, making sure she felt everything--every kiss, every flick of his tongue, every moment leading up to what they both needed. Jalen is now positioned between her legs and his cock was brushing against the entrance of her vagina. Kristen was aching for him now. She was so wet it was crazy. Both Kristen and Jalen were only thinking of one thing now and nothing was going to stop this from happening.

"I want it," she whispered desperately. Jalen smirked and then finally began to push inside her, stretching her, filling her completely. She let out a shaky, broken moan that filled the room, her body arching into him. She squeezed her eyes shut as she felt Jalen's gargantuan dick, slowly, inch by inch, push further inside of her, spreading her wet pussy lips. His ridged cock head was now inside her, and Kristen didn't want him to stop. She wanted it all no matter what. Jalen paused just for a second as if to check and make sure he didn't break her. Then a second later, he continued to push deeper. He was stretching her apart, and it was even a little painful for Kristen, but that twinge of pain was incredibly arousing and only made Kristen want his full cock in her even more.

"FUCK!" Kristen yelled.

He filled her vagina. His cock went in a little further while his hands grasped her bare ass cheeks. Kristen wrapped her arms tighter around his neck. She shut her eyes even tighter. SHIT. His cock might be TOO big. What if he tore her apart?

"Good." She thought.

Kristen focused on her breathing as Jalen's massive force continued its track deeper into her. Her walls somehow continued to find room to accommodate him. Despite the minor pain and intensity, it was all exhilarating and extremely arousing to Kristen. Her pussy had never been pushed to its limits like this before. Limits she didn't even know she had.

From Jalen's perspective, Kristen's vagina felt so good as it wrapped his dick perfectly. She had the perfect amount of tightness around him. Jalen already knew that it wouldn't take very long for him to cum if he wasn't careful, so if he wanted to last longer, he'd have to fight off the arousal for as long as possible.

"Jesus, Kristen..." Jalen groaned, gripping her thighs and fighting to keep control.

Once his cock had almost entirely made its way inside her, Jalen started to move back and forth, starting slow and deep, making sure she felt every inch of him. Kristen's nails dug into his back, pulling him closer so he was better able to give her everything. The sensation was overwhelming. Kristen wasn't sure he wouldn't break her, but that was a risk she was willing to take.

"God, you're so deep," she said, her voice breathless.

Jalen thrusted into her harder, deeper, filling the storage room with the sound of their bodies snaking against each other. Kristen's moans were louder now, unfiltered, raw, full of pleasure she had never felt before on this level. She was using the leverage from the shelving that her heels were anchored on to thrust back up into Jalen which allowed him to basically pound her cervix. Rob had never touched her like this. Rob had never made her feel this alive. This wanted. This worshipped. She met every thrust, her body moving with his like they were made for each other. Jalen grunted against her skin, gripping her even tighter, kissing her even deeper. This was primal. This was months of tension finally unleashed. Kristen's and Jalen's lips crashed together in a messy hungry kiss as they continued to thrust into each other. Kristen wasn't thinking about anything else except how much she wanted to be claimed by Jalen right then. As of right now, her vagina belonged to him.

Before long, Kristen realized that her pussy had grown more accustomed to him now and his cock was now sliding more smoothly back and forth in her. He was hitting it perfectly. Kristen had never cum from just raw penetration before but she could feel it building. That heat coiling in her stomach, growing stronger, hotter, uncontrollable. Jalen could feel it too.

"Jalen, Fuck! Don't stop! I'm so close!" she said against his lips.

Jalen thrusted as hard and as deep as he possibly could making sure his dick rubbed just the right spots of her entrance and that was all it took.

"OOOOHHHH FUCK!!!! SHIIIIIIITTTTT, JALEN!!!!!" Kristen screamed. Her nails grasped and dug into the back of his head and the others his shoulder hard as her entire body tensed as she let go completely, her body clenching around him, pulling him deeper into her pleasure. After about 8 seconds, she came down from the high and continued to clutch Jalen breathing hard, burying her head into his chest. After a few moments, she finally looked up and smiled. And then started laughing.

"I've never felt anything quite like that before," She said breathlessly barely able to form words.

"Well maybe it's about time that someone allowed you to feel what you deserve to feel," Jalen calmy responded, smirking.

Kristen gave him a mischievous grin. She knew Jalen hadn't cum yet, and she was not about to stop until he did. A condom or any form of birth control were the furthest thing from her mind right now. She wanted Jalen's cum in her vagina. Kristen pulled him into another kiss and began to thrust up into him again, and Jalen followed suit. They continued with their messy hungry tongue kisses as Jalen thrusted deep inside of her. Kristen moans through her kisses. Kristen didn't even notice the pain anymore. She only felt complete and utter unadulterated pleasure from Jalen's cock moving inside of her. She had never had nor thought she'd ever have this much dick inside of her. Pretty soon, both of her hands were clutching Jalen's face as she continued to moan against his lips.

"Cum for me," She whispered against his lips.

Not that Jalen needed any more motivation, but this catalyzed him to continue to maximize his movements hard and even more deliberate so that he was smacking her pelvis with each thrust, and rubbing the sweet spot of his cock to get the sensation he needed to trigger his release. Kristen was now was bouncing on his cock like a ball on a paddle. About a minute later, with a deep, guttural groan, Jalen gave one final thrust, his whole body clenched and jerked with stiff movements that matched the rhythm of his ejaculating cock. His cum spilled inside of Kristen filling her up. Jalen's tip pulsated stream after stream of cum until he finally fizzled out. Kristen felt so satisfied knowing that her pussy could unravel him like that. She had never felt more sexy and desired than she did right then. This gorgeous god of man just came inside of her. And not because he wanted to get off, but because he wanted her and chose her. Kristen Stanley. Jalen Moss wanted the her and was showing his willingness to put her first and cherish her as a person. Something Rob had just shown he was unwilling or incapable of doing. It felt like an honor to have Jalen's cum inside of her and dripping from her wet pussy onto the floor.

For a moment, neither of them moved. Their breathing heavy, their bodies still tangled together, their skin damp with sweat. Jalen rested his forehead against hers, his fingers trailing gently down her spine. The only sound in the storage room was their breathing. Heavy. Unsteady. Coming down from something that had been building for weeks. Kristen was still wrapped in Jalen's arms, her bare skin pressed against his, her body still tingling from the intensity of what they had just done. And for the first time in a long time, she felt satisfied. Wanted. Alive. Jalen's fingers traced slow, lazy circles against her back, his chest still rising and falling beneath her. Neither of them spoke. Neither of them moved. Because the second they did, reality would start to creep in. And Kristen wasn't ready for that yet. She closed her eyes, burying her face in the crook of his neck, inhaling his scent...warm, masculine, intoxicating. Jalen exhaled, his arms tightening around her like he could read her mind. Like he knew she needed this moment to last just a little longer. Kristen's heart was still pounding, but not just from what they had done. Because now? Now, there was no denying it anymore. She had chosen him. She had crossed the line. And she didn't want to go back.

Kristen was allowing herself to just feel. And right now? All she felt was Jalen. The way his heartbeat was steady beneath her palm. The way his hands still held her like he didn't want to let go. The way her body still felt perfectly molded to his. How had she gone this long without feeling something like this? Without knowing what it was like to be touched like this? To be seen like this? She had spent so long convincing herself that she was happy, waiting for Rob to love her the way she needed. But now? Now, there was no more pretending. And the craziest part? She didn't feel guilty. Not even a little. Jalen finally shifted beneath her, his fingers brushing through her hair, his voice a deep murmur against her temple.

"You okay?"

Kristen swallowed, opening her eyes but not lifting her head. Was she okay? That was a loaded question. "Yeah," she whispered, pressing her lips against his skin in the softest, almost accidental kiss.

Jalen hummed, his hands still moving slowly over her bare back. "You sure?"

Kristen nodded against him. "I don't regret this."

Jalen let out a slow breath, like he had been waiting to hear that. "Good," he murmured. "Me neither."

Kristen finally pulled back just enough to look at him. Their eyes met, and for the first time all night, she allowed herself to fully take him in. Jalen Moss. The man who had unraveled her in the span of weeks. The man who had just completely wrecked her in the best way possible. She knew that this wasn't going to be the last time.

*********************************

Over the course of the next couple of weeks, Jalen continued to make great progress on the storage room. During the day, Jalen was the picture of professionalism. Focused. Diligent. Making steady progress on the storage room renovation. Jim Harbor had even stopped by, admiring his work, complimenting the attention to detail, the efficiency. Jalen nodded, thanked him, kept everything strictly business. Because during the day--he and Kristen were just two professionals working together. But once 5:15 PM hit? That's when everything changed. Jalen would be wrapping up for the day, organizing his tools, making mental notes of what still needed to be done.

And then, without fail, he'd hear it. That familiar click. Click. Click. Kristen's signature high-heeled pumps echoing down the hall. His pulse always jumped the second he heard it. Because he already knew what was coming. Kristen never said anything when she entered the storage room. She didn't have to. She'd just turn around, shut the doors behind her, even though they both knew the entire office had already emptied out. Then she'd walk straight to him. Straight to his lips. And then? She'd devour him. Kissing him like she had been starving for him all day. Like she couldn't wait another second. Her hands were always frantic, fierce, going straight to his belt, his zipper, freeing him with desperate urgency. And Jalen? He'd be just as frantic, just as desperate, ripping her panties off, lifting her effortlessly, pressing her against the wall like he needed her as much as she needed him.

On the eighth day, or so, of these encounters, Kristen surprised Jalen by switching it up. Kristen stepped inside the storage room around 5:20 pm, locking the door behind her with a soft click. Her heels echoed softly on the floor, deliberate and slow. Her work blouse unbuttoned just enough to tease. She started off as she normally did by closing the distance and assaulting Jalen's mouth with wet hungry kisses. She immediately went to unbuckle his belt and unzip his pants as usual, but this time, she kneeled down in front of him. Jalen's eyes widened, but he didn't say anything, instead just allowing Kristen to do what she apparently felt emboldened to do. Kristen fully undid Jalen's pants and pulled them and his boxers down in one tug and his cock sprang out when it was freed.

Kristen's breath was shaky, her body humming with heat as her fingers continued to stroke over him. She wasn't exactly thinking when she kneeled down in front of Jalen. Something just came over her and she did it instinctively. Now she was wondering what she had just gotten herself into as she stared at his bulging cock right in front of her face. It was massive, with the head of it just staring at her as if to say, "I'm here. What are you going to do?" Kristen hadn't given head in years. She had only done it a few times with Rob and that was when they were in the early stages of dating. And Rob's dick was half the size of Jalen's. Before that she'd done it a few times with various guys from her college years to her mid twenties, but she wouldn't call her performances exactly stellar in those instances. Despite all that, now that Kristen was down here knelt in front of Jalen, she refused to back out. She was ready to taste him. Taste the cock that had wrecked her pussy several times already. She mustered all of her...audacity and leaned forward, slowly, deliberately, her lips parting as she hovered just over the thick, swollen head of his cock. She let her breath fan over him first, teasing, testing, and then she felt it. The smallest twitch of his cock in her hand. It sent a thrill through her, her thighs squeezing together at the realization. Even Jalen wasn't completely immune to feeling vulnerable. Finally, she let her tongue flick out, just barely tasting him. She gave a slow, wet stroke across the sensitive tip. Salty. Warm. And fuck, she liked it. She did it again, her lips brushing against him this time, letting the heat of her mouth tease him. She was pretty much winging it now, but Jalen seem to like it so she trusted her gut. He hadn't said a word. He just stood there, completely still, letting her do as she pleased. But she could feel it. The tightness in his muscles, the tension coiling beneath his skin. The way his breathing had shifted just slightly, deeper now, more controlled. Like he was trying to hold himself together. Kristen smirked against him, her confidence building as she let her tongue swirl over him again, this time letting her lips wrap around just the tip.

A slow, wet pull into her mouth, and that was when she finally heard it. The slightest groan, low and deep, slipping past Jalen's lips before he caught it. And fuck, that sound went straight between her legs. Because now? She wanted to hear more. And she knew exactly how to get it. Kristen's smirk deepened around him as she felt that small, restrained groan slip from Jalen's lips. She had him now. And she wanted more. Without hesitation, she took him deeper, her lips wrapping around his length as her tongue glided over the thick ridge of his tip. He was hot, heavy, throbbing against her tongue, and fuck, he tasted so good. Her fingers tightened around his base, pumping slowly as she worked him deeper into her mouth, her lips stretching around his sheer size. She heard it then. Another sound. Low, rumbling from his chest, barely restrained. Kristen's thighs clenched together, her own arousal growing unbearable. She wanted to see how far she could push him. She pulled back agonizingly slow, letting her tongue swirl over the tip, sucking just enough to make him throb in her hand.

And then she did it again. And again. A slow, torturous rhythm, dragging her lips along his length, letting the warmth of her mouth tease him just enough to drive him insane. Jalen's fingers twitched against the table, his breathing heavier now, deeper, but still, he said nothing. He just let her work. And Kristen? She was determined to break him. She hollowed her cheeks, taking him even deeper, her lips pressing dangerously close to the base, her throat stretching as she pushed herself to take as much of him as she could. A sharp inhale from Jalen. A faint, almost imperceptible curse under his breath. And fuck, she loved it. Her pace quickened, her tongue swirling, her lips tightening as she sucked harder, chasing that next sound, that next reaction. She wanted him undone. And she wanted to be the one to do it.

Kristen became relentless. She had felt the subtle twitches in his body, heard the small, restrained sounds, but it wasn't enough. She wanted to hear him fully unravel. She wanted to break that silence. Her lips moved faster, her tongue swirling, her grip tightening around the base of his cock as she took him deep again, and this time, she didn't hold back. She hollowed her cheeks again, sucking harder, dragging her lips along his length, stroking with just enough pressure to make his breathing shift into something heavier. Something rougher. She could feel it now. The tension in his muscles, the way his thighs flexed beneath her touch. She was pushing him there. Right to the fucking edge. She moaned around him, the vibration sending a sharp twitch through his cock, and finally...she heard it.

A deep, low groan ripped from Jalen's throat, loud, unrestrained, completely raw. Fuck. Her body throbbed at the sound. Her own arousal was unbearable now, heat pooling between her legs as she felt the way his cock pulsed against her tongue. He was close. So close. She could feel his body tightening, his breathing ragged, his control slipping completely. And Kristen wanted to push him over the edge. She didn't stop. Didn't slow. Didn't let up for a single second. Her lips stayed tight, her strokes becoming faster, wetter, more demanding, her tongue working him as she felt his entire body coil with need.

Jalen's hands suddenly grabbed the back of her head, his fingers digging into her hair, his breath sharper, faster until... His abs tensed violently, his cock jerked against her tongue, and then his entire body tensed, his breath sharper now, his control slipping completely as Kristen continued to work him with unrelenting precision. His cock throbbed, pulsing hard against her tongue. Jalen let out a deep, guttural groan, his body jerking beneath her as he finally let go. His cock pulsed, spilling hot, thick streams of semen into her mouth, flooding her tongue as his pleasure crashed over him. Kristen didn't stop.

Didn't pull away. She kept sucking, her lips staying firm, her strokes slowing but deepening, milking every last drop out of him. Jalen shuddered, his abs contracting sharply, another low groan slipping past his lips as she dragged out his release, making him feel everything. His breathing was ragged, his fingers gripping her hair, like he was trying to stay grounded.

And fuck, Kristen loved it. The way she had made him completely unravel. The way she had made him break. She swallowed, her tongue sweeping over him again, cleaning him up as she finally, slowly pulled back. Jalen stood there, his chest rising and falling heavily, his head tilted back, his eyes still closed. He looked absolutely wrecked. And she did that. Kristen wiped the corner of her lips, smirking slightly as she sat back waiting to see what he would do next. Jalen's eyes finally opened, locking onto Kristen with a look that was heavy, dark, and completely unreadable.

"God damn..." Jalen barely managed to say. "Fuck you emptied me."

Kristen bit her lip smiling, before saying, "You taste really good." Her lipstick was completely gone from her lips now. She had left it all on his shaft. She could see the mixture of red and brown colors on Jalen's dick and it only made her feel more proud. Kristen knew that his dick needed time to recover, but she also was ready for her pussy to be fed now that her mouth had been.

Kristen stood up and wrapped her arms around Jalen and began to tongue kiss him. Jalen could taste himself a little on her mouth but that didn't bother him. Kristen knew what she was doing. Jalen was still standing there with his jeans and boxers down around his ankles, tongue kissing Kristen. Kristen began to play with his cock as she continued to kiss him, desperate to revitalize it.

"You know you can't rush him, right?" Jalen said, chuckling against her lips.

"The hell I can't." She responded between kisses. She continued to put sloppy tongue kisses on Jalen while simultaneously massaging his cock, and eventually after a few more minutes,... her efforts proved fruitful. Kristen felt his cock harden in her hands and she smiled on Jalen's lips. Once he was fully erect, she pulled back. Kristen then turned around without saying a word and leaned against a nearby counter, planting both hands flat on it, her back arched, her skirt riding high up her thighs. She looked over her shoulder, green eyes dark with need. Jalen stepped behind her, pushing her skirt up to her waist. He paused for a second, just taking her in. The way her lace thong clung to her curves. The way her heels made her legs stretch long and smooth. The way she was presenting herself to him without a trace of shame. He bent slightly, kissing her lower back, then dragging his lips up to the nape of her neck. Kristen shivered.

"You drive me crazy," he muttered.

His hands slid down to her thighs, fingers curling under the waistband of her thong. He pulled it down slowly, watching it slide over her skin and fall to the floor. Jalen positioned himself behind her. Kristen moaned softly when she felt the heat of him pressed between her cheeks, teasing her, dragging slowly along her slick entrance. Her hands gripped the edge of the table tighter.

"Please, Jalen..."

He pushed in slowly, inch by inch. letting her feel every bit of him stretching her. Kristen gasped, her head dropping between her shoulders. "God..."

Jalen groaned, his hands gripping her hips as he slid all the way inside. She was hot. Wet. Tight. As usual. And damn it, it felt amazing every time. And every time he moved, she clenched harder around him like her body didn't want to let him go.

He started with slow, deep thrusts, each one measured, dragging pleasure through both of them. Kristen pushed back against him, her breathing ragged, her heels slipping slightly against the floor.

"Harder," she said, voice strained. "Don't hold back."

Jalen didn't. His grip on her hips tightened, and he drove into her harder, faster. The sounds of skin meeting skin echoed off the storage room walls. Kristen's soft moans turned into helpless cries as the table rattled beneath her.

"Fuck, Kristen," he groaned, thrusting deep again.

Her eyes rolled back. "Yes—just like that—don't stop—"

Jalen leaned over her, his chest pressing to her back, one hand reaching up to wrap around her throat, not squeezing, just holding, owning. Kristen gasped at the feeling, her body trembling beneath him.

He growled low in her ear. "You wanted this?"

"Yes," she whimpered.

"Then take it."

He slammed into her harder, relentless now, chasing her moans, her heat, her trembling legs. Kristen was falling apart, completely, gloriously demolished. Somehow, yet again, his dick was rubbing her spot perfectly enough to trigger her orgasm.

And when she came? Her entire body shook. Her cry filled the room, hands scrambling across the table as the orgasm ripped through her. Jalen kept moving, dragging it out, riding it with her, groaning at how tightly she gripped him.

When she finally sagged against the table, breathless and spent, Jalen pulled her back upright, pressing a kiss to the side of her neck. "You good?"

Kristen nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "Fuck yeah."

He was still hard, still inside her.

"Are you going to finish?" Kristen asked not even looking back at him.

Jalen smirked and resumed his thrusts. He quickly picked up his pace, penetrating to the very depths of her pussy. While Kristen had become somewhat used to his size, it was still overwhelming to be pounded like this by him. The room filled with the sound of clapping cheeks as Jalen's pelvis repeatedly slammed into her ass, as well as with Kristen's loud moans from the intensity of Jalen's rapid fire deep penetration. It was a good thing no one was around because Kristen's loud moans could probably be heard from the second floor.

Jalen lost himself completely. Gripping her thighs tighter, thrusting deeper, harder, until she was clutching the sides of the counter, her moans echoing off the walls. Jalen's peak pleasure came up on him rapidly and before he knew it, he felt it. He let out several low growls and let go, emptying himself deep inside of her. Kristen moaned in satisfaction as she felt his tip spray it's load, coating her walls with his glorious semen.

This was their new reality. This was their routine. Every night, after everyone else had gone home. They should have stopped. They should have felt guilty. They should have been thinking about the consequences. But they didn't. Because by the time the clock struck 5:15 PM these days, neither of them cared about anything but each other.

A few minutes later, Kristen's back rested against the storage room wall, her legs still tingling from the aftermath of what had just happened. Again.

Jalen was pulling up his pants, still smirking, that post-sex glow all over him. And then... "So... what are we?" He said jokingly.

The words were casual, tossed out like an obvious joke, but Kristen froze. Because it wasn't a joke. Not really. Jalen wasn't pressing her. He wasn't demanding answers. But the fact that he had even asked meant that he was thinking about it. And that? That sent a jolt of panic straight through her chest.

Kristen exhaled, running a hand through her tousled hair, trying to buy herself a moment. Because the truth? She had no idea what they were. All she knew was what this was right now. This addictive, secret, desperate thing between them. But what about the rest? What about Rob? Was she going to try again to save their relationship? Would she finally pack her things and leave? Would she tell Rob about Jalen? And what happened if she did leave? What if, after all this, Jalen didn't actually want anything serious with her? What if she walked away from her entire life, only to find out that this wasn't meant to last?

Kristen let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. "I... don't know."

Jalen lifted an eyebrow, his smirk fading just a little. "Fair enough," he muttered, buttoning his pants, watching her carefully.

Kristen bit her lip, suddenly feeling frustrated with herself. She wasn't blind. She could tell Jalen was waiting for her to figure it out. Waiting for her to stop playing this game where she ran to him every evening, but still went home to another man. And the worst part? She knew she was being selfish. She was keeping them both in limbo.

Kristen inhaled deeply, finally looking at Jalen. "I just... I need to figure some things out."

Jalen studied her for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright," he said, but this time, there was no smirk.

Just a simple, serious acceptance. And for the first time since this started, Kristen felt scared. Because what if, while she was trying to figure things out, Jalen decided he was done waiting?

That Friday, it is Jalen's last day at Georgia Wellness. The storage room is complete. Jalen wiped the sweat from his forehead, standing back to admire the finished storage room. It was done. Everything was organized, upgraded, and ready for Georgia Wellness to roll out their expanded health initiatives. Jim Harbor had already come by earlier, praising his work, talking about how much of a difference this was going to make for their outreach programs.

"Hell of a job, Jalen," Jim had said, shaking his hand. "You ever need a reference; you call me first."

Jalen had smiled, thanked him, and promised to keep in touch. Now, all that was left to do was pack up the last of his tools and leave. And yet, he hadn't seen Kristen all day.

Kristen had been avoiding him. She wasn't proud of it. But she also wasn't ready. Because the second she saw him, the second they spoke, she was going to have to face reality. The reality that, after tonight, he wouldn't be around anymore. This was it. And she wasn't ready to let him go. It was almost 5:30 PM when Kristen finally worked up the courage to go to the storage room. When she walked in, Jalen was zipping up his tool bag, looking up as she entered. And the second their eyes met-- Kristen's chest tightened painfully. He was really leaving. Jalen smirked lightly, but there was something softer in his eyes.

"Figured you were gonna avoid me all day," he said casually.

Kristen swallowed hard, crossing her arms. "I wasn't avoiding you."

Jalen lifted an eyebrow, amused. "You sure?"

She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Okay. Maybe a little."

Jalen's expression shifted, turning serious. "You good?"

Kristen bit her lip, suddenly overwhelmed with everything she wanted to say. But none of the words came out. Instead, she just whispered, "I don't want this to be over."

Jalen's jaw tensed, his hands still gripping the handle of his tool bag as Kristen's words hung in the air.

"I can't date you right now, Jalen, but I also really want you to remain in my life." She let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "God, hearing it out loud makes me sound selfish as hell."

Jalen exhaled slowly, rolling his lips together like he was choosing his words carefully. Because he couldn't lie to himself. He liked her. More than he should. More than he ever meant to. But this? This wasn't fair to either of them.

He sighed, finally setting his tool bag down. "Kristen... what exactly are you asking me for?"

Kristen swallowed, her eyes pleading. "I don't know."

And that? That was the problem. Jalen ran a hand over his beard, shaking his head. "Look... I get it. You need time to figure things out. But I can't just... sit around waiting for you to decide what you want."

Kristen's stomach tightened. "I'm not asking you to wait."

Jalen gave her a look. "Aren't you?" She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Because deep down? Maybe she was. Maybe she wanted him to stay close enough that he'd still be an option when she finally got her life together. But would that even be fair to him?

"I just don't want to lose you," she admitted, voice almost breaking.

Jalen let out a slow breath, stepping closer, tilting her chin up so she had to look at him. "You have me, Kristen. You know that."

She felt her heart squeeze. "But I also need to protect myself," he added.

That made her stomach drop. Because she knew exactly what he meant. He wasn't going to chase her. He wasn't going to wait in the wings while she figured out her situation with Rob. He had given her all the time and space she needed-- But at some point? She had to make a real decision. Kristen blinked up at him, emotions swirling in her chest. She wanted to beg him to stay in her life. To promise that they could figure something out. But deep down? She knew that wasn't fair. And for the first time, she had to face the harsh reality. She had been afraid to choose. Afraid to let go of something familiar--even if it no longer made her happy. Afraid to risk something new--even if it was what she truly wanted. But now? She was on the verge of losing everything. And that? That scared her more than anything.

"Hey." Jalen says breaking the silence.

"Hmm?" Kristen responds looking up.

"One more time?" Jalen says smiling.

Kristen's breath hitched. She had been so caught up in her emotions, in the weight of what they were saying-- She hadn't expected that. Her eyes searched Jalen's, trying to figure out what he was thinking. Was he saying this because he wanted closure? Because he couldn't walk away just yet? Or was he saying it because-- Deep down, neither of them were ready to stop? Kristen's heartbeat pounded in her ears. She should have said no. She should have been thinking clearly, responsibly. But instead, she whispered, "Yes."

Kristen barely had time to react before Jalen's mouth crashed onto hers, his hands gripping her waist, pulling her against him. This wasn't gentle. This wasn't soft. This was desperate. Because they both knew that this could be the last time. Their hands were everywhere, frantic, like they were trying to commit every touch, every sensation to memory. Jalen lifted her onto the storage counter, stepping between her thighs, his fingers digging into her skin. Kristen moaned, her nails raking down his back, already needing more. Clothes disappeared in record time. Familiar movements, but this time? This time, it was different. This time, there was something heavier in the air. Something dangerous. Something that said--This isn't really goodbye, is it? Jalen pressed inside her slow and deep, making Kristen's head fall back, her lips parting in a breathless moan.

"Damn..." Jalen muttered, his forehead dropping to hers, breathing just as ragged.

Kristen clutched at his shoulders, pulling him even closer, needing to feel all of him. He entered inside of her, and again Kristen relished how much he stretched her out and how deep inside her he reached. Their bodies moved together, their rhythm familiar but urgent, like neither of them wanted to let go. In that moment? All that mattered was each other.

Before long, Jalem tensed up and his tip pulsated shooting streams of cum deep inside her, coating her walls. They stayed embraced with his cum dripping out of her. Kristen curled into Jalen's chest, her breathing still uneven, her mind spinning. Jalen's hand traced slow circles against her bare back, his head resting against hers. Neither of them spoke. Because what was there to say? She had told him she wasn't ready to date him. She had told him she needed to figure things out. And yet--Here she was, still wrapped around him, still craving his touch, still feeling like he was the only thing that made sense. Kristen squeezed her eyes shut. Because now? She had to ask herself.... was she really going to walk away from this? Or had she just made her choice without realizing it?

Kristen's body shuddered, still wrapped around Jalen, her breath uneven, her skin glistening with sweat from the intensity of what they had just done. She could still feel him inside her, his warmth, his weight, the undeniable reality of what they had just shared.

And then... he said it. "You can call me anytime. I'll always be there for you."

Kristen's stomach tightened. Because she hadn't expected that. Not after everything she had just said. Not after telling him that she wasn't ready to date him. And yet, here he was, still inside her, still holding onto her, still offering her something real. Even when she didn't know if she deserved it. Kristen swallowed hard, her fingers still clutching at his shoulders. Jalen's voice had been calm, steady, but there was something else in it. Something that told her he wasn't saying this lightly. This wasn't just a casual goodbye. This was a promise. Kristen exhaled slowly, pressing her forehead against his, still feeling the weight of him, the heat of him.

"Jalen..." she whispered, her voice barely audible.

He didn't move. Didn't pull away. Didn't say anything else. Because he was letting her process it. Because for weeks, Kristen had convinced herself that this was temporary. That once he was gone, it would be easier to let go. But now? Now, he was telling her that it didn't have to end. That no matter what she decided-- He would still be there.

Kristen closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of Jalen's breath against her skin. What if she never left? What if she never went back to Rob? What if she just... chose this? Right here. Right now. The thought sent a sharp, terrifying thrill through her chest. Because for the first time, she realized she didn't just want Jalen in secret. She wanted him in her life. Completely.

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