Mira's lips brushed against Jerry's neck ever so softly—a fleeting, tender kiss born of impulse. The warmth of her mouth lingered for a second too long, and Jerry froze mid-step in the pouring rain.
"Mira..." Jerry's voice came out lower than usual, husky and laced with tension. "Don't do that. Or this is going to get... difficult."
Mira blinked, realizing what she'd just done. "I—I didn't mean—"
"Oh, I know," Jerry smirked, tightening her arms under Mira's thighs. "But your lips are dangerous, babe."
The nickname made Mira blush deep red. "Don't call me that!"
"You just kissed me, Mira. On the neck. That's classified as level five teasing." Jerry's eyes glinted mischievously as they finally reached shelter.
Mira let out an embarrassed giggle, hiding her face in Jerry's shoulder. "Your rules are ridiculous."
"And yet, you keep breaking them," Jerry teased, gently setting Mira down under the building's awning. Her shirt clung to her abs from the rain, and Mira caught herself staring just a second too long.
"Don't drool," Jerry whispered as she leaned close, brushing a wet strand of Mira's hair behind her ear. "We're still going to that meeting, remember?"
"You're one to talk," Mira muttered, crossing her arms—but not before stealing one last peek at the muscles flexing beneath Jerry's soaked shirt.
As they stepped inside the building, Jerry offered her arm, and Mira, playfully dramatic, said, "What choice do I have? You're my knight in shining gym gear."
Jerry chuckled. "And you're my damsel in high heels and chaos."
They entered the elevator, still slightly damp, both smiling and full of silent giggles. Mira leaned against the wall, her wet curls clinging to her face, while Jerry casually took off her glasses to wipe them with her shirt, revealing sharp cheekbones and lashes too long for a 'masculine' girl.
"You seriously look like someone out of a drama series," Mira murmured.
Jerry raised an eyebrow. "Like the hot villain or the misunderstood antihero?"
"The one who everyone falls for and breaks the internet," Mira said, then clamped her mouth shut. She couldn't believe she'd just said that out loud.
Jerry grinned. "So you have been staring."
"Shut up."
They both laughed just as the elevator dinged open, and the day carried on with playful tension humming between them. Mira's heels sat quietly in Jerry's hand throughout the entire meeting. And not once did Jerry stop smirking.
The elevator opened directly into the conference suite.
Inside, a group of high-profile businesspeople were already waiting. But one woman stood out.
Tall. Blonde. Confidence radiating off her like perfume. CEO Sofia Laurent of the top European tech firm.
And the moment her eyes landed on Jerry, her smirk deepened.
"Oh my," Sofia purred. "I didn't know Langford Corp hired Greek gods now."
Jerry remained unfazed, settling into the leather chair beside Mira with a calm nod. "I'm the assistant. But I do appreciate your taste."
Mira narrowed her eyes.
Sofia didn't stop there. She leaned in toward Jerry, placing a manicured hand on the table way too close. "So… you single?"
Jerry raised a brow, almost amused. "That depends."
"On?" Sofia purred.
Mira slammed her hand gently on the table. "On whether you're trying to talk business, Miss Laurent, or looking for a date."
Sofia looked surprised. "Well, someone's possessive."
"I call it professional boundaries," Mira snapped, her voice a little higher than usual.
Jerry tilted her head, biting her lip to hold back a laugh. "She gets this way when someone flirts with me."
"I do not!"
"You do."
Mira kicked Jerry under the table, which only made Jerry smirk harder.
Sofia leaned back, clearly entertained. "This is going to be fun."
The rest of the meeting was a blur. Mira sat straight as a ruler, resisting the urge to glare every time Sofia so much as smiled at Jerry.
Meanwhile, Jerry? Oh, she was enjoying the chaos. Taking notes with her sleeves rolled up, leaning back with one arm stretched behind Mira's chair, occasionally whispering clarifications into her ear just to see her blush.
When the meeting ended, Sofia made one last attempt
"She's not," Mira cut in, standing up and slipping her arm into Jerry's before Jerry could answer. "She's mine."
Jerry blinked. Mira realized what she said and stammered, "I-I mean mine as in—my assistant!"
But the grin on Jerry's face said she wasn't buying that excuse.
As they left the room, Jerry leaned down and whispered in Mira's ear, "Getting jealous, Mrs. Langford?"
"Shut up."
"You're cute when you're jealous."
"I'm not jealous!"
Jerry chuckled. "Let's get you dry. And maybe… you can make it up to me for that neck kiss later."
Mira turned red, but didn't let go of Jerry's arm.
The night had draped itself softly over the city as the car purred down the empty streets, Mira dozing off against the cool glass of the window. Jerry kept glancing at her with a softness rare in her otherwise cocky demeanor. Her fingers rested loosely on the steering wheel, the image of Mira sleeping peacefully anchoring her thoughts.
Once home, Jerry gently carried Mira in her arms up the stairs, her heels still clutched in her other hand. Mira murmured sleepily, her arms curling instinctively around Jerry's neck, her cheek nuzzled against her shoulder.
Jerry smiled quietly to herself, pushing open the bedroom door with her shoulder and stepping inside. She laid Mira down on the bed as softly as she could, brushing a few strands of hair from her flushed face.
But just as she turned to grab the blanket, Mira shifted.
Her hand shot out—sleepy but firm—and grabbed Jerry's collar. "Kiss me," she mumbled, eyes still closed.
Jerry froze, her smirk slowly spreading across her lips. "Mira?" she said softly, unsure if she was dreaming.
"Kiss me… Jerry…" Mira whispered again, her hand pulling her closer, fingers tangled in Jerry's shirt.
Jerry's heart skipped.
"Damn it," she muttered under her breath, trying to loosen Mira's grip gently. "You're making this really hard, Mrs. Kingston's."
But Mira held her tighter, burying her face into Jerry's neck. Her lips grazed Jerry's skin—and unknowingly, she left a deep red lipstick stain against her throat.
Jerry's smirk deepened. "Guess that answers everything."
Sighing in surrender, Jerry stripped off her shirt and dropped her belt to the floor. She slipped into bed beside Mira, pulling the blanket over them both. Mira rolled over and instinctively wrapped herself around Jerry like she belonged there.
Jerry couldn't help it—she closed her eyes, heart full, body warm from both the moment and Mira's nearness.
She forgot everything else. Everything except her.
Mira woke up with a gasp, her eyes landing on the shirtless Jerry sprawled beside her, her chest rising and falling with soft breaths. Mira's eyes widened even more when she noticed the faint lipstick mark still stamped on Jerry's neck—her lipstick.
She covered her burning face with both hands. What did I do in my sleep?!
Mira tiptoed to the door, heart pounding, but froze when she heard the shower start. Curious—and maybe a little reckless—she turned and walked toward the bathroom. The door was cracked just a bit, steam wafting out. As she reached to call out, a loud thud startled her.
"Jerry?" she called, pushing the door open instinctively. "Are you—"
Jerry turned sharply, droplets glistening on her sculpted frame as she stood in the shower, hair slicked back, her eyes wide with surprise. "Mira! What are you doing?!"
Mira yelped and slapped a hand over her eyes. "I didn't mean to—I thought you slipped or something!"
Jerry smirked, walking out of the shower with slow, confident steps. "Are you worried about me, Miss Langford?" she teased, voice dipping lower. "Or were you trying to sneak a peek?"
Mira's face turned the color of a tomato. "I—I was not!"
Jerry reached her from behind, still dripping wet, and wrapped her strong arms around Mira's waist. Her lips brushed softly against Mira's neck. "Wanna save water and shower together?"
Mira's breath hitched, her knees wobbling. "J-Jerry…" she whispered, voice trembling from nerves and something deeper.
Jerry chuckled, enjoying Mira's flustered state, but then slowly released her and grabbed a towel. "Relax, Mira. You're safe. I'm not the one who clings to collars in her sleep, remember?"
Mira pouted as Jerry walked out coolly. "You're mean."
Still wrapped in her towel, Jerry turned her head and winked. "And you're adorable."
By the time breakfast rolled around, Jerry was back in her sleek black shirt and rolled-up sleeves, hair still damp and messy in a perfect way. She placed a plate of fluffy pancakes in front of Mira. "Eat up, Mrs. Kingston."
Mira huffed, but her smile betrayed her fondness. "You're never going to stop calling me that, are you?"
Jerry leaned closer. "Only if you kiss me again."
Mira blinked. "What?"
Jerry smirked. "What? You don't remember last night?"
Mira choked on her orange juice. "I—what did I do?!"
Jerry walked off with a satisfied grin, leaving Mira flustered and curious, her heart racing in ways she never imagined.
After breakfast, the air between them was warmer than coffee. Mira kept sneaking glances at Jerry, watching how the black shirt hugged her body, how the damp strands of her wolfcut hair brushed her cheek. She didn't want to admit it, but Jerry looked dangerously good.
Jerry casually slipped on her sunglasses, keys twirling on her finger. "Ready, Miss CEO?"
Mira just nodded, flustered, pretending to check her phone. "Y-Yeah. Let's go."
They stepped into the car, and Jerry drove with one hand, the other resting on her thigh so naturally it made Mira's heart skip. Mira swallowed, her eyes flickering down. Why is that hot?!
As they entered the company elevator, a crowd followed, packing them in tight. The space between them disappeared, and Mira found herself pinned softly against Jerry, her back brushing her firm chest. Her breath hitched, face growing redder with every second.
"Breathe, Mira," Jerry whispered teasingly near her ear.
"I'm—shut up," she mumbled, trying to hide her face. But then someone's hand brushed her hip, too close.
Jerry's eyes narrowed.
Without hesitation, Jerry spun Mira gently, pressing her protectively against the corner wall with her arm shielding her, glaring down at the man. "Watch your hands," she warned. "If you value them."
The man shrunk back. Mira's heart raced—not just from the danger, but from Jerry's possessiveness. She could feel Jerry's arm brushing her waist, her scent, her heat.
As the elevator opened, Mira stumbled out first, her knees jelly. She barely noticed Jerry had a lipstick mark still smudged on her neck.
In the boardroom, a meeting with a top-tier fashion CEO was scheduled. As soon as the young, elegant woman entered and saw Jerry, her eyes lit up.
"Oh my—who's the tall, dark, and irresistible one?" she purred, walking right up to Jerry and touching her arm. "You must be Mira's new bodyguard, or boyfriend?"
Mira's smile vanished.
"I'm her assistant," Jerry replied coolly, not even glancing at the woman. Her attention was already on Mira, who now had her arms crossed, lips pouting.
The CEO lady leaned in closer to Jerry. "Assistant? With that body? I can think of better positions for you…"
Before Jerry could speak, Mira stepped forward and hooked her arm through Jerry's. "She's taken," Mira said sweetly, her tone sharp as a knife.
Jerry raised an eyebrow at her. "Am I?"
"Shut up," Mira whispered through her teeth, pulling Jerry closer and ignoring the other woman completely.
After the meeting, Jerry chuckled the whole way to the car. "So… taken, huh?"
Mira looked away, blushing. "I didn't want her touching you."
Jerry leaned close, voice low and wicked. "Jealousy suits you, Mira Langford."
"You're annoying."
"And you're adorable."
As they drove home, Mira tried to stay mad, but one look at Jerry's smirk melted her resolve.
Why does she make my heart beat like this?