Chapter 26

The last few days had been nothing short of chaotic. Erin had been working around the clock, diving deep into her new book, tackling the adaptation for the movie, and catching up on emails for the dinner she had attended the night before. Every minute was accounted for, every second filled with something that needed her attention. It was the kind of busy that didn't let up—not even for a moment. The constant buzz of her phone, the meetings, and the scribbled notes on her desk had become her reality.

Jay was in a similar whirlwind. Between grueling practices, sponsor promotions, and the never-ending buzz of the media around his NFL career, he barely had a moment to breathe. It wasn't that he didn't want to see Erin, but his schedule had him running in a dozen different directions. The thought of her, though, stayed with him. Every moment they were apart felt like a gap in his day. But today, he was determined to do something different. He wanted to break the routine, surprise her—no matter how late it was.

It was nearing midnight when Jay finally found himself pulling into the parking lot of her office building, his heart pounding with anticipation. He had grabbed her favorite late-night snack and a small dessert, just enough to share, hoping it would brighten her day and give her the chance to unwind. He couldn't remember the last time they'd had a night together without the noise of the world surrounding them. Tonight, he was making sure that happened.

Walking through the building's lobby, Jay couldn't help but smile to himself. He knew Erin's work ethic too well. She was likely still there, the weight of deadlines and responsibilities keeping her locked in. His footsteps echoed softly on the tile floor as he made his way toward her office.

He knocked gently on her door, his heart hammering for a completely different reason now. When Erin's voice called out from the other side, he grinned, knowing it was only a matter of time before she saw him.

"Erin?" he called out, keeping his tone casual, despite the excitement bubbling inside.

The door opened slowly, and Erin looked up, her face a mixture of surprise and exhaustion. She'd been working non-stop, her hair pulled back in a messy bun and her eyes slightly tired, but when she saw him, a soft smile lit up her face.

"Jay? What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Jay chuckled, stepping into her office and holding up the bags he'd brought. "I thought you could use a little surprise. You've been burning the candle at both ends lately."

Her smile softened, her gaze flickering between the takeout and him. "It's late, you know. I didn't expect anyone to—"

"Exactly," he interrupted, setting the bags down on her desk. "So I thought I'd show up." He glanced around at the papers scattered across her desk. "Busy?"

Erin sighed, running a hand through her hair. "You could say that. I'm trying to finish this draft and balance the movie stuff on top of it. Plus, the dinner last night wasn't exactly a break."

Jay raised an eyebrow. "What happened at the dinner?"

She waved it off, trying to lighten the mood. "You know, just the usual—tons of media, endless questions. It gets old after a while."

Jay could tell she was exhausted, but the way her eyes softened when she looked at him told him she appreciated the gesture. He reached out, brushing his thumb over her hand as he smiled. "Well, I thought this might help. Take a break with me. I'll make sure you get some downtime tonight."

Erin chuckled softly. "You're unbelievable. But I could really use this." She reached for the bags, the smile on her face never fading.

As they settled into the small moments of peace, the noise of the world seemed to dissipate around them. Erin felt her muscles loosen as they shared the food, laughing over the small things, and talking about anything other than work or responsibilities. It was a simple night, but one that felt right.

After a while, Erin paused, her expression thoughtful. "You know, Jay," she began slowly, "you still haven't met Kim yet. My best friend. I've been meaning to introduce you, but I think you've been so busy with everything…"

Jay tilted his head, intrigued. "Kim, huh? Yeah, I'd like to meet her."

"Good," Erin replied with a smile, her eyes brightening. "I've been telling her about you, and she keeps asking when you'll finally be at one of the games. How about this weekend? You'll be playing, right? I can bring her along."

Jay's grin stretched wide, his excitement growing. "You want me to impress her with my moves on the field?"

Erin rolled her eyes, but there was a twinkle in her eye. "You don't need to try too hard to impress her. Kim's not a fan of the 'show-off' type. Just be yourself."

"I think I can manage that," Jay said, leaning back slightly. "But, hey, speaking of this weekend, there's something else I was wondering…"

Erin raised an eyebrow, clearly curious. "What's up?"

Jay hesitated for a second, weighing his words. He hadn't planned on bringing this up, but the moment felt right. "There's this charity dinner Atwater's organizing. It's a small event—nothing big, no cameras, no media frenzy. Just a quiet gathering to raise some funds for a good cause. I thought you might want to come with me. We could both use something low-key for a change."

Erin felt a wave of relief wash over her. No red carpets. No flashing lights. Just an evening where she could actually enjoy herself. "That sounds perfect," she said with a smile. "I'd love to."

Jay reached across the table, his hand resting lightly over hers. "Good. I'm glad. I'm looking forward to it."

Erin smiled back at him, her heart lightening. It wasn't about the glitz and glamour. It was about finding time for each other amidst the chaos. "I think I might actually look forward to this weekend more than any of my book deadlines."

Jay chuckled, his hand squeezing hers. "That's what I'm talking about. A weekend where we just… get to be us."

As they settled into the late-night takeout, the quiet hum of the office space wrapped around them like a comforting blanket. The flickering fluorescent lights above cast soft shadows against the walls, and the only sound besides their voices was the soft clatter of plastic containers being opened. Erin couldn't remember the last time she'd been able to eat dinner in peace—no meetings, no deadlines, just the steady rhythm of their conversation and the occasional soft chuckle.

The office was practically empty, save for the nightguard stationed at the far entrance, his silhouette barely visible in the distance. Erin's eyes drifted to the door, and an idea sparked. She stood up and walked over, locking the door behind her with a small click. She glanced back at Jay with a playful smile.

"Figured we might as well be the only ones in here," Erin said with a shrug, turning the key and pocketing it. "This way, we won't have to worry about interruptions."

Jay looked up from his food, a subtle smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He didn't need any further explanation; he could tell exactly why she'd locked the door. Erin was making sure they had this time to themselves, away from the distractions of the outside world. And Jay, well, he wasn't going to argue with that. The last few days had been chaotic, and now that they had this moment together, he was determined to make the most of it.

He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest as he watched her. "You know, I'm not complaining," he said, his voice a little lower, teasing but sincere. "I think I could get used to this."

Erin smiled, taking a seat across from him once again, her fingers brushing his as she reached for her drink. There was something about the space between them shrinking, the world outside fading into the background, that felt right. They could just be in this moment, with nothing else pressing, no rush to get back to their busy lives.

The minutes ticked by as they ate in comfortable silence, the rhythm of their conversation settling into something easy and natural. Jay watched her, a soft, affectionate smile tugging at his lips every time their eyes met. She was so focused, so dedicated to her work, but in this space, in this moment, she seemed to let it all go for just a while.

Erin caught him looking and raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Jay's grin widened as he set down his chopsticks, leaning forward slightly. "Just admiring the view."

She rolled her eyes, but the blush creeping up her neck told a different story. "You're ridiculous."

"Yeah, but you like it." His voice was playful, but there was something deeper, a quiet affection that echoed in his words.

She shook her head, but the smile never left her face. "I never said that."

"Doesn't need to be said," he replied, his voice soft but confident. "I know it."

Erin couldn't help but laugh. "You're insufferable."

"I know," Jay said, leaning back again, his gaze softening as he looked at her. "But I'm also here, and I'm not going anywhere."

The words hung between them for a moment, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was a promise, one she could feel in the way he looked at her. She wanted to say something, to return the sentiment, but instead, she just reached over, brushing her hand against his. It was her way of saying it—of letting him know she felt the same.

The stillness of the office lingered between them, but now it felt charged, heavy with something more. After two days apart, the unspoken tension had built between them—neither of them really able to ignore the pull that had been growing all day, from their quiet dinner to the way their glances lingered just a little longer than usual. Jay, especially, seemed on edge, like he was trying to keep his cool but failing miserably.

As Erin set down the last of the takeout containers, her fingers brushed against his once again, a spark igniting at the contact. It was electric, instantaneous—like everything that had been left unsaid between them finally surged to the surface.

Jay looked at her then, really looked at her, and Erin could see the shift in his eyes—the playful, teasing spark was gone, replaced by something more primal. He took a step closer, his body just inches away from hers, the space between them no longer feeling comfortable. His hands reached for her, not gently, but with the urgency of someone who had been starved for this moment.

"Erin…" His voice was low, rough, like he'd been holding back for far too long.

Erin's breath hitched in her chest, the weight of his gaze pulling her in. Her heart raced as his hands cupped her face, his thumb brushing her cheek with a tenderness that almost didn't match the intensity in his eyes. Almost.

"I've missed you," Jay murmured, his words like a confession, a promise. "Missed you so damn much."

Erin didn't have time to answer—she didn't even want to. Instead, she tilted her head up to meet him, her lips just brushing against his in a soft kiss. It wasn't enough. She deepened it, her hands threading through his hair, pulling him closer as if they could close the distance of the last two days in one kiss.

Jay responded in kind, his hands sliding down her back, pulling her flush against him. He groaned softly as their bodies pressed together, the kiss turning more desperate, more heated. Every second apart felt like a lifetime, and now that they were together, nothing else mattered.

The office around them disappeared, replaced by the frantic, pounding rhythm of their hearts. His hands moved, slipping underneath her shirt, the warmth of his touch sending waves of heat through her. Erin's breath quickened as she felt the solid press of him against her, his body just as desperate for her as hers was for him.

"Jay," she gasped, pulling away just enough to catch her breath, her eyes darkened with want. "We've gotta—"

"I don't care," he breathed, pressing his forehead against hers. "I just need you. Now."

Erin's fingers trembled as she gripped the edge of his shirt, tugging it off him with an urgency that matched his. She felt him smile against her lips, a smile full of hunger and desire, but also that familiar warmth. The connection between them wasn't just physical—it was something deeper, something neither of them could deny.

Jay's lips found her neck, trailing kisses down to her collarbone, each one sending a shiver down her spine. His hands, strong and sure, worked their way back to her waist, lifting her effortlessly, and she wrapped her legs around him instinctively, pulling him closer.

The heat between them was undeniable now, suffocating in the best way possible. They didn't say anything else—there was no need for words. Their bodies spoke for them, urgent, frantic, and full of want.

But then, just as quickly as it had started, Erin pulled back, her hands resting against his chest. She gasped for breath, trying to steady herself, her pulse still racing.

"Jay," she said, her voice trembling with desire. "We…we can't do this..here…"

Jay's voice was hoarse, his breath warm against her ear. "If you want to stop,I can,just say the word babe."

His words, so simple, make her melt totally.He cared about her feelings in a way probably no man ever did.

Her office, the late hour, the responsibilities she'd been trying to juggle—all of it melted away in the heat of his gaze and the intensity of his hands on her. She felt herself leaning into him, her body betraying her thoughts, craving him more than she'd thought possible.

"I—" Erin's voice caught as she tried to speak, but the words didn't come. She shook her head, her fingers trembling as they slipped under the hem of his shirt. She wanted him—wanted him in a way that was impossible to explain, impossible to ignore.

Jay's hands slid up her back, pushing her gently against the office wall. She barely registered the coolness of the surface against her skin, too consumed with the fire that burned between them. His lips captured hers again, silencing any lingering thoughts or doubts she might have had. All that mattered now was him, her, and the way they fit together—like pieces of a puzzle that didn't need to make sense, just needed to be.

The door to the office, still locked, was a barrier she didn't care about. The late hour and the quiet of the empty building faded into the background. It was just the two of them now. The world outside didn't exist, and neither did anything but the overwhelming desire that had been building between them.

Erin pulled away just enough to catch her breath, her chest rising and falling rapidly. She closed her eyes for a moment, the thought of stopping—of worrying about the world outside—seemed so distant, so irrelevant in the face of what she felt for him.

She smiled, her lips curving into something that was half-exhilaration, half-shyness. "I guess we can ignore all the responsibility for just a little while, can't we?" she whispered, her voice thick with desire.

Jay's smile was slow, full of understanding, and something even deeper. "Just a little while," he murmured, pressing his lips to her neck, the soft kiss sending a shiver down her spine.

Jay's hand gripped her waist, his fingers tightening as he lifted her effortlessly. Erin's legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer, her body molded to his as the heat between them intensified. The moment was a blur of raw passion, each touch, each movement, heightening the intensity. The office, the quiet space they'd been occupying just moments ago, was forgotten. It was just them now—lost in the desperate need to be close, to feel each other.

Without a word, Jay moved her onto her desk, the cool surface of the wood contrasting with the heat radiating from their bodies. Erin's breath hitched as she leaned back, her fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him down to her. Every kiss, every touch, felt more urgent than the last, as if they couldn't get enough of each other.

Her heart pounded in her chest, and she felt the weight of his body pressing into hers. Jay's lips were everywhere—on her neck, her collarbone, the sensitive spot just beneath her ear. His hands roamed, confident and steady, igniting every nerve in her body. Erin's breath quickened, her fingers slipping under his shirt again, desperate to feel the heat of his skin.

Jay's name left her lips in a breathless whisper, the need for him overwhelming, consuming. "Jay…" she moaned, pulling him closer, if that was even possible.

He groaned, the sound low and full of hunger. His lips brushed against hers, soft and deep, as if trying to savor every moment of the kiss before the intensity took over once more. "I want you, Erin," he murmured against her lips. "Right here. Right now."

Erin didn't hesitate. The intensity of the moment, the way he made her feel—desirable, wanted, needed—was all-consuming. She couldn't fight it anymore, didn't want to.

"I want you too," she whispered back, her voice thick with desire.

And in that moment, the world outside her office ceased to exist. There was no more distance, no more uncertainty—just the two of them, their bodies tangled together, moving in perfect harmony, driven by nothing but pure passion and need. Everything else faded, and for the first time in days, Erin felt completely, entirely alive, consumed by the fire between them.

As the haze of passion began to clear, the reality of where they were started to settle in. Jay sat back on the edge of the desk, his chest still heaving, his eyes dark with desire and something else—satisfaction, and a little bit of mischief. Erin, still perched on the desk, slowly composed herself, trying to catch her breath. Her body was buzzing with aftershocks, her skin flushed, and her heart still racing from the intensity of what just happened.

She glanced down at her shirt, and the realization hit her like a wave. Her buttons—half of them—were undone, the fabric slightly wrinkled from where his hands had been. She couldn't help but laugh softly at herself, her fingers grazing the exposed skin beneath.

"Guess we got a little carried away," she said with a playful grin, looking over at Jay. He was still adjusting his shirt, clearly taking his time, though his gaze was still fixed on her, amused and satisfied.

Jay raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "A little? I think we're being generous here," he teased, pulling his shirt over his head. "I thought you were the one who always kept it cool."

Erin rolled her eyes, but the smile on her face was too wide to hide. "Yeah, well, sometimes even I can't help it," she replied, adjusting the buttons on her shirt as best as she could, though there was no hiding the mess that had been made of it.

As she stood up, she pulled her hair back, the slight disarray of the office around them not lost on her. A few papers were knocked over, a chair was askew. Everything seemed like it had been spun in a whirlwind, and as she reached for her shoes, she chuckled softly to herself.

"You know," Erin started, glancing at Jay as he laced up his sneakers, "I've never done anything like… that. I mean, not in a previous relationship. It's always been so… controlled, you know? A little kiss here, a nice dinner there. But this?" She gestured to the chaotic aftermath of the moment. "This was definitely different."

Jay looked up from tying his shoes, his expression playful but curious. "You mean you've never had a wild office rendezvous before?" he teased, his eyes glinting with amusement.

Erin shook her head, laughing. "I'm not exactly known for throwing caution to the wind," she said, her voice laced with a hint of disbelief at what had just happened. "But honestly? I kind of liked it. Maybe that's the problem with me. I get so caught up in being responsible, in playing it safe. I forget how to just—well—let go."

Jay stood up, walking over to her with a smirk that told her he was proud of himself. "Well, for the record, you look pretty damn good letting go." His hand gently cupped her cheek, and he leaned in to kiss her softly, his lips brushing hers with a tenderness that contrasted with the wildness from earlier.

Erin closed her eyes, leaning into the kiss, but pulled away just enough to look at him. "We definitely have to clean up this mess, though," she said, gesturing to the desk. "I don't think either of us wants the night guard walking in and getting an eyeful."

Jay chuckled, running a hand through his hair as he took a step back. "Yeah, I'm sure he wouldn't be too thrilled with that surprise."

Erin smiled, still not fully believing what had just happened, but enjoying the feeling of being swept up in the moment with him. "You know, for the record, I've never been this reckless before," she added, giving him a playful glance.

"Good thing I'm here to make you a little wild," Jay said, grinning, pulling his jacket on.

Erin laughed, nodding. "Definitely a new side of me, but I'm not complaining."

As they both finished getting dressed and straightened up the office, the weight of the past couple of days—of work, of distance—seemed to melt away. Even in the aftermath of what had just happened, there was a sense of ease between them, a familiarity that made it feel less like a chaotic whirlwind and more like just another moment in their growing connection.

"So," Erin said, as they gathered the last of their things and headed toward the door, "what do you think about maybe keeping this whole 'wild' thing between us? Like, no need for any more surprises in the office, right?"

Jay raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a smirk as they walked out of the office together. "I'm not making any promises," he teased, "but I'm pretty sure I'll find new ways to keep you on your toes."

Erin laughed, shaking her head. "I'm not sure if I should be scared or excited."

Jay leaned in close, his voice low and playful. "How about a little bit of both?"

And just like that, the tension of the past days seemed to fade, replaced by a new kind of energy—wild, free, and all-consuming.

Erin walked toward her car, Jay a few steps behind her. They had just passed the security guard without a word, the quiet of the parking lot wrapping around them. The night air was cooler than she expected, and she pulled her jacket tighter around herself.

Jay caught up to her and paused, glancing at her, his hands in his hoodie pockets. "Hey, babe," he started, a little unsure. "Do you have an early meeting tomorrow?"

Erin glanced at her phone for a second, then back at him. "I do, but not until late morning. Why?"

Jay gave a small, almost shy smile. "Well, if you don't mind… maybe you could stay at my place tonight? I missed sleeping next to you." His voice softened at the end, the vulnerability there unmistakable.

Erin's heart gave a little skip. She hadn't expected that, but it felt good. It felt like him being honest, letting her know he missed her.

"I can do that," she said, giving him a small smile. "I've missed you too."

His eyes lit up at her answer. "Really?" He grinned, relieved. "That's great. I—yeah, I just… I missed you."

Erin laughed, shaking her head lightly. "Alright, let's go then. I don't want to make you wait any longer."

Jay chuckled, his smile wide and easy as he reached out to gently tug her closer for a brief, warm hug. "Sounds good, babe. I've been wanting this, just us. No distractions."

Erin gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before pulling away. "Lead the way," she said, tossing him a playful smile.

As they walked to their respective cars, the night felt a little less hectic, the promise of some time together enough to make everything else feel like it could wait.

They arrived at Jay's apartment, the familiar city lights outside casting a soft glow through the windows, the skyline stretching in the distance. The air inside was cool, and Erin slipped off her shoes, feeling the comfort of the space settle around her. The apartment, like him, had an understated warmth—a mix of modern design and lived-in charm.

Jay moved toward the kitchen, his usual easy confidence evident in every step. He grabbed a bottle of red wine from the fridge and expertly poured them each a glass. The sound of the liquid filling the glasses felt like a small, grounding ritual, like a moment to mark the end of their long, hectic days.

"Here," Jay said, handing Erin one of the glasses with a small smile. "I figured we could unwind a bit."

Erin took the glass, letting the cool stem settle in her hand. She inhaled the rich, familiar scent of the wine, the earthy notes relaxing her almost immediately. "Sounds perfect," she said, clinking her glass against his before taking a sip.

Jay sank into the couch beside her, leaning back, the weight of the day apparent in the way he stretched his legs out in front of him. Erin sat next to him, tucking her legs underneath her, savoring the feeling of being in his space, away from the chaos.

After a beat, Jay glanced at her, a hint of concern in his eyes. "How's everything going with the movie stuff? That's been a lot on your plate lately."

Erin let out a soft sigh, running her fingers around the rim of her glass. "It's a lot, yeah. I spent most of the day with the adaptation team. So many details to go over. The script, the casting, the pacing… there's just so much to juggle. It's exciting, but honestly, I'm getting a little overwhelmed." She shook her head, the weight of it all pressing down on her. "I keep thinking, 'What if they get it wrong?' But I have to trust that they'll do my book justice."

Jay watched her closely, his expression softening. "You're good at this, Erin. They're lucky to have you on board. I'm sure it'll be amazing. You'll make sure they get it right."

She smiled, appreciating his support. "I hope so. I just… sometimes I wish I had more time. More time to focus on everything without feeling like I'm scrambling. I don't want to lose the heart of the story, you know?"

Jay nodded sympathetically, taking a slow sip of his wine. "I get it. But you're gonna make it happen. You always do." He shifted his position slightly, leaning back into the couch, his brow furrowed slightly as he changed the subject. "Me, on the other hand? It's been a mess."

Erin glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? What's going on?"

Jay let out a frustrated breath, swirling the wine in his glass before taking another sip. "Some sports journal keeps hounding me for an interview. They want the exclusive on my life off the field. And, of course, that includes—" he made air quotes, "—my private life."

Erin felt the familiar tension knot in her stomach. "Of course they do. And we both know what that means."

"Yeah, they don't care about anything except getting some headline that'll sell," Jay grumbled, his fingers tapping on the rim of his glass. "They want a story, and they want it now. I don't want them turning everything into a circus about you and me."

She nodded in agreement, the frustration building within her. "They'll twist it however they want. If it's not the 'it couple' angle, then it's how we're 'on the rocks' or 'heading for disaster.' They'll take any little thing and run with it."

Jay let out a low laugh, but it was tinged with irritation. "Exactly. It's exhausting. I just want to focus on the game, on what I do, and yeah… on us. But it's like they won't leave us alone."

Erin set her glass down on the coffee table, her fingers still wrapped around the stem as she looked over at him, her eyes softening. "I hate that it affects us, Jay. I really do. But we can't let them win. We're allowed to have this, to be… happy, without them trying to turn it into something they can sell to the highest bidder."

Jay's gaze softened, his expression serious. "You're right. I'm not gonna let them mess with what we have. I know what I want, and it's not some magazine's twisted version of the truth."

"Exactly," Erin said, her voice firm. "We can't give them that. We're not some headline to chase for clicks."

"To us then. And to not letting anyone else dictate our story."

"To us," Jay echoed, his voice warm and sincere. He clinked his glass against hers, the sound of it like a promise—a quiet declaration that, no matter what the world said, they would stay true to what mattered.

As they settled into the evening, their conversation shifted to lighter topics—how her day had gone, how the team was doing, the little moments that kept them connected despite the whirlwind of their lives. For once, it felt like they were in control, creating their own narrative, one that had nothing to do with the tabloids and everything to do with what they were building together.

It wasn't about the noise outside. It was about them, here, in this moment, finding comfort in each other's presence.

"You know," he said, his voice low and teasing, "we might have burned a few calories earlier… but I think we should hit the sheets and actually get some rest."

Erin smirked, not missing a beat. "I'm not sure you need rest after all that energy you showed in my office earlier."

Jay raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at his lips as he reached for the covers. "Oh, trust me, babe, I could go all night. But I'm generous, so I'm letting you off the hook for now."

"Generous, huh?" Erin teased, pulling back the blanket and sliding into the bed. She wriggled under the covers and propped herself up with a pillow, her eyes never leaving him. "You sure about that? Because I'm pretty sure we've already covered everything I need."

He laughed, following her into the bed and settling in beside her. "That's what you think," he said, pulling her close with a grin. "Don't get too comfy, we've got a lot more time ahead of us."

Erin rolled her eyes playfully, but the smile on her face gave away the fact that she wasn't exactly mad about it. "I think you're the one who's getting comfy," she shot back, glancing down at his arm around her waist.

"Well," Jay replied with a shrug, "you just happen to be really comfortable." His fingers brushed along her side in a teasing motion, causing Erin to laugh and squirm just a bit.

"Stop it," she warned, but there was no real heat behind it. She couldn't help but smile as he nudged her, getting more playful by the second.

"I'm not doing anything," Jay teased, clearly enjoying himself. "Just appreciating how warm you are. You're so good at being cozy."

Erin sighed dramatically, her smile still present as she let herself lean into him. "I swear, you're impossible," she said, though her voice was full of affection. "You just don't stop, do you?"

"Only when I want to," he said, brushing a lock of hair out of her face as he kissed her forehead. "But you know, it's getting late, and I really did miss just… relaxing like this with you."

Erin let out a soft laugh, feeling herself relax into the comfort of his embrace. "Alright, alright. I'll let you have your moment of generosity," she said with a wink.

Jay smirked, his arms tightening around her as he laid back, pulling her closer to him. "I knew you'd come around."

"Just don't think I'm going to let you win that easy next time," Erin teased, her voice low, settling into the peaceful quiet that had descended between them.

Jay chuckled, already half asleep but unwilling to let the moment of lighthearted banter end. "You're on, babe," he muttered, closing his eyes and letting the quiet of the room take over.

They both settled in, the teasing giving way to comfortable silence, as the exhaustion from their busy days finally caught up with them. But there was no mistaking the fact that, despite everything—the chaos, the noise, the pressure from the outside world—when they were together, things just felt easy. And that was enough for now.

Erin smirked to herself, her eyes closing as she drifted off. "I'll definitely win next time," she whispered into the quiet darkness.

Jay's only response was a contented hum as he pulled her closer, his last thought before sleep claiming him being how much he truly liked having her there.