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Jonathan’s mind raced as he and Ciara pulled away from their passionate embrace, the sound of approaching footsteps breaking the spell. He quickly adjusted his coat, taking a deep breath to steady himself. He glanced at Ciara, her cheeks flushed and eyes bright with emotion. She looked stunning, even more so now that she was marked by their shared moment.

“We should go back,” he said, his voice still rough with lingering desire.

She nodded, and they walked back to the ballroom in silence. Jonathan’s heart pounded as they re-entered the room, the vibrant atmosphere of the ball a stark contrast to the intimate quiet of the corridor. He reached for her hand, lifting it to his lips and pressing a kiss to her knuckles, a possessive claim that he wanted everyone to see.

But he didn’t stop there. He leaned in, his lips brushing against the soft skin of her neck, his touch deliberate and lingering. The collective gasp of the room was almost audible, and Jonathan could feel the weight of their stares.

He didn’t care.

Let them whisper. Let them gossip.

He wanted everyone to know that Ciara was his. No one else would be dancing with her… ever.

“What are you doing?” she whispered as they walked with their heads held up high.

“What I should have done all along,” he said, without any desire to whisper.

As they moved through the ballroom, Jonathan kept his arm firmly around her waist, guiding her with a protective yetpossessive hold. He could hear the murmurs of the guests, their scandalized whispers barely concealed behind fans and gloved hands. It only fueled his determination to show them that she belonged to him.

He glanced down at Ciara, her head held high despite the scrutiny. Pride swelled within him. She was strong, resilient, and unyielding. He admired her for that, and it made him want to protect her even more fiercely. She was his shining pearl that he had found in the gutter of the world that did its best to try and destroy her shine. But he wouldn’t let them. He would hide her away from everyone and keep her safe.His.

They joined their friends, exchanging pleasantries and engaging in small talk, but Jonathan’s attention never wavered from Ciara. He watched her closely, noting every smile, every laugh, every fleeting glance she sent his way. Each moment felt charged with the memory of their kiss, the fire between them still burning hot and bright.

As the evening wore on, Jonathan couldn’t shake the feeling of possessiveness that had taken hold of him. He wanted to keep her close, to shield her from the world and its prying eyes. His emotions were a tumultuous mix of desire, protectiveness, and something deeper that he couldn’t quite name.

When the night finally came to an end, and they prepared to leave, Jonathan kept his arm around Ciara, guiding her out of the ballroom with a sense of pride and determination. He had claimed her in front of everyone, and he had no intention of letting her go.

As the carriage came to a halt in front of their home, Jonathan stepped out first, extending a hand to help Ciara down. Their eyes locked in a silent exchange of emotions, heavy with the night’s events. Without a word, he swept her into his arms, lifting her effortlessly.

“Jonathan!” Ciara exclaimed, a surprised chuckle escaping her lips. “Have you lost your mind?”

He looked down at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of determination and passion. “Yes,” he admitted, his voice rough with sincerity. “I’ve lost my mind, Ciara. I’m mad about you.”

Her laughter softened, replaced by a tender smile as she gazed up at him. The intensity of his words and the fire in his eyes left no room for doubt. She nestled closer to him, feeling the strong, steady beat of his heart against her.

Jonathan carried her through the grand halls of their home, his grip on her firm yet gentle. As they reached her room, he pushed the door open with his shoulder, stepping inside and gently setting her down on the bed. The room was dimly lit, casting a warm, intimate glow over them.

“Jonathan,” she began, her voice a soft whisper, but he silenced her with a finger to her lips.

“No,” he said, shaking his head slightly. “Let me speak. I’ve been a fool, pushing you away when all I wanted was to be closer to you. Tonight, seeing you with another man… it made me realize how much I need you, how much I want you. I can’t let you go, Ciara.”

“I… I don’t want you to let me go, Jonathan…” she replied as her lower lip trembled with vulnerability.

For a moment, they simply stood there, wrapped in the intensity of their newfound understanding. Then, slowly, Jonathan leaned in, capturing her lips in a kiss that was both tender and fervent, a promise of the future they would face together.

When they finally pulled away, breathless and heartbeats racing, Jonathan rested his forehead against hers. “I’m mad about you,” he repeated, his voice a soft murmur against her lips.

Ciara smiled, a sense of peace and joy washing over her. “Then I suppose we’re both mad,” she said, her eyes shining with love and mischief.

He chuckled, his arms tightening around her. “Mad together, then.”

Without any other words, she lay back on the bed, pooling her gown around her waist, inching her legs apart and revealing herself to him. He breathed heavily, looking at her soft, pink flesh.

“Do you want me to go completely insane?” he teased, lowering himself onto her. “You know what you do to me, siren…”

“I know,” she purred back, cupping his face and staring at him. “But I’m wondering if I should make you work for it…”

“No, no, no,” he said, smirking. “That…” he pointed at her most intimate place, “is all mine. You can’t take it away from me.”