One Shot: “Only Mine to Watch”

🌙 One Shot: “Only Mine to Watch”

He noticed the moment it happened.

The way you smiled.

Soft. Unaware. Beautiful in a way that made something inside him tighten.

And it wasn’t for him.

His gaze hardened as he stood across the room, half-hidden in shadows, watching you laugh at something another man said. Too close. Too comfortable.

His fingers flexed at his side.

He didn’t like that.

Not one bit.

---

You felt it before you saw him.

That gaze.

Heavy. Possessive. Familiar enough to make your heartbeat stumble.

Slowly, your smile faded as your eyes searched the room… until they found him.

Leaning against the wall.

Watching.

Only you.

---

Your breath hitched.

There was something different tonight.

Something darker.

---

You excused yourself quickly, the conversation around you blurring as you moved away. You didn’t get far.

A hand closed gently around your wrist.

Not rough.

But firm enough to stop you.

---

“You’re leaving already?”

His voice was low. Calm.

Too calm.

---

You turned, your eyes meeting his.

And your chest tightened.

Jealousy burned quietly behind his gaze, controlled so carefully it almost made it worse.

---

“I was just talking,” you said softly.

“I saw.”

He didn’t raise his voice.

Didn’t accuse.

But the way his thumb brushed lightly against your wrist sent a shiver through you.

---

He stepped closer.

Not forcing.

But closing the distance anyway.

---

“You looked happy,” he murmured.

Your lips parted slightly. “I was just being polite.”

His jaw clenched—just for a second.

Then he exhaled.

Slow.

Measured.

Like he was holding something back.

---

“I don’t like it,” he admitted quietly.

Not angry.

Not loud.

Just… honest.

---

Your heart skipped.

“You don’t like what?”

---

His hand moved—hesitant for a fraction of a second—before gently lifting your chin so you had no choice but to look at him.

“I don’t like when someone else gets that smile.”

---

The words weren’t harsh.

But they settled deep.

Heavy.

---

“You can’t control that,” you whispered, though your voice lacked strength.

---

“I know.”

He didn’t argue.

Didn’t push.

That somehow made it worse.

---

His thumb brushed your cheek this time, softer than you expected.

“I don’t want to control you.”

A pause.

“But I don’t think I can stand watching you belong to a room that isn’t mine.”

---

Your breath caught.

Belong.

---

“I don’t belong to anyone,” you said, trying to hold onto something steady.

---

His lips curved faintly.

Not mocking.

Not cruel.

Just… certain.

---

“No,” he agreed softly.

Then, leaning closer—just enough for his voice to brush against your skin—

“But you look at me like you could.”

---

Your heart raced.

Because he wasn’t forcing.

Wasn’t demanding.

And yet—

You didn’t pull away.

---

His hand slipped from your face slowly, like it cost him something.

Control.

Restraint.

---

“Go back,” he said quietly.

Your brows furrowed.

---

“But this time…” his eyes darkened slightly, “be careful who you smile at.”

---

You swallowed.

“Or what?”

---

He stepped back fully now, putting space between you.

Letting you breathe.

Letting you choose.

---

But his gaze never softened.

---

“Or I might forget how to be gentle about it.”

---

And somehow—

That wasn’t a threat.

It felt like a promise.

---

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