Jay Jay sighed as she stepped into the lavish hotel suite, dropping her bag on the plush bed. Everything-from the rose petals on the floor to the champagne chilling by the window-screamed honeymoon bliss.
Which was ironic, considering the actual circumstances.
Keifer strolled in behind her, whistling. "Wow. They really went all out, huh?"
Jay Jay narrowed her eyes. "You say that like you didn't personally bribe the staff to make this more annoying for me."
Keifer smirked, shrugging off hisblazer. "I may have mentioned we're deeply in love. Just to keep the theme going."
Jay Jay groaned. "Keifer-"
Before she could finish, there was a knock at the door. A hotel attendant entered with a bright smile. "Mr. and Mrs. Watson, welcome! We've arranged a special candlelit dinner for you by the beach. Just the two of you.
Very private, very romantic."
Jay Jay forced a polite smile. "That's really not nec-"
Keifer cut in smoothly, draping an arm over her shoulder. "That sounds perfect." He turned to her, eyes twinkling. "Right, babe?"
Jay Jay clenched her jaw. "Absolutely."
As soon as the attendant left, she smacked Keifer's chest. "Babe?"
Keifer grinned. "You'd prefer sweetheart? Darling?" He leaned in. "Or love of my life?"
Jay Jay shoved him. "I hate you."
"Ah, marriage," he sighed dramatically. "So romantic."
The air in the suite carried a subtle scent of roses and something distinctly warm-like cedarwood and spice. Her stomach twisted.
Keifer shut the door behind them, the click unnervingly final. "So, Mrs. Watson," he drawled, "Finally alone."
Jay Jay shot him a look. "You're enjoying this too much."
He smirked, slowly rolling up his sleeves. "Can you blame me? My wife spent all day running away from me at our own wedding."
"I did not!"
"Oh? You nearly bolted before the first dance. And don't think I didn't notice you ducking behind the cake table."
Jay Jay crossed her arms. "Maybe I was just overwhelmed."
"Or maybe you're scared of what happens next."
She scoffed, but the warmth crawling up her neck betrayed her. Keifer tilted his head, watching her with amusement, before stepping closer. Too close.
He lifted a hand, brushing a stray curl behind her ear. "Relax, Jaybird. I don't bite."
"Lies."
Keifer laughed, low and rich. "Alright,
fair. But I promise to be gentle... unless you ask otherwise."
She smacked his arm. "Keifer!"
"Hmm?" His eyes glinted with mischief. "Did I make my wife blush?"
Jay Jay scowled. "I'm not your-"
"Legally, you are." He leaned in just a fraction, voice dropping into something smoother, more dangerous. "And legally... there are certain expectations for newlyweds, you know."
She froze. "You wouldn't."
Keifer's smirk turned wicked. "Oh, I definitely would." He tilted his head, pretending to think. "Actually, maybe I should call the front desk. Let them know we need to set the mood. Candles, maybe some champagne-"
Jay Jay shoved him. "You'reinsufferable!"
Keifer caught her wrist easily, grinning. "And yet, you married me."
She groaned. "By accident."
"Details, details." He twirled a lock of her hair around his finger, watching her carefully. "But really, Jaybird, if we're already in this situation..."
Her breath hitched. "Keifer."
He grinned. "Should we at least test the honeymoon bed? Make sure it's... sturdy?"
She snatched a pillow and smacked him square in the face.
Keifer fell back onto the bed, howling with laughter. "Oh, that's how you want to start our wedding night? Kinky."
Jay Jay grabbed another pillow. "I hateyou!"
He sat up, smirking as he easily caught her next swing, fingers wrapping around her wrist. "You keep saying that, sweetheart, but your blush is telling a very different story."
Jay Jay yanked her arm away and turned toward the bathroom. "I'm taking a shower."
Keifer propped himself on his elbows, watching her retreat with amusement.
"Want me to join?"
The door slammed.
Keifer chuckled to himself, folding his hands behind his head. "So that's a no."
But, judging by the way her ears had burned red before she escaped-he'd won this round.
Jay Jay emerged from the bathroom,steam curling around her as she tugged the oversized hotel robe tighter around herself. Her damp hair clung to her skin, and she exhaled slowly, bracing herself.
Keifer was still awake.
Not just awake-lounging across the bed like he owned it, one arm propped behind his head, the other draped lazily across his stomach. His shirt was now completely unbuttoned, revealing smooth skin and sharp collarbones, like he had made a conscious effort to look comfortable-or worse, inviting.
He smirked as his gaze swept over her.
"Well, well. You didn't have to get all dressed up for me."
Jay Jay rolled her eyes. "Shut up."
He grinned, completely undeterred. "I mean, you did take your time. Almost like you were stalling. Nervous,Jaybird?"
She scoffed. "Of you? Please."
"Mm." He stretched, making a show of the way his muscles tensed. "Then why are you still standing there?"
Jay Jay turned to scan the room. "Where's the blanket?"
Keifer arched a brow. "What for?"
"For me-on the couch."
He tsked, sitting up slowly. "Oh, no. Absolutely not."
"Yes."
"Nope." He patted the empty space beside him. "You're sleeping here, with your husband."
She clenched her jaw. "Don't say it like that."
"Like what?" His lips twitched.
"Affectionately? Possessively? Like it turns you a little bit red?"
She did not flush. Not even a little.
He shrugged. "Come on, Jay. The bed's huge. I'll even give you a pillow barrier if that makes you feel better."
She hesitated. The couch did look small, and after today's chaos, she was exhausted.
Keifer stretched out again, making a show of getting comfortable. "Of course, if you're worried you won't be able to resist me, I understand."
Jay Jay grabbed a pillow and threw it at his face.
He caught it effortlessly, laughing. "That's two tonight. You're getting violent, wife."
"Call me that again, and I'll suffocate you with that pillow."
Keifer grinned. "Feisty. I like it."
Jay Jay groaned, climbing into bed but keeping to the farthest edge. "If you so much as breathe in my direction, I'm kicking you off."
Keifer smirked, flicking off the lamp. "Noted."
Jay Jay exhaled sharply. " You stay on your side, I stay on mine. No funny business."
He hummed. "Define 'funny business'?"
Jay Jay threw a pillow at him.
Keifer caught it with ease, his grin widening. "That's three today, Jay. You're getting handsy."
"Handsy?" she repeated, horrified.
He smirked. "Well, I am half-naked."
Jay Jay groaned, tugging at the robe's belt like it could somehow shield her from his insufferable existence.
Keifer tapped the mattress beside him. "Come on. I promise to behave."
She eyed him warily. "You promise?"
"Scout's honor." He placed a hand over his chest. "But if you happen to crawl into my arms mid-sleep, I can't be held responsible."
Jay Jay muttered a curse under her breath but climbed in-keeping as much distance as humanly possible.
A beat passed.
Then, just as she was settling in, Keifer exhaled dramatically. "You know,technically, we are married."
Jay Jay's eyes snapped open. "Keifer."
"I'm just saying," he mused, his voice thick with amusement. "Most newlyweds would consummate the marriage by now."
Jay Jay nearly choked. "Oh my God-"
Keifer turned his head, grinning lazily in the dark. "Don't worry, Jaybird. I'll let you make the first move."
She swore she could hear the smirk in his voice.
Jay Jay gritted her teeth. "Go. To. Sleep."
Keifer chuckled, shifting slightly, and his voice dropped-low and teasing, right at her ear.
"Sweet dreams, wifey."
Jay Jay clenched her fists.
It was going to be a long night.
The soft golden glow of morning streamed through the sheer curtains, casting warm patterns across the bed. Jay Jay stirred, her body cocooned in warmth, something solid and steady beneath her cheek. Her brows furrowed as she slowly became aware of the steady rise and fall of a chest beneath her.
Wait-chest?
Her eyes snapped open, and she was met with a sight that made her heart stutter. Keifer's face, far too close, his breathing slow and even, his lips barely brushing against her forehead. His arm was draped around her waist, holding her snug against him, as if this was the most natural thing in the world.
Jay Jay's heart plummeted. She wasn't just near Keifer-she was practically draped over him. One of her bare legs tangled with his, the oversized robe slipping just enough to reveal smooth skin against his. Her arm resting comfortably across his torso.
Panic flickered in her chest.
Her breath hitched. How did this happen? She distinctly remembered sleeping on the far edge of the bed, determined to keep as much distance as possible. And yet, here she was-pressed up against her fake husband like some love-struck fool.
Slowly, carefully, she tried to pull away.
The second she moved, a deep voice rumbled beneath her cheek.
"Mmm," he murmured, voice thick with sleep. "Running already, Jaybird?
After everything?"
Jay Jay stiffened. Her breath caught for a fraction of a second-just long enough for Keifer's smirk to deepen.
Realizing her position, she shot off him, nearly tumbling out of bed in the process.
"Nothing happened," she snapped, tightening the robe around herself like armor.
Keifer's lips curved. "Mmm. If you say so."
Jay Jay folded her arms. "You're being weirdly smug about this."
He stretched, groaning like he was just so satisfied. "Well, it's not every day my wife throws herself at me in the middle of the night."
Her soul left her body. "I did not-"
Keifer grinned. "Oh, sweetheart. You did. You crawled right into my arms. Got real cozy."
"I WAS ASLEEP."
He tilted his head, all mischief and amusement. "Mmm. Were you, though?"
Jay Jay gaped. "What is that supposed to mean?"
Keifer exhaled dramatically, shaking his head. "I just find it interesting."
Jay Jay narrowed her eyes. "Keifer-"
"I mean," he continued, tapping his chin, "a woman doesn't just melt against a man's chest, sigh his name like a lovesick fool, and tangle her legs with his if she didn't have other plans."
Jay Jay nearly choked. "Other plans?!"
Keifer smirked, lowering his voice to a maddeningly slow drawl. "You were practically climbing me, Jaybird. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to seduce me."
She threw a pillow at him. "YOU-"
Keifer dodged, laughing. "Hey, I'm not complaining."
She grabbed another pillow.
He held up his hands, but his grin never wavered. "Just admit it, sweetheart. You wanted me."
Jay Jay's entire body flushed. "I hate you."
Keifer chuckled, voice dropping. "No, you don't."
She turned, ready to storm to the bathroom-only for Keifer to casually add,
"If you wanted to jump me, Jaybird, you could've just asked."
Jay Jay groaned.
Keifer stretched lazily behind her, the bedsheets rustling as he propped himself up on one elbow. His hair was a mess-sleep-tousled and unfairly attractive-but it was the look in his eyes that made her pulse stutter.
Mischievous. Knowing. Dangerous.
Jay Jay inhaled deeply, fighting the urge to throw something. Preferably him.
"Well," he drawled, "clearly, you had other plans."
Jay Jay's face burned. "I DID NOT!"
Keifer smirked. "Oh, so you accidentally cuddled me?"
Jay Jay pointed a finger at him. "I wasn't cuddling anything."
Keifer raised an eyebrow. "So, the way you wrapped yourself around me-"
"I DIDN'T!"
"-and sighed all happily-"
"I-WHAT?!"
"-and muttered my name-"
Jay Jay gasped, scandalized. "LIES."
Keifer grinned. "Mmm, no. Very real. And honestly? Adorable."
Jay Jay grabbed a pillow and launched it at him. "I DID NOT MUMBLE YOUR NAME!"
Keifer caught the pillow with one hand, completely unbothered. "You totally did. It was all Keifer, Keifer-"
"STOP IT."
"-hold me tighter-"
Jay Jay lunged.
Keifer dodged, laughing as she whacked him with another pillow. "Careful, Jaybird. This is exactly how we ended up like that in the first place."
Jay Jay nearly exploded. "I WAS ASLEEP!"
Keifer leaned back against the headboard, grinning. "That's the best part."
Jay Jay groaned, grabbing the blanket and wrapping herself in it like a protective cocoon. "This never happened."
Keifer smirked. "Mmm. Sure, whatever helps you sleep at night. Apparently, that includes me."
Jay Jay threw another pillow at his stupidly smug face.