Keifer's POV
I should have locked my door.
That was my first thought as I entered my room.
Luke was already there.
On the bed.
Shoes off.
Lying diagonally.
On the pillow.
Spinning my bedside lamp like it belonged to him.
He turned when I walked in.
"Ah. Frater."
"Don't call me that."
He placed a hand dramatically on his chest. "But we are family."
"We are not."
He sat up slowly.
Adjusted the blanket.
Smoothed it with unnecessary grace.
"You have good mattress quality," he said thoughtfully. "Firm. Stable. Loyal."
He looked at me.
"Like me."
I closed the door.
Locked it.
Slowly.
"What are you doing here?"
"Sleeping."
"You have a house."
"I prefer this one."
"Why?"
He folded his hands behind his head.
"To observe."
"Observe what?"
"You."
I stared at him.
He suddenly sat up and crossed his arms.
Trying to copy my posture.
Deep voice.
Serious face.
"Luke," he said, imitating me. "Why are you here?"
His eyebrows lowered dramatically.
"I am Mark Keifer Watson. I am jealous but I pretend I am not."
I felt my jaw tighten.
"You are not funny."
"Multum ridiculum," he replied calmly.
"Stop speaking Latin."
He stood up and began walking around my room slowly.
Examining everything.
Touching bookshelf.
The desk.
My jacket.
"This is where the mighty MKW sleeps," he whispered dramatically.
"Stop touching my things."
He picked up my perfume bottle.
Sniffed it.
"Hm. Aggressive."
He sprayed it in the air.
"Like your personality."
"Luke."
He turned.
Smiled.
"Yes, frater?"
I walked toward him.
"Get out."
He placed a hand on my shoulder gently.
"You are tense."
"Because you are here."
He nodded thoughtfully. "Understandable."
Then he suddenly walked to my mirror.
Stood in front of it.
Fixed his hair.
Lowered his brows.
Practiced my serious expression.
"I do not get jealous," he said in a deep voice. "I simply observe."
I stepped closer. "Stop copying me."
He leaned toward the mirror again.
"Jay remembers my favorite movies but not yours," he whispered dramatically.
I clenched my fists.
He turned slightly.
"But don't worry. I told her yours."
He winked.
"I am helpful."
"Get. Out."
He walked back to my bed.
Sat down.
Then lay back slowly.
Spread his arms.
"This room is comfortable."
"It is my room."
He looked at the ceiling.
"Domus fraterna."
"What does that even mean?"
He turned his head toward me.
"Brother's house."
I moved toward the bed.
"Adrian's house."
He rolled away quickly to the other side.
"Do not attack," he said calmly.
"I will attack."
He sat up immediately.
"You would punch your brother-in-law?"
"We are not related!"
He stood up too.
Now we were facing each other.
In my room.
Like two gladiators.
He tilted his head.
"Confess."
"Confess what?"
"That you are jealous."
"I am not jealous."
He nodded slowly.
"Denial."
"Luke."
He suddenly started circling me.
Slowly.
Like this was some dramatic movie scene.
I followed.
"What are you doing?"
"Preparing for battle."
"There is no battle."
"There is always battle."
He leaned closer.
"Especially when love is involved."
I tried not to react.
He grinned.
"Aha."
"There is no aha."
He stepped backward toward my desk.
Still smiling.
"You know what I think?"
"I don't care."
"I think you are afraid."
"Of what?"
"That Jay might actually like someone who can tease you."
I lunged forward slightly.
He jumped back.
Almost knocked over my chair.
"Violence!" he gasped dramatically. "Such aggression."
"Get out."
He began circling again.
I followed.
We were literally walking around my room in a slow circle.
Like idiots.
He suddenly darted toward the door.
I grabbed for him.
Missed.
He slipped past me and unlocked the door.
"Coward!" I shouted.
He opened it and ran out laughing.
"Valete!" he called behind him.
I followed to the doorway.
He was already halfway down the hall.
I stopped.
Exhaled heavily.
Closed my eyes.
Then went back inside.
Shut the door.
Locked it.
Finally.
Peace.
I walked to my bed.
Sat down.
Stared at the ceiling.
Annoying.
Absolutely annoying.
I lay back.
His scent was still faintly on the pillow.
I grabbed it and flipped it over.
"This guy…"
I muttered.
I muttered.
Why was he so calm?
Why did he know so much?
Why did he look unbothered?
And why did his teasing get under my skin so easily?
I stared at the ceiling longer.
Then groaned quietly.
He was unbearable.
Completely unbearable.
…
And somehow…
Still smiling when he left.
End of Chapter 116 🔥