CH005: Kitchen Rivalry

[ SYDNEY ]

“Fuck! Fuck! Fuckkkk!” I scream into the empty room, ripping the blanket off my body and glaring at the ceiling.

My chest heaves, my face burns hot, and my eyes sting from zero sleep.

What the hell was I thinking last night?

‘I accept your proposal. Let’s get married.’

Had I lost my fucking mind? Or am I cursed to keep getting tangled with the Hart brothers no matter how hard I fight it?

“Ughhhh!” I shove the blanket over my face and scream into it until my throat burns.

“No,” I growl, yanking it off again, my heart pounding like a war drum. “I’m telling him it was a mistake.”

Yeah. I’ll blame the alcohol. I’ll say I was drunk and emotional and spewing bullshit I didn’t mean. That has to work.

A shaky smile of relief touches my lips.

He’ll understand. He has to. I’ll find him today and put a stop to this madness before it even begins.

The single decision manages to steady me. My anxiety drops, and I drag myself out of bed.

My stomach grumble with hunger. I barely slept all night because I was too busy replaying every second with Raven last night. Now I’m starving.

I skip my usual blog routine of checking stats and readers comments. Food first, or I’ll pass out.

The moment I reach the kitchen, the clatter of dishes hits me.

Hunter stands at the stove, back turned, making breakfast.

I freeze in the doorway.

Of all people that could’ve been in the kitchen, it just has to be him?

Hell no.

I’m not staying here with Cassie lurking somewhere. That crazy bitch might actually rip my eyebrows off next or worse.

I start backing away slowly, praying he doesn’t notice. But as always, the universe hates me.

Hunter glances over his shoulder just that second and locks eyes with me.

Shit.

“Good morning, Syd.” He gives me a small smile.

I force one back and step inside cautiously, avoiding his gaze like lasers that might burn. “Morning, Hunter.”

I head straight for the fridge, snatch a bottle of water, and hold it up. “Just grabbing this.”

Hunter gestures with the spatula toward the golden pancakes on the pan.

“I’m making oat pancakes. Your favorite. Coffee’s brewing too. Sit, let’s eat together.”

My stomach clenches in warning.

“Thanks, but I’ll pass,” I say with a fake apologetic smile. “Got stuff to do in my room.”

“Have breakfast first.”

“No, really. I’m fine.” I flash another quick smile and spin on my heel to escape, but his hand shoots out and locks around my arm.

I whip around to face him.

Guilt swims in his warm hazel eyes. “I know you’re pissed about yesterday. I’m sorry, Syd. Truly. And Cassie—”

Before he can finish, the kitchen door opens.

And Raven walks in. Tall, shirtless, and with every hard muscle on display.

He doesn’t say a word or even glance at us. He just heads to the second coffee maker like we don’t exist. Like he wasn’t the same person who had saved me from Cassie last night, wore his jacket over me and cleaned my wounds at the rooftop.

Or is this just how cold he always is?

Now overly aware of my hand still in Hunter’s grip, I yank my arm from and clear my throat, though my eyes stay glued to Raven.

At that powerful back. Those muscles shifting and rippling with every move.

Heat pools low in my belly, and my fingers twitch.

Somehow, I feel this creepy urge to drag my nails down that back, feel every inch of him under my hands, taste him with my tongue, then tell my readers exactly how fucking addictive he is.

This man is pure walking sin, and he knows it. Too bad he’s Hunter’s brother… and whatever he is too. It’d would have been nice to quench my seven years celibate hunger in those strong arms of his.

“Wifey?”

His deep voice snaps me back, and I blink. Raven is staring at me now, a faint question breaking through his usual cold mask.

“I asked how you want your coffee.”

“Wait. What the fuck did you just call her?” Hunter tenses beside me, his face twisting in confusion and anger as though this is the first time he’s heard Raven referring to me by that title.

Meanwhile I just stand there frozen, mouth dry, words stuck in my throat like I’ve been doused in ice water.

Raven ignores Hunter completely and his intense gaze stays on me.

“Answer me. How do you like your coffee?”

Before I can even stutter, Mom’s head pops through the doorway.

“Thank God I found you, Syd. I was losing my shit.” She sighs in relief, then flashes both guys a warm smile. “Good morning, boys.”

Her eyes lock back on me.

“Something came up. Whitney’s dress for the bachelorette is still at the dressmaker’s. She can’t pick it up herself. Can you go get it for her?”

I almost groan out loud. “Can’t someone else do it?”

“Everyone’s tied up. No one else is free.” She gives me an apologetic look. “And they won’t release it to anyone but the bride. You’ll have to pretend to be the bride… and take someone with you pretending to be the groom.”

“Mom!” I snap in disbelief.

Hunter steps in, resting a gentle hand on my arm.

“No need to panic, Syd. I’ll go with you. We’ll play the couple.”

My breath lunges somewhere in my throat.

From the corner of my eye, I see Raven’s side profile turn to stone. His fingers tighten around the mug until his knuckles go white, like he’s one second away from smashing it.